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In Her Own Words “With God, Everything is Possible” Honoring Professor Richard Litke 2008 Alumni of the Year Westwind e Journal of Walla Walla University Summer 2008 www.wallawalla.edu/westwind

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The alumni magazine of Walla Walla University

TRANSCRIPT

In Her Own Words “With God, Everything is Possible”

Honoring Professor Richard Litke

2008 Alumni of the Year

WestwindThe Journal of Walla Walla UniversitySummer 2008

www.wallawalla.edu/westwind

Walla Walla University on iTunesU: : Browse campus events, and services of University Church and “The Awakening.”: : Play the latest audio and video content at the click of a button: : Download to your computer, MP3 player or burn to a CD

Visit wallawalla.edu/iTunesU

14 From the Fields of Idaho to the Halls of Yale

4 Campus Current

9 Bits and Pieces

10 In Her Own Words

17 He’s Never Failed,

And That’s the Way It Is

20 Interview

22 Honored Alumni

24 Alumnotes

33 In Memory

35 From My Point of View

36 College Avenue Crossings

Summer 2008 Westwind 3

Contents

Westwind Summer 2008, Volume 27, Number 2

Editor Rosa Jimenez Production Manager Breanna Bork Campus Current Editor Rebecca St. Clair Alumnotes Writer Sarah Radelfinger Design Robert Car Graphics Cover Photo Matthew B Zimmerman

Westwind is published three times a year for alumni and friends of Walla Walla University, a Seventh-day Adventist university. It is produced by the Office of University Relations. This issue was printed in September 2008. Third-class postage is paid at College Place, Wash. © 2008 by Walla Walla University.

Westwind/University Relations 204 S. College Ave. College Place, WA 99324 Telephone: (509) 527-2513 Toll-free: (800) 377-2586 E-mail: [email protected] Online: westwind.wallawalla.edu

About the cover Larysa Volynets, a student who grew up in Ukraine, had long dreamed of becoming a Walla Walla University student.

Knitting for Kids

4 Westwind Summer 2008

Campus Current Distinguished Faculty Lecture Mission: Zimbabwe Engineering Gift

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Last year Ellie Veverka had an idea. Looking to take part in Walla Walla University’s

small group program, the adminis-trative assistant for campus minis-tries wanted a group whose mem-bers could do something produc-tive while also interact socially and spiritually. So she began a group of knitters.

Every Sunday night at 6 p.m., from two to eight people gath-ered to knit sweaters, caps, socks, scarves, blankets and mittens. Ranging in age from 10 to over 60, some members even knitted at home.

With all of the knitted items, the group decided that someone should benefit from their creativity. They chose the Mount of Olives Children’s Village, an orphanage in Uruapan, Baja, Mexico. A group of WWU students going to the orphanage happily agreed to take the knitting group’s completed items to give to the children at the orphanage.

The university has sponsored mission trips to Mount of Olives for three years now, and Jeanne Vories, director of student missions, esti-mates that up to 300 knitted items have been taken to Mexico over the past two years alone.

This year, more knitted items are planned for Mexico, and the knitters are adopting a new proj-ect—making blue and white for the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Anyone interested in joining the group may contact Veverka at Campus Ministries, (509) 527-2102. n

Summer 2008 Westwind 5

World Perspectives

Any student who has taken a class from Bruce Johanson can tell you where the pro-

fessor of biblical studies was born and raised: India! His experiences in India often play a major role in his classroom lectures and lessons.

As a child growing up in a missionary family in a foreign country, Johanson had a rare op-portunity to learn about a differ-ent country with different people, cultures and religions. This sparked the passion he still has for culture and religion, and it shows in every class he teaches.

It was no different when Johanson was selected as the 2007 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer. His campus lecture, given in November, also demon-strated his experiences abroad.

Every year the faculty select a colleague to be Distinguished Faculty Lecturer. This honor is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in teach-ing and scholarship, and involve-ment in governance, church, and community service. The chosen faculty member gives a presenta-tion in November, and is given a $2,000 honorarium.

Johanson, a professor of bibli-cal studies, presented the lecture entitled, “Integrity, Faith, and Shifting Horizons.” Drawing from his vast experience in cul-tures of various kinds, especially from his time as a child in India, Johanson shared his insights on religion today.

“The lecture was a distillation

of my journey of faith in rela-tion to scripture, church history and world religions,” Johanson says. Defining integrity as the alignment or the coherence of a person’s thoughts, words, and actions, Johanson described how the human condition—in spite of our cultural environment—has a longing for integrity, for a coher-ence which gives life its fullest meaning.

Johanson has always had a pas-

sion for religion and culture. The third of three children born to missionaries Johannes and Ida Johanson, Bruce Carl Johanson was born in 1943, and at the age of 11 moved to the U.S. Five years later, his roots called him home, and he returned to India to finish high school in the Himalayas in 1962. After a year in France, Johanson graduated from Andrews University with a major in French and minors in Greek and religion.

After his marriage to Anne Christoffersen, the Johansons lived in Denmark, India, Sweden, and finally, College Place. As a result of his extensive travel, the

professor can converse not only in English, but also in Swedish, Danish, French, and German. In addition, he is relearning the Hindi he heard so often as a child in India.

Currently, Johanson teaches religion and Greek classes for the School of Theology. With such a strong cultural background, Johanson is the perfect choice for teaching one of the department’s most popular classes: World Religions. n

Campus Current

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Bruce Johanson, 2007 Distingushed Faculty Lecturer, lived in India as a child and his experiences often find their way into his lectures and lessons.

Professor’s Lecture Draws From His Childhood Experiences

WESTWIND ONLINEwallawalla.edu/westwind

Hear the 2007 Distinguished Faculty Lecture presented by Bruce Johanson.

6 Westwind Summer 2008

What began as a small group of students’ re-solve to make life bet-

ter for Zimbabwe orphans ended with hundreds of students in-volved and eager to help.

In early January, two student clubs joined forces to organize the Mission: Zimbabwe project, with a goal to raise $15,000, and also awareness of the crisis in Zimba-bwe. Two months later, Amnesty International and the Associated Students of Walla Walla College (ASWWC) had raised $32,000 for an orphanage in Zimbabwe—far exceeding the organizers’ hopes.

The funds will benefit the Mur-wira Orphanage directed by Paula Leen, who will use the money for a food program that feeds 300 chil-

dren daily. It will also assist with medical supplies, education, and general maintenance of the orphan-age. Leen founded the orphanage in 1996 after witnessing Zimba-bwe’s exploding social needs.

Through Mission: Zimbabwe, the campus has learned more about these and other issues in the African country that before may have been just a news headline.

The country’s crisis became es-pecially real when student Lwazi Moyo-McCune told his story of growing up in Zimbabwe and liv-ing under a dictatorial regime in a country suffering from civil and political strife.

From Moyo-McCune’s story, and those of other students who had volunteered at Murwira Or-

phanage, the campus learned that Zimbabwe has one of the worst performing economies in the world. Its unemployment rate is 80 percent, and it has the world’s highest inflation rate. The nation also faces a mass exodus of an es-timated 3.4 million men, women, and children—at least a quarter of the country’s population—into neighboring countries and abroad, as natives struggle to survive.

With the lowest life expectancy in the world in 2006, Zimbabwe men live for an average of 37 years; women a mere 34 years. According to UNICEF, Zimba-bwe also has a higher number of orphans per capita than any other country in the world. Most of the cases are a result of parents dying from AIDS.

Hundreds participated in the fundraising events organized by ASWWC and Amnesty. The first large event the two clubs orga-nized was a date auction.

As student bachelor after bache-lorette was auctioned off to single students, the dollar amount raised for Murwira Orphanage climbed higher and higher. The total amount raised was over $6,500.

Another fundraising event was the Zwim Meet, which required participating swimmers to have sponsors. Dozens of people partic-ipated, including President John McVay, and Vice President of Academic Administration Ginger Ketting-Weller. Both swam eight laps in 10 minutes.

ASWWC and Amnesty also

held an early morning run with an entrance fee of $5. Dozens turned up to show their support for Mission: Zimbabwe.

“When we first set our goal of $15,000, we thought it was a lot to ask for,” says Janelle Walikonis, president of the Walla Walla Uni-versity chapter of Amnesty Inter-national. “It is very inspiring to see other people rally around a cause that has been such a close part of those who have been involved in it from the very beginning.”

At a special February University CommUnity meeting, students representing ASWWC and Am-nesty International took to the platform and announced that to-tal funds raised as of that morning had reached over $26,000. Since then, more donations raised the total to $32,000.

“We are amazed at the gen-erosity of students, and by the overwhelming compassion that has swept over this campus,” say Contessa Mensink and Becca Parshall, ASWWC social vice pres-idents. “God has blessed beyond our wildest imaginations. From the date auction to watching some of our administration swim in the Zwimathon to opening donation envelopes to find large personal checks from students—we stand in awe. This project has been a testament to both God’s power and to the goodness on the WWU campus. We cannot wait to some-day ask God where the money traveled to and who it touched … or saved.” n

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Project Prompts Outpouring of Support

WESTWIND ONLINEwallawalla.edu/westwind

See videos produced for Mission: Zimbabwe.

Summer 2008 Westwind 7

The Physics Department recently acquired an ad-vanced microscope that is

being used in nanotechnology classes being taught for the first time at Walla Walla University.

The atomic force microscope, valued at $30,000, takes a picture in a method very similar to the method used by the blind to read a Braille book. A small finger, called a cantilever, drags slowly over the surface of the sample to be imaged. A computer compiles the height information from each point into a single picture.

Because each point on the ob-ject must be visited, it takes quite

awhile to make an image. However, the atomic force microscope (AFM) can see very small things. The largest picture the model can take is about 0.05 mm wide, but the smallest picture possible is about 100 atoms wide.

Something to note about the AFM is that it isn’t what one would typically expect of a microscope.

“One of the biggest frustra-tions people have with the AFM,” explains Tom Ekkens, chair of the Physics Department, “is that it isn’t a microscope you can put your eyes up to and look through like everyone imagines a micro-scope to be.”

In fact, the part of the AFM re-sponsible for taking the image is a hexagon measuring about three

inches on each side. Another box, about the size of a large textbook, houses the electronics and the interface to the computer. All of the “looking” is done on the com-puter screen.

The Physics Department taught nanotechnology using the new AFM for the first time during winter quarter 2007. The depart-ment plans to offer the class every two years in the future. In the short time the department has had the AFM, it has already been used to work on a joint project

with a group at University of Washington.

“I am very grateful for the sup-port we received from our alum-ni,” says Ekkens. “They gave us the means to purchase this fabu-lous technology that will make classes much more real and hands-on in the future.” n

New Views

Dennis N. Carlson is Walla Walla University’s new vice president for uni-

versity advancement. He moved west from the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, where he served as president for six years. Prior to this position, Carlson was assistant to the president for administration at the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.

“Carlson brings excellent, proven leadership skills and thorough knowledge of the Northwest,” says

John McVay, WWU president. “His focused attention to advancement priorities will prove strategic for the university,” says McVay.

Carlson lived in the Pacific Northwest for 10 years, serving as executive secretary in both the Washington Conference from 1986 to 1994, and the Upper Columbia Conference from 1994 to 1996.

Carlson also has experience in evangelism, radio ministry, and church planting. He has served as pastor of churches ranging in membership from 57 to 500.

A native of Nebraska, Carlson received his bachelor’s degree in theology from Columbia Union College in Maryland, his master of divinity degree at Andrews University in Michigan, and his doctor of ministry at Northwest Theological Union in Washington.

“I am excited about being a part of an extraordinary group of edu-cators, administrators, and staff,” says Carlson. “It is my great desire to make a contribution to the suc-cess of Walla Walla University in my new role.”

WWU Appoints New Vice President

With the atomic force microscope, students can capture images as small as 100 atoms wide.

Campus Current

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Dennis Carlson will lead in raising support for Walla Walla University.

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Microscope Takes Physics Studies to Higher Levels

8 Westwind Summer 2008

The School of Engineering has received a $500,000 grant from the Bashir

Hasso Charitable Trust. The trust provided the gift to enhance en-gineering education by providing the school with new equipment.

With this grant, the School of Engineering has acquired a Mori Seiki computer numerically controlled lathe, a structures lab crane, a rheometer for the fluids lab, materials lab sample prepara-tion equipment, new surveying equipment, and a rapid prototyp-ing (RP) machine.

Of all the new equipment, the RP machine is an exceptional de-vice giving students an advanced tool to create prototypes of their designs. Students in Introduction to Engineering and Machine De-sign have already used it in classes.

“Even a couple of junior elec-trical engineering students have used it to create an enclosure for

their electronic circuit in Embed-ded Systems,” says Ralph Stirling, project engineer. “It’s a versatile machine. It can make virtually anything.”

The RP machine is especially valuable to students working on senior projects. Student Robert Van Raden produced a prototype of an impeller for a pedal-powered jet canoe. Student Gabriel Penalba produced a prototype for a cold weather assistance device designed to cover the mouth and nose, and warm air to be inhaled. For this project, Penalba even used the RP machine to produce a model of a face to demonstrate the placement of the device.

Though it sounds complicated, it’s easiest to think of the RP machine as a three-dimensional printer. The machine produces three-dimensional plastic objects from computer-created models. The objects can be individual

pieces, or assemblies of parts built together. Even gears can be fab-ricated such that they are already meshed when the machine is done making them.

“We strive continuously to improve the learning experience,” says Douglas M. Logan, dean of the School of Engineering. “A key part of that experience is our laboratories, where students can connect concepts and designs with the physical reality. Each of these new machines and instru-ments is a major acquistion for

one or another of the labs. The RP machine, in particular, en-ables a student to create physical prototype of something he or she has designed.” Logan adds, “This equipment has made our labs equal to the very best in any un-dergraduate engineering school. We really appreciate the Bashir Hasso Trust for making these investments possible.” n

Major Grant Awarded to Engineering

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New Tools a Boon for Student Projects

A new prototyping machine produced a model of an impeller for a pedal-powered jet canoe.

Summer 2008 Westwind 9

Bits & Pieces

A Native VoiceJerry Hartman, instructor in communications, recently traveled to Suriname, formerly known as Dutch Guyana, located on the northeast coast of South America. In this country of nearly half a million people, Hartman was giving one of the native tribes a voice. Hartman took a small team of assistants to film a documentary about the natives of Suriname. The documentary is focusing on their need for basic human rights: clean water, education, and health care. To view Hartman’s work in Suriname, visit youtube.com/watch?v=cVHebkw3w9c&fmt=18.

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East to WestRepresentatives from Kiang Wu College of Nursing in Macau, China, recently visited the School of Nursing’s Portland campus to explore the possibilities of short-term faculty and student exchange between schools. They observed labs, supportive environments for learning, and improved their communication skills. They weren’t the only ones learning however; Lucy Krull, dean of the School of Nursing at the Portland campus, learned a lot about what nursing is like in China as well.

Soccer ChampsLast fall, Walla Walla University’s men’s

soccer team traveled to Michigan to participate in the United States Collegiate Athletics Association tournament. Though the tournament’s original schedule included a Saturday,

the association rescheduled the

entire tournament in order to accommodate the three Sabbath-keeping institutions at the event. The team came home with a third place trophy.ConFab … ulous!

Ever heard of a ConFab? Neither had we until last school year. The 2007-08 student association officers wanted more student input on matters that directly affect them. So they began holding ConFabs, defined by the dictionary as, “A slang term for an assembly of people having a casual conversation.” Issues discussed last year included new cafeteria meal plans, requirements for weekly worship, and “Express Yourself,” a public opportunity for students to share their concerns about society today. Though these venues for students’ thoughts are not a new concept, this is the first year these forums were given a name. It was a productive way of finding out how the students felt about changes going on around them.

10 Westwind Summer 2008

As a child in Ukraine, Larysa Volynets never imagined the life she has today. Now she knows, as she shared in her Week of Worship message, that with God everything is possible.

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In Her Own Words Winter Student Week

of Worship Speaker Larysa Volynets

Summer 2008 Westwind 11

Jesus looked at them and said;

“With man this is impossible,

but not with God; all thing are

possible with God.”

Do you believe this? Do you believe this? Good. I did not believe this.

In 1995 an Adventist world conference took place in Europe. Many people from Europe and Asia at-tended. My parents also went. There they were intro-duced to the huge Adventist family for the first time in their lives. They returned with many interesting stories, books and magazines. At that time I was 9-years-old. I was fascinated by the many colorful maga-zines full of beautiful pictures of smiling faces. I was curious why the young people were smiling, why they were so happy.

Unfortunately, all of the magazines were in English, and I did not know a single word. I took a diction-ary and started to translate. When I translated a few sentences I got to know that the magazine was about Adventist education and Adventist schools in the United States. That was the first time in my life I had heard there were Christian schools in the world; schools where students go to classes together and go to worship together. I could not image that. I closed my eyes and imagined myself one day at such an institution.

I was the only Adventist in my school. In my heart I desired to one day attend an Adventist school. But I could not even dream about it. That was impossible for me. But with God everything is possible. God saw me and saw my heart. But before He would do something for me, I needed to make the choice to follow Him.

I compare my life to this story:There was once an old tree and an old log. The

log said to the tree, “I have been looking at you for a long time. I have seen that many thunderstorms pour rain on you. A hot sun shines and burns your leaves. Cold weather freezes your branches. Strong winds bend your stem. I feel very sorry that you have all of these troubles. I am very lucky that I am a log. Nothing gives me trouble. No wind, rain or cold can cause me harm because I am lying on the fence. I am small and nobody sees me here. I am very proud that I am a log.” The tree answered,

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12 Westwind Summer 2008

“Yes, you are right. It is true that you are resting and nothing troubles you. But there is no life in you be-cause you are dead and you are decomposing. I face many weather changes, but I am alive and bearing fruits. In thunderstorms and hot weather people can hide under my branches.”

Were you born to be a tree or a log? Everybody was born to be a tree, but it is our choice what we want to be. The life of a log is very easy. The log says, “I am happy with who I am. I am proud of who I am, even though I am bad. I have everything I need, and I don’t care about anything. I do not think about God, my friends or my family.”

The life of the bearing tree is different. The tree bears fruits. What is a fruit? It is our good deeds and actions. The person of that kind thinks not only about himself or herself but about people around him or her. Life’s problems and sufferings don’t break our charac-ter but teach us to be a better person. One day in our life each of us must make a choice to be either a tree or a log. I also had that choice.

I was born in an Adventist family. My grandpar-ents and parents were very good Christians. They taught me about Jesus and read many Bible stories to me. When I went to middle school I was faced with many decisions in my life. I was the only Christian in my class. The school system required students to at-tend school six days a week. So, every Monday I had to explain to my teachers why I was not at school on Saturday. First, I wanted to lie and give different rea-sons why I was not at school, but that could not last long because I missed every Saturday. My classmates also asked me why I wasn’t at school on Saturdays.

To tell the truth, it was very hard for me to tell the real reason. Christians in that society were considered crazy people. Ukraine at that time was independent, but atheistic and communist ideas were still in peo-ple’s mind. Many people believed that there was no God, and everyone came from monkeys. People said that if you are a Christian that there is something wrong with your mind and that you could be a dan-ger to society.

To my shame, sometimes I was embarrassed that I was a Christian. I was like a Peter. One day I came home and opened the Bible. I read one verse from the gospel of John.

As Simon Peter stood warming

himself, he was asked, “You

are not one of his disciples, are

you?” He denied it, saying, “I am

not.” John 18:25

I knew that verse, and I did not want to be like Peter. I did not want to be a betrayer. OK, I thought. If I decide to be a Christian many students will make fun of me. My best friends told me many times that I was wrong, that I was not supposed to believe in what my parents believed. Teachers talked to me and they explained to me that if I choose to be a Christian many doors would be shut to me.

I was considered the odd person in my school. I was very shy and quiet. Finally, I needed to give my an-swer. I needed to make my choice to go to school on Saturday or not. I thought about who I was. I prayed a lot. I wanted to know what I was going to be in this world: a tree or a log. I realized that if I choose to be a tree I would face many weather changes and have many troubles.

I praise God that He helped me make the correct decision. Finally, I told my teachers and my friends that I was a Christian and I was not going to change my ideas and beliefs. God is more important than everything else in my life and Christianity is more im-portant than society’s ideas and rules.

The same Peter that denied Jesus, a few years later said,

Peter and the other apostles

replied: “We must obey God

rather than men!” Acts 5:29

Of course, everybody rejected me. I had bad grades even though I studied very hard. My best friends would have nothing to do with me. That was a hard time in my life, but because of this I got to know a very good Friend. His name is JESUS. I have never known who He was until I began to be a close friend with Him. I realized that Jesus knocked on my heart for a long time. He knocked softly but all the time.

I joined a group of people in my church who were like local missionaries. They went from house to house and offered people Christian books to read. Christian books are quite expensive in my country and many people had no money to buy them, so our church bought some books and anyone who wanted to read a book borrowed it. After a few weeks we came back to that person and exchanged books. And if that person wanted to learn about Jesus we offered Bible studies. I remember when I knocked at somebody’s door.

In my heart I wanted the person to open the door, smile and say, “I have been waiting for you for a long time. I would love to take some books to read and get to know Jesus.” Unfortunately, not many people I met were friendly and only a few of them wanted to know about Jesus. But that makes me think about Jesus. He also stands and knocks at the door of our heart. He desires so much to come and to be in our home.

WESTWIND ONLINEwallawalla.edu/westwind

Hear Week of Worship speakers, including Larysa Volynets, at Walla Walla University on iTunes U.

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Summer 2008 Westwind 13

“Here I am! I stand at the door

and knock. If anyone hears my

voice and opens the door, I will

come in and eat with him, and he

with me.” Revelation 3:20

Every time when we refuse to open the door, Jesus has to leave us with sorrow in His heart.

Jesus changed my life. I realized that my life is so miserable and so short compared to eternal. Every time teachers yelled at me at school I prayed in my head. Now I see that God wanted to make me strong to be ready for the real life. He wanted me to make the choice to follow His path. If your parents are Adventists it does not mean that you are already a Christian. You need to have that personal experience with God.

God helped me to finish high school. I wanted to have a good education very much, but I could not have it in my country. I could not imagine that I would study in an Adventist institution in the future, but with God everything is possible. When my fam-ily got the chance to come here and they came to the U.S., I realized that God was giving me a chance to study here but I needed to work hard. I started to study English when I was 20-years-old, and I want to tell you. It’s not easy. This language is hard. It is hard to study a new language.

There is an Adventist magazine, the GLEANER, in my hands. I open it and there is an interesting article about Walla Walla University. Everything is the same as it was many years ago when I was 9-years-old. I see many interesting pictures and smiling faces. At that time I didn’t know a single word in English. Now I can read and understand English. Now I am a student at Walla Walla University. At that time I could not even dream about that. I knew it was impossible. But for God everything is possible.

I studied very hard. I came three years ago, and now I am a sophomore at WWU. It is such a great bless-ing for me to be here. If I had been embarrassed about Jesus and rejected Him then, I would never be here with you. If you need to make the same decision I want to tell you to never be embarrassed that you are a Christian and follow Jesus.

For me it is a miracle for me to be here. I’m sure many of you have dreams. Give all of them to God and He will make them true. Many of you were born here in Adventist families and you went to Adventist schools for academy, college, or university studies. And maybe you think there is nothing special about WWU—an Adventist institution. But it is. Guys, God blessed you a lot and gave you the opportunity to be here.

You can go together to classes, you can go together to church, you can go worship together. There are many

students all over the world who dream of studying here. They WANT to be here, and they do not have these op-portunities. But you have! Have you ever thanked God that you are here? Think about that! If you have dreams, give all of them to God and He will make them come true! For with God everything is possible!

God wants us to be strong and have faith in Him. I am strong only when I am with Him. I cannot do anything without God.

Everyone is special to God. You are not an accident. You were created by God and for God. If I was born, it means that I have a special purpose in the world. God wants to prepare me for His eternal life. God cre-ated us to be trees. When a farmer plants a tree he is expecting to have a green tree—not a log that has no treasure.

Believe in God. Believe that He created you and chose you to be His son or daughter. He has the best Friend for you that you can ever have. He has Jesus who will be next to you every second in your life. You need to believe this and receive it. Receive Jesus in your life as your Savior and Lord. Receive everything that He gives to you.

I wish your prayer today was, “Jesus, I believe in You and receive You.”

“Yet to all who received him, to

those who believed in his name,

he gave the right to become

children of God.” John 1:12 n

During Week of Worship, students take to the church platform to tell their stories. Raw and emotional, funny and poignant, their words convey the struggles and triumphs of their spiritual walks.

In addition to Week of Worship, students gather weekly for University CommUnity, a time for the campus to gather for worship, hear guest speakers, and celebrate school spirit.

In Their Own WordsWeek of Worship Brings Campus Together

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By Becky St. Clair

14 Westwind Summer 2008

From the Fields of Idaho to the Halls of Yale

When self-pro-claimed “Okie Farm Boy”

Richard Litke moved to Idaho with his family in 1924, he had no idea that his path would lead him toward Walla Walla University.

In 2008, Richard Litke com-pleted 60 distinguished years of service to WWU. Enrolling at WWU as a post-war freshman in 1946, he graduated two years lat-er, and was hired by the university to teach Greek and Hebrew.

“Dr. Richard Litke is one of the most brilliant faculty ever to teach on our campus,” says Alden Thompson, professor of bibli-cal studies. “In spite of his own vast and brilliant scholarship, Dr. Litke teaches ordinary people with passion, compassion, and good humor. In virtually every sense of the word, Dr. Litke was, and still is, an inspired and inspir-ing teacher.”

Where did this gifted scholar begin his inspiring life? He started as a simple farm boy.

Born to German immigrants in Bessie, Okla., Litke spent his first years in a virtually German

community. The immigrants had their own schools, churches, and grocery stores.

By the time Litke was 3-years-old, the family had moved to the woods of northern Idaho, then three years later to a farm in the Spokane valley. In 1934, the fam-ily again moved—this time to Bellingham. “There I was pleasure mad at age 14,” remembers Litke. “I was determined to find and drink all the alcohol I could get a hold of, and to chase all the girls I saw. I loved going to movies, too.”

Also, as a result of Litke’s mother’s communist and antireli-gious attitudes, Litke had an anti-capitalistic outlook on life. He saw businessmen as people who should have their wealth taken away from them. How could a youngster do that? He began to shoplift.

“I spent a lot of time figuring out the best ways to do it,” says Litke. “I came home with bulging pockets.”

Despite these distractions, Litke had a serious side, and as he pre-pared to finish the eighth grade, he began contemplating what to do with his life. He settled on becoming a biologist, as insects, sea life, plant life, and anything related fascinated him.

A New Life

One day, an advertisement came to the Litke home. A visitor to the area would

be presenting an astronomy lec-ture. Appealing to Litke’s scientific interests, he went to the first meet-ing and was delighted. Night after night, well into the summer, Litke attended the meetings.

“The man told us logically that the orderly circuits of the stars proved that there was Intelligence behind them,” remembers Litke. “He said it couldn’t have just hap-pened. Someone made them and controlled their movements.”

Litke came to believe every-thing he heard in those meetings. Up until this point, Litke had no idea what the Bible was, nor what people meant by “God” and Jesus.” But what this man present-ed made perfect sense to him, and Litke accepted it all.

Before the summer was over, Litke decided he was going to work for the people sponsoring the speaker.

Litke was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Aug. 8, 1935. His parents eventu-ally attended the meetings with him to see what was so exciting to their young son. Ultimately, they

Summer 2008 Westwind 15

From left to right:Richard Litke managed the

Auburn Academy farm in the summer of 1939.

In 1927, the Litke family lived near Idaho’s Spirit Lake.

A typical farm boy, Litke had two pet goats on the family’s Spokane valley farm.

Litke’s military service included serving as an intelligence clerk in Germany in 1945.

Litke began his distinguished service as a professor in 1948.

From the Fields of Idaho to the Halls of Yale

were baptized as well. He gradu-ated from Auburn Academy in 1939, and was then ready to go to WWU.

There was only one problem with his plan: College required money, money he didn’t have.

Although work was scarce be-cause of the Depression, Litke be-came a riveter for Boeing in Seattle. When the company began build-ing bomber planes, the pacifist in Litke couldn’t handle it. Litke left Boeing and worked as a salesman, first in books, then in furnaces.

While he worked, saving money to attend WWU, Litke became interested in Norma Larson, a girl he knew from junior academy. In 1942 the couple married and just a few weeks later, Litke was drafted.

Stationed in Kansas, Litke served first as an army medic, then as the chaplain’s clerk, where he managed to convert the civil-ian secretary to Adventism, much to the chaplain’s distress. Litke was then shipped to Europe.

While he worked as a warehouse clerk in England, Litke did German coursework through Home Study International (HSI). An officer supervised Litke’s final test, and shortly thereafter reported to his superiors that Litke knew German. At the close of World War II, Litke

was flown into Germany and ap-pointed as an intelligence clerk.

Shortly thereafter, Litke was promoted to sergeant. Though he was eligible for discharge, he was offered a stripe for every month he stayed. Litke declined. He was eager to get back to his young wife and on to WWU.

During his army years, Litke had given Bible studies in every spare minute he had. This experi-ence convinced him he needed to study not biology, but theology.

By 1946, Litke was back home with his wife. Almost immediate-ly, the young couple put all their belongings in an old pickup and headed for College Place.

That summer, Litke enrolled at WWU. By winter quarter, he had enough credits to be considered a junior.

Litke spent many hours poring over his books and assignments, determined to get through what he considered to be the hardest part of getting his degree: Greek.

When the year was over, Litke knew that he had made quite an impression on his professors.

“I don’t think they realized it was because I’d studied backward and forward until I understood it,” says Litke. “I was simply racing against ignorance. I was afraid everyone

else was way ahead of me, and that made me study even harder.”

The following summer, WWU came to Litke with a proposal: They could not accommodate all the veterans in the theology pro-gram. Litke had studied all the Greek WWU offered. Would he work as a contract teacher for the second-year Greek classes?

Litke accepted the position, and his second year at WWU—his senior year—he not only took classes, but taught Greek classes practically full-time.

In 1948, Litke graduated cum laude and then taught at WWU three years before taking a leave to earn a higher degree.

A Famous Tablet

Litke enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley. After obtaining

a masters degree in cuneiform languages, his professors sug-gested he apply to Yale University. Receiving a full fellowship, he took classes in Sumerian, Acadian, and Hittite.

Studying these languages at the University of Chicago one sum-mer, Litke became acquainted with Benno Landsberger, then the world’s leading scholar in

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16 Westwind Summer 2008

these languages. Litke asked Landsberger for counsel on what he should do for his doc-toral dissertation.

Landsberger knew of a famous large religious text Yale possessed. He told Litke that if he could prepare that text for publication, it would be the most fortu-nate experience that could come to him as a young scholar. Landsberger would even contact Litke’s professors and recom-mend him. Litke was quite excited by the prospect.

Upon his return to Yale, Litke’s major professor told him they had been dis-cussing Litke’s disser-tation. He said Yale had a famous tablet in pieces that needed to be restored and prepared for publica-tion with a running translation. Would Litke be interested in a project like that?

“I had to be silent for an appropri-ate and diplomatic few moments,” says Litke. “So I scratched my face, cleared my throat, and said that maybe that would be a good project for me to work on.”

Following his coursework at Yale,

the university paid Litke another year’s fellowship to work on his dissertation.

The text Litke was translating was about two feet high and a foot and a half wide, with writ-ing on both sides. The print was in cuneiform, and had approxi-mately 12 lines to an inch. He couldn’t read it without a micro-scope. He spent two years on his

dissertation, translating and draw-ing replicas of the text for final publication.

When his dissertation was fin-ished, Litke submitted it to Yale. He was soon contacted and told that he did not need to defend his thesis; it was accepted as it stood. Yale eventually published Litke’s dissertation in one of their presti-gious scholarly series and it is now a special resource publication used by scholars world-wide.

The Revelation

Returning to WWU, Litke continued teaching until 1968, when for health

reasons he went to part-time teaching. Within two years, his wife’s health also deteriorated with an inherited liver disease, prevent-ing her from being very active. As a result, she read many books Litke had acquired.

As Norma examined the strange signs and symbols Litke had done so much with over the last few years, she commented that they looked like Chinese. Litke dis-agreed, but Norma insisted. Litke refused to be taken in.

“I was taught in graduate school that there was absolutely no relationship between the an-cient languages I had studied and the Chinese language,” says Litke. “I didn’t want to get bogged down in ‘childlike’ research like that.”

Norma’s questions alarmed Litke; he couldn’t answer them to his own satisfaction. Finally, he decided to look more closely at what she was finding. He soon realized that he could not do any research unless he knew more about the Chinese language.

So Litke taught himself Chinese.

The more Litke looked into it, the more he realized that he could not overlook Norma’s findings. Though every book he found in-sisted there was no connection between Chinese and Sumerian, Litke decided this was because those who wrote the books didn’t know anything about Sumerian.

With his extensive knowledge of both languages, Litke began putting the two together. Finally, in 2003, Litke concluded that his findings and writings had come to maturity. He began preparing two volumes to be published. The first dealt with the grammar principles of both Sumerian and Chinese. The second dealt with phonetics and pronunciation.

Litke plans to have the final manuscript of the first volume completed by the end of 2008.

Currently, Litke is a contract teacher and teaches WWU classes in Advanced Classical Greek, Sumerian, Acadian, and Arabic.

Though Norma’s health forces her to remain in a care facility, the constant stream of students in Litke’s life helps to alleviate the loneliness caused by his wife’s absence.

“My present goal is to live for at least 13 more years,” states Litke with a smile. “I’ve got a lot of books yet to write and publish, and a lot of brilliant students to teach Arabic to.” n

Honoring a Lifetime of Service and Scholarship AchievementRichard Litke is the recipient of Walla Walla University’s first Generosity in Service Medallion. The award was created to rec-ognize those who continuously uphold the university’s mission statement: “Excellence in thought; Generosity in service; Beauty in expression; Faith in God.” With 60 years of dedicated service to WWU, he was a deserving candi-date for the award.

Presenting the award to Litke at the 2008 commencement cere-mony, President John McVay stat-ed, “Dr. Richard Litke has served his God, his church, his university, and the world with distinction, inspiring both his students and his faculty colleagues to superior scholarship and serious Christian commitment.”

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And That’s the Way It IsHe’s Never Failed,

Student finance director finds God always comes through

By Cassie Ragenovich and Shauna Gifford

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18 Westwind Summer 2008

it was May of 1970. I stood with my father in the middle of a hay field. The wind was blow-ing, sand drifted across the field, and the newly seeded hay looked pathetic. With his arms around me, Dad said, “Cassie, it’s going to be this hay field that gets you and your sister into Walla Walla College this fall.”

My heart sank. There seemed to be no way this sad hay would pay for two kids to go to college that fall.

But each morning, before my siblings and I took the hour-and-a-half bus ride to school, Dad, my brother Andy, and I would go out and irrigate hay fields.

Later that summer, a family friend on leave from the mission field in Africa was visiting and talked about needing money to help build churches there. I heard Dad tell Mom to write a check for a certain number of churches.

A couple weeks later, a tape from the Voice of Prophecy was played in church, asking for help so they wouldn’t have to shut down some of their programs. I heard Dad tell Mom to write another check.

By then—with that sick-looking hay field, the mis-sion churches, and the Voice of Prophecy—I knew there was no way Debbe and I would be heading to Walla Walla College that fall.

But when September came, we packed up the sta-tion wagon for the trip to College Place. As we were loading, Dad came to the front door and told us he had just sold that hay—and for the highest price ever.

In the intervening years, those few hay fields in Indian Cove, Idaho, paid not just for me and my four siblings, but also a string of nieces and nephews to earn a Seventh-day Adventist education.

My deal WitH GodYears later, when the vice president for finance asked me to work in Student Financial Services at the col-lege, I told him I would commit to two years. Later, I told God that I would stay in it for the long haul if He met one condition: that He would always—not most of the time, but always—provide the resources stu-dents needed so they could come to college.

I conceded that the students would need to work and earn decent grades and that the parents would have to contribute what they reasonably could. (Over the years, I’ve learned that in many situations, parents can’t provide—but God does.)

Those were my terms. I said, “God, the minute you don’t meet that commitment, I won’t be able to do this job anymore. And that’s the way it is.”

Thirty-two years later, that’s still the way it is. God has never failed me on this.

My doubt; His MiracleA few months ago—with long hours in the office, too little sleep and shortened time spent one-on-one with God—I was certain He was failing me. In my office was a senior girl who had only two quarters left in school. She was a good student, a hard worker whose parents had done their part. But the resources were gone. It was getting close to noon, and I suggested we spend the lunch hour praying about the situation and meet back in my office at 1:30.

I went home to the little room where I have my devotions, and asked God why after all these years He wasn’t providing the resources needed. As I got up from praying, I bent over to pick up my study materi-als that were still lying on the floor after my morning devotions. My eyes were drawn to the Desire of Ages. It was open to page 371, where two sentences jumped out at me: “If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him.” Wow.

I went back to work and told the girl what had hap-pened. I told her I didn’t know where the money was coming from, but that God knew. And I signed her off for the next two quarters. I had to wait about three days for God’s resources to come through. A letter ar-rived in the mail with a rather large check and a note saying, “Thought maybe someone needed help. Use as you think best.”

coMiNG tHrouGH For cHristMasOne December, I got a call from a regular donor I call my “Telephone Buddy.” His daughter had called him a couple days before and told him a story about an or-phan boy and then asked him what he thought needy students were doing this year for Christmas.

It started him thinking, and that’s when he picked up the phone and called me. He asked how much money I’d need to make sure all the “poor students” at the col-lege had something for Christmas. I told him I’d need $100,000—in addition to a significant sum I’d asked him for earlier. The money arrived three days later.

tHe kiNdNess oF straNGersWe had an international student who was being spon-sored by an American family while working on his graduate degree. I never knew why, but the family pulled their sponsorship. The kid had two quarters left and absolutely no resources.

I called the student in and discussed the situation. We agreed to meet again in three days and to keep the matter before God in the meantime. Before the stu-dent left my office, I had him call all his family and ask them to pray. I called my folks and asked them to pray, too.

Summer 2008 Westwind 19

Two days later, I got a message to call a local elderly lady. I knew she had hearing challenges, so I went to see her instead of phoning. When I got to her apart-ment, she said, “Cassie, yesterday I was trying to take a nap. I lay down three different times and got up three different times. Three times I had the strange feeling that one of ‘Cassie’s kids’ needed help. So I called your office. After I made that phone call, I was finally able to sleep.”

She asked me if there was a problem, and I told her about this young man. She asked how much I needed. I hesitate to tell elderly people how much I need, fear-ing that out of their generous hearts they will give me more than they can afford. So I answered, “Whatever you feel you want to do.” She went into her bedroom and came out a few minutes later with a check for the amount that two days earlier I had estimated the stu-dent would need.

My perceptioN traNsForMedNot too long ago, we had another international stu-dent finishing her undergraduate degree, and she wanted to go on and get her master’s with us.

We faced three problems with her. She had no money. She was not eligible for U.S. aid. And, frankly, she drove me bats. I really like people, and I really like working with our students, but I confess I found it difficult to like this girl.

One day, after another meeting with her, I went home and talked to God about the situation. I told Him that if He wanted her to get her degree here, He would have to change my heart. I asked Him to help me think of her at the same time each day. I re-minded Him that I didn’t have time to make a lot of contacts and raise all the funds this girl would need, so He’d have to provide the resources with just one phone call from me.

Guess what happened. I started liking this gal and looking forward to her coming into the office. For several months, she was on my mind every morning at 7:15. And I made a phone call—one call—asking a friend to sponsor this student. My friend’s response was, “If you think this is a really important invest-ment, we’ll send the money.” I said I did—and I meant it from my heart.

They sent the money, but what amazes me most about that story isn’t how God provided financial re-sources, but how He could take this sinful heart of mine and show me how to love that precious girl of His.

Just WHat We Need, Just iN tiMeWinter quarter financial clearances are the most dif-ficult. Summer savings are usually depleted, and taxes are around the corner for parents. As I crawled into bed at the end of a long day, I was thinking about the

seven files I’d left on the corner of my desk—and of those seven students who had not yet received finan-cial clearance. Each kid was working, getting reason-ably good grades, and the families had done their part. There just weren’t enough resources.

I couldn’t sleep. So I prayed all night about those seven files. Finally, at about four in the morning, I decided to get up and go to work.

When I got to the office, my private phone line rang, and the person on the other end said, “Cassie, my wife and I were going to make a major purchase yesterday, but as I was getting ready to pay for it, I told my wife, ‘I don’t feel good about this. I think someone like Cassie may need some help.’ I just want-ed to tell you I put a check in the mail.”

That check was exactly the amount needed to keep those seven students in school.

our part iN His provideNceNot every story that comes out of our office is a mira-cle story. We all hear about students who say Adventist education is prohibitively expensive. But what I’ve seen and experienced convinces me that if a student works and earns decent grades and the family contrib-utes its portion, God provides the rest.

If getting our students here is that important to God, Seventh-day Adventist higher education must be tremendously significant to Him. That makes me proud to work here. The challenges are great; that keeps me dependent on Him. The rewards are unpar-alleled; that makes me grateful.

The God of the universe takes a personal interest in what happens on this campus. He knows the story of that difficult kid sitting across from me. He gives me a front row seat to the show of His limitless power in action. He allows me to represent Him despite how well He knows my failings and my flaws. He lets me play a part in fulfilling His plans for the students and families He brings to Walla Walla University. He holds me—that student, those parents, and every one of us—in the safety of His hand and the center of His heart. It simply astounds me.

In 32 years of working in Student Financial Services and in a lifetime of testing and trusting His provi-dence, He’s never failed. And that’s the way it is. n

20 Westwind Summer 2008

Interview

How long has Christian Family Adoption been a service to parents wishing to adopt a child? LeEllen Bradshaw officially founded Adventist Adoption and Family Services back in 1958. It is presently known as Christian Family Adoptions.

What is the mission of CFA?As LeEllen would say, she be-gan this ministry as a way of “grooming babies for heaven.” Since that time we have continued to follow our mission to influence the world for Christ—one needy child at a time. Our goal is to do this through what we believe to be God’s model of adoption.

And what is God’s model of adoption?Well, Ephesians 1:5 says that, “in love he predestined us to be ad-opted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will ….” When we needed a Heavenly Parent—when we needed an eternal home—God adopted us through Jesus. He didn’t abandon us, but in love drew us to Him.

How did you happen to get involved with this agency? My good friend Juline (Schultz) Bodnar, who graduated from WWU in 1999, was the direc-tor before me. When a position opened in 2001, she asked if I would interview for it. She knew that I came from a family with five adopted children! I’m the only child not adopted in my family. Juline felt that I would have firsthand experiences that would help those looking at the option of adoption. I got the job and worked for the agency for a very short time before my hus-band and I moved to Arkansas to serve at Ozark Adventist Academy for two years. When we returned, the agency had an opening for a part-time case worker, and I was hired. In 2004 when Juline retired and moved to Bend, Ore., I was interviewed for her position and promoted to agency director.

Does CFA limit its services to Adventist church members? Absolutely not. CFA is owned by the North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day

Adventists and is governed by an independent board of direc-tors which reports to the NPUC. But we provide services to all denominations, as well as non-Christians. We feel this serves as a great role model to non-Adventists and the community at large. Those who might only know Adventists as people who go to church on Saturday and don’t eat meat can see that there’s much, much more to us than that!

Does CFA provide services for women facing unplanned pregnancies? Yes. We counsel women and men in crisis, providing options for their pregnancy. Should a woman choose to place her baby for adoption, we also provide me-diation for birth parents and the adoptive families to make con-tact. We are proud of the fact that we’re the only private agency in Oregon who handles DHS cases in this manner.

Back in 1958, the original pur-pose of AAFS as a formal adop-tion program was to provide an unplanned pregnancies counseling service to both expectant moth-ers and their families. The service was designed to help them review their options and choose a plan which would be beneficial to both the parents and their children. If adoption was chosen by the birth parents, AAFS made efforts to match the requests of the birth parents as closely as possible.

An additional offer was to pro-vide services to families of older children with needs, and to assist in providing a permanent plan tai-lored to fit those individual needs. The agency has retained the early purpose as a basis for service, but has broadened its services to in-clude consultation and referral for a variety of child welfare issues be-tween parents and professionals. In addition, the agency now provides contractual services for public agen-cies in the field of child welfare.

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One Child At a TimeBy Lindsay Krueger

When Beth (Schelske) Miller graduated in 2000 with a mas-ters in social work degree, she had no idea that she would be “grooming babies for heaven.” But since 2004 Beth has served as agency director at Christian Family Adoptions, a nonprofit organization. Through her and her agency’s work, she is mak-ing a difference in the world—one child at a time.

“The greatest events of my job are introducing the adoptive parents to their new children,” says Beth Miller, a 2000 social work graduate.

“I, too, cry with joy and say a little prayer of thanks.”

Summer 2008 Westwind 21

Interview

What is your favorite part of your job? I love being able to pray with my staff as well as the families and birth parents of those we come in contact with. Social workers are typically advised not to discuss re-ligion, yet in this agency, it’s a very open topic. On Monday mornings we have prayer for our cases and the agency. We begin all meetings with prayer, inviting God to lead us. Because of this deep and open relationship with God, we are giv-en the privilege of witnessing His miracles on a daily—sometimes even hourly—basis.

An example happened recently, when I was introducing an adop-tive family to the birth parent. I knew the history of both sides and what both the birth mother and adopting family had gone through to get to this point. The match was a perfect fit that no one on earth could have created. It was beauti-ful to witness how both sides sur-rounded the child with love and prayer, as they moved into the next phase of these four lives which were now entwined forever. It was also amazing to witness God’s grace in bringing the birth mother back in Himself. She viewed this unplanned pregnancy as the Lord waking her up and saving her from the destructive path she was on. I know of no other role in social work than this one, where all par-ties involved are thrilled with the outcome and feel they are finding the best solution to a very difficult problem. What an amazing bless-ing to work for this agency!

What tough times do you face in your job?I hate to say this, but the hardest part of my job is stressing about finances. We provide our services below what it costs our agency to operate. We do this because we want to offer services to great fami-lies who have resources to raise a child, but may not have funds for the initial cost of adopting. Al-

though we subsidize these expenses through private donations, these are often not enough. CFA has highly qualified staff with notoriety in the adoption community who are working at a lower rate of pay, simply because they believe in what they do. I would love to reimburse them the amount reflective of their qualifications and passion.

In spite of the financial stresses, what’s the greatest joy of your job?The greatest joy of my job is in-troducing the adoptive parents to their new child. I find myself cry-ing with joy and saying a prayer of thanks. I love seeing the story unfold from the beginning and watching as it develops over the years. So few have this luxury, and are only given a snapshot of events. On several occasions I have even helped bring babies into the world, and there is no greater miracle than that!

The greatest joy I find in my work is seeing the smiles on faces of kids and parents. I have numer-ous pictures of families—both birth parents and adoptive par-ents—who were so happy with the adoption. The kids smile because they know they’re loved by all their parents. The adoptive parents smile for many reasons. Maybe a child they have prayed and hoped for is finally theirs, possibly af-ter years of loss. Perhaps they see their children growing into car-ing, funny little people, or they see improvement in a child who had a tough past. And even the birth parents smile, knowing that they’re choosing the best for their child. They know their future includes a loving home, food on the table, nice clothes, the possibility of at-tending college, and more.

What’s your best advice for parents who are looking into adoption? I would say that they need to remain flexible to God’s lead-

ing in finding and placing His perfect child or children in their family. I have seen how families have changed their expectations in their adoption plan as they submit to the will of God. They actually find that His plan was much bet-ter suited for all involved.

Adoption can be a roller coaster of emotions. But when you allow Someone else who knows what’s best to be in charge, there’s less stress and sadness, and more relax-ation and joy. Also, families need to remember that adoption—as with other life events—happens in God’s time. Those involved need to be patient and fill their waiting with preparations for the future.

What does CFS look forward to in the future?So far we have found homes for more than 1,000 precious chil-dren. We want that number to grow! Also, this year we celebrate our organization’s 50th year. On Nov. 22, we’re hosting a banquet with an open invitation. The eve-ning will be filled with fascinat-ing stories of families who have adopted from our agency, as well as some who have been adopted. Coincidentally, November is National Adoption Month.

If a couple wants to adopt a child, or if someone wishes to support CFS, where can they find more information? Online at christianfamilyadoptions .org/ or by calling (503) 232-1211. You can also RSVP to attend the anniversary banquet in November.

I’d also like to say that we need prayers. Right now there are more children needing adoption than there are families who can finan-cially make this happen. Our goal is to find a home for every child we come in contact with. n

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2008 Alumni of the YearPaving the Way

Phyllis Atkins Bill Chobotar

Summer 2008 Westwind 23

Paving the Way PHYLLIS ATKINS ’57

I n 1980, when Phyllis Halsey Atkins took the oath as U.S. Magistrate, she became the first woman to serve as a judge on the federal court bench in Nevada. She also served on several Ninth Circuit committees while on the

federal bench. Twenty-one years later, she retired as the longest serving U.S. Magistrate Judge in the history of Nevada. She officially retired from her ju-dicial position in 1999, but returned to serve as a Recalled Retired U.S. Magis-trate Judge until 2001.

Judge Atkins’ legacy embodies many things that made her unique and effec-tive as a judge. In 1999, Phyllis was honored by the Northern Nevada Women Lawyers Association as “NNWLA Woman Lawyer of the Year.” She was also present-ed with a “Women of Achievement” award from the Nevada Women’s Fund.

Phyllis graduated from Walla Walla University with a degree in business administration, the distinction of being the only woman in her major, and a desire to achieve. “At Walla Walla College, I got the education I always wanted,” says Judge Atkins.

BILL CHOBOTAR ’65

B ill Chobotar is a distinguished professor of biology at Andrews Univer-sity. A consummate teacher and researcher, Bill has mentored scores of students who today are leaders in their field.

Bill has also been the editor of the Parasitology Research Journal since 1990. He has written more than 70 articles for peer-reviewed journals, chaired inter-national congress sessions for scientific symposiums, been a guest professor at Solousi University, and won several awards for excellence in teaching and researching.

In 1996, Bill was awarded with the John Andrews Medallion presented by the Andrews University administration for outstanding service to the univer-sity through teaching, researching, student advising, and other activities.

“A teacher doesn’t see what he or she does as a job,” Bill says. It’s a commitment and a calling. I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned and passing it onto my students.

“I’m still in contact with my students after they graduate. Teaching is such a blessing. I’ve been given many chances to do what I like to do, and I thank God for the opportunities that were placed before me.”

JOYCE LANG ’73

With an unequaled dedication to teaching, Joyce Lang’s career in the classroom touched the lives of hundreds of children.

Her years of teaching were marked by her wise insights into how children learned and developed. She believed that all students were capable of achieving, that learning should be fun, and that education came in many different forms. She loved to provide a wide range of experiences, from stu-dent-led drama and trips to major museums in the Northwest, to making dolls for a regional Children’s Hospital. Faith and service were integral to her life, and in addition to modeling that lifestyle, she gave her students the opportunity to experience the joy resulting from both. Through curriculum and her ability to nurture, she tended to the spiritual lives of students with purpose and care.

Beginning her career in North Dakota and Colorado, Joyce taught for 25 years at Rogers Elementary School in College Place, Wash. In 1988, Joyce was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award from the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. She retired in 2000. n

WESTWIND ONLINEwallawalla.edu/westwind

See more about honored alumni, including photographs.Joyce Lang

24 Westwind Summer 2008

Alumnotes

1940s Donald I. Peterson ’45 and his wife,

Elsie (Litvin) att., live in Loma Linda,

Calif. Donald has been practicing neurol-

ogy and teaching students for 33 years

at Loma Linda University. Recently, he

received the 2007 Distinguished Service

Award and has written a book entitled

“Relief from Headache.”

1950s Jacqueline “Jackie” (Esteb) Ladd ’57

and her husband, Kenneth ’60, are en-

joying retirement in Vermont. Jackie and

Kenneth have worked in seven different

conferences and in various academies

across the country. Currently, they vol-

unteer at Central Vermont Academy and

enjoy snow-shoeing in their spare time.

Jackie and Kenneth have two children,

Lisa ’87, and Michael ’87.

Luanna (Jorgenson) Handley ’58 and

her husband, Charles Howard ’59, are

enjoying retirement in Woodburn, Ore.

Luanna enjoys making floral arrangements

for an altar at her church. Next year will be

Charles’ and Luanna’s 50th wedding an-

niversary. Luanna has two children: Dan ’62 and Jeanenne Schmid ’65. Some of

Luanna’s favorite WWU memories are ves-

pers, Friday candlelight dinners, and work-

ing in the cafeteria with her friends.

Ruth (Emery) Stafford ’58 and her hus-

band, Charles att., are retired and living

in Ellensburg,

Wash. They trav-

eled and taught in

Africa for 12 years,

and five years in

Pakistan. Ruth’s

WWU memories

include the anato-

my “cat” lab (which was interesting but

always left an unpleasant smell on her

hands), the day she saw President

Eisenhower in Walla Walla, and evening

worships with Rose Budd. Charles and

Ruth have four children, Lori, Merlin ’86,

Laren ’85, and Marilee.

Albert Russell ’58, and his wife, Sally, are

enjoying retirement in Lebanon, Ore. Albert

is a retired cabinet maker. Albert and Sally

have three grown children, Shirley, Fae Haffner ’87, and Dan ’85. One of Albert’s fa-

vorite memories about WWU is the faculty

members that impacted his life.

Lynn (Trowbridge) Finch ’58 and her

husband, Douglas, reside in Oregon City,

Ore. Lynn earned her master’s degree

in critical care nursing and administra-

tion. While in college, Lynn remembers

having fun by the fish pond in front of

the girls’ dorm. Douglas and Lynn have

four children, Sandra Gates ’84, Steven,

Russell att., and Raymond att.

Harold Harvey ’58 is retired in Hermiston,

Ore. Harold enjoys stamp collecting and

traveling. He re-

cently planned a

10-day tour to the

Holy Lands and a

five-day stop in

Egypt. Harold has

three children,

Melody Ayers att., Theresa ’88, and Carmen.

Wilfred “Dale” Peterson ’58 and his

wife, Shirley (Lalumondier) ’70, reside in

College Place. Dale enjoys traveling, coin

collecting, reading, gardening, and playing

the piano. One of his favorite college

memories was the day he met his wife.

Shirley and Dale have two grown children,

Loren ’86 and Loralee Paulson.

George Crumley ’58 and his wife, Ruth,

live in Surprise, Ariz. George served the

Adventist church for

over 40 years. While

at college, he re-

members learning

how to study in the

classes of his very

good teachers.

George and Ruth

have two children, Tari Popp and George.

Vanguards

Row 1 Frances (Moorman) Mc Rue ’55, Bernadine (Johnson) Car ’55, Helen (Stratton) Kramer ’52, Mary (Spenst) Nation ’53, Vivian (Hassell) Black ’50, Vera (Wolcott) Young ’53, Thais (Thrasher) Sadoyama ’52 Row 2 Wanda (Hellman) Petersen att., Clyde Petersen ’51, Norman Severance ’53, Bill Napier att., Guy Stewart ’52, Dona (Weaver) Stewart att., Olen Nations ’52, Sydney Stewart ’53, Meribeth (Wagner) Mcfarlane ’55, Ann (Krakenberg) Erlandson ’50, Lucille (Graham) Schultz ’50, John Gruzensky ’52 Row 3 Carl Crawford ’57, Ted Becraft ’56, Fern (Johanson) Piper ’55, Mona (Slaybaugh) LeDuc ’55, June (Brooks) Dorner ’54, Roger Dorner ’55, Don Goe ’50, Fred Bennett ’55, Robert Graham ’53, Melvin C. Johnson ’55, Jim McHan ’54, Clarence Chinn ’51

Summer 2008 Westwind 25

Alumnotes

Katty (Fenton) French ’58 and her hus-

band, George, live in Riverside, Calif. Katty

enjoys teaching as an associate profes-

sor at Loma Linda University’s School of

Nursing. She has fond memories of P.E.

classes and the parade music in the old

Columbia Auditorium.

David Igler ’58 and his wife, Jane ’58, are

currently enjoying retirement in Loma

Linda, Calif. David worked as the vice

president of Glendale Adventist Medical

Center for 19 years. He has worked a total

of 25 years in Adventist education and 24

years in Adventist healthcare. Jane is a re-

tired Pacific Union College English profes-

sor. David and Linda have one child, Peter.

Don Kindig ’58 and his wife, Janece (Harbison) att., are retired and living

in Pasco, Wash. Don has spent 42 years

serving the Adventist church. His hobbies

include camping, computers, yard and

building maintenance.

Marilyn (Bramlett) Bixel ’58 and her

husband, Noel ’60, live in Turlock, Calif.

Since retiring from nursing, Marilyn

spends her time with her grandchil-

dren and husband. Marilyn and Noel

have three children, Kevin, Gregg, and

Sandra.

Albert “Bill” Oakes ’58 and his wife,

Gloria (Cox) ’58, are currently enjoying re-

tirement in Anchorage, Alaska. Bill worked

as a civil engineer for the U.S. Army Corps

of Engineers based in Seattle. He also

worked as a technical writer for the Alaska

District Corps of Engineers. While in col-

lege, Gloria remembers summer chem-

istry classes, chats with Professor Alcock,

and meeting her future husband. Bill and

Gloria have three children, Susan ’82,

Elizabeth att., and Stephen att.

Franz Siemsen ’58 and his wife, Doris,

live in Sandpoint, Idaho. Franz worked as

a doctor in the medical profession for 50

years. Franz and Doris have two children,

Debbie Letniak and Patti Schultz.

Randall Dupee ’58 lives in Lake

Sherwood, Calif. He is a semi-retired pe-

diatrician. He enjoys writing and living

near a small lake. From his time at WWU,

Randall remembers philosophical mara-

thons at Sittner Hall.

Nellie (Soule) Davis ’58 is currently

living in Milton-Freewater, Ore. She en-

joys sponsoring two little girls through

International Children’s Care and likes

to volunteer at Stateline Seventh-day

Adventist Church. Nellie has four children,

James att., Michelle Dale att., Timothy

Metter, and Deborah Berglund.

Gene Schroeder ’58 and his wife,

Miriam (Kahler) att., live in Sequim,

Wash. Gene remembers with fondness

Columbia Auditorium. Gene and Miriam

have three children, Ted, Theresa, and

Tamara (Rowe) att.

Rita Hopper ’58 lives in Alisa Viejo, Calif.

In her spare time she enjoys taking art

classes, and play-

ing the organ and

piano. Some of her

favorite WWU

memories include

Sabbath after-

noons, Friday eve-

nings, and

sing-a-longs.

Ruby (Bader) Hain ’58 and her husband,

Dieter, are enjoying retirement in Walla

Walla. Ruby is a retired registered nurse

and enjoys being a homemaker. One of

her favorite WWU memories is attend-

ing her Philosophy of Religion class, right

after having to work all night at the local

hospital. Ruby and Dieter have two chil-

dren, Mark and Tim.

Melvin Northrup ’58, ’66 and his wife,

Norma (Short) ’53, live in Lincoln, Neb.

Melvin’s hobbies include amateur radio,

exploring family history and traveling.

Zachary Boyd ’58 and his wife, Joyce, live

in Dunlap, Tenn. Zachary enjoys playing

bluegrass on his fiddle and woodworking.

One-life changing experience for Zachary

was when he recognized salvation is a gift

and that he is saved by grace. From his

WWU years, Zachary remembers two of

his English professors— “Prof” Applington

and “Prof” Woller. Zachary and Joyce have

two children, Zachary and William.

Warrine (McDuffie) Harden ’58 and her

husband, Hal ’59, are enjoying retirement

in East Wenatchee, Wash. Warrine retired

Vanguards

Row 1 Doyle Saxby ’49, Lorlei (Pierce) Saxby ’49, Barbara Jean (Stotts) Stratton ’49, Eldon Stratton ’48, Cleve Henriques ’48, Paul Coleman ’47 Row 2 Gretta Jean (Rowland) Mohr ’38, James Stirling ’44, Mary Ella Johnson ’48, Orletta (Wilson) Dealy ’68, Lois (Coleman) Hall ’49, Irmgard (Siemson) Hooper ’44, Wilma Tuttle-Goe ’39, Howard Hallock ’47 Row 3 Gerald Casebolt ’48, Paul Gruzensky ’47, William Gruzensky ’43, Donald Dealy ’48, Preston Smith ’48, Virginia (Miller) Mabley ’48, Elwood Mabley ’48

26 Westwind Summer 2008

from acute care nursing. Warrine has

taught in West Africa while her husband

worked as the medical director at the local

hospital. Two life-changing experiences

have occurred in Warrine’s life, the first be-

ing the death of her son and the second

being a battle with breast cancer. Warrine

has four children, Stephen ’83, Sharon, Bryan att., and Scott, now deceased.

Patricia (Pearson) Johnston ’58 lives

in Lakeville, Minn. Some of her profes-

sional highlights include being chair of the

Department of Nutrition and associate dean

for academic affairs. She has served as the

senior editor for Vibrant Life, and has been

nominated for Who’s Who Among America’s

Teachers many times. Some of her favorite

WWU memories include playing tennis,

Kooskooskie parties, meeting her husband,

and the love of Mrs. Sharman for “her girls.”

Ida Warner ’58 and her husband, David ’68, are currently living in Red Deer,

Alberta, Canada. Ida works as a foster

mom for Alberta Social Services and is

planning to retire soon. While at WWU,

Ida remembers dorm life, Sunshine

Bands, and meeting new friends. Ida and

David have four children, Debbie Bell,

Diane Reiman ’81, Dennis, and David ’88.

Leroy Kuhn ’58 and his wife, Evelyn (Boepple) ’58, live in Kelowna, B.C. Some

of Leroy’s professional highlights include

working as principal, business manager,

educational director and college teacher

in Ethiopia. He was also the president at

Kingsway College in Ontario for six years.

Evelyn has fond memories of nurses’

training at Portland Adventist Hospital.

Evelyn and Leroy have two children,

Laura Morrison and Linda Learned.

Ronald White ’58 and his wife, Kay,

make their home in Paradise, Calif. Ron

works as a dentist. While at WWU, Ronald

remembers life in Sittner Hall, singing in

the choir, and sliding down the “Hello

Walk” with his brother. Ron has one child

Richard, who is deceased.

Amaryllis (Gramms) Brown ’58 and

her husband, Herman, live in Red Deer,

Alberta, Canada. Amaryllis retired from

nursing and now enjoys being with her

grandchildren. She enjoys playing in the

Red Deer community band and garden-

ing. Amaryllis and Herman have two

children, Bonita Grimbel ’86 and Carola

Hanasyk.

Yvonne (Badgley) McDaniel ’58 and her

husband, Dick ’62, make their home in

Lincoln, Calif. They have two children, Caroly Heisler ’89 and Cynthia Kongorski ’91.

Charles “Chuck” Winn ’58 and his wife,

Dee, are currently living in Roseville, Calif.

Chuck worked at the Department of

Interior in Ephrata, Wash. After 32 satisfy-

ing and rewarding years, he was honored

with the Distinguished Service Award in

Washington, D.C. in 1985. Chuck enjoys

playing golf. He and his wife have three

children, Charles, Donna, and Candace.

Robert Kenline ’58 is retired in Brush

Prairie, Wash. He has taught the fourth

and fifth grade for 26 years in Prosser,

Wash. In his spare time, he enjoys gar-

dening and collecting wild flowers.

Marjorie (Lange) Bankhead ’58 and her

husband, Don ’61, are retired in Candler,

N.C.

1960s Cleon White ’63 and his wife, Sandra (Clough) ’62, live in Berrien Springs, Mich.

Cleon enjoys working as the principal of

Andrews Academy. While at WWU, Cleon

Class of 1958

Row 1 Rita Hopper, Marilyn (Bramlett) Bixel, Ernest Porter, Luanna (Jorgenson) Handley, Sylvia (Landreth) Sproed, G. Corinne Pestes, Ida (Knopp) Warner, Susan (Fosdal) Comeau, Melva (Nelson) Eslinger, Norma (Reistad) Reiswig, Pat (Drake) Cople, Marcia (Peterson) Monteith, Betsy (Newfold) Matthews, Glen Davies Row 2 Verlin Gibson, Cliff Sorensen, Bob Weaver, Betty (Ashley) Myers, An-Marie (Jackson) Kromminga, Carlene (Heid) Johnson, Ella (Lydie) Petricko, Warrine (McDuffie) Harden, Myrna (O’Lennick) Jansen, Gloria (Cox) Oakes Row 3 Arthur Nelson, Lee Crane, James Bechtel, Floyd Lewis, Glenn Johnson, Barbara Leadbetter, Ann (Haraden) Cornell, Bill Oakes Row 3 1/2 Ray Leadbetter, Marian (Wallace) Age, Pat Johnston, Nellie (Soule) Davis Row 4 Alvin Kwiram, Harold Harvey, Leroy Kuhn, George Crumley, Delbert Gennetten, W. Dale Peterson, Larry Shipowick, Ron White, Richard Taggart Row 5 Bob Bohlman, Ted Lutts, Gene Schroeder, Leon Ringering, George Harty, Lorrell D. Smick, Ted Olson, Dick Freeman, Albert Russell

Alumnotes

Summer 2008 Westwind 27

remembers meeting his future wife. He

also enjoyed his physics and mathemat-

ics classes. Cleon and Sandra have two

children, Eric and Suzanne Wein ’91.

Vivian (Marsh) Prewitt ’63 lives in

Dunlap, Tenn. She retired after teaching

for 20 years. She has had the opportu-

nity to travel to Russia and the Cayman

Islands and has even backpacked in the

High Sierras. Her two sons, Eugene and

Michael, are the joys of her life. One of

her memories of WWU includes being

moved to tears during a performance of

Handel’s Messiah.

Judy Toop ’63 is currently residing in

Auburn, Wash. where she works as a

science teacher at

Auburn Adventist

Academy. From her

time at WWU, Judy

remembers the

building of the

church and high-

rise girls’ dorm.

Betty (Alderson) Woodland ’63 and

her husband, Dennis att., live in Berrien

Springs, Mich. Betty works as an adjunct

professor at St. Mary’s College and has

played the organ for church for 53 years.

Betty and Dennis have two grown chil-

dren, Cherie and Heather.

Harvey Harden ’63 and his wife, Patricia (Munroe) att., live in Sandpoint, Idaho.

While at WWU, Harvey remembers the

dorm life in Sittner Hall, working part-time

for Earl Munroe (who later turned out to be

his father-in-law), and playing basketball in

Columbia Auditorium. Harvey and Patricia

have two children, Harian and Heidi.

Louise (Cowin) Bartholomew ’63 and

her husband, Dale ’66, live in Charlotte,

N.C. Louise and Dale have two children,

Cameron ’94 and Mardene Fowler ’97.

Dave Stefonek ’63 and his wife, Karen (Rupert) ’72, have retired in Corbett, Ore.

One of Dave’s life-changing experiences

was bypass surgery, subsequent rehab,

and a plant-based diet. Dave and Karen

have two children, Karen and Krista.

Jere Franklin ’63 and ’65 and his wife,

Linda, live in Chetwynd, British Columbia.

Jere has written a book entitled “You Can

Survive” about the preparation for the

end-time events. Jere and Linda pres-

ent seminars on the book and travel to

churches in Canada. While in college, Jere

remembers being re-baptized during one

of Elder Huebach’s Week of Prayer ser-

vices. Jere and Linda have two children

Susan and Jedidiah.

Clyde Sample ’63 and his wife, Lou Ellen (Rasmussen) ’63, live in Spangle, Wash.

Clyde’s hobbies include being a handy-

man and gardening. Lou Ellen enjoys

sewing and photography. Clyde and Lou

Ellen have three children, David, Laurinda

Cutlip, and Raymond.

Larry Smick ’68 and his wife, Dana,

are currently enjoying retirement in

Bremerton, Wash. Larry worked at the

Washington Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

From his time at WWU, Larry remembers

the many excellent professors in the

Biology Department. Larry and Dana

have two children, Shelli and Kellen.

Darlene (Bakke) Clark ’63 and her hus-

band, Dale ’60, are living in Curlew,

Wash. She enjoys

gardening, sewing,

and crocheting.

One of her favorite

WWU memories is

of Loren Dickinson’s

vespers programs.

Darlene and Dale

have two grown children, Darilee Bond,

and Duane.

Joseph Young Jr. ’63 and his wife,

Virginia (Loop) ’62, live in Walla Walla.

Joseph enjoys raising waterfowl and

game birds. He owns a beautiful aviary

which includes waterfalls and heated

habitats for his birds. He enjoys canoe

trips along the Washington Coast and the

lakes in Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Nerita Machado ’63 lives in Kealakekua,

Hawaii. Nerita changed professions in 1997

from working as a nurse to working as a

Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage therapist and

instructor. While at WWU, Nerita remembers

seeing snowflakes falling for the first time,

meeting students from around the world,

and the excellent kind-hearted professors.

Wayne Christensen ’63 and his wife,

Sandra (Reimann) att., are currently

enjoying retirement in Sequim, Wash.

Class of 1963

Row 1 Clyde Sample, Lou (Rasmussen) Sample, Dorothy (Von Bergen) Anderson, Ruth (Parks) Massey, Caroline Shepherst, Joyce Griffith, Donnie Boskind Row 2 Dave Stefonek, Bill Chobotar, Larry Ilchuk, Doug Wells, Al Liske, Ken Walters, Gary Harding Row 3 Jerry Dunifer, Gary Wicklund, Don Drake, Don Loomer, Jere Franklin

Alumnotes

28 Westwind Summer 2008

Wayne worked with a civil engineering

company and is a cancer survivor. Some

of his favorite WWU memories are en-

gineering professors Cross and Bennett,

skiing at Spout Springs, and meeting and

marrying his wife, Sandra.

Maribeth (Vipond) Burns ’63 and her

husband, Lowell, live in Brewster, Wash.

Maribeth taught at Brewster Adventist

School for 21 years. In her spare time,

Maribeth enjoys helping with the music

at her local church and gardening. Lowell

and Maribeth have two children, David ’97 and Edith McCloskey att.

Fred Bunn ’63 and his wife, Gilda, are

retired in Lakeland, Fla. Fred served for two

years in the Army

and later worked at

the Army Research

Lab. He has traveled

to London, Mexico,

Bahamas, Jamaica,

Costa Rica, and the

Philippines. From

his WWU years, Fred remembers winning a

six-mile race, his physics classes, and being

on the tumbling team. Fred has two chil-

dren, Brenda Rivera and Jeff.

Ursella (Pierce) Ball ’67 and her hus-

band, Vern, live in Wenatchee, Wash.

Ursella enjoys gardening and spending

time with family. She has three children,

Joanie Lefore att., Marc ’74, and Lenn.

Kathleen (Geppert) Hoffman ’68 and

her husband, Marlyn ’60, live in Canyon

City, Ore. Kathleen has survived lead

poisoning and cancer, but that hasn’t

stopped her from having a strong relation-

ship with Christ. She enjoys gardening,

making quilts, and “going on God errands.”

Kathleen has fond college memories pre-

paring breakfast in the kitchen. Kathleen

and Marlyn have one son, John att.

Janice Brock ’68 and her husband,

Doug, live in Portland, Ore. Janice retired

after 30 years of teaching high school.

She enjoys yoga, painting, bicycling and

spending time with friends.

James Henneberg ’68 and his wife,

Jackie, live in Pasadena, Calif. James is a

medical doctor. Jackie and James have

three children, Jeff, Heidi Threadgill att., and Cameron.

Norman Klam ’68 and his wife, Marlene (Skula) att., reside in La Center, Wash.

Both enjoy traveling and have been to

48 states, all provinces in Canada, and

Cambodia. Some of Norman’s favorite

memories at WWU include organiz-

ing the first hockey game against a

Spokane team, business classes in the

old Ad Building, and food at the Express.

Norman and Marlene have two children,

Cheri Oellrich ’99 and Jeff ’70.

Ruth (Duncan) Gruber ’68 and her hus-

band, Jim, live in Soap Lake, Wash. Ruth

is a substitute librarian and has two chil-

dren, Yvonne ’79 and Eric ’80.

John Garner ’68 and his wife, Tenny (Thompson) ’69, are currently living in

Twin Falls, Idaho. John works as superin-

tendant of schools in a nearby town and

Tenny works in mortgages/sales at Wells

Fargo Bank. John and Tenny remember

meeting for the first time in speech class

at WWU. They have three children, Elly,

John, and Jenny Lee Garner.

John Christensen ’68 and his wife,

Barbara (DeFord) ’68, are retired in

College Place. John’s hobbies include vol-

unteering at his church and gardening.

John and Barbara have three children,

Shirley ’70, Cheri ’73, and Stan ’77.

E. Jeanne (Wilson) Battenburg ’68 and

her husband, Joe, are currently living in

Port Hadlock, Wash. Jeanne enjoys sing-

ing in a community choir, bird-watching,

and gardening. Her favorite WWU memo-

ry is when she lived in Portland.

Phyllis Hall ’68 and her husband, Don ’68, are enjoying retirement in Happy

Valley, Ore. Don works at Wellsource, a

company he founded in 1984. Phyllis

enjoys the outdoors and hopes to com-

plete the Pacific Crest Trail. She hikes

around 300 miles per season. Don hiked

the Grand Canyon in one day when the

temperature was 100 degrees. Phyllis and

Don have two children, David ’93 and

Heather Tourville ’97.

Gloria Davy ’68 resides in Carson, Wash.

She works as the nurse in the Ray Yasui Unit.

Alton Olson ’68 and his wife, Doris, reside in Pendleton, Wash. Alton works as

an industrial technology teacher for Echo

High School. Alton and Doris have two

children, Melanie Lawson ’92 and Tracy.

Marie (Huk) Kneller ’68 and her hus-

band, Ralph ’66 and ’68, are currently

living in Kelowna, B.C. Marie works as a

ward clerk at Kelowna General Hospital.

In her spare time, Marie enjoys reading,

hiking and selling Shaklee Products. From

her time at WWU she remembers being

in love, feeling at home, and great times

with friends. Marie and Ralph have two

children, Julie ’92 and James ‘95.

Orletta (Wilson) Dealy ’69 and her hus-

band, Donald Dealy ’48, reside in College

Class of 1968

Row 1 Pete Sonnentag, Verna (Corson) Sonnentag, Selma (Syme) Wolfswinkel, Phyllis (Miller) Hall, Orletta (Wilson) Dealy, Ruth (Montgomery) Hawley, Marlene (Anderson) Porter, Sondra (Hoxie) Bowser, Cheryl Nelson, Ruby (Kruger) Stafford Row 2 Gail (Hubbard) Stumph, Corky Harvey, Jeanne (Wilson) Battenburg, Ralph Winsor, Derreta (Budd) Winsor, Nels Nelson, Tom Thompson, Donald Tall, John Stafford Row 3 Dean L. Sanders, Roger A. Kruger, Bert Connell, Evelyn (Rasmussen) Connell, Ed Gibbons, Bart Moore Row 4 Alton Olson, Philip Ruud, Don Hall, William McGhee, Richard Ford, Dave Warner Row 5 Joe Galusha, Joe Parmele, C. Bruce Clough, Martin Bradley, Don Grosse, Ralph Kneller

Alumnotes

Summer 2008 Westwind 29

Place. Orletta retired after 35 years of

teaching. She enjoys volunteering at her

church and fundraising for the local tele-

vision station. Orletta has fond college

memories of meeting her husband when

playing volleyball.

1970s Hayden Piper ’73 and his wife, Elizabeth

Gudwer, live in Chandler, Ariz. Hayden

works as a commercial realtor at Keller

Williams Legacy One Realty. His hobbies

include historic sightseeing, gold prospect-

ing, and desert gardening. His favorite

WWU memory is taking summer classes.

Barbara (MacDougall) Whiteaker-Hansen ’73 is retired and resides in

Waitsburg, Wash. Her hobbies include

gardening, knitting, and taking walks. Her

favorite college memory is the Christian

atmosphere. Barbara has seven children,

Sharon, Russell, Alan, Warren, Valerie,

Michael, and Shawn.

Ethlyn Obland ’73 currently resides in

Grand Terrace, Calif., where she is the

supervising public health nurse at the

Department of Public Health. Ethlyn en-

joys activities such as golfing, oil painting,

photography, and snow skiing.

Marshall Merklin ’73 and his wife, Glenda (Petersen) ’74, live in Bonney Lake, Wash.

Marshall is the prin-

cipal at Northwest

Christian School. In

his spare time he

enjoys music and

photography.

Marshall and

Glenda have two

children, Jennifer and Christopher.

John Anholm ’73 and his wife, Anne (Hazelton) ’73, live in Snohomish, Wash.

John is a self-employed electrical engi-

neer. John enjoys running, hiking, and

traveling internationally. Anne works as

an OB/GYN at a local clinic. Some of her

favorite college memories include work-

ing for Marlene Finch, and trying to learn

how to ski and mountain climb.

Judy Loop ’73 lives in Caldwell, Idaho.

Judy works as a pediatric home health

nurse. She enjoys playing flute and piano

for community events. Judy remembers

skipping classes, water skiing on the

Columbia River, and the Christian experi-

ence through student involvement.

S. Gale (Hooker) Blankenship ’73 and

her husband, Randy, live in Bickleton,

Wash. Gale works full-time in Seattle area

hospitals and Randy works on the 100-

year-old, family-inherited farm. In their

spare time, they enjoy Alpine hiking.

Gale’s memories of WWU include gradu-

ation, her long-lasting friendships, and

Friday afternoon shopping excursions

into the “big” city of Walla Walla!

Wanita (Fullerton) Butler ’73 and her

husband, Stephen ’75, live in Enumclaw,

Wash. Wanita works as an accountant at

a local business. She keeps busy with the

renovation of her house and landscaping

projects in the yard. She also enjoys time

spent with her grandchildren. Wanita and

Stephen have three children, Glenn att., Bambi Perrin, and Monty att.

Lesley (Hay) Harrison ’73 and her hus-

band, Mike, live in Bellbrook, Ohio. After 30

years in nursing, Lesley left the nurs-

ing field to babysit her 13 grandchildren

which she thoroughly enjoys. Mike and

Lesley enjoy trips and touring on their

motorcycles. They have three children, Kim

Demeter, Rebecca Descalso, and Brittan.

Cheri (Christensen) Armstrong ’73 and

her husband, John, reside in Athena, Ore.

They spent a winter in England where

Cheri worked on the Tower Hamlets

Youth Offending Team. While they were

in East London, both of them enjoyed

traveling and seeing more than 20 plays.

Cheri’s favorite WWU memory is pulling

pranks with her friends when she should

have been studying. John and Cheri have

four children, Amy, Kristen Cacka att., Lige, and John.

Don Straub ’73 and his wife, Juanita, live

in Kelowna, B.C., Canada. Don is the pas-

tor at Son Valley Fellowship and the prin-

cipal of Okanagan Adventist Academy.

From his time at WWU, Don remembers

Class of 1973

Row 1 Bob Sanders, Sheila Palmer, Denise (Altman) McGhee, Aster Debeb, Cliff Milburn, Pete Sonnentag, Joy (Smith) Robinson, Lonna (Tachenko) Milburn, Dalene (Ringering) Johnson Row 2 Dolores (Anderson) Morgan, Julie (Witcombe) McGhee, Bobbi (Clark ) Ordelheide, Al Corson, Dave Corson, Debbie (Mayer) Coleman, Joaline (Gruzensky) Olson, Chris Lundquist Row 3 Anne (Hazelton) Anholm, John Anholm, Marshall Merklin, Nathan Zane, Robert Marshall, Glenna (Furber) Marshall, Terry Gottschall

Alumnotes

30 Westwind Summer 2008

the Bible conferences at Mt. Hood and

Camp MiVoden.

Judy (Westergaard) Harvey ’73 and her

husband, R. Bruce, live in Medford, Ore.

Judy works as a registered dietitian for

the Jackson Country WIC Program. She

is currently redecorating her home. Judy

and Bruce have two children, Shaen ‘01

and Andrew ‘06.

Wanda (Reiber) Woodruff ’73 and her

husband, Ray ’57, are currently living in

Vancouver, Wash. Wanda taught home

economics at Milo and Livingstone acad-

emies for a total of 10 years. Wanda enjoys

sewing, cooking, and needle crafts.

Montell Clendenon ’73 is enjoying re-

tirement in McCall, Idaho. While at WWU,

Montell remembers working with the

EMS club. Montell has three children,

Shari, Daren, and Christopher.

April (Munson) Hardinge ’73 and her

husband, Fred ’73, live in Spokane, Wash.

April works as a quality assurance nurse

for the State of Washington. She enjoyed

working as a student missionary in the

Philippines and finds pleasure in back-

packing, gardening, hiking, and sewing.

While at WWU, April remembers the won-

derful nursing instructors. April has two

children, Karah and Brent.

Nancy (Huggard) Wilson ’78 lives in

Auburn, Wash. She has worked as a reg-

istered nurse for a health corporation for

the past 10 years. While at WWU, Nancy

remembers the fun times on the Portland

campus. Nancy has two children, Ryan curr. att., and Scott.

David Cowles ’78 and his wife, Linda (Kreye) att., lives in College Place. David

works as a professor of biology at WWU.

David and Linda have two children,

Jonathan curr. att., and Joanna curr. att.

From his time at WWU, David remembers

worships by Walt Meske, being a student

missionary, and being the teacher’s assis-

tant for developmental biology.

Keith Wilkens ’78 and his wife, Joyce (Anderson) ’78, live in Spokane, Wash.,

where he works as a physician. Keith and

his family enjoy playing outdoor sports

together. Keith also enjoys woodworking,

gardening, and music. Keith has three

children, Taylor ’07, Emily curr. att., and

Fletcher curr. att. Reflecting back on his

time at WWU, Keith misses the teachers

and great music.

Derrick Teal ’78 and his wife, Julie (Cole) att., are currently residing in Portland,

Ore. Derrick has started several business-

es in which manage aviation, healthcare,

business consulting, and real estate. Julie

is a hand therapist and owns a private

practice. From his time in college, Derrick

would like to thank Gary Wiss for rec-

ognizing his journalistic talents and Bill

Napier for preparation and the many op-

portunities in physical education.

Sharon (Baker) Brothers ’78 and her

husband, Roger, reside in West Linn, Ore.

Sharon is the founder and CEO for the

Institute for Senior Living Education, an on-

line website designed to train future senior

care providers. Some of Sharon’s favorite

memories of WWU are the beautiful cam-

pus and the religion classes that challenged

her thinking. Sharon and Roger have three

children, Ashley, Brenna, and Kendall.

Tina (Cain) Anderson ’78 and her hus-

band, Tom ’77, are living in Issaquah,

Wash. Tina is currently the project man-

ager for Siemens Ultrasound and enjoys

combining health solutions with high

technology. From her time at WWU, Tina

remembers climbing Mt. Hood and Mt.

St. Helens, lifeguarding at the college

swimming pool, and volunteering at the

radio station. Tina and Tom have two

children, Kristen and Katherine.

Beverly (Rippey) Foster ’78 and her hus-

band, James ’80, live in Beaverton, Ore.

Beverly works as an accounting specialist

at Digimarc. Beverly and James have two

children, John ’07 and Laura att. Beverly

says, “Our children have found that WWU

continues to have a caring faculty, just as

we enjoyed in our college years.”

David Chuljian ’78 is currently living

in Port Townsend, Wash. He works as a

dentist. In his spare time, David enjoys

solo canoeing and kayaking trips in the

Canadian subarctic rivers.

Pam (Hilde) Baumgartner ’78 lives in

College Place. She is an Early Head Start

nurse educator who works with young

Class of 1978

Row 1 Joy (Fearing) Krause, Lynn (Barter) Yanke, Larry Ramey, Ruth (Montgomery) Hawley. Maxine (Meador) Shumate, Larose McCluskey, Ruth (Lambert) Corson, Janice (Sawzak) Wibberding Row 2 Allison (Jones) Field, LaDonna (Liske) Lehman, Charlene (Weis) Walker, Deborah (Reese) Reynolds, Beverly (Rippey) Foster, Connie (Casebolt) Godenick, Fred Shumate, Ron Wilkinson Row 3 (Gienger) Moor, Jim Moor, Marvin Denney, Linda (Huett) Martin, David Cowles, Bob Johnson Row 4 Ruthann (Moor) Wyman, David Wyman, Larry Summerton, Doug Taylor, Derrick Teal, Bernard Yanke, Pam Baumgartner

Alumnotes

Summer 2008 Westwind 31

families. Pam and her late husband, Edwin,

spent 15 years in mission work in Peru,

Nicaragua, and Haiti. They adopted a sibling

group from Peru: Belissa Whitehill, Henry att., Gabriela, att., and Luisa curr. att.

Connie (Casebolt) Godenick ’78 and her

husband, Joe, reside in Spartanburg, S.C.

Connie works as a self-employed wellness

consultant. In her spare time, she enjoys

traveling, cooking gourmet vegetarian

food, playing board games, and educating

others about nutrition and health. While at

WWU, Connie remembers intramurals and

hiking in the Blue Mountains. Connie has

three children, Amy, Lisa and Laura.

Nancy (Adams) Cronnelly ’78 and her

husband, Roy, live in Somerset, Calif.

Nancy works as a registered nurse at a

local hospital. She remarried in April 2007

and both of them “are in shock at how

things turn out when you least expect it.”

Nancy and Roy have two children, Aaron

and Cari.

Carmen (Hammond) McWilliams ’78 and

her husband, Steven, currently live in Maple

Valley, Wash. Carmen works as an art instruc-

tor in the Kent School District. She has three

children, Steven, Nathan, and Christine.

Thomas Hamstra ’78 and his wife, Dulce

Prior-Ortiz, live in Happy Valley, Ore.

Thomas works as the senior project man-

ager for a local engineering company,

and has had the chance to work on the

delivery of large transportation projects.

While at WWU, Thomas remembers

Sabbath afternoon drives to South Fork.

Larry Bunnell ’79 and his wife, Maryann (Riesland) ’76, reside in Klamath Falls,

Ore. Larry has served 14 years as a pastor

there. He recently received his doctor-

ate from the San Francisco Theological

Seminary. Maryann works for the Klamath

Falls City School. Larry and Maryann have

two children, Joseph and Elijah.

Norma (Krauss) Nelson ’78 and her hus-

band, Richard ’47, are enjoying

retirement in McMinnville, Ore. Norma

has traveled to India where she was a

medical missionary. One of her favorite

college memories is meeting her husband.

Richard and Norma have four children, Chris ’74, Nancy att., James ’79, and John ’80.

1980s Terri Dawes ’83 and ’88 resides in Grand-

view, Wash. She works as the co-owner

and director of ABC

Preschool & Daycare

Inc. Some of her

favorite WWU mem-

ories include listen-

ing out her window

to the singing in the

courtyard.

Laurens Johansen ’83 and his wife, Linda,

make their home in West Linn, Ore. Laurens

works as a medical doctor. In his spare time

he enjoys fishing, reading, gardening, and

working on his car. During his time at WWU,

Laurens remembers springtime, Rosario,

playing in band and living in Sittner Hall.

Sendra Gunawan ’83 and her husband,

Sutera, live in Avon Park, Singapore.

Sendra enjoys reading and traveling. While

at WWU, she remembers the Kretschmar

Hall study room. Sendra and Sutera have

five children, Jeffrey, Jonathan curr. att., Angeline curr. att., Merissa, and Maydina.

Kari (Kravig) Novak ’83 and her hus-

band, Paul ’82, live in Yakima, Wash. Kari

works as a registered nurse for a local doc-

tor. Kari and Paul live in an orchard and

own two-and-a-half acres of blueberry

fields which keeps them very busy in the

summer. They have one child, Melinda.

Mark Smith ’83 and his wife, Ivy (Gladden) att., reside in Anchorage,

Alaska. Mark is the vice president for mar-

keting and sales at a local business. His

hobbies include commercial fishing with

his family each summer. From his college

days, Mark especially remembers Professor

Alden Thompson as well as welding in the

Canaday Technology Center.

Kevin Stinson ’88 and his wife, Shauna (Spady) ’89, live in Damascus, Ore. Kevin

works as a U.S. Sales Manager for Ruby

Company, LTD. He sings in a barbershop

quartet and has won fifth place at an in-

ternational contest for the past two years.

Shelley (Steiner) Rubin ’88 and her

husband, Stephen, live in Walla Walla.

Shelley works as a psychometrician at the

Sleep Center in St. Mary Medical Center.

Shelley has sung with the Blue Mountain

Chorus of Sweet Adelines for the past

18 years. She enjoys jewelry-making and

scrapbooking, but her passion lies with

making desserts, especially chocolate

desserts and candies. Shelly has two

grown children, Adam and Heather.

Chris Shepard ’88 and his wife, Tami, are

currently living in Battle Ground, Wash. Chris

works as a teacher for Mountain View High

School. They have one child, Jazmine.

Gart Curtis ’88 and his partner, Deb, live

in Homer, Alaska. Gart is currently self-

employed. He enjoys working on boats

and life with their son, Leland. While

at WWU, Gart remembers the remark-

able people and the time he was lucky

enough to spend with them.

Kurt Mehner ’88 and his wife, Jennifer, live

in Seattle, Wash. Kurt is currently working

as a drywall estimator. He enjoys coaching

baseball and ski racing. Kurt has fond mem-

ories of his friend Roy Slaybaugh throwing

Alumnotes

Class of 1983

Row 1 Darilynne Allen, Lorie Ramey, Wayne Dunbar, Gabriel Acosta, Denise Sproed, Brenda (Burden) Aufderhar, Russ Zapotichny Row 2 Mark Smith, Clark Lampson, Michael Case, Merlin Windels, Jerald Fevec, Adriana Scuka Row 3 Stephen P. Harden, Louanne McGhee, Bruce Kay, Ron McVay, Todd Schafer

Alumnotes

32 Westwind Summer 2008

a piece of chocolate cream pie at the wall

of the cafeteria. Kurt and Jennifer have four

children, Kyle, Dylan, Brock, and Bridgit.

Cristina Matos-Grys ’88 and her hus-

band, John, reside in American Canyon,

Calif. Cristina is a piano teacher. Some of

her favorite college memories include

hikes in the mountains, backpacking trips,

and Friday night vespers. Cristina and John

have two children, Jason and Kristofer.

Ann (Roach) Kracke ’88 and her hus-

band, Arthur, are enjoying retirement in

Portland, Ore. Ann enjoys volunteering at

the Oregon Historical Society and Leach

Botanical Gardens. From her college

years, Ann remembers the support given

to her and her colleagues as they sought

their nursing degrees. Arthur and Ann

have four children.

Kate (Kelley) Keltz ’88 and her husband,

Jack, live in Wichita, Kan. Kate currently

works as the purchasing manager at

Precision Pattern. In her spare time, she

enjoys playing soccer. While at WWU,

some of Kate’s favorite memories are

“pinging” and having creative birthday

parties with her friends. Jack and Kate

have two children, Dan and Kinsey.

Kimberley Haynes-Henson ’88 and

her husband, David, live in Omaha, Neb.

Kimberley works as an anesthesiologist

at the University of Nebraska Medical

Center. In her spare time, Kimberley loves

hanging out with her family and ski-

ing. While at WWU, Kimberley enjoyed

Friday night Vespers, teaching skiing

at Bluewood, and eating ice cream at

the Dairy. Kimberley has three children,

Delaney, Danielle and Mackenzie.

Troy Towler ’88 and his wife, Minda, reside

in Bremerton, Wash. Troy works as the en-

gineering manager for the Puget Sound

Naval Shipyard. His hobbies include playing

games, pool, snowboarding, and traveling.

While at WWU, Troy remembers hanging

out at the student activities center and

playing in College Bowl. Troy and Minda

have two children, Victor and Miranda.

1990s John Roe ’98 and his wife, Shari (Foster) ’98, are currently living in Vancouver,

Wash. While at WWU, John remembers

early morning math classes, and late

nights in the SUN lab.

Kristin (Bergman) Fry ’98 and her

husband, Scott ’98, reside in Milton-

Freewater, Ore. Kristen works at home

and is also a contract teacher for the

WWU English Department. Scott and

Kristin enjoy hiking and traveling. They

have three children, Emily, Steven and

Mara. Kristin’s favorite WWU memory was

having classes in the “Shakespeare” room.

Christina (Bond) McGill ’98 and ’99

and her husband, James ’99, currently

live in Days Creek, Ore. Christina is

the head girl’s dean at Milo Adventist

Academy. Christina loves to scrapbook,

play tennis, and spend time with her

family. Her favorite college memories

of WWU include being a resident as-

sistant and being a student dean in the

women’s dorm.

Alison (Rue) Cover ’98 and her hus-

band, Jay, live in Granite Falls, N.C. Alison

currently works as an oncology nurse

at a local healthcare center. Her great-

est dream of working internationally

was accomplished when she worked in

Pakistan and India. Alison’s college mem-

ories include walks to Whitman Mission

on Sabbath afternoons, and her incred-

ible life-long friends.

Newt Zanes ’98 and his wife, Vicki, cur-

rently live in Helotes, Texas. They have

two children, Audra and Elliot.

Victoria (Learned) Mills ’98 and her

husband, Jeff ’99, reside in Fontana, Calif.

Victoria is a physician assistant at a local

private practice. Jeff and Victoria have

one child, Matthew, who was born in

2007.

Melinda Russell ’98 and her husband,

Craig, live in Meridian, Idaho. Melinda

works as a licensed clinical social worker

at Montgomery Counseling Center.

Class of 1988

Row 1 Dee Ann (Hackett) Taylor, Khai-Ling (Chuah) Tan, Kate (Kelly) Keltz, Margo (Place) Hinsley, Stephenie (Nelson) Renshaw, Karl E. Thompson, Kurt Schäfer, Carla Smith, Keith Perrin, Ken Wirtz, Lee Hatfield Row 2 Rob Ruder, Mark Mikkelson, Dan Carr, Ryan Pestes, Cheri Pestes, Stephen Warren, Scott Salsbery, Troy Towler

Class of 1998

Row 1 David A. Caldera, Pamela (Duncan) Rodman, Carrie (Roy) Bergherm, Jorge Barcelo, Al Kirby, Holly (Utt) Coleman, Amber (Martin) Nelson, Jacy Nelson Row 2 Kristianne (Dodds) Connell, Shelley (Schoepflin) Sanders, Brandon C. Schoepflin Sanders, Darrin Johnson, Jeff Cross, Stacey (Howland) Schwarz, Penny (Stepper) Ammon

Summer 2008 Westwind 33

Atkins—Leonard ’70 was born in 1947

in Portland, Ore., and died June 24, 2007,

in Spokane, Wash. Surviving: wife Ann (Wilson) ’70 of Newport, Wash.; sons

Shane ’99 of Renton, Wash.; daughter

Tonya (Atkins) Awuor att., of Erie, Pa.;

brother Lester ’77 of La Center, Wash.;

and sister Lorraine (Atkins) Gray ’76 of La

Grande, Ore.

Battee—Robert att., was born June

16, 1930, in Greenwood, Calif., and died

Sept. 27, 2007, in Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexi-

co. Surviving: wife Eva Battee of Sonoyta;

son Ryan Battee of Boise, Idaho; daugh-

ters Marjorie Pitzer of Apache Junction,

Ariz., Donna Kohfeld of McMinnville, Ore.,

Sharon Peterson of Garvis, Ore.; father

Julian Battee of Angwin, Calif.; mother

Beulah Battee of Angwin, Calif.; brother

George Garrido of Rogue River, Ore.; sis-

ters Joanne (Battee) Eberhardt att., and

Jeanne Mannes of Rocky Island, Tenn.

Boskind—Christopher ’64 was born

May 4, 1942, in Malabar, Fla., and died

June 1, 2007, in Ridgefield, Wash. Surviv-

ing: wife Connie ’63 of Vancouver, Wash.;

son Jeffery of Gresham, Ore.; daugh-

ter Dawne ’99 of Battle Ground, Wash.;

brothers Richard ’61 of Melbourne, Fla.,

and Andrew of Hendersonville, Tenn.

Bliss—Clayton att., was born July 19,

1941, in McMinnville, Ore., and died Sept.

24, 2007, in Chewelah, Wash. Surviving:

son Clinton of Seattle, Wash.; daughters

Jacqueline Vaugn of Craig, Alaska, Charis

Armstrong of Nuevo, Calif., Audrey Zamo-

ra of Running Springs, Calif., Monika Bliss

of Collegedale, Tenn.; father Bern att., of

Milton-Freewater, Ore.; mother Dorothy (Garlock) Bliss att., of Milton-Freewater;

brother Charles ’76 of Spencerville, Md.;

sisters Beverly Elloway att., of Cheha-

lis, Wash., Barbara Lodahl att., of Bend,

Ore., and Elizabeth Gottschall att., of

Chewelah, Wash.

Christensen—Barbara (DeFord) ’68

was born June 13, 1924, in Spokane,

Wash., and died August 27, 2007, in Col-

lege Place. Surviving: husband John ’68

of College Place; son Stanley ’77 of Walla

Walla; daughters Shirley Heisey ’70 of

Milton-Freewater, Ore., and Cheri Arm-strong ’73 of Athena, Ore.

Coon—Duane att., was born Aug. 29,

1926, in Port Townsend, Wash., and died

July 4, 2007, in Petersburg, Alaska. Surviv-

ing: wife Sharla of Petersburg; son Bren-

ton of Petersburg; and brother Jay of

Yakima, Wash.

Cushman—Vivian (Nelson) ’31 was

born Dec. 5, 1907, in Seattle, Wash., and

died Jan. 14, 2008, in Lincoln, Neb. Surviv-

ing: sons William Smith of Goodlettsville,

Tenn., Arthur Cushman of Old Hickory,

Tenn.; daughters Mitzi Wiggle of Bennet,

Neb., and Sylvia Finch of Riverside, Calif.

Dawes— Lou Ella ’55 was born Feb. 22,

1931, in Harvey N.D., and died Aug. 13,

2007, in Corvallis, Ore. Surviving: John Dawes ’62 of Lebanon, Ore.; sons Gary of

Beaverton, Ore., Larry of Aumsville, Ore.,

Barry of Radcliffe, Ky.; daughter Terri ’83, and ’88 of Grandview, Wash.; brother

LaVerne att., of Milton-Freewater, Ore.,

Raymond att., of Huntsville, Texas, Floyd att., of Redlands, Calif.; and sister Donna

Lefore of Milton-Freewater, Ore.

DeRuwe—Amy att., was born Nov. 1,

1919, in Cleveland, Ohio, and died Oct. 7,

2007, in Spokane, Wash. Surviving: husband

Jack of Spokane; son Karl of Othello, Wash.;

daughters Julie of Olympia, Wash., Carmen

Yunker of Longmont, Colo.; and sister Mar-

jorie Morelli of Albuquerque, N.M.

Elliot—Ruth Alice (Wyman) att., was

born Nov. 16, 1915, in Rangoon, Burma

and died Sept. 3, 2007, in Pacific Pali-

sades, Calif. Surviving: son Phil Elliott of

Carson City, Nev.; daughters Shari Perman

of Apache Junction, Ariz., Corky Harvery ’68 of Pacific Palisades, Eileen Laycock att., of Lynwood, Wash.; brother Lloyd Wyman ’50 of Newbury Park, Calif.; and

sister Carol Nelson ’54 of Auburn, Wash.

Emmerson—Lila (Goode) ’35 was

born August 25, 1915, in Rogersville, Ala.,

and died Sept. 7, 2007, in Walla Walla.

Surviving: sons David att., of Tucson, Ariz.

James att., of Neskowin, Ore., Thomas ’72 of College Place; daughter Sharon Emmerson att., of Portland, Ore., sisters

Hazel Cole of College Place, and Thetis

Gair of College Place.

Evans—Jeffrey att., was born Feb. 27,

1959, in Walla Walla and died Dec. 14,

2006, in Wasilla, Alaska. Surviving: father

William ’59 of Anchorage, Alaska; mother

Barbara att., of Anchorage; brother Da-vid att., of Long Island City, N.Y.; and sis-

ters Cindy Sherman of Palmer, Alaska, and

Linda Carleton of Anchorage.

Fischer—Ben ’51 was born Nov. 12,

1922, in Burley County, N.D. and died May

4, 2006 in Battle Ground, Wash. Surviv-

ing: wife Roberta (Davis) ’47 of Battle

Ground; sons Curt att., of Battle Ground,

David ’79 of Portland, Ore; daughter Jac-

queline of Fall Creek, Ore.; and sister Es-

ther Muth of Pacheco, Calif.

Ford—Gloria att., was born Sept. 14,

1924, in Everett, Wash., and died March 9,

2007, in Olympia, Wash. Surviving: sons

Greg Bichsel of Billings, Mont., and Gary

Bichsel of Edgar, Mont.

Freund—Melvin att., was born June 10,

1927, in North Dakota, and died Mar. 11,

2007, in Napa, Calif. Surviving: wife Esther

Knittel-Freund of Yountville, Calif.; son

Wayne of Stockton, Calif.; and sister Mar-lene Freund att., of Walla Walla.

Griffin—Lyle ’48 was born August 31,

1918, in Salem, Ore., and died Mar. 5,

2007, in Salem. Surviving: wife F. Doris att., of Salem; son Ronald att., of Salem,

daughters Donna att., of Arlington, Ore.,

and Linda Klein att., of Arlington; and sis-

ter Betty Blandini ’62 of Red Bluff, Calif.

Edward Johnston was a man of many professions. He

will be remembered for his many

roles as dean, dentist, astronomer, professor, and church leader. As a WWU professor, Edward’s interest in astronomy led him to start the development of an observatory. He even purchased a costume so he could impersonate Christopher Columbus. Edward was born Dec. 6, 1934, and died Jan. 10, 2007, in Minneapolis, Minn. He is survived by his wife, Pat ’58, of Lakeville, Minn.; son Martin ’87 of Saint Paul, Minn.; and daugh-ter Linda ’86 of Lakeville.

Leaving a Legacy

In Memory

34 Westwind Summer 2008

Grogan—Dale att., was born May 22,

1918, in Milton-Freewater, Ore., and

died Sept. 16, 2007, in Milton-Freewater.

Surviving: sons John of Milton-Freewa-

ter, Mike of Milton-Freewater, Larry of

Fairview, Ore.; daughters Margret Her-

shfeldt of Salem, Ore., Cheryl Boucher

of Nehalem, Ore., and Sharon Wong of

Nehalem.

Hanson—Eleanor ’72 was born Jan. 29,

1920, in Nekamah, Neb., and died Dec.

15, 2007, in Hermiston, Ore. Surviving:

sons Louis of Hermiston, and Larry att., of

Echo, Ore.; brothers Earl Prusia ’42 of Col-

lege Place, Merle Prusia att., of Monroe,

Wash., and sister Elaine Smith att., of Los

Angeles, Calif.

Hanson—Otto ’44, ’60 was born Dec.

8, 1910, in Monitor, Ore., and died August,

31, 2007, in Calistoga, Calif. Surviving:

wife Geneva ’60 of Calistoga; son Steve

of Rogue River, Ore.; and daughter JuDee

of Calistoga.

Hesser—Ernest ’53 was born Aug. 19,

1922, in Lowden, Wash., and died Oct.

10, 2007, in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife

Carolyn att., of Dixie, Wash.; son John att., of Anchorage, Alaska; daughters

Elizabeth James of Dixie, and Jill Gar-

diner of Las Vegas, Nev.; father Karl of

Wasilla, Ark.; and sister Louise Bradley of

San Francisco, Calif.

Hixson—Lyla (Dewey) ’47 was born

March 18, 1920, in White Fish, Mont., and

died May 17, 2007, in San Clemente, Calif.

Surviving: son Keith Hixson ’75 of Bell-

ingham, Wash.; daughter JoAnn Davidson

of Wrightwood, Calif.; brothers Jim of Or-

egon, Burton of Port Angeles, Wash., and

Ivan of Sequim, Wash.

Hixson--Orah Mae (Lorenz) ‘47 was

born March 1, 1920, in College View, Neb.,

and died May 2, 2007, in Walla Walla.

Surviving: husband Gerald Hixson att.,

of Walla Walla; sons Glynne att. of Milton

Freewater, Ore., and Rollin ‘76 of Boze-

man, Mont.; and daughter Jeanie ‘72 of

Walla Walla.

Johnson—Verta (Rogers) ’43 was

born in Genesee, Idaho, and died Oct. 28,

2007, in Las Vegas, Nev. Surviving: son

Duane Johnson ’65 of Hermiston, Ore.;

daughters Yvonne Long of Clarkston,

Wash., Marlene Curry att., of Las Vegas,

Nev.; brother Ortis Rogers ’45 of Milton-

Freewater, Ore.; and sister Violet Carman

of Prosser, Wash.

Loomer—Edna (Pierson) att., was born

Oct. 9, 1934, in Niobrabra, Wyo., and died

Aug. 1, 2007, in College Place. Surviving:

husband Donald ’63, of College Place;

sons Rodney of College Place, Todd ’86

of Wenatchee, Wash.; brothers Eugene

Pierson of Buffalo, Wyo., and Donald of

Riverton, Wyo.; sisters Eunice Horn of San

Diego, Calif., Donnabell Peckham of Ne-

braska, Ruby Scheller of Greeley, Colo.,

and Maisy Helms of Riverside, Calif.

May—Eleanor (Hansen) att., was born

June 4, 1919, in Seattle, Wash., and died

July 20, 2007, in Seattle. Surviving: son

LeVern att., of Port Orchard, Wash; broth-

er Roy Hansen of Bremerton, Wash; sisters

Margo Humphrey of Bellevue, Wash., and

Millie Groce of Lake Forest Park, Wash.

McCartney—John ’48 was born Nov.

30, 1910, in East Wymess, Fife, Scotland,

and died Aug. 15, 2007, in Portland,

Ore. Survivng: wife Hazel of Gresham,

Ore.; son Vern McCartney of Woodland,

Wash.; daughters Maylene Russell att., of Portland, Ore., Heather Leno att., of

Clackamas, Ore., Nancy Teale ’65, ’69 of

Washougal, Wash.; and sisters Ellen Mc-Cartney ’45 of Gresham, Ann Saunders of

Aldergrove, B.C.

Merklin—Modeena ’82 was born April

4, 1924, in Oklahoma City, Okla., and died

July 8, 2007, in Walla Walla. Surviving: hus-

band Lester att., of Walla Walla; sons Les-ter Jr. ’72, of Berrien Springs, Mich., and

Marshall ’73 of Puyallup, Wash.

Merritt—Helen Carr att., was born Oct.

4, 1937, in Hermiston, Ore. and died Dec.

7, 2007, in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. Surviv-

ing: husband Robert of Lake Havasu City,

daughters Lorie Lowe att., of Dayton,

Wash., Ronda Fontes of Plains, Mont.; and

mother Agness Beamer of Damascus, Ore.

Oellrich— John Gilbert “Gil” att., was

born Jan. 24, 1920, in Oelriches, S.D., and

died Dec. 6, 2007, in Walla Walla. Surviv-

ing: wife Lois ’72, of College Place; son

Donald ’66, of Lake Taps, Wash.; daugh-

ters Lorraine Fargo ’72, of Pasco, Wash.,

Karen Claridge att., of Englewood, Colo.;

brother George of Buena Park, Calif.; and

sister Doris Davenport of El Cajon, Calif.

O’Connor—Kirt att., was born Jan. 21,

1983, in Loma Linda, Calif., and died June

1, 2007, in Richland, Wash. Surviving: wife

Kellie att., of College Place; father Kerry of

Chehalis, Wash., mother Kathryn of Cheha-

lis; brother Kyle curr. att., of College Place;

and sister Kelly Preston att., of Chehalis.

Odell—Mythol Jane (Reiber) att., was

born June 5, 1921, in College Place and

died Feb. 21, 2007, in Fontana, Calif. Sur-

viving: husband Donald ’50 of Rialto,

Calif.; sons Dennis of Encinitas, Calif., and

Laurence of Rialto; daughter Karen of

Yucaipa, Calif.; and brother Clifford ’48 of

Loma Linda, Calif.

Osborne—John ’61 was born March

23, 1910, in Lander, Wyo., and died Sept.

22, 2006, in Wenatchee, Wash. Surviving:

wife Martha Osborne of Wenatchee,; son

James of Klamath Falls, Ore., daughters Viki

Downey of East Wenatchee, Wash., and

Crystal Tschritter of Sedro Woolley, Wash.

Otter—Gordon att., was born Oct. 22,

1917, in Howard, S.D., and died Feb. 10,

2008, in College Place. Surviving: daugh-

ter Carol Dawes att., of College Place.

Schaak—Ernest ’52 was born June 27,

1924, in Hardin, Mont., and died April 13,

2007, in Spokane, Wash. Surviving: wife

Bernice (Lecklider) ’49 of Walla Walla;

daughter Renee Robinson att., of San Ra-

fael, Calif.; brother Hugh Schaak of Visalia,

Calif.; and sisters Minnie Wageman of Usk,

Wash., Hilda Harper att., of Livingston,

Mont., and Arlien Lanquien of Boise, Idaho.

Schaber—Virginia ’49 was born March

12, 1920, in Portland, Ore., and died Jan.

20, 2008, in Poulsbo, Wash. Surviving:

sons Donald of Poulsbo, Neil of Holly-

wood, Calif., and daughter Donna Ayers

of Portland.

Smith—Lenora Juanita ’60 was born

Jan. 13, 1920, in Wapato, Wash., and died

May 28, 2007, in Walla Walla. Surviving:

sister Ella Mae Cook of Walla Walla.

Smith—Oris att., was born Nov. 19,

1919, in Madison, S.D., and died May 10,

2007, in Sunnyside, Wash. Surviving:

wife Kathryne of Sunnyside; son Gregory Smith att., of Sunnyside; brother Dale of

Weston, Ore.; and sister Emogene Hill of

Pendleton, Ore.

Standley—Leta Maude (Gibson) att., was born Sept. 27, 1931, in Fayetteville,

Ark., and died Mar. 21, 2007, in La Mesa,

Calif. Surviving: husband George att., of

Gresham, Ore.; son Wallace of Damas-

cus, Ore.; daughters Berneta Workman of

Rathdrum, Idaho, and Darla Liehr of Cam-

as, Wash.; brothers Donald ’90 of Corrales,

N.M., Therman att., of Kalama, Wash.;

Winston att., of Ione, Ore.; and sisters Dee

Parker of Portland, Ore., and Orvella Ernst

of Nice, Calif.

Teske—Steven A. att., was born Sept.

2, 1947, in Baker City, Ore., and died Sept.

18, 2007 in Walla Walla. Surviving: wife

Patricia of Walla Walla; son Steve of Fred-

erick, M.D.; daughter Dolly Spangler of

Grand Junction, Colo.; father Reuben

of Rice, Wash.; brothers David of Port

Townsend, Wash., and Terry of Walla

Walla.

Watts—Harry ’92 and ’97 was born

May 31, 1930, in Eureka, Calif., and died

Aug. 11, 2007, in Vancouver, Wash. Surviv-

ing: Margery Watts ’52 of Milton-Free-

water, Ore.; daughters Andrea Bermoy

of College Place, Laura Robert of Whid-

bey Island, Wash.; brothers Tom of Long

Beach, Calif., Dick of Bend, Ore., Dave of

Denver, Colo., and Jim of Gulf Shores,

Alaska; and sister Barbara Stadler of

Pensecola, Fla.

Worth—Sidney att., was born Feb. 22,

1917, in Ohio and died Oct. 31, 2006, in

Placerville, Calif. Surviving: sons Zebulon ’86, Nathanael of Placerville, Calif., and

Thaddeus of Fallon, Nev.; daughters Zip-

porah of La Quinta, Calif., Deborah Taylor

of Brentwood, Calif., and Junia Ferretto of

Sun Valley, Nev.

In Memory

Summer 2008 Westwind 35

I ’ll tell you up-front: This essay is mostly about trains. A good deal of my first year out of col-

lege was spent riding trains. During my work week, I spent two hours a day, five days a week, for nine months, riding a train. That’s 10 hours a week, 360 hours in nine months. I have spent approximate-ly 15 days on a train since I gradu-ated from college. That doesn’t include the times I took a train on the weekend nor does it include the two-and-a-half days I spent travel-ing across the country by train.

To get to work in D.C. by 9 a.m., I had to leave my Rockville, Md., apartment by 7:50 a.m. I walked four blocks to the train station. At first I didn’t believe Andrew, my husband, when he told me that D.C. women com-muters wear sneakers and carry their heels to work. It didn’t make any sense to wear Nike with Ann Taylor. When I went for my job interview at Senator Murkowski’s office, I wore my black Franco Sarto heels. Four blocks to the Metro, the Metro ride, three blocks to the Hart Senate Office Building, by the time I reached Senator Murkowski’s office, blisters were forming, and I still had to walk back to the Metro to go home. Andrew was telling the truth—D.C. women do wear sneakers on the Metro.

On my first day of work as a receptionist in Senator Murkowski’s office, I walked down the hall, past Senator Obama’s office, wearing a pink

silk blouse, my new brown suit, nylons, and grey Nikes with a blue heel spring.

At first I rode the Metro to work. The Metro ride from Rockville Station to Union Station has 16 stops: Rockville, Twinbrook, White Flint, Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Tenleytown/American University, Van Ness/UDC, Cleveland Park, Woodley Park Zoo/Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place/China Town, Judiciary Square, and Union Station. I can recite them backward, too.

Rockville is on the Red Line, and is the second to the last stop in the direction of Shady Grove. In the morning during rush hour, every train that arrived at Rockville Station was already usu-ally packed with people who got on at the Shady Grove stop. If I was lucky, there would be a seat available. If I was unlucky, as I was most mornings, I stood up the entire ride.

There are tricks to getting a seat on a crowded train. One: Walk to the far end of the Metro platform and get on the front car. Or, two: Wait in the middle because most people who only have to ride a few stops will not bother walk-ing to the end of the platform to get a seat and will stand up in the middle or sit for only a few stops. Neither of these tricks is guaran-teed to work.

Most mornings, I didn’t get a

seat. If it was a good non-seat-day, I would have my own hand-rail to hold on to. If it was a bad non-seat-day, I played Twister with four strangers as we each at-tempted to grasp a nail hold onto the stainless steel bar at the top of the car. The worst day—the day I wanted to live like a street bum in D.C. for the rest of my life in order to never have to ride the Metro again—my face was packed against a tall man’s stomach as he swayed back and forth as the train lurched its way through the con-crete tunnels to Union Station.

After the face-in-stomach in-cident, I was ready to leave D.C. I didn’t hate my job, I hated my commute. That’s when I discov-ered the MARC. The MARC, unlike the Metro, runs above ground on regular train tracks. The MARC line from Rockville to Union Station has only five stops. The MARC has an engineer and two conductors. The conductors take your tickets. The conduc-tors help you on the train. The conductors even haul suitcases up the steep stairs when commuters are on their way to the airport. There is a seat for every passenger on the MARC, sometimes two! The MARC is quiet. The MARC is civilized. The MARC was also late, almost every day, but I al-most didn’t care. I had a seat.

After a while, even the MARC lost its luster. To distract myself in the mornings, I read the Express, a free newspaper printed by the Washington Post. Every morning Alfred, the Rockville Express dis-tributer, handed out newspapers and said alternately to passersby, “Have a great day, beautiful/my little sister/young brotha.” Or “Wake up! You’re going to miss something.” Reading the Express

from cover to cover, including the gossip column, would get me to the bridge five minutes out of Union Station. In the evenings, I played Tetris on my phone as I rode the train home. My highest score: Level 36, Score 761938, time elapsed 4 hours 44 minutes 47.75 seconds. Maybe I was miss-ing something.

My commute was dragging me into the ground. Leaving at 8 a.m. and getting home at 7:15 p.m., I had only an hour in the morning and 2 1/2 hours at night to be awake at home. I was usu-ally asleep by 10 p.m., exhausted. When I was accepted into the University of Montana’s creative writing program, I was only too glad to go. Andrew and I moved to Montana, our boxes are stacked in the living room of our new apartment, and I don’t have to ride the train anymore. n

Carrie Ojanen, a 2007 English graduate, spent her first year after college working for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Carrie’s home state. Ojanen is now a student in the creative writing program at the University of Montana.

I’d Rather Walk, Thanks

From My Point of View

Nonprofit Org.US PostagePAIDCollege Place, Wash.Permit #11

WestwindWalla Walla University204 S. College Ave.College Place, WA 99324-1198

College Avenue Crossings

N o time for varsity sports? Students who love team

sports have other options. Throughout the year, the

Health and Physical Recre-ation Department hosts an intramural program open to everyone and anyone. Basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball and hockey are some of the choices students have.

Sure, students like Cambria Hayton have fun hitting balls, scoring points, and making goals, but the most fun team members might have is coining the team name. Last school year’s softball roster included games between Muy Caliente and Hannah Montanas, Mean Machine and Evil Poptarts, and Leather Sleeves and Budunkadunkalicious. n