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’53
Barbara (Baker) Blakesley - I am hoping to connect with others from my Era. I stay busy with my coffee group, card making, collage, and political debates. I have fond memories of Freshman Glee (I still know all the words), dorm antics, and the Pi Phi's. I met the love of my life — Felix Calkins BA'52 — at Willamette, but we lost touch. We were reunited and married 47 years later! Thank you, Willamette.
’56
Joan Lawson - Joan Lawson, 89, is still active in the League of Women Voters of Washington having recently served on the state board. In April, she chaired a successful Earth Month in her retirement residence, where she heads the Secular Humanists and is an active member of the environment committee. She served on national boards of the United Nations Association and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. She is a Kentucky Colonel.
’57
200 years of Willamette / Sigma Chi — Portland Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter Chair Scott Hirschberger (class of 2010), Retired Federal Judge John Jelderks (class of 1960), former Sigma Chi Grand Consul and Willamette Trustee Bob Joseph (class of 1957/ Law 1963), “Mr. Willamette” Jim Booth (class of 1964) and Sigma Chi Chapter Advisor Darrell Fuller (1988). Great stories, lots of laughter and maybe a little fibbing at the home of Bob and Gail (1961) Joseph.
’58
Lucy Hutchens- I still have regular contact by email with five or six of the Delta Gammas from the class of 1958. I am in relatively good health and participate in the community in a book group in a church in a weekly ladies, lunch group, and last year I agreed to be the chair of the local Democratic central committee. Surprise surprise I am the oldest chair in the state of Oregon, and was loudly applauded at the state convention when I was able to stand for that recognition. I wish there was a way that zoom get-togethers could be arranged since traveling causes exhaustion and it is a six or seven hour trip from where I live, The class of '58 was from the silent generation, and we loved things like freshman glee. They were the most formative years of my life to that point but time does March on. Thank you to all of you who make the attempt to keep us within that circle. Lucy Myers Hutchens class of 1958 Born in 1936, the year that the first Social Security checks were mailed.
’60
200 years of Willamette / Sigma Chi — Portland Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter Chair Scott Hirschberger (class of 2010), Retired Federal Judge John Jelderks (class of 1960), former Sigma Chi Grand Consul and Willamette Trustee Bob Joseph (class of 1957/ Law 1963), “Mr. Willamette” Jim Booth (class of 1964) and Sigma Chi Chapter Advisor Darrell Fuller (1988). Great stories, lots of laughter and maybe a little fibbing at the home of Bob and Gail (1961) Joseph. (See CAS'57 class notes for the group photo.)
’61
Paul deLespinasse - now living in Corvallis, Oregon, recently finished a series of published articles about the coming worldwide electrical grid: Wiring Up The World For The Age Of Solar Energy.
Marcia Olson - My second grandchild to enter WU, Hannah Olson, starts her sophomore year at Lausanne Hall (where I lived as a freshman, 1957-58). I hope to pay her a visit soon and compare her life in that dorm with my experience. At least the restrooms have changed probably!
Bill Richter - I did receive a nice recognition last evening. The Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (located in Manhattan, Kansas, but with 19 affiliated community foundations situated throughout northeast Kansas) holds an annual Community Foundation Awards event to recognize nonprofits, volunteers, and donors. This year, in recognition of the founding of GMCF, 25 individuals or couples were recognized for their roles in creating and building the foundation. These "cornerstone awards" were given in five categories: Vision, Influence, Catalyst, Impact, and Legacy. I received one of the five "impact" awards. It has been inspiring and fulfilling to be involved with the foundation and the many nonprofits that do good in our community and our state. Non nobis solum nati sumus. Linda and I were honored at the 2018 Community Foundation Awards ceremony with a "Philanthropist of the Year" award and I received a GMCF "Volunteer of the Year" award in 2014.
Paul deLespinasse, in a second "career," has been writing weekly commentaries for NewsMax since 2017. Many of his articles also appear in the LA Progressive.
200 years of Willamette / Sigma Chi — Portland Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter Chair Scott Hirschberger (class of 2010), Retired Federal Judge John Jelderks (class of 1960), former Sigma Chi Grand Consul and Willamette Trustee Bob Joseph (class of 1957/ Law 1963), “Mr. Willamette” Jim Booth (class of 1964) and Sigma Chi Chapter Advisor Darrell Fuller (1988). Great stories, lots of laughter and maybe a little fibbing at the home of Bob and Gail (1961) Joseph. (See CAS'57 class notes for the group photo.)
Sammie McCormack - Our annual DG reunion was in Gilbert Arizona in November. Only four of us (Sammie Barker McCormack, Karen Madsen Myers, Marcia Olson, and Barbara Sherk Schacht) could attend in person.
DG sisters gathered in Folsom, CA, for their annual fun time. “ After 60+ years, we still try to get together at least once a year.”
Jo (Gannon) Roughton, Karen (Madsen) Myers, Marcia (Humphrey) Olsen, Sammie, (Barker) McCormack
We talked by phone with those who couldn’t be there in person. (Barbara Royer Graham, Barbara Sherk Schacht, Karen Cheeld)
Geraldine (Gerry) Fandrich Johnson Class of 1961- My message is for the Class notes for the Class of 1961. I live at Cherry Park Plaza in Troutdale, Oregon. It is a Senior Living Community. Each year for the past seven years, I have made a purple and white quilt for a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association. Raffle tickets are sold for the quilt. At the fundraiser party the winning ticket is chosen. The proceeds from the raffle go to the Alzheimer's Association. This year the Alzheimer's Association Walk was held at the Portland Zoo. My Family and I decided to do the Walk to Honor three members of our family who passed away from Dementia or Alzheimers. My Fathe, my husband and father of my Children. Those who walked were me, Gerry Johnson, my daughter, and her husband, my son, and his wife. Some of the Staff from Cherry Park went too. This next year I will not be making a quilt, as I have moved from Cherry Park Plaza. My new home is called Glennmoore. I am now near my son Erik's family.
’63
Bob Woodle - My wife of nearly 59 years, Judith Borgeson Woodle, passed on May 10 after battling Parkinsons for 17 years. We married in 1965 while I was serving Willamette as Director of Information Services through 1978. My second career was residential real estate sales for nearly 30 years in the greater Portland area. We raised three daughters, seven grand children and five great grandchildren. I live in Charbonneau (Wilsonville), Oregon.
’64
Bob Rieder - I retired in 2016 after serving 40 years as Chief Counsel for The University of Alabama in Huntsville.
200 years of Willamette / Sigma Chi — Portland Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter Chair Scott Hirschberger (class of 2010), Retired Federal Judge John Jelderks (class of 1960), former Sigma Chi Grand Consul and Willamette Trustee Bob Joseph (class of 1957/ Law 1963), “Mr. Willamette” Jim Booth (class of 1964) and Sigma Chi Chapter Advisor Darrell Fuller (1988). Great stories, lots of laughter and maybe a little fibbing at the home of Bob and Gail (1961) Joseph. (See CAS'57 class notes for the group photo.)
’65
Heather Flynn hiked the Camino for her 80th birthday.
David 'Maynard' Hansen - I was recently honored on the 35th anniversary of the San Francisco Bay Area Ridge Trail. I was co-founder of the Trail in the 1980s and in charge of the first trail segment dedication. I continue to be an advisor for the project. Check out my segment on the webinar. The webinar has excellent information about the trail, its access, and its big plans for National recognition.
’66
Jay Grenig - has coauthored new editions of Fundamentals of Labor Arbitration and Case Preparation and Presentation: A Guide for Arbitration Advocates and Arbitrators published by the American Arbitration Association and the Cornell University Industrial and Labor Relations School. He's also been selected as a eucharistic minister for St. John Chrysostom Episcopal Church in Delafield, Wisconsin.
’67
Bart “Moose” White is enjoying his retirement years as an elementary school substitute teacher. He notes that the maturity difference between college students (he is Professor Emeritus at WKU) and 7-12 year old's may not be that different!
Muriel Kramer Nelson, graduate of the former College of Music, has published four collections of poetry. Most recently, her book Sightsinger was published by Encircle Publications in 2022 and her chapbook Please Hold won the Encircle Publications Poetry Chapbook Award and was published in 2021.
’68
John L. Thomas - Retired financial consultant, CFP, ChFC AEP. Graduate degree. In financial services. Past chair of local hospital, chamber of commerce, county planning commission, First Citizen, and State of Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Married to Lorraine, one daughter Heather, one daughter deceased. grandchildren, one at Michigan State and one at West Point. Fond memories of Willamette and fraternity brothers.
’69
A recent mini-reunion of WU athletes alumni took place in Las Vegas. From left front: Spike Moore, Bob Shields, Ron Lee, Bill Von Arnswald From back row left: Cal Lee, Tom Lee, Dennis Kauai, Fidel Gaviola, Junior Sato.
Julia M. Allen co-authored with Jocelyn H. Cohen Women Making History: The Revolutionary Feminist Postcard Art of Helaine Victoria Press, Lever Press, 2023.
Larry Gale Enjoying retired life. Took a Band of Brothers (101st Airborne) WWII tour last summer. A terrific history lesson from Normandy all the way to the Eagle's Nest in Germany. So much to see. One of our tour guides was actually living there in the Bastogne area in 1944. A truly educational and enjoyable trip.
Rebecca Lowe (‘70) and I (Roger Warren) have joined a couple of groups we think support our concerns about democracy. Online we follow The Carter and have been active, in-person, in League of Women Voters. It is the Hatfield Clock Tower which includes the quote “Knowledge in the Preface of Peace.” We are cultivating our little corner of the world.
Randall Donohue - Ginny and I will celebrate our 55th anniversary on June 14. We married just after I graduated in 1969. Ginny graduated from Willamette the next year, and then we joined the Peace Corps and went to India for two years.
’70
James O'Malley - I have been mostly retired since 2018 after 32 years of surgical practice, but about a year ago I returned to work part-time helping to staff a trauma surgery team at a local hospital. We also just celebrated our step-son getting married last week.
’72
James Buzan - First-ever Heritage Club event in the Bay Area with the SF Giants. Jim and Pam (Anders) Buzan hosted a gathering of 17 alumni and friends on June 10 in a Luxury Suite at Oracle Park. What fun! Giants beat Houston in a tenth-inning walk-off. Spread the word: Heritage Club events are open to all who graduated 50 or more years ago (often including their family and sometimes many other alumni).
Bret Rios - Just married Harriet I. Goldberg on May 1st. It's never too late to find the perfect match! And my first novel, written to inspire young adults, will be officially published on July 15th on Amazon Books: "The Turnaround Crew - Taking Charge!" And it's never too late to try a new career, either! (Pen name is Bret Shay)
Tiffanie Andrews-Rost (Andrews) - Tiffanie Andrews-Rost (Andrews) was promoted to Captain at the Gresham Fire Department. She has been with the department for 24 years and is also a Paramedic and Board-Certified Emergency Nurse (RN).
’73
Joann Frances Young - When on-campus reunions were canceled for the summer, Alpha Phis and I gathered in Portland & McMinnville for lunches and conversations! As a new quilter, some of us adjourned to a local quilt shop for new items… and further conversations! Due to snowy Christmases, some had been missed since last year’s all-classes June reunion! My beach life continues to be rich with friends and charity work.
Joann Frances Young Learning to love retirement after 46 years of teaching, grades 7 through college sciences and math! Now Beach walking, traveling, quilting, singing, and loving family!
’74
Debra Bonde - After 40 years as the founder/director of Seedlings Braille Books for Children, I will be retiring in November of 2024. After finding that children's braille books were scarce & expensive, I started the nonprofit, Seedlings in the basement of my home in Detroit with a small braille printer that my father made for me. Our goal was to provide free & low-cost books for children across the U.S. and around the world. And now, after producing & placing over 750,000 braille books into the eager hands of children, I will be passing the baton to one of my coworkers which will give me more time to spend with my sweet grandsons!
Patrick Pine will finish his second term as Vice Chair of the California Health Care Coalition in June after serving in officer roles for ten years. The Coalition represents administrators of union and public sector health plans throughout California. Patrick continues to manage the Robert F Kennedy Medical Plan (United Farm Workers) and Juan De La Cruz Pension Plan serving members in California and six other states from Washington to Texas.
’75
Janet (Brock) Carlson retired in July 2023 as administrator of the Mid-Willamette Valley Homeless Alliance, an organization which she helped create while serving as a Marion County Commissioner (2003-2019). Janet currently resides in Boise, Idaho.
Barton DeLacy - I have remained in the valuation profession since 1977 and was recently elected to The Counselors of Real Estate Foundation as a Trustee. The Foundation supports projects that benefit positive social, community, and educational efforts that feature a meaningful connection to real estate and knowledge sharing while enhancing the ability of The Counselors of Real Estate® to help others and give back to communities - worldwide. I was invited into the Counselors in 2003 and have previously served on their board of trustees and as a chapter chair. After over a decade in Chicago, we are back in the PNW in Seattle, where I serve as an Executive Director at Cushman & Wakefield. I tend to specialize in valuing renewable energy projects such as wind farms.
Ken Morris - KnectIQ, founded by Ken Morris, developed a revolutionary cybersecurity capability, SelectiveTRUST®, that was founded by Assured Information Security (AIS) as part of an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Testing & Evaluation (T&E) contract, demonstrated exceptional resilience against adversarial actions, with no vulnerabilities found that could lead to the decryption of protected data. Further, AIS/AFRL recommended that, given robust security features and operational readiness, SelectiveTRUST is suitable for strategic implementation across sectors requiring digital agility and high data, device, network, and cloud security levels.
’76
Dan Hall '76 retired from the Los Angeles Community College District in December, 2021. He now works as an independent consultant for The Registry, filling interim roles as a Vice President/CFO for colleges and universities. Dan is currently serving as Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration for Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. He has served in interim roles at Cornell College and Walla Walla Community College. Working a hybrid schedule, Dan has ample time to play with the grandkids, build sandcastles and travel. Dan quipped, "I never thought retirement would be this much fun!"
Sally Purbrick-Illek - celebrated her 70th birthday and 20 years of life Down Under in 2024. She continues to follow her passion of training, competing, and volunteering with her three working border collies Champ (13), Pepper (9), and Jazz (4). In 2023 Champ was a finalist in a field of over 600 entries for Australia's "Top Dog With a Job". This year, both Champ and Pepper were two of the top ten finalists in a national search for canine "Everyday Heroes." Champ was recognized for his volunteer work in assisted care facilities, as a "Reading Dog" and for helping children who suffer from dog phobia. Pepper was recognized for her assistance in tracking down a lost dog that went missing during a thunderstorm. Their stories will be aired on national television in September 2024. Champ has retired from competition, but Pepper and Jazz have successfully competed in several dog sports, including scent work, herding, and sprinting.
’77
David T. Isaak (’77) passed away in April 2021. He left behind five wonderful, unpublished novels, which his wife, Pamela Blake (’77) is publishing as “The Isaak Collection.” The first three novels, published in 2023, are: “Tomorrowville” (Humorous dystopian sci-fi), “A Map of the Edge” (Coming-of-age in the Sixties), and “Things Unseen” (Murder mystery). The final two novels—planned for release in 2024—are “Earthly Vessels” (Magical realism) and “Smite the Waters” (Political thriller).
Pamela L. Blake (’77) - "Earthly Vessels," the fourth book in The Isaak Collection, has been published. The Isaak Collection comprises 5 novels written by Dr. David T. Isaak ('77). David passed away in 2021. His books are being published posthumously by his wife, Pamela L. Blake ('77).
Mary Ann Robinson - It's wonderful to be a third-generation retired English teacher after the privilege of teaching high school, community college, and business college students. Even more fabulous than teacher retirement is recently becoming a grandmother. It's also been great getting to Zoom with Bearcat Buddies every month over the last four years. We met our freshman year at Lee House. We love to reminisce about our class winning Glee during our freshman, sophomore, and senior years.! WU Hoo!
’78
Musicologist Kathleen Sewright has had a seminal article, "Strangers in a Strange Land: Connections Between Spanish Chant Manuscripts in U.S. Public Collections," accepted for January 2025 publication in the scholarly journal Manuscript Studies.
’80
Cammy Shay - After more than 40 years teaching undergrads, I retired. It was the best job ever (thanks, Dad).
’81
Anne Davenport I have been working as a physicist for the Dept of the Navy for 37+ years. I am now having to consider retiring and moving back to Oregon.
Brenda Hansen-Coats - After my husband retired from his construction (bridges and concrete) company and we downsized our ranch, where we raised Morgan horses, I took a job with Visit Central Oregon. I get to share our area with visitors and help them have a great vacation. I still get to explore this beautiful country on my horses.
Donald L Krahmer Jr - Donald L. Krahmer (1981, CLA, 1987, MBA/JD) retired from Schwabe Williamson and Wyatt after a 36-year career in law and business. He has also joined the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries, Columbia-Willamette. He and his wife, Suzanne, reside in Portland, OR.
’84
Mary Polly Heath Wilson - She has retired for the second time. After 38 years of teaching in public education as an adaptive physical Education/vocational Education teacher, she has retired from her second Career at Collins Aerospace.
’85
Maeve Visser Knoth - I am excited to be chosen as the chairperson for the 2025 Newbery Award selection committee. I will spend the year searching for the most distinguished writing for children published in 2024 and wrangling a wonderful committee of folks from around the country as we make our decision.
’86
Kevin McCarty - I am happy to report that I am celebrating the beginning of my seventh year of retirement! I keep busy by playing in Local Brew, a rock and roll cover band in Silverton, regular time on the golf course, time on Dorothy, my Harley Davidson Heritage Springer, and traveling with my wife Julie.
Mary Louise VanNatta - Willamette University received international attention when alums Mary Louise VanNatta, CEO of VanNatta Public Relations (CLA ’86), and her son Ryan Gail (CLA ’17 MBA ‘18) traveled to a remote part of Indonesia to present a seminar on using public relations strategies to develop tourism in Manokwari, West Papua. VanNatta received a grant to travel to Indonesia on behalf of the U.S. State Department's Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). The trip involved visiting the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, meeting with government officials in Manokwari, West Papua, and attending a press conference with journalists from ANTARA News, Tribun Papua Barat, Papuakini.net, and KlikPapua.com.
Tinh Mahoney - Haven't been back to the Willamette Valley for a decade. Coming back to do a concert in Dallas, Oregon. Please come by and say hello.
’87
Mark Walterskirchen, M.D. was honored as Physician Health Care Champion of the year by the Springfield Business Journal 2023. He has been a Urologist in SW Missouri since 2000.
’88
Darrell Fuller was elected President of the Keizer Volunteer Firefighters Association. Darrell has been a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical responder since 2020.
Darrell Fuller is now the new Chair of the Board of the Red Cross, Northwest Oregon Chapter. He began serving on the Board in 2019. As Chapter Advisor for Sigma Chi at Willamette, he helped them organize on campus blood drives the last three semesters. Darrell has been deployed to wildfires in Oregon and California as a disaster responder. He was in Florida after Hurricane Ian and spent a month on Maui after the Lahaina wildfires.
200 years of Willamette / Sigma Chi — Portland Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter Chair Scott Hirschberger (class of 2010), Retired Federal Judge John Jelderks (class of 1960), former Sigma Chi Grand Consul and Willamette Trustee Bob Joseph (class of 1957/ Law 1963), “Mr. Willamette” Jim Booth (class of 1964) and Sigma Chi Chapter Advisor Darrell Fuller (1988). Great stories, lots of laughter and maybe a little fibbing at the home of Bob and Gail (1961) Joseph. (See CAS'57 class notes for the group photo.)
Jay Schroder - Jay Schroder's book, Teach From Your Best Self: A Teacher's Guide to Thriving in the Classroom, has been published by Routledge. The book distills the best of what he's learned after 24 years in the classroom. He wrote it to help educators avoid burnout, learn to stay centered and responsive under stress and thrive in education.
Tracy Reisinger - I retired in 2021, and it's the best thing ever! Now, I volunteer with Oregon Road Runners Club (currently president), Park Run USA, and Tualatin Hills Parks & Rec district for their middle school track meets. It's been wonderful to encourage participation in the activity that I love.
’89
Roxann Ashworth - I was recently promoted to Senior Laboratory Manager, continuing in my role as Co-Director of DNA Services at the Johns Hopkins Genetic Resources Core Facility, where I have been employed for almost 34 years. I continue to serve out my four year term on the Executive Board of the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities (ABRF) which will end in March 2025. My husband and I live outside of Baltimore, near BWI airport.
Annette Adams - Annette Adams, PhD, is currently president-elect of the American College of Epidemiology. Her 1-year term as president begins in September 2024. Dr. Adams is a research scientist/epidemiologist with Kaiser Permanente Southern California in Pasadena.
’90
James "Jim" Osmer has published his first book on Amazon - Five Ways to Survive a War: The Story of How Kurt Vonnegut, Günter Grass, William Stafford, Charles Bukowski, and Richard Feynman Managed to Not Die in World War II.
Christina Tourino - Christina has taught English at CSBSJU for almost 25 years. She recently began playing Keyboard 1 in pit orchestras for community theater and serves as music director at two public high schools.
’92
Kristin Voris - Kristin retired from Apple in Dec 2023 after 24 amazing years to become a full time grad student at San Jose State University. This semester she began an internship with the SJSU Student Research Journal as a Content Editor. Kristin continues to be an active member of her DAR chapter board.
Tara Campbell - Tara’s 6th book, City of Dancing Gargoyles, is forthcoming from Santa Fe Writer’s Project (SFWP) in September. This eco-fantasy novel follows sentient gargoyles and a mother-daughter pair of climate refugees searching for new homes in the parched, post-apocalyptic Western U.S. of the 22nd Century, where wolves float, bonfires sing, and devils gather to pray. To preorder and find information on readings in the Seattle and DC areas, visit www.TaraCampbell.com
Mark Jennings - Started a new position as the Director of Risk Management at CIS (CityCounty Insurance Services). CIS was formed by the League of Oregon Cities and the Association of Oregon Counties to provide insurance, employee benefits, and risk management services to Oregon cities, counties, and other eligible local governments. CIS provides these services to 98% of the cities and 78% of the counties in Oregon.
’93
Tiffany Andrews-Rost - iffanie Andrews-Rost (Andrews) was promoted to Captain at the Gresham Fire Department. She has been with the department for 24 years and is also a Paramedic and Board Certified Emergency Nurse (RN).
10 Betas from the class of 1993 recently gathered for a long weekend in Oceanside, CA. From L-R in back: Andrew Shipman, Eric Heringer, Brian Booth, Nate McLemore, Ryan Howes, John Critikos, Jeff Curl, Chris Simmons. In front: Eric Halverson and Mark Hanken.
Following a 25-year career with the Seattle Police Department, Kevin Grossman was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the University of Washington Police Department.
Jane Reinke Jackson - Paul Jackson (CLA '94) and I moved to Rancho Cordova a couple of years ago so that I could take on the new challenge of Global Construction Manager at Solidigm (a 2021 divestiture from Intel). We are thrilled with the move, enjoying empty nesting, and looking forward to an exciting future with this company.
’94
Carol Suzuki - Carol Suzuki celebrated 30 years working for the Oregon Legislature. She has the proud distinction of having worked for eight Senate Democratic/Majority Leaders (Senators Dick Springer, Cliff Trow, Kate Brown, Richard Devlin, Diane Rosenbaum, Ginny Burdick, Rob Wagner and Kate Lieber) during her tenure. She started as an intern from WU, then as a legislative assistant before serving as the Operations Director for the caucus leadership office for 27 years. In 2023, Carol was named Deputy Chief of Staff for Senate President Rob Wagner. Carol and her husband, former State Rep. Brian Clem live in Salem with their daughter Kohana.
Ellen M. Lewis - Ellen Lewis '94 has several of her plays up this fall. Look for "You Can See All the Stars" at University of Portland, and "Dorothy's Dictionary" at 21ten Theater. There will also be a reading of her play "How the Light Gets In" at Bellingham Theater Guild in Washington, and a performance of work by Lewis and James Still in "HERE! This Moment for Women" at DramaDogs in Santa Barbara, California. From October 14-20, Lewis will be co-host playwright for the Ashland New Plays Festival.
’96
Mark Furman joined the University of Oregon as Director of Media Relations in November 2023 after 25 years as a newspaper editor, digital news producer and journalism educator. His team in University Communications works to raise awareness of UO faculty research and service to the state, nation and world.
’97
Elizabeth Stallard (Lamzaki) - In March 2024, I became a shareholder at Buchalter APC, where I practice Labor and Employment law. Buchalter currently has approximately 500 attorneys and 12 offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Washington. I am based in the Sacramento office.
Tiffany (Ellis) Campbell - Tiffany (Ellis) Campbell, class of ’97, was promoted to Director of Global Pharmacovigilance at Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals, leading a global team ensuring patient safety from clinical to post-marketing in therapeutic breakthroughs in critical disease areas across psychiatry & neurology, oncology, urology, women’s health, rare disease, and cell & gene therapies.
’98
Jason Cammarano - Accepted a Commerce Specialist 2 position with Washington State Department of Health, Office of Clean Water. He will provide program management support for projects that ensure safe and reliable drinking water in Washington State.
’99
Barry Nelson - was honored in April at Salem's First Citizen Awards with the Distinguished Service Award for leading the effort to bring the Gerry Frank | Salem Rotary Amphitheater to Salem's Riverfront Park. Barry helped raise over $4 million and volunteered over 5,000 hours in serving as co-chair for the project. In accepting the award, Barry credited his parents, Greg '64 and Linda '67 Nelson, and Willamette's motto as providing guiding principles in his life.
Ryan Calkins - Ryan joined Pacific Northwest National Laboratory as an energy policy advisor in January. His work focuses on reducing fossil fuel use in aviation and maritime and supporting offshore wind energy development in the Pacific. Ryan continues to serve on the Port of Seattle Commission.
’00
Dave Rigsby has returned home to Boise, Idaho. He spent 28 years living in Oregon - 25 in Salem.
Matt Hutchinson is the lead voice actor and official voice of The Tiny Chef for the Emmy award winning show The Tiny Chef Show on Nickelodeon and streaming on Paramount+.
Shown Left to right: Stephanie Sperber president of Imagine Entertainment- Kids & Family, Rachel Larsen: Creator of Tiny Chef, Odessa A’zion: Supporting voice actress of Olly, Matt Hutchinson: Lead voice actor of Tiny Chef, Jason Kolowski: Art Director & Set Designer for Tiny Chef Productions.
’02
Kate Cowan- is finally making her way back to higher education! After nine years of building institutional funding relationships at Girl Scouts of Northern California, she accepted a position as Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations at California State University, East Bay. She can truly say that going to college changed her life, and she is excited to give back and ensure that students have the same types of opportunities to explore, grow, and make an impact on their world.
Erin Winterrowd recently became Academic Dean of Regis College (letters and sciences) at Regis University, a small Catholic Jesuit Hispanic Serving Institution in Denver, CO, where she lives with her partner and their child.
’03
Ali Shaw - Ali Shaw (née McCart, BA ’03) and her husband, Tim Shaw, are launching a new coffee shop bookstore in Portland. BOLD Coffee & Books offers much more than caffeine and literature, though. BOLD will offer educator discounts, be a meeting place for clubs for antiracism and human rights, and donate a portion of profits each month toward nonprofits working for a more equitable society. The BOLD book collection and weekly events will feature authors and characters from historically including groups such as LGBTQ+, BIPOC, AAPI, immigrants, disabled/differently abled, adoptees, and more. BOLD will open this October at 1755 SW Jefferson St., Portland. Follow their progress on Facebook and Kickstarter.
Jenny DuVander achieved a Guinness World Record in February 2024 for the longest female tongue circumference with a measurement of 5.21 inches around her flexed tongue.
Garrett Kuramoto - Garrett Kuramoto rejoined the City of Sunnyvale, California, as its Superintendent of Libraries, overseeing the operations of the Sunnyvale Public Library. It's a full circle move as he worked there as a Librarian early in his career, and it's also his hometown library on his to-do list: construction of the city's first branch library and a bond measure to build a new main library.
’04
Jane Barrow - Gave birth to twins, Benjamin Hood Barrow and David Harry Barrow, on November 8, 2023
Matt Ericksen - I will become a physician partner at ENT and Allergy Associates of Florida. I have offices in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and Okeechobee along the Treasure Coast in Florida.
Courtney (Jensen) Widhalm - I received two professional awards this year: Teacher of the Year at Baldwin Creek Elementary School in Lander, Wyoming, and Elementary Art Teacher of the Year for the State of Wyoming.
’05
Nathan Love - athan Love from TMobile will be the Featured Speaker for RareEvo24 in Las Vegas. Nathan has deep knowledge of emerging technologies & a proven record of partnering with industry leaders. His newest project is leading "Your Network, Our Wireless" for T-Mobile Wholesale team as a new initaitive starting with partners like Roccstar Wireless. More to be announced soon! Nathan also recently returned to Willamette for the Alumni Mile and the class of '01 Cross Country induction to the Hall of Fame.
Steph Hartford - I recently started my own consulting company based out of Seattle, WA. Superheroine Solutions provides grant writing, athletic coaching, management consulting, and library/archives services to individuals, nonprofits, and for-profit companies alike.
Andrea (Meidinger) Christiansen landed an apprenticeship in Mediation at Neighbor to Neighbor through the Oregon Office of Community Dispute Resolution, housed within the University of Oregon School of Law. Mediation skills cultivated through this program advance her service of helping others bring disputes to the table - be it a conference room table, pre-litigation talks, or a kitchen table. Her work actively facilitates constructive dialogue, cooperative problem solving, and individual agency. She engages the ideal of thoughtful conflict communication as an opportunity for community-building in her day-to-day practice.
’06
Marshaé Sylvester - Completed Ph.D Doctorate of Philosophy in Theology & Ethics From Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary May 2024
’07
Phoebe Keever- I (seated on the right) recently had a Class of ’07 mini-reunion with Ebbe, Liz Bowman, and myself. It was the first time we had met since our senior year at Willamette. They reached out when they learned I would be in Wellington, New Zealand, and we enjoyed a locally sourced, pescatarian, organic dinner. Amazing hospitality!
Last year Chris Foss and his wife welcomed their second child, a healthy baby girl. Chris also began work as a full-time instructor of general education--specializing in U.S. history--at Western Governors University. His latest research, focusing on Oregon congresswoman and WU alum Edith Green, will be published later this year in the Oregon Historical Quarterly.
Daniel Carroll (BA'08) and Vanessa Bloomsburg (BA'07, MBA'09) got married on February 29, 2024, at a ceremony on Mercer Island, Washington.
Mariah Mayfield - I recently began a new position as an Aquatic Resource Biologist for Public Utility District No. 1 of Douglas County, East Wenatchee, Washington. This position includes ongoing research on Pacific Lamprey and other native fish species.
Brittany Starr - Brittany was promoted to Senior Project Manager for the global digital learning services division at Fast Lane Institute for Knowledge Transfer (Hamburg, Germany). This year, she is celebrating her 10th year living in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Brenton Clark was promoted to Senior Performance Auditor at the Washington State Auditor's Office in September 2023. He has been with the office for eight years.
Daniel Carroll (BA '08) and Vanessa Bloomsburg (BA '07, MBA '09) got married on February 29, 2024, at a ceremony on Mercer Island, Washington. (See CAS'07 class notes for photo.)
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Suzanne Koedoot - Suzanne (Snell) Koedoot (BA '09) and her husband Sean welcomed Stella M. Koedoot to the world on May 15, 2023.
Marissa Brotherton (Richards) - Working in Data Operations for Major League Baseball in San Diego.
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Timothy Walsh - Timothy Walsh ('10, JD '14) and Emily Donaldson Walsh ('10), welcomed a son, Stephen, in December 2023. Stephen has already attended his first Bearcat football game.
After designing board games as a hobby for some years, Tom Ackerman got one of his game designs published in 2021. The game is called BlindFold and is published by Chronicle Books.
200 years of Willamette / Sigma Chi — Portland Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter Chair Scott Hirschberger (class of 2010), Retired Federal Judge John Jelderks (class of 1960), former Sigma Chi Grand Consul and Willamette Trustee Bob Joseph (class of 1957/ Law 1963), “Mr. Willamette” Jim Booth (class of 1964) and Sigma Chi Chapter Advisor Darrell Fuller (1988). Great stories, lots of laughter and maybe a little fibbing at the home of Bob and Gail (1961) Joseph. (See CAS'57 class notes for the group photo.)
Ryan Moothart - After more than 13 years at his previous agency, Ryan was hired on as the new Sr. Marketing Manager for Growth at Humble Bundle in February 2024. He's excited to endeavor into the next chapter of his career in digital marketing!
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Geneva Hooten, MPA, AICP graduated with a Master of Public Administration from University of Colorado Denver in May 2023. Geneva was selected as an Outstanding Graduate by the School of Public Affairs for the Class of 2023 and is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. Geneva will continue her work in the transportation field as the Bicycle Program Manager for the City and County of Denver.Nathan Keffer ('11) and Ryan Hood-Taylor ('11) recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of their brewery and brewpub "Bandido Brewing" in Quito, Ecuador. The two Willamette alumni opened the South American brewery in 2013 with fellow alumni Daniel Meloy ('11) and have since established multiple gastro pubs, and taprooms and started a charity endeavor called "Pintas por Impaco" to give back to their local community and the environment.
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Jamiere Abney - Hello, I today (Sept. 19) I successfully defended my dissertation and completed my Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania. Here is the abstract of my research on students' perspectives on the value and impact of opportunity programs on their college experience.
Anna Kelly BA'12 and husband Matt welcomed baby girl Alma in January 2023, and are head over heels in love.
Bradley Eckerson - Bradley Eckerson completed his Master's in Education from Hunter College - City University of New York. He has been selected for a Fulbright English Teaching Assist Award in Rwanda for the 2024-2025 academic year. The Fulbright Scholar aims to strengthen educational and cultural relationships between the United States and Rwanda. As an English-Teaching Assistant, I will assist with English Language programming at a secondary or post-secondary institution. I will also facilitate sessions and run programs in the American Center through the U.S. Embassy.
Stephanie Lundgren - Stephanie Lundgren (Crook) BA'12 and husband Kyle welcomed their baby girl Isabella in January 2024.
Megan Cullinan - Rio Sabella ('12) and Megan Cullinan ('12) were married in July 2023, surrounded by friends and family. In August '23, they moved to Missoula, MT, where Megan started her new job as Assistant Professor of Rhetoric at the University of Montana, and Rio started his handyman business from scratch for the *third* time because he’s the best--tirelessly supporting Megan's career aspirations for over a decade. They look forward to a lifetime of adventures together.
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Omar Gandarilla - I have had 2 babies! My daughter was born in March of 2018 and my son was born this year in February. I have been working as a senior civil rights investigator at Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, after I spent 7 years at BOLI.
Kendra Schaffer - I currently work for a local nonprofit delivering leadership training and economic development programs (amongst many other things) in rural places all over the Pacific Northwest. It allows me to work remotely and to be a catalyst for positive change in small communities throughout Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
Emily Ramirez - In 2022 I moved to Casper, WY from southern AZ for a new position with the Bureau of Land Management, and got married later in the year in Sisters, OR. In 2023 I got a new position as a regional biologist with the Forest Service, Region 2 Mountain Planning Service Group.
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Benny Kuo - was recently hired as the Product Marketing Manager at Extensis, a long-time Portland software company that supports both in-house and external Creative and Marketing teams with their Creative Intelligence Suite product.
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Rob Sargeant - engaged to Sabrina Pridemore
Cam Ciano - Now has a law degree!
’16
Christa Rohrbach - I recently found out I was selected as a Regional Oregon Teacher of the Year. As one of 19 teachers recognized across the state, I am humbled and excited by the news!
Nicholas Hoffnagle - I started a new position in February with, 211 Info, as a housing program lead in their partnership with Clackamas County Coordinated Housing Access.
Hannah Bressler - I graduated from Bastyr University in the Spring 2023, earning a Doctorate Degree in Naturopathic Medicine. Now in a 2-year Institute for Complementary Medicine Residency at SageMED in Bellevue, WA where I will be advancing my practice in primary care, regenerative medicine, and hormone replacement therapies, with an emphasis on women's health and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Henry Adelman - Henry Adelman (16’) and Victoria Bradshaw (16’) were married on May 25th, 2024. Henry played football for the Bearcats from 2012 to 2016, and Victoria played softball at Willamette those same years. Henry and Victoria are strong anecdotes for the powers of romance the Star Trees have. Henry proposed under the Star Trees on December 24th, 2021.
Angela Witty-Bawyll - This past summer, my husband and I welcomed a healthy baby girl, Kathleen! We had the opportunity to visit Willamette to participate in the softball team's alumni weekend. Go, Bearcats!
Nicholas Hoffnagle - I was recently featured in an informational video from Clackamas County for the housing hotline that I work on. I find it really meaningful to help people who are having a housing crisis get access to resources and feel it really aligns with Willamette’s motto, “Not unto ourselves alone are we born.”
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Ryan Gail - Willamette University received international attention when alums Mary Louise VanNatta, CEO of VanNatta Public Relations (CLA ’86), and her son Ryan Gail (CLA ’17 MBA ‘18) traveled to a remote part of Indonesia to present a seminar on using public relations strategies to develop tourism in Manokwari, West Papua. VanNatta received a grant to travel to Indonesia on behalf of the U.S. State Department's Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). The trip involved visiting the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, meeting with government officials in Manokwari, West Papua, and attending a press conference with journalists from ANTARA News, Tribun Papua Barat, Papuakini.net, and KlikPapua.com.
After three years of service, Madalyn Ekstrom was promoted to Senior Marketing Manager within the Talent Acquisition Team at Providence.
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Jewell Sparks - Jewell has been promoted to Assistant Director of Inclusive Student Programs at Catlin Gabel School.
Michael Chen - is currently a Sustainability Program Coordinator on the JLL Energy and Sustainability team at Google. He works closely managing Google’s Waste and Refrigerant programs. Before JLL, Michael worked on Meta’s corporate Sustainability Team working on all things employee engagement, water stewardship, sustainability reporting comms, and human rights and supply chain risk management. His main project was to build and execute Meta’s company-wide Earth Week educational program. In 2022, Michael obtained a MBA at Hult International Business School with honors. Before grad school, Michael was a Math Teacher abroad in Thailand and switched to Sustainability because of his passion for keeping companies accountable for their impact on the environment and society around the world.
Calvin Decker -I have had multiple life updates this year. I was engaged on Feb 29th 2024 and was also accepted into Queens University of Belfast school of law for September 2024. I will be studying International Human Rights Law. I will also be marrying my partner Taylore on August 31st 2024 just 5 days before moving to Belfast UK to continue my academic career. I will be leaving my career as a first responder and crisis response casework supervisor for the city of Phoenix Fire Department where I have served surviving family members and victims of homicides, suicides, fires, gunshot wounds, stabbings and other crises related to a fire department response. Our units also replace the need for police response in cases of substance use and mental health incidents when deemed appropriate. I have enjoyed working in crisis response but look forward to continuing my academic career.
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Samuel Coren - recently joined Perkins Coie LLP's Seattle office as an Associate in the Trademark, Copyright, Internet & Advertising group. Sam graduated summa cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in May of 2024.
Julia Fleener ‘20 married Avery Bento ‘19 in a beautiful garden ceremony in Seattle, WA. Kieran O’Brien ‘19 served as groomsman and attended with his fiancé Cheyenne Marshall ‘19. A special reading was done by Anna Burdine ‘19, who introduced Julia and Avery when they were Bearcats.
Joseph Plastet - 2019 I got Married on 8/23, and I started a new position at Jordan Brand, Nike Inc. on 3/23.
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Julia Fleener ‘20 married Avery Bento ‘19 in a beautiful garden ceremony in Seattle, WA. Kieran O’Brien ‘19 served as groomsman and attended with his fiancé Cheyenne Marshall ‘19. A special reading was done by Anna Burdine ‘19, who introduced Julia and Avery when they were Bearcats. (See CAS'19 class notes for photo.)
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Dylan Selph - I welcomed my first born Daughter to the world in December 2024. Her name is Paisley J. Selph.
