Westwind Summer 2026

Homecoming Weekend

A Life of Stories

Nearly 1,000 alumni returned to celebrate lifelong WWU connections. p. 16

David Kilmer explores purpose, mentors, and the power of storytelling. p. 28

THE MAGAZINE OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY SUMMER 2026

Westwind

WWU Virtual Fly-In WWU Aviation alumni flying everything from airliners to fighter jets. p. 12

Your legacy changes our future.

What will your legacy be?

A legacy gift is a gift that impacts generations to come. Make Walla Walla University part of your heritage by including WWU in your estate plan. Remembering WWU in your will builds financial strength, bolsters academic and co-curricular programs, and helps students and faculty. Here are the benefits to you:

It’s simple.

You can set up your gift with a single paragraph in your will or a simple one-page amendment.

It’s flexible.

You can leave us a specific asset or a share in your estate’s net remainder. Your bequest can support a specific program or whatever needs are most relevant when your gift is received.

Learn more about legacy giving by visiting legacy.wallawalla.edu or by contacting Troy Patzer ’99, associate vice president for alumni and advancement services, at (509) 527-2586 or troy.patzer@wallawalla.edu.

It’s revocable.

If your plans or circumstances change, you can easily revise the bequest.

BACK TO YOU

“I urge you to find the right questions.

And then follow those questions as far as you possibly can.”

—David Kilmer ’90 Read more on p. 28

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 THE MAGAZINE OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY // SUMMER 2026

12 WWU Virtual Fly-In

From mission fields to airlines, alumni share their journeys.

Homecoming 16 Weekend Alumni reunited to celebrate shared memories and lasting friendships.

28 Back to You

David Kilmer reflects on purpose, mentors, and life’s unexpected questions.

30 Alumni Currents

AlumNotes and In Memory

About the cover

This issue’s cover traces the paths of WWU Aviation alumni, reflecting careers that span airlines, military service, mission aviation, corporate flight, and more. Their stories—and where they’re flying today—are featured in the first WWU Virtual Fly-In. Westwind Summer 2026, Volume 45, Number 2 // Westwind is published three times a year by Walla Walla University, a Seventh-day Adventist institution, and is produced by the WWU Marketing and University Relations office.

This issue was printed July 2026. © 2026 by Walla Walla University. Mail Westwind, 204 S. College Ave., College Place, WA 99324 E-mail westwind@wallawalla.edu Telephone (800) 541-8900 Online wallawalla.edu/westwind Editor Caeden Rogers Staff writers Hailey Werner and Garrett Christensen Design Adam Newbold/ANEW Creation Limited

FROM THE PRESIDENT

We are in crisis.

I have read no fewer than 40 authors in the past year who are sounding the alarm. The warning is widely held, echoed in common, and repeated with urgency. The emergency is an accelerating uncertainty about the most fundamental of all questions: What does it mean to be a human being?

WHO ARE WE? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A HUMAN BEING? I don’t think I’ve overstated the case—the pollsters report a crisis of meaning, the social scientists name a collective angst, nearly every person I run into admits a global edginess abounds.

AND THIS IS WHY THE IMPORTANCE OF WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY IS AT ITS ZENITH. The foremost reason for our existence rises above the undergraduate education of any one student. The ultimate purpose of our work gathers all professors, students, courses, classrooms, convocations, and conversations into a transcen-

dent whole. The meaning of Walla Walla University is plain: a “belief that every person is created in the image of God as a being of inestimable value and worth, imbued with powers of intelligence, stewardship, and creativity akin to those of the Creator.”

OUR MISSION IS TO ANSWER THE GREATEST OF ALL QUESTIONS: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A HUMAN BEING? Our task is to declare God as humanity’s originator. Our charge is to claim humanity as a community of creatures made in God’s image. Our vocation is to disciple human beings in the way of God’s ultimate human revelation, Jesus Christ. Our work is to teach the arts and the sciences, human thinking and human doing in the way of Jesus. Our gospel calling is to name the priceless value of the marginalized, the forgotten, the injured, the children of God deemed least valuable in our broken reckoning. Our mandate is to be an exemplar of a grand anthropology: human beings are both saints and sinners, flawed yet holy ones chosen by God for good works and eternal life.

Amid the chaos and crisis of human existence, Walla Walla University is an established tower of moral strength, built and rebuilt upon the Rock of humanity’s yesterday, today, and tomorrow. This is God’s school, a divinely inspired human institution engineered for glory. Alumni, your alma mater’s existence is not merely nice but essential. Absent Walla Walla University and its faith-driven higher education siblings, the human race is rudderless. Where else will we slowly, thoughtfully, systematically consider what it means, and what it must mean, to be a human being?

Alex Bryan, president

ALUMNI IN THE NEWS: WALLAWALLA.EDU/WESTWIND

4

Westwind Summer 2026

PHOTOS: CHRIS DRAKE

AI threatens the preeminence of human genius.

Political success is defined as human power rather than human goodness.

Hating human enemies is expected and rewarded.

Dehumanizing humans is “evidence” of moral superiority.

Science favors a human birth story of freakish accident over loving, intelligent design.

Humans are advanced yet unexceptional animals.

“Spiritual but not religious” absents us from human community.

Impersonal machines are now our most faithful “human” companions.

The goal of human life is hoarding wealth.

The game of human life is a struggle for survival, a battle of the fittest.

Libertinism—human life absent boundary or restraint—is ultimate orthodoxy.

And our human educational systems are not immune from our broader human condition.

The popular purpose of human schooling is to produce producers.

The popular reason for human colleges is to create consumers.

The prevailing promise of human universities is self-fulfillment.

Humanity—and its halls of learning—are disoriented, lost without an ultimate and reliable compass.

From vision to reality W Walla Walla University’s Life.Changing. Campaign achieves its mission

hen WWU launched the Life.Changing. Campaign in 2015, the vision was bold, to transform campus facilities, strengthen the endowment, and invest in the future of Christian higher education. We are thrilled to announce that the comprehensive campaign has successfully met that vision.

The Life.Changing. Campaign raised more than $70 million, and among its achievements are the complete transformation of Bowers Hall, adding more than $18 million in gifts and commitments to the university’s endowment, and raising more than $23 million for a vibrant Student Life and Ministry Center.

Renewing Bowers Hall

The first capital project tackled under the campaign, the $4 million Bowers Hall renovation project, completely renewed the most historical building on our campus into a modern home for the university’s School of Business. The renovation added more than 3,000 new square feet and reorganized the more than 11,000 square feet in the 102-year-old building. Today you’ll find, Bowers Hall is always alive and full of activity.

Strengthening the endowment

While gifts that fund today’s needs are deeply appreciated, WWU’s leaders also recognize the importance of ensuring resources for the university’s future. For that reason a campaign

goal was established to grow the university’s endowment by $5 million. Thanks to generous and future-focused donors, we raised more than $18 million for our endowment.

Creating a Student Life and Ministry Center

Work is underway on Kellogg Hall, which will receive a $23 million top-to-bottom renovation, and a new expansion, resulting in more than 22,000 square feet devoted to gathering, ministry, and student life. The new center, SLMC as it is commonly called, will make its full debut in December 2027.

The Life.Changing. Campaign was a team effort from the beginning. “This was a heavy lift, but it confirmed that our Walla Walla University community is alive and well. We should be proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” said Jodi Wagner, vice president for marketing and enrollment.

“This really is a time for celebration,” adds President Alex Bryan. “We are thankful to the hundreds of donors who have helped us strengthen Walla Walla University through this campaign, and, may I add, who continue to push us to lean into future opportunities with confidence. We’re ready to rise to their challenge, and excited about what the future holds.”

Westwind Summer 2026

5

You’re Invited 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.

ALUMNI

SPORTS

Alumni Ice Cream Social at the British Columbia Camp Meeting SATURDAY, JULY 25 5:30 p.m.

Hope, BC Camp | Lodge Gym

“Take me out to the ballgame … ” Join us at this year’s WWU Alumni Night with the Walla Walla Sweets Wednesday, July 29 | 6:30 to 9 p.m. | Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla 6 p.m. gate opens 6:20 p.m. onion pitch by President Alex Bryan & singing of the National Anthem Tickets are $7.00 each and include a complimentary bag of popcorn and a soda or water.

To purchase tickets, scan the QR, go to wallawalla.edu/ sweets, or call us at 509-527-2631.

6

Westwind Summer 2026

Join us for brownies, ice cream, and some delicious, fresh, local blueberries!

Catch up on the latest news from Walla Walla University while connecting with fellow alumni. And don’t leave without getting a Walla Walla Sweet Onion to take home.

HOMECOMING

TRAVEL

Save the date for Homecoming 2027 APRIL 23–25, 2027

Join us in celebrating 35 years of Fall Classic Tournament!

OCT. 8–10, 2026 For 35 years, Fall Classic has brought academy athletes to WWU for women’s volleyball, mixed soccer, campus spirit, and lasting friendships. Alumni are invited to return, cheer from the sidelines, reconnect with classmates, and help celebrate a beloved tradition that continues to welcome new generations to Walla Walla University.

Alumni weekend will be held April 23 to 25, 2027. If your graduation year ends in a “2” or a “7”, this will be an honor year for you! In addition to the traditional reunion events, this year’s lineup will include a celebration of 100 Years of OPS (stay tuned for what that will entail!) and a brass choir reunion concert under the direction of Brandon Beck. Avoid FOMO (fear of missing out) and start planning now!

Stay tuned for updates at: wallawalla.edu/tournament.

VISIT US

If your summer travels bring you through Walla Walla, come visit us!

The advancement and alumni engagement team is currently based in the Havstad Alumni Center, next to Kretschmar Hall, on 4th Street.

Our office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon on Friday. Share your stories, update your contact information, peruse the yearbook collection, and/or just enjoy the air conditioning! We would love to see you.

Westwind Summer 2026

7

College Avenue The latest from across campus

Leading AI literacy

WWU now offers a variety of AI training and degrees, matching the industry’s rapid growth

I

n recent years, there has been a rapid emergence of new and improving AI technology. To meet this both effectively and with care, Walla Walla University is offering a variety of AI-focused training programs and classes to ensure students and faculty are prepared to utilize this tool with skill and discernment.

The largest of these additions is the Department of Computer Science’s Bachelor

of Science in artificial intelligence. The program teaches not just how to build these systems but how to evaluate, critique, and responsibly use them.

The School of Business’ MBA program is also offering an AI specialization. Students learn how to drive business innovation, efficiency, and ethical decision-making through a strong understanding of AI technologies.

Chiké Abuah, visiting professor of

computer science, said, “I think a lot of programs treat AI as a purely technical skill set, but we want to graduate students who can build these systems and ask hard questions about them.”

Learn more at wallawalla.edu/cs.

Fitting named new VP Matthew Fitting to lead student life at WWU

PHOTO: TYLER PARKER

M

8

Westwind Summer 2026

atthew Fitting joined the Walla Walla University community in July as the new vice president for student life, bringing extensive residential life experience to a team dedicated to the holistic development of WWU students.

Fitting comes to WWU from Andrews University, where he has served since 2022 as a dean for undergraduate residence life. Prior to his time in Berrien Springs, Fitting was chief administration

officer for Solid State Operations, a software development company in Boise, Idaho. He also held residential life positions at Monterey Bay Academy, and Gem State Adventist Academy, where he was vice president of student life.

Fitting draws inspiration from 1 Thessalonians 5 and its call to care for one another, build each other up. “This has long shaped my approach to community, and I look forward to bringing that spirit into this role,” he says.

FIND MORE NEWS AT WALLAWALLA.EDU/NEWS.

BY THE NUMBERS

2026 Graduates

273 graduates

joined the WWU family on June 14

53

years old, proving education has no age limit

56

students earned graduate degrees

$20 million

received in scholarships and grants by members of the class

28

graduates served as student missionaries or taskforce workers

View photos from graduation at

wallawalla.edu/ grad.

MBA expanded

WWU’s offers focused Ministerial Leadership training

W

alla Walla University’s fully online MBA with a Ministerial Leadership specialization equips leaders to run mission-driven organizations with confidence.

The program offers asynchronous learning, interactive, case-based lessons, and rolling start dates with completion at the student’s own pace.

Scholarships may be available, and employees of the North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists receive a 15% tuition discount in partnership with WWU.

“In a world where long-term viability increasingly determines a nonprofit organization’s impact, programs like this are a necessity,” said Paul Rhynard, MBA program director. “We are excited to help leaders walk away with tools that will translate directly to their ministry’s day-today work.”

Learn more at wallawalla.edu/mba.

WWU Church announces new pastor Walla Walla University Church announces Albert Handal as new lead pastor Albert Nejib Handal was formally installed as lead pastor of the Walla Walla University Church on March 14. He brings more than two decades of pastoral and chaplaincy experience to the role.

For Handal, accepting this calling felt both new and deeply personal.“I feel a sense of God’s leading that is incredibly urgent on my heart when I walk through our campus,” Handal said. “I’m excited to find my place in a sacred Walla Walla

tradition of world changers and gospel proclaimers that is much bigger, and much older, than me.”.

To watch services live, visit wwuchurch.com.

Westwind Summer 2026

PHOTOS: CHRIS DRAKE, CAEDEN ROGERS

The oldest bachelor’s degree graduate in the class was

9

College Avenue The latest from across campus

Reading and browsing recommendations from our experts

Tuesdays with Morrie

By Mitch Albom

Tuesdays with Morrie is a memoir of a sports journalist who, at graduation, promised his favorite professor that he would stay in touch. He didn’t stay in touch. Sixteen years later he finds out that the professor is dying of ALS and reaches out to reconnect. They spend the following 14 Tuesdays discussing some of life’s most meaningful lessons about love, work, family, aging, and death. I recommend it because while it’s really sad, it is also thought-provoking, and inspiring.

Claudia Santellano—associate director for student financial services

New funding for Rosario

PHOTOS: CHRIS DRAKE, COLBY D. KUSCHATKA

Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory receives three grants from Versacare Foundation

10

Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory has been awarded three grants from the Versacare Foundation in partnership with private donors to support expanding facilities and enhancing student experiences.

The first award, a $25,000 grant, will support Sea It to Believe It, an interactive pop-up aquarium program that brings local marine life directly to the public. This grant will enable Rosario to reach larger audiences and showcase a greater diversity of marine life.

A second grant of $12,160, will fund Room to Thrive, a project that will enhance residential spaces by installing hotel-style conveniences cabinets in dorm rooms. The grant will also

Westwind Summer 2026

support the installation of two largescreen televisions in shared spaces.

These additions will foster community and provide students the flexibility needed to better manage their daily routines.

The third award, a $40,000 grant, will support Bringing the Living Sea into the Classroom. This project expands an existing saltwater filtration system into five additional classrooms and laboratories, enabling more faculty to incorporate live marine organisms into daily instruction.

The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives

By Leonard Mlodinow

Stochasticity—or randomness—is a fundamental feature of my field of study: population genetics. Counterintuitively, under the right population parameters, an allele can “behave” as though influenced by deterministic forces while segregating completely randomly. How often are deterministic “success” steps misspecifications in which randomness was the driver all along? Read on to find out!

Matthew Williams—associate professor of biology

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

By Phil Knight

I enjoy reading true stories. The author, Phil Knight, shared his failures as well as his successes. He started his company because he loved running and wanted a good product, not for the money.

Lana Van Dorn—business office manager

Learn more at

wallawalla.edu/rosario.

Historical parallels Greg Dodds previews his new book

D

Ancient DNA

uring homecoming weekend, Greg Dodds gave a lecture previewing his new book Vox Populi: The Idea and Meaning of The People in Restoration England to be published later this year in October.

Dodds’ lecture explored the political climate of England in the 1600s, a time when the modern ideas of democracy and political parties were first developing. During this time, the values of freedom and security were in constant tension and people felt that they needed to choose sides.

Dodds highlighted how these foundational practices are seen today, touching on how those same tensions affect modern political discourse. He said the key takeaway from his research was that “political parties will always let you down.

God won’t.”

New findings reshape Bronze Age history

To learn more, visit wallawalla.edu/history.

Read the full story at wallawalla.edu/ancient-dna.

M

atthew Williams, assistant professor of biology, and WWU sophomore biology student Aidan Richards contributed to an international ancient DNA study published in Genome Biology. The study examined DNA from Bakr Awa, an archaeological site between the Mesopotamian plains and the Zagros Mountains, and found that the region’s Bronze Age population was both genetically and culturally diverse. Richards used Python to analyze genetic data, helping show that later Iron Age populations integrated those diverse lineages rather than replacing them. The finding suggests major cultural change does not always require largescale population turnover.

PHOTOS: JACOB MAYES

Frey awarded 2026 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer At the 2026 faculty awards ceremony, Mathilde Frey, professor of Biblical Studies, was announced as the 2026 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer. Frey’s lecture, entitled “The Art of Reading Scripture,” will take place this fall at the Melvin K. West Fine Arts Center.

The lecture will examine the importance of a patient and attentive reading of the Bible, highlighting how Scripture invites readers into a deeper understanding of God, humanity, and the world. Through her scholarship and teaching, Frey has long encouraged students to approach

the biblical text with care, curiosity, and openness to its spiritual and historical depth.

The Distinguished Faculty Lecture is an honor bestowed annually on a Walla Walla University faculty member who demonstrates leadership and excellence in scholarship, the classroom, and the campus community.

For more information about the School of Theology, visit wallawalla.edu/theology.

Westwind Summer 2026

11

Jeff Downs

Brandon McIntosh

JOB AND EMPLOYER First Officer, Alaska Airlines

JOB AND EMPLOYER Pilot, Bering Air

CURRENTLY FLYING Boeing 737

CURRENTLY FLYING King Air 200 and Cessna 208 Caravan

COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY Seattle to Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, and Anchorage. The southeast Alaska milk run provides essential access to remote communities and was my ride home to Sitka during school breaks.

COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY A 25-leg trip around Alaska. I landed at every village on the upper YK Delta, the most takeoffs and landings I’ve done in a day.

FAVORITE FLYING MEMORY Taking my wife and children on flights around Papua New Guinea, where we served as missionaries for five years.

MOST HOURS IN A SINGLE TYPE 8,000-ish in the Cessna 208 Caravan

F

WWU Virtu

rom airline cockpits and Coast Guard helicopters to remote mission strips, corporate jets, military aircraft, and personal airplanes, WWU Aviation alumni have carried their training into almost every corner of the aviation world. For the first WWU Virtual Fly-In, alumni shared where they are now, what they’re flying and where, along with aircraft and memories that still stand out.

Seattle

Pasco

Read all the submissions at wallawalla.edu/fly-in.

Paso Robles Dallas

Jon MacKenzie Julie Sanders Keymer JOB AND EMPLOYER Marketing, Self Employed CURRENTLY FLYING Not currently flying Honolulu

COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY Over the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Looking down on the stadium made it the coolest.

FAVORITE FLYING MEMORY Landing in Ryan Mowat’s Jet Ranger helicopter with Ryan and my husband, Marshall, in Larry and Terrie Aamodt’s front yard.

12

Westwind Summer 2026

JOB AND EMPLOYER Chief Pilot, Pistol Creek Company CURRENTLY FLYING Falcon 900EX and Lear 35A COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY Seattle, Washington, to Tortola, British Virgin Islands. It is a challenging visual approach to a short runway.

FAVORITE FLYING MEMORY On a Seattle-to-Farnborough flight during the summer solstice, the sun started to set, touched the horizon, and then went back up. That day, the sun never set.

Chris Guernsey

Christian Welch

JOB AND EMPLOYER Pilot, United States Coast Guard

JOB AND EMPLOYER Helicopter Pilot, United States Coast Guard

CURRENTLY FLYING AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant

CURRENTLY FLYING Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk

COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY I landed on a glacier on Vancouver Island.

Literal ice.

COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY Mona Island, Puerto Rico, for tropical land survival training.

They call it “the Galapagos of the Caribbean” because of its reefs, plants, animals, caves, and ancient petroglyphs.

FAVORITE FLYING MEMORY My first rescue was a 5-year-old autistic child lost in the sand dunes near Lake Michigan. Bringing him back to his family was a memory I’ll never forget.

FAVORITE FLYING MEMORY A long-range Bering Sea search-and-rescue medevac in bad weather. We were fuel-critical, in severe fog, and had to hover-taxi on instruments until the runway lights finally appeared.

ual Fly-In Diego Molina

JOB AND EMPLOYER Captain, Alaska Airlines CURRENTLY FLYING Boeing 737 COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY Seattle to Honolulu to Paine Field, back to Honolulu, and finishing in Seattle.

My wife was my flight attendant, and I caught some waves on Waikiki.

MOST HOURS IN A SINGLE TYPE 14,000 in the Boeing 737.

Amber Somma JOB AND EMPLOYER F/A-18E Pilot, United States Navy CURRENTLY FLYING Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY Navy Dare Bombing Range. This is where we practice air-surface employments with live and inert ordnance. Flying low and fast is always an adrenaline rush.

JOB AND EMPLOYER First Officer, Air Cargo Carriers CURRENTLY FLYING Short 360

FAVORITE FLYING MEMORY Participating in the 21-jet flyover in honor of former President Jimmy Carter.

COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY San Juan, Puerto Rico, to St. Lucia. St. Lucia has been my dream island to visit for a long time.

FAVORITE FLYING MEMORY Earning my private pilot certificate after all the hard work and training.

Craig Cummings

St. John ANTIGUA

Tortola BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Westwind Summer 2026

13

MOST HOURS IN TYPE Craig Cummings with 14,000 hours in the Boeing 737.

Keflavik ICELAND

LONGEST FLIGHT Eran Wilson with a 15.6-hour flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong.

MOST TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS IN A DAY Brandon McIntosh with a 25-leg day trip around Alaska.

COOLEST PLANE Jason Kriegelstein with the Wright “B” Flyer replica.

Amber Somma with the F/A-18E Super Hornet.

COOLEST STORY Jon MacKenzie’s “the sun never set” flight.

Shannon IRELAND

MOST HARROWING STORY Christian Welch’s zero-visibility helicopter landing.

Read the full entries at wallawalla.edu/fly-in.

Stephen McPherson JOB AND EMPLOYER Attorney / Naval Aviator, Law Firm / United States Navy CURRENTLY FLYING SH-60R Seahawk COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY Undisclosed operational route. I’m unable to disclose what made it the coolest.

FAVORITE FLYING MEMORY Torpedo drop training and winning best drop with my crew.

Johnathan Stumph JOB AND EMPLOYER Pilot, Omni Air International CURRENTLY FLYING Boeing 767 COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY Shannon, Ireland, to Delhi, India, to Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu’s monkey temple made it the coolest.

FAVORITE FLYING MEMORY Flying as a mission pilot in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia into high-altitude, one-way-in, one-way-out airstrips.

14

Westwind Summer 2026

Delhi INDIA Kathmandu NEPAL

Jonathan Ball JOB AND EMPLOYER First Officer, Delta Air Lines CURRENTLY FLYING Boeing 717 COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY Reno, Nevada, to Bitburg, Germany, with a fuel stop in Keflavik, Iceland. Flying over the Arctic, it was daylight until we descended into Iceland, then daylight again after takeoff.

BEST WWU MEMORY In 2009, Jerry Wallace and I flew from Walla Walla to Orlando, Florida, and back for our senior project, logging 34.7 hours.

WWU AVIATION continues to gain momentum, with more than 70 students enrolled for 2025–26, a 10-plane fleet, and more than $390,000 in aviation scholarship gifts and commitments.

Through the New Horizon campaign, WWU is building a $5 million climate-controlled hangar and flight center at the Walla Walla Aviation Campus, with space for the full fleet, offices, a simulator room, and student gathering areas.

For more information, contact Troy Patzer, associate vice president for advancement, at troy.patzer@wallawalla.edu or (509) 527-2586.

Andrew Schrader JOB AND EMPLOYER Pilot, Chevron

Seoul SOUTH KOREA

CURRENTLY FLYING Gulfstream G650ER COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY Teterboro, New Jersey, to Seoul, South Korea. It was my first time in South Korea.

Eran Wilson

COOLEST AIRPORT FLOWN INTO Hong Kong International

JOB AND EMPLOYER First Officer, United Airlines CURRENTLY FLYING Boeing 777

Taipei TAIWAN

COOLEST ROUTE AND WHY San Francisco, California, to Taipei, Taiwan.

I found a new dumpling spot in Taipei.

LONGEST FLIGHT AS A PILOT Longest flight as a pilot: 15.6 hours from San Francisco, California, to Hong Kong, China.

Westwind Summer 2026

15

HOMECOMING WEEKEND 2026

T

HE TIES THAT CONNECT WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI extend far beyond graduation. Rooted in faith, service, and a commitment to making a difference, those connections drew nearly 1,000 alumni back to campus this spring for a joyful Homecoming celebration filled with reunions, reflection, and renewed community.

HOMECOMING WEEKEND PHOTOS BY CHRIS DRAKE, JARED NEIDIGH, NICK WAGNER, JUSTIN SINGER, AYDEN LEE, SEBASTIAN CANCEL

16

Westwind Summer 2026

CLASS OF

CLASS PHOTOS Members of the 2026 honor classes reconnected with former classmates during homecoming weekend.

2

2021

3

4 1

1.

2.

3.

4.

Matt Webster Karl Zimmer Jason Schaffer Kelsi (Nash) Dos Santos

CLASS PHOTOS ELIJAH JANO-EDWARD PHOTO EDITING OLEKSII MAKARENKO

SCAN THE QR to see more photos from homecoming weekend.

LEARN MORE

ALUMNI

about our honored alumni!

— OF THE —

YEAR

Meet four Walla Walla University alumni who were honored during homecoming weekend 2026 for service and achievement that embody the spirit of their alma mater.

WRITING BY AMY WILKINSON

PHOTOS BY COLBY KUSCHATKA

Westwind Summer 2026

17

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

BETTY (FRITZ) DUNCAN

A familiar face to nearly all who’ve passed through Walla Walla University’s doors, Betty (Fritz) Duncan has lived a life with Christian education as the cornerstone.

Raised in Montana, Duncan and her two younger brothers, Tim and Lyman, were initially home-schooled due to the remoteness of the family’s farm, but they eventually completed their primary studies at the local church school in Billings.

After graduating from Mt. Ellis Academy, Duncan enrolled at Walla Walla University, where she majored in home economics with a secondary teaching certification. During her third year, Duncan was asked to serve as a resident assistant—hands-on experience that dovetailed with her dream of becoming a dean of girls. Upon graduating, Duncan accepted a newly created role at the university, splitting time between assistant dean of women and teaching in the home economics department.

While on campus, she met her husband, Scott Duncan, and later resigned to care for their two daughters, Becky and Pamela.

She was soon invited back to oversee the freshman advising program and was later promoted to director of academic advising. Among her many accomplishments at WWU, Duncan helped develop the week-long freshman orientation program, Jumpstart, in 1999.

Duncan retired in 2016, but she continues to mentor incoming freshmen in an unofficial capacity, in addition to volunteering at Sabbath school—testaments to her strong belief in Christ-centered learning.

CLASS OF

’66

CLASS OF

1.

2.

3.

4.

2016

Carissa Clendenon Kamilla Itskn Joshua McKinney Brendon McNally

5.

6.

7.

8.

9. Andrew Ezpeleta 10. Kendra (Mitchell) Gibson 11. Alex Anderson

Caleb Riston Nikki Ortiz Noe Ortiz Shintell Izquierdo

12. Shayla Shupe 13. Chelsea Elssmann

4 2

5

3

6 7

1

11 9

18

Westwind Summer 2026

8

10

12

13

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

DAVID BULLOCK An inquisitive scholar, dedicated educator, and supportive mentor, David Bullock spent more than four decades helping shape the next generation of professional communicators.

Raised in Portland, Oregon, Bullock discovered an affinity for the arts early on, playing the piano by ear. While at Walla Walla University, his love of music led to a job at the radio station KGTS, where he met his wife of 38 years, Anne Burkey. After graduating with a journalism major, Bullock worked full-time at KGTS and taught part-time at WWU. Bullock went on to earn a Master of Arts in Communication from Washington State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, returning to WWU to teach full-time and, in 1994, become chair of the communications department.

In 2014, Anne passed away after a short illness. “It was a tremendous loss for me,” Bullock says. In 2016, he reconnected with a high school classmate also mourning the loss of a spouse. Bullock wed Alix DeChenne Mansker in 2017 and retired that same year, concluding a career marked by numerous achievements—including writing the 2014 book Coal Wars and receiving the Society of Adventist Communicators Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

In retirement, Bullock serves as head elder at the Cloverdale Seventh-day Adventist Church in Boise, Idaho, and enjoys RV trips with Alix.

CLASS OF

’76

1. Myrik Baydala 2. Lane Avery-Fairbanks 3. Dustin Kelley

4. Max Woesner 5. Stephanie Bailey 6. Christina (Silver) Feigner

7. Gregory Hannah-Jones 8. Deisy Haid

CLASS OF

2011

3

1

4

2

7

5

8

6

Westwind Summer 2026

19

A stage to call home

65

CELEBRATING

YEARS OF WWUDRAMA

T

HIS YEAR’S ALUMNI SHOWCASE CELEBRATED 65 years of drama at WWU—and the longest running theater program in the Adventist system.

WWU drama director Jerry Entze ’00, with support from Eden Kietponglert ’12, rallied a mix of alumni and current students to perform snippets from past WWU plays and musicals, along with a few fresh performances and cold reads.

Cast members from the 2016 musical Little Women reprised their roles to perform the crowd-pleasing number “Five Forever.” David Crawford ’05, fired up

CLASS OF

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

2006

Eric Denney Erin Denney Tim Cromwell Brandon Castillo Andrew Perrin

4

1

6. Amy (Muthersbaugh) Evans 7. Michael Lee 8. Jason McGill 9. Dallas Reedy 10. Heather (Colburn) Andersen

5

3

the audience with his performance of “I am the Very Model of a Modern Major General” from the Pirates of Penzance. And Mari Cheney ’03 performed the intense monologue “Paean to the People” from Homeland.

Current students and staff reprised a scenes from this year’s Happily Never After and Jane Austen’s Emma, and last year’s clever one-act, “The Annual Potluck,” featuring the various Adventist universities, which was written by students Alyssa Brown and Timothy Kerbs.

11. Alicia Wirtz Seville 12. Leif Andersen 13. Lisa Hainey 14. Nicole (Ferguson) Reedy

8 6

7 13

2 12 11 10

20

Westwind Summer 2026

14

9

What did WWU drama do for me?

It taught me many things.

The value of being on time, being present, rehearsing, learning, memorization— I used to practice my lines on the treadmill in the basement of Foreman Hall.

It taught me how to work in a team, how to compromise to accomplish, how to bring others together, how to build something, how to show up.

It gave me a place where I was never too loud, too dramatic, or too passionate. A home, beyond my family and friends where I was wanted, and appreciated and cared for.

What do I do now? I’m a lawyer. And even though I don’t write monologues much anymore, I do write closing statements, I do tell my client’s stories and give power to their voices, and I do use the things that I learned on the WWU stage to fight for the things I think are right.

And for those reasons I thank you for allowing theater to grow and thrive at WWU.

Katie Guldhammer ’08, author and performer Excerpt from “Letters” Monologue

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Greg Schneider Delvin Peterson Jim Drake Walter Cox

3

1

CLASS OF

9. Angel Base 10. Doug Kincaid 11. Brian Roth 12. Chris Drake

Tim Kyle Cam Libby Corren Current Jeffery Colburn

4

2

2001 6

5

11

7 8

9

10

12

Westwind Summer 2026

21

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

RANDY CROFT

“I believe that true success includes service, whether through one’s vocation, calling, or personal pursuits,” says Randy Croft, a U.S. Air Force chaplain. It’s a mission he discovered in high school—and one that deepened during his time at WWU. Raised primarily by his mother in College Place (his father passed away when he was in high school), Croft says his childhood was otherwise “typical,” riding bikes with his two brothers, playing baseball, and delivering the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin newspaper.

During his junior year at Walla Walla High School, Croft had a conversion experience, inspiring him to transfer to Walla Walla Valley Academy. “I took double the required Bible classes, which confirmed my desire to serve as a youth pastor,” he says.

In 1991, he graduated from WWU with a double major in theology and speech communications and married his high school sweetheart Krista Dybdahl. The couple was dispatched to Andrews University for Croft to attend seminary. Stints pastoring in the Oregon Conference and teaching at WWVA followed, before Croft joined the Air Force in 2003. His assignments have sent his family—including kids Jake, J.D., and Allison—all over the world.

“The Air Force has given me more than I could ever give it in return,” Croft says.

CLASS OF

’91

CLASS OF

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

1996

6. Tracy Schwarz 7. Dan Martin 8. Doug Morrow 9. Matthew Michaelis 10. Julie Ulloa 11. Lara (Dixon) Dowie

Jim Pinder Melissa (Smith) Holm David Natiuk John Stone Brian Worley

12. Aletha (Sharer) Natiuk 13. Marta (Stratton) Stone 14. Beth (Kopplin) James 15. Eucaris Galicia 16. Kimberly (Gee) Rivas 17. Deborah Silva

18. Paul Lee 19. Adrian Nicolici 20. Lance McBride 21. Russell Holm

4 1

3

5

2

6

7

9

8

12

16 14

11 19

22

Westwind Summer 2026

15

13 20

21

17

10

18

ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

RYAN MOWAT Ryan Mowat has always been curious about how things work. A childhood photo—in which a 3-year-old Mowat is pictured explaining a flashlight to his grandfather—attests to that. It was only fitting, then, that Mowat became an engineer.

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and raised in British Columbia, Mowat is the eldest of five children. His father, an engineer himself, fostered Mowat’s inquisitive nature early on. “I grew up in a world of projects, digging and fixing stuff,” Mowat says.

He enrolled in the School of Engineering at Walla Walla University, and after graduating, married Karen Cooper ’93. (The couple has two daughters, Katie ’19 and Sarah ’22.) Over the next few years, Mowat split his time between earning a master’s degree in robotics and control theory from the University of Victoria and teaching at WWU. Industrial engineering became his chosen field, and the family relocated to Olympia, Washington, where Mowat designed, built and ran a dry mix concrete plant before returning to Canada to build concrete and aggregate plants in northern Canada and grout plants throughout the world. He also designed and built a run-ofthe-river hydroelectric project.

In his free time, Mowat enjoys flying—he has airplane and helicopter licenses—and retreating to his cabin on Shuswap Lake in British Columbia.

CLASS OF

’91

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Patsy Glatt Jerry Rau Larry Witzel Dan Elsom

2

CLASS OF

9. Bonnie Glantz 10. Barbara (Spencer) Frohne 11. Ryan Mowat 12. Tami Benton

Dennis Kamberg Matt Weber Heidi (Hess) Rau Randy Croft

3

1991

5 6

4 1 12

7 9 10 8

11

Westwind Summer 2026

23

WINNERS AT THE 2026 EUGENE WINTER GOLF CLASSIC: Sunday morning started off with the Richard J. Kegley Memorial Fun Run/Walk. Early morning risers tackled the 5k with smiles all around. The proceeds from the event went to support the WWU worthy student fund.

CLOSEST TO THE PIN

MEN’S Rodd Strobel, 13 inches

WOMEN’S Cindy Saldana, 24 feet

T LONGES

DRIVE

TOURNAMENT

WINNERS

MEN’S Bryson Collins, 380 yards

Bryson Collins, Casey Shearer, George Calvet, and Jamison Collins (Pictured left to right)

WOMEN’S Anna Innman (length unavailable)

CLASS OF

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

1986

7. David Boller 8. Monte Torkelsen 9. Jodi (McDow) Smith 10. Richard Weiss 11. Carl Brenneise 12. Laurel Dovich

Dean Kravig Han Lim Teresa (Graham) Panossian Case Ketting Mike Riston Morna Golke

4

1 3

2

13. Leslie (Larson) Villegas 14. Hilda (Flechas) Riston 15. Jean (Pestes) Boller 16. Karin Wells-Kilpatrick 17. Melodie (Phillips) Williams 18. Kevin Renshaw

9

8

5 6 7

10 17

13

18 14

11 12

24

Westwind Summer 2026

15

16

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6. Michael Boyson 7. Curtis Genstler 8. Ralph Stirling 9. Twyla Leiske Bechtel 10. Dede (Elsom) Anderson

Linda Cowles Richard Hellie Phil White Reg Maas Art King

6 2 1

1981

7

5

4

CLASS OF

11. Bitsy (Phillips) Ebright 12. Esther (Gren) Bryson 13. Tereena (Beuchler) Gribble

8

9

3

12

11

13 10

1. Barbara HillockStevens 2. Toni (McFee) Harbison 3. Lee Myers 4. Dawn Hainey 5. Jim Ivy 6. Scott Berger 7. Frank Howard 8. Tom Elstrom 9. David Bullock 2

3

10. Ken Leiske 11. Greg Kabanuk 12. Carey Carscallen 13. Gary Schiller 14. Stan Cleveland 15. Bob Finkbiner 16. Wes Kandoll 17. Linda (Rasmussen) Ivy 18. Debbie (Reimche) Schwarz 19. Will Stuivenga 4

5

6 18

17

1

20. Cyndee Darby 21. Alice (Elder) Dettwiler 22. Sid Litchfield 23. Delray (Dovich) Luce 24. Dorothy (Crumley) Carscallen 25. Mitch Robinson 26. Ann Larrabee 27. Elaine (Wallace) Hattendorf 28. Nancy (Joice) Cleveland

19

9

8

7

29. Fred Field 30. Nanci Oberg 31. Donald Fletcher 32. Nancy (Carpenter) Miller 33. Heather Leiske 34. Julianne Fisher 35. Beth (Wallace) Robinson 36. Ed Yanke 37. Audrey (Letniak) Miller 38. Dana Reedy 13 11 12

21 31

28 37

39. Verna (Larson) Ames 40. Cathy (Bowen) McGinnis 41. Paul Joice 42. Jan Atkins 14

16 23

32

34

33

26

24 35

40

38 39

15

25

22

30

27

1976

10 20

29

CLASS OF

41

42

36

Westwind Summer 2026

25

iCantori reunion N

who had performed under the direction of Professor Kraig Scott.

At the end of the concert, President Alex Bryan and members of the reunion choir surprised Scott with a tribute celebrating his 40 years of teaching at Walla Walla University.

EARLY 100 FORMER members of iCantori, WWU’s select choir, returned for a reunion concert held at the University Church on Sabbath afternoon of Homecoming. Participants were all members from 2009 to present,

CLASS OF

1971

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

2

1

6. Bruce Ham 7. Ruth (Gilliland) Mackenzie 8. Ernie Norhton 9. Phyllis (Fischer) Nudd 10. Eileen (Parrin) Stuart

Tom Nudd Ole Olesen Steven Davis Jeanne Hall Mary Lou (Torland) Ham

3

5

4

11. Carol (Lawson) Dodge 12. Jennifer (Lull) Higgins 13. Billie Jean (Spady) Knight 14. Al Lowe

6

8 7

11 9

26

Westwind Summer 2026

10

12 13

14

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. Gordon Johnson 11. John Stedman 12. Maria (Henriques) Stasny 13. Ed Boyatt 14. Teri (Cleveland) Boyatt 15. Don Oellrich 16. Judith (Lloyd) Storfjell 17. Luwayne Stout 18. Larry Lambeth

Keith Colburn Fekede Gemechu Darold Bigger Ralph Kneller Teyla (Reimche) Gimbel Richard Hart Hal Thomsen Jack Jacobson Wendell Wettstein

4

3

2

19. Judy Zachrison 20. Wallace Ingram 21. Sherry (Wiebold) Lemon 22. Bill Johnson 23. Fred Troutman 24. Annette (Cornforth) Stanwick 25. Ruth (Christensen) Fenton 26. Phyllis Rehling 8

7

6

5

CLASS OF

27. Carol (Foss) Minden 28. Ginger (Stelzmiller) Sayles 29. Don Homphreys 30. Charles Scriven 31. Regina Blake 32. Carlton Cross 33. Ron Rehling 34. Betty (Fritz) Duncan

9

10

1966 35. Barbara (Parmale) Pekarek 36. Lynda (Cook, Hardwick) Gott 37. Mary Anne (Clifford) Hughes

12

11

14

13

1 18

17

20

19

22

21

16

24

26

30

29

28

27

15

25

23

31 36

35

33

34

32

37

V

VANGUARDS GRADUATES FROM 1965 AND PRIOR 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Don Mechalke Scott (Lester) Thygeson Roger Vanatta Reuben Tataryn Bob Kingman Betsy (Neufeld) Matthews

3

2

7. Dan Matthews 8. Pat (Pearson) Johnston 9. Jay Magnuson 10. Tom Matthews 11. Dorothy (Tanner) Johnson 12. Thomas Fenz

10

8

6

4

19. Don Weaver 20. Ann (Haraden) Cornell 21. Jim Hall 22. Jim Zachrison 23. Ruth (Komarniski) Christensen 24. Jeanette (Churchman) Sullivan

9

7

5

13. John Henriques 14. Roman Hintz 15. Lloyd Kuhn 16. Ruth (Scyphers) Bebee 17. Shirley (Norhton) Panasuk 18. Alyce (Matthews) Bais

1

11

13 14

12

18

20

19

28 27

15 16

22 21

25. Robert Sproed 26. Sylvia (Landreth) Sproed 27. Joy (Uehlin) Palmer 28. Gerry Miller 29. Dale Warren 30. Louise (Lund) Warren

17

25

23 29

24 26 30

Westwind Summer 2026

27

Alumni Currents

Staying in touch with our family of graduates

The Answer Is …

To Be

T

his morning I had a real jaw-clencher of a dream, in which I found myself backstage. The curtain was rising, and I was being shoved out under the lights.

But what were my lines? What was this I was wearing? Who was I even supposed to be?

That feeling—poised at the brink—is how I felt in the fall of 1985, upon arrival in College Place, Washington. There I stood, squinting out at the grand stage of life, uncertain of nearly everything.

I gave computer science a try, but it turned out that I was not encoded to code. Nor to engineer, or nurse, or lawyer, or any of the other things my classmates were well on their way to becoming.

Then my freshman crush dumped me for another.

It was a sign! No more school for me!

I would finish my summer job at the Beeline gas station, and then light out for the territories. I would see the West, maybe even the world, if I were lucky.

“Somewhere never traveled,” as E.E. Cummings enthused. I would read books, meet characters, and figure out how to stay alive.

Then Lori Lewis, my English professor, pulled up for a fill-up.

David Kilmer is the author of five books, including The Way of the Captain and The Way of the Sailor.

He works as a yacht captain in the summers and splits his time between the American Northwest and Pacific Mexico.

28

Westwind Summer 2026

“What are you doing with your life?” she said as I fumbled with the nozzle.

“Running away,” I said.

“You ever thought about writing?”

So I stayed. I went to work for Lori at the Office of College Relations, penning stories for the Collegian, Mountain Ash, and Westwind. Later would come the Pacific Union Recorder, the Priest River Times, and the Coeur d’Alene Press. I became editor of CdA Magazine, as I am to this day.

But first, more questions followed, from the wise and kind Dan Lamberton, and from fabulous Donnie Rigby.

“Will you try the theater?”

I joined her productions with equal parts stage fright and delight. I saw firsthand how stories can make life more bearable, less lonely, and sometimes even floodlighted with unexpected joy.

“Want to run off on a sailboat?” Gartly Curtis said.

After graduation, I joined Gartly across the blue immensity of the Pacific Ocean, where salt water filled my blood for good.

“I saw firsthand how stories can make life more bearable, less lonely, and sometimes even floodlighted with unexpected joy.”

Am I glad I stayed in school? With all my heart.

By now, I have roamed much of the West and a bit of the world. I have lived an examined life, had some small adventures, and written as honestly as possible about them. What good are these stories we share? Sean Thomas Dougherty’s poem “Why Bother?” says it best: “Because right now there is someone out there with a wound in the exact shape of your words.”

In turbulent times like these, we need the liberal arts more than ever. Not to teach us what to think, but how to live. To be the best humans we can possibly be.

In 2001, when WWU named its black box theater in honor of Donnie Rigby, she stood and declared: “To be, or not to be … my answer is TO BE!” And so, I urge you to find the right questions. And then follow those questions as far as you possibly can.

That is what College Place and its remarkable people did for me.

Years later, I am still reaping the rewards.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF DAVID KILMER

BACK TO YOU // DAVID KILMER ’90

Alumni Engagement T

he WWU Alumni Council and the Alumni Foundation* launched a new alumni award this year. The WWU Alumni Volunteer of the Year honors alumni who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication and service to Walla Walla University through longterm volunteer activity—advancing the mission of the university and strengthening community ties.

“We have so many incredible alumni that support the university, and we wanted to celebrate them in a tangible way,” said Jerry Woods, WWU Foundation president and member of the Alumni Council. “These are alumni who give back in meaningful ways—donating their time and talent to supporting their fellow alumni as well as the next generation of students. They’re the heart and soul of this university.”

A NEW TRADITION OF RECOGNITION Two Alumni Volunteer of the Year awards were presented at the Sabbath morning church service during Homecoming Weekend: one went to Professor Emeritus of Biology Joe Galusha ‘68, and the other to Gordon ’66 and Pat Johnson. Pat is a long-term volunteer in the WW community and Gordon is a professor emeritus of physics.

FIFTY SUMMERS AT ROSARIO Galusha was recognized for his post-retirement commitment to the care of the university’s Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory in Anacortes, WA. In 2024, the university celebrated his milestone achievement--spending 50 consecutive summers at Rosario. He is now at 51 summers and counting. Professor Galusha’s

love of Rosario is rivaled only by his love of seagulls—his favorite subject matter.

It was no surprise to his former students and colleagues that, following retirement, Galusha and his wife Marilyn ’67 took up full time residence in a home adjacent to the Marine Laboratory.

There, he has focused on caring for Rosario. His colleague say that he has been “a jack of all trades”—completing maintenance on cabins, classrooms, and boats—and jumping in wherever there was a need—all with a warm and friendly disposition that makes everyone around him feel like they belong.

“Joe is an amazing ambassador for Rosario, offering visitors his wisdom and unparalleled knowledge of the marine lab and area,” says Lisa Jervey Lennox, associate VP for alumni engagement.

“As President Alex Bryan said at the 50th summer celebration last year: ‘Joe Galusha: Professor of Seagulls and God’s Whole Creation. Renewable Energy in human form. The embodiment of what makes Walla Walla University Great.’”

Gordon and Pat Johnson

“They’re the heart and soul of this university.”

—Jerry Woods suites. They have done everything—from managing the bookings, to caring for the rooms themselves. They painted, redecorated, picked out furniture, and attended to every detail in those rooms.

“Pat and Gordon already had an impressive record of service to the university, even before they volunteered,” said Woods. “The fact that they’ve devoted more than a decade to serving alumni and guests of the university provides a true example of faithfulness that sets the standard for the rest of us to follow.”

QUIET SERVICE, LASTING IMPACT Pat and Gordon Johnson were recognized for their work behind the scenes, offering WWU hospitality to campus visitors for more than a decade. Gordon served as a professor of physics for 27 years—from 1974–2001. And Pat, a retired nurse, has lived a life of service in the Walla Walla community—preparing meals for those in need, assisting at the church and hosting memorial services.

But what many do not know is that Pat and Gordon have spent the past 12 years volunteering their time as caretakers of the three Havstad Alumni Center guest

Westwind Summer 2026

29

Alumni Currents

Staying in touch with our family of graduates

AlumNotes Get up to date with fellow WWU alumni. Submit your information for AlumNotes at wallawalla.edu/alumnotes.

1960s

Keith Colburn ’66 lives with his wife, Janine (Goffar), in Loma Linda, Calif., where he works as a rheumatologist at Southland Arthritis and Osteoporosis and maintains his title of professor emeritus at Loma Linda University’s School of Medicine. They have two sons, Jeffrey ’97 and Jonathan ’04. Keith has served as chief of rheumatology for over 20 years, authored over 50 peer reviewed medical publications and over 75 published abstracts, acted as both president and vice president of the Western American Federation for Medical Research, and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Rheumatology. His favorite memories of WWU are of the biology department and its faculty, taking Joseph Barnes’ classes, the intramural sports leagues, the cafeteria food, and taking chemistry from Dr. Chambers. He also thought the Rosario Beach summer program was terrific!

1970s

Ruth (Gilliland) MacKenzie ’71 lives in Walla Walla with her

30

Westwind Summer 2026

husband, Edward ’67, where they are now retired. They both were presidents of Mission Projects Inc. from 2006 to 2025. Ruth said God has blessed them abundantly, making it possible to support mission work all over the world. In the Philippines, they helped build Adventist College Palawan, radio stations, churches, and an elementary school, and sponsored Bible workers, education, and more. In Thailand and Laos, they helped sponsor SULAD missionaries, and in Belize they helped with La Loma Luz Adventist Hospital. Many of their kids, Vaughn ’92, Lawana Ballance, Jonathan ’01, and Richard ’01, have graduated from WWU as well as many of their spouses and children. From her time at WWU, Ruth said she really enjoyed the summer of 1962 at the biology station and loved her biology classes and the bird and botany trips. She is also glad to have met her husband of almost 62 years while working in the university laundry. They got married in Heubach Chapel, which was new then—they were the third couple to be married there. Ruth dropped out and worked so Ed could take a full load and wouldn’t get drafted into the army. After he graduated and their son was 10 months old, she re-enrolled.

And during her final year at WWU, between summer and fall quarter, their daughter was born.

Dan Todd ’76 lives in Tucson, Ariz., where he is now retired, though he still holds job titles like secretary, treeplanter, and housekeeper. Imbued with the spirit of prophecy from an Adventist upbringing, he became an “anarchist jester aspiring— still—to mastery of criticism and poetry.” His work includes an “entirely alliterative novel,” Hunting Seasons, an essay on Daoism, Anarchist Adventures in Wordless Land; or Through the Looking Glass (Mind) to

Direct (Non-)Action, and Cold Fury, a collection of flyers posted randomly on phone poles and bulletin boards over the decades.

He said, “The apocalypse was yesterday; anarchy stops a beating heartlessness!” His favorite memories of WWU come from Rick Emmerson’s class on Old English poetry, Lorne Glaim’s class on the History of Civilization, and Malcolm Maxwell’s class on the book of Revelation.

1990s

Jim Pinder ’96 lives with his wife, Elizabeth Dameff, in Loma Linda, Calif., where he works as the professor of healthcare management and law at La Sierra University’s Zapara School of Business. He and his wife enjoy spending summers in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, (his hometown) and Europe (with her family). His daughter, Jorja, lives in Tulsa, Okla. The first half of his career was spent in fundraising before he transitioned to academia. Jim said he uses what he learned from his two favorite WWU professors, David Bullock and Nancy Semotiuk, in many of his classes. His favorite memories from WWU include living in Haffner House, volunteering at Valley News, and frantically calling the movie telephone line right after sundown before going to the dollar theater in Walla Walla.

Vancouver, Wash., after spending a year in Ajijic, Mexico. Larry continues to serve as president of SermonView, an organization that supports churches with digital evangelism and community connection. He is also director of the Propel Conference and its annual church growth training event. Angela works as the schedule coordinator at OHSU Health, Adventist Health Portland. Their daughter, Zoey, is a junior education major at Liberty University, and their son, Josiah, is a junior at Columbia Adventist Academy. In their free time, Larry and Angela enjoy traveling and supporting their local church, Oasis Christian Center. Larry’s favorite memories of WWU are of working at Positive Life Radio, working on the video yearbook, sneaking into classrooms at night to hang out with friends and not getting kicked out by security, theology retreats, and basically living in the Admin Building’s basement, working on video and audio projects in the media lab.

2000s

Terrance Taylor ’06 lives in Monrovia, Calif., with his wife, Melissa att., where he serves as a pastor for the Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Some of his fondest memories of WWU came from his time with the Black Student Union and the theology department.

Larry Witzel ’91 lives with his wife, Angela (Withey) att., in

READ WESTWIND ONLINE: WALLAWALLA.EDU/WESTWIND

KEY: att. = attended

2010s

Cameron Libby ’01 lives with his wife, Tricia ’00, in Spokane Valley, Wash., where he works as the director of marine sales at Petro Marine Services. They have two kids, Grayson att. and Lyla, who are either current or committed WWU students. Looking back on his time at WWU, Cameron said his favorite memories were of playing hockey.

Danielle (Almendarez) Schmidt ’16 lives in Kent, Wash., with her husband, Doug, and their daughter, Sarah. She works there

as a registered nurse for Multicare. She said 2022 was a very life-changing year for her: she got engaged, got married, became pregnant with her first kid, moved from California to Maryland, and became a mom all in just that year. Her husband served in the U.S. Navy for 14 years and left active duty service to move to Washington state in 2024. Now, Danielle works there as a charge registered nurse for an outpatient infusion clinic in Covington, Wash.

She and her family enjoy living on an airport and flying their airplane around the Pacific Northwest. She remembers her favorite memories at WWU were of Friday night vespers with classmates.

In Memory Family members may submit obituary information for their loved ones at wallawalla.edu/obituary.

Shirley Wilson Anderson was born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1953 and died January 17, 2026, in Coos Bay, Ore., at age 72. Surviving: son Jonathan att. of Coos Bay;

and brother Ted Wilson of Silver Spring, M.D. She served as the professor of health and physical education at WWU from 1999–2020.

Shirley (Peterkort) Judd ’62 was born in Portland, Ore., in 1942 and died January 9, 2026, in Portland, at age 83. Surviving: husband William “Bill” ’65 of

Gresham, Ore.; daughter Devi Peterson ’95 of Gresham; son Lance ’93 of Happy Valley, Ore.; and sister Sally Jorgenson att. of Portland.

Dan Shultz Beloved Walla Walla University music professor, conductor, and mentor Dan McLloyd Shultz passed away on March 12, 2026, at the age of 87. A respected leader in Adventist music education, Shultz devoted his life to teaching, conducting, writing, and preserving the stories of musicians.

Shultz served as chair of the music department at Walla Walla College and brought care and energy to students, colleagues, and the wider musical community. An accomplished oboist, he earned degrees from Atlantic Union College and Andrews University, taught at both academy and college levels, served on the Walla Walla Symphony Board, and led the International Adventist Musicians Association from 1984 to 2019.

Known for his curiosity, generosity, and steady encouragement, Shultz became a trusted mentor to students, musicians, and family members alike. His children remembered watching him conduct with such joy that it seemed he was dancing. After concerts, he often lingered, making time for each person.

Born in 1938 in Bradford, Pennsylvania,

Shultz was the oldest of five children. His love of music began at age 10 with the clarinet before he found his true voice in the oboe. He married JoAn Bell while attending Atlantic Union College, and together they raised four children. In 1984, he married Carolyn Stevens, an English professor at Walla Walla College. Their College Place home became a gathering place for family and friends.

A meticulous researcher and prolific writer, Shultz authored A Great Tradition, A Dream Fulfilled, and the Adventist Musicians Biographical Resource, a reference work containing more than 1,000 musician biographies. He also composed five band works.

Shultz is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his children Denise, Karan, Rhonda, and Jeff; his sister Barbara; his brother Larry; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a large extended family. A memorial service was held April 26, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Walla Walla University Church. Memorial gifts may be made to the Dan Shultz endowed music scholarship fund at Walla Walla University.

Westwind Summer 2026

31

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

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

Paid WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY

From the Archives If memory serves

Gathering at the table

From formal place settings to familiar faces around the table, banquets have long been part of WWU’s rhythm of campus life. Across the decades, these gatherings marked more than an evening on the calendar; they gave students a chance to step out of daily routines, celebrate friendships, and share in the simple ceremony of a meal together under the soft glow of a special night, surrounded by laughter, music, conversation, and campus tradition.

Styles have changed through the years, but the tradition of coming together remains unmistakably Walla Walla.

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

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.