Alumni and Friends
News & Notes
Fall
2009
Melissa McDowell (B.A. Spanish, Cert.) was named as one of the Rotary Teachers of the Month by the Renton Reporter. Melissa has taught in the Renton School District for the past eight years.
Blake Conley (M. Ed. 2008) was named as the head coach of Kingston High School’s basketball team. Despite his young age, Mr. Conley as gained experience from working as a coach at Sehome High School, and as an assistant at Whitworth University’s summer basketball camp. Conley says he is “excited to see kids change their work habits and for us to become a team”.
Gordon Bowman (B.A.E.) is a candidate for the Eatonville Chamber of Commerce Town Council. Bowman has lived in Eatonville for 20 years, where he works as a pastor and firefighter/EMT.
Dean Roberts (B.A.E.) was profiled in an October article by the Peninsula Gateway Newspaper. Dean has taught American Sign Language at Gig Harbor High School for the past three years.
Bob Eager ( Cert. '71) was voted as “Harborite of the Year” by the Aberdeen Museum of History. Mr. Eager taught history at Wishkah High School from 1975 until his retirement in 2008, and is being awarded for his long dedication and passion to making history “come alive” for the area’s students.
Michael Webb (Cert. '62), the incumbent for Whatcom County’s Water District 7’s board of commissioners is re-running for the position. Mr. Webb has served for two years after replacing the previous commissioner Donna Collier.
Joan Clyde ( Cert. ), was highlighted in a NW Prime Time article about the value of lifelong friendships.
Dan McShane ( Cert. ) is running for election to the Whatcom County Council. Dan received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from WWU, and has taught at the middle school, high school, and university levels.
Mike Town (B.A.E. ’85
Secondary/Biology), won the K-12
Educator of the Year Award, at
the 2009 North American Association for Environmental Education
Conference, held Oct. 7-10 in Portland, Ore.
The award is presented to an individual who is recognized
for their efforts in promoting environmental education and
utilizing the environment as a context for learning in their
teaching. Town teaches AP Environmental Science at Redmond
(Wash.) High School. His Cool Schools Challenges energy
monitoring program has become nationally recognized and helped
boost the school’s reputation as a leader in environmental
education.
Brian Schmidt (Masters) was featured in a “Meet your local educator” piece in the Record Journal. Brian teaches 6th grade at Mountain View Elementary School in Ferndale.
Jennifer Weddle (Cert.) of the Tonasket School District was featured by the Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune. Jennifer teaches science at Tonasket Middle School, and received her teaching certificate from Woodring.
IN MEMORIAM
Diane Jane Childers (B.A.E.) passed away on November 10th, 2009. Diane was born on May 2nd 1945, and will be remembered for her love of Seattle Mariner baseball, skiing Crystal Mountain, and hiking Mt. Rainier.
Henry “Hank” Chamberlin (Cert.) passed away on November 7th, 2009 at the age of 90. Hank was a US Army Master Sergeant under General Patton during WWII, and is a member of the WWU Basketball Hall of Fame.
Sidney James Hammond (M. Ed. Education Administration) passed away on November 13th, 2009 at the age of 75. Sidney worked as an educator for over 31 years, spending a majority of his career in Bellingham schools. In 1992 he received the Award for Professional Excellence from Woodring College, honoring him for his many professional accomplishments. Some of these accomplishments include the development of a district wide environmental education program, creating innovative programs for severely handicapped children, and supporting public education on the Lummi Nation Reservation.
John T. Fullerton (B.A.E.) passed away on October 30th, 2009 at the age of 67. John taught mathematics at Newport High School for 28 years. He played as an offensive tackle for four years at WWU, and continued his love of sports by coaching football, wrestling, and track and field for over 40 years, winning a number of state championships.
Velma P. Wendt (M.I.T.) passed away on November 2nd, 2009 at the age of 84. Velma taught at Sunnyland Elementary in Bellingham for the last 13 years before her retirement.
Lawrence “Buck” Forthun (B.A.E., Cert., M. Ed.) passed away on November 7th, 2009 at the age of 71. Buck spent most of his career at Tyee High School, where he taught mathematics and coached football, girls’ basketball, and track.
Summer
2009
Jillian Comrie
(Music Ed. 2007) returned in August of 2009 after teaching a youth
choir group in Quito, Ecuador. Jillian fell in love with
Latin America during her first visit to Costa Rica when she was
15.
Marg and Gerry Schiele
(Cert. '60, Cert. '59) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in
July. The couple moved back to South Kitsap in 2004 after
retiring from teaching at Department of Defense Schools in
Germany for 33 years.
Linda Quinn (M.
Ed. 1980) became the new superintendent of the Ferndale School
District on July 1st, 2009. Linda had
previously held positions as a district administrator and high
school principal in California.
Natalie Crowson (B.A.E. ‘04) was married to Eliseo Dimartino on July 21st at the Donnafugata Castle near Ragusa, Sicily.
Sallie M. Nevitt (M. Ed. School Counseling, ‘09) was married to David M. Miller on Sunday, August 2nd at Lord Hill Farms in Snohomish.
Cristy Gill (B.A.E. ‘03, Cert. ‘05) was married to Thomas Holcomb on July 31st at Evergreen Gardens in Ferndale. Cristy is currently an English teacher at Lynden High School.
IN MEMORIAM
Marvin L. “Jim” Harris
(Cert. '61) passed away on June 21st, 2009 at the age of
72. Jim taught in Marblemount, Newhalem, and Concrete
before becoming a ranger for the U.S. National Park Service.
He will be remembered for his superb fireside programs and
extensive knowledge of the area and its people.
Douglas A. Gordon-Jorgenson
(Cert.) passed away on July 17th, 2009 at the age of
62. He attended Fairhaven College from 1988 – 1992.
Ray Martin
(Cert.) passed away on June 30th, 2009 at the age of
76. Ray spent 38 years as a Seattle Public Schools
educator and administrator.
James G. McKellar
(M. Ed.) passed away on July 20th, 2009 at the age of
82. Jim was the Executive Director of the Bellingham YMCA
from 1962 until his retirement in 1986.
Spring
2009
Scott Ellis was
appointed as the new principal of Blaine High School on March 23rd,
2009. Ellis completed his Master’s in Secondary School
Administration at WWU before becoming the special education
teacher at Blaine in 1991, and the vice principal in 2001.
Debe Franze (B.A.
E. 2009) has been named the first executive director of the Lake
Stevens Educational Foundation. Debe has spent the last 15
years operating a bookkeeping consulting firm, and she plans to
graduate with a degree in human services in June of 2009.
She is also currently the president for the Rotary Club of Lake
Stevens/Granite Falls, and serves as a volunteer for a number of
local programs.
Allison Sayre
(Elementary Math, 2007)
a teacher at Arlington Middle School, was featured in an
April 20th Daily Herald article.
Ted Strong
(Principal Cert.) was unanimously approved to become the
principal at Gig Harbor High School in May of 2009. The
District Superintendent said “Ted has a blend of passion, a love
for kids and the community, and the ability to work
collaboratively and communicate effectively with parents,
students, and staff.”
Erwin Stroosma
(Cert. '96) officially became the new principal of
Centennial Elementary School in Mount Vernon, WA on April 8th.
He spent 11 years as a fifth grade teacher at Centennial
Elementary, and the last two as assistant principal at La
Venture Middle School.
Detective Cpl. Jason Viada
(M. Ed. 2009)
of the Port Angeles Police Department completed his Masters of
Education Degree on March 21st. He co-wrote a
chapter in the textbook Curriculum Development for Adult
Learners in the Global Community, and is one of only four
Port Angeles police officers to hold a masters degree.
IN MEMORIAM
Alice Joan Fjellman Bedoian
(Cert. '47) passed away on April 3rd, 2009 at the age of
86. Alice was awarded ‘Educator of the Year’ by the city
of Sanger, CA. She was always adored by her students for
being fair, firm, and friendly.
Ernest B. Benson
(Cert. '71) passed away on February 14th, 2009 at the age
of 65. Ernie graduated from WWU after serving in the U.S.
Air Force from 1962 – 1966.
Thelma Cowan Britton
(Cert.) passed away on February 10th, 2009 at the age
of 94. Thelma spent 30 years as a Washington State
educator.
Thelma Marie Shorkley Fredlund
(Cert.) passed away on March 14th, 2008 at the age of
97. Thelma taught music classes in Burlington during the
1930’s after graduating from Bellingham Normal School (which is
now WWU).
Ruth L. Hilliard
(Cert. '62) passed away on February 9th, 2009 at the age
of 93. Ruth taught elementary children for twenty years in
Bellingham after getting her degree at the age of 40.
Phyllis Louise Plummer Knick
(3 Year Diploma ’37, B.A.E. ’45) passed away in Bellevue, WA on March 29th,
2009.
Richard Thurman Muir
(Cert. '70) passed away on April 6th, 2009 at the age of 66.
Rick taught high school at the International School of Bankok,
where he was also the drug abuse counselor, for seven years.
Dick Wilkinson
(Cert.) passed away on June 3rd, 2009 at the age of
72. After graduating from Western Mr. Wilkinson taught and
coached in Battleground Washington for 19 years.
Winter 2009
Dan Newell (B.A.E. 1977,M. Ed. 1984), current principal at Blaine High school, has accepted a job with the Washington State Office of the Superintendent, where he will be working with the new state superintendant Randy Dorn. Dan will be sorely missed at Blaine, which has been listed as one of the top 5 percent of schools in the nation for the last three years by Newsweek magazine.
Linda Williams (B.A.E. Elem 1973, M.Ed. 1980) will retire on June 30th, 2009 from her position as Port Angeles’ director of special education after spending 35 years in the district. She has been involved in a multitude of projects including principal of Choice Community School and Fairview Elementary, and has been an interim special education director.
Brian Davis (2009), a full time student in Woodring, is also working as the assistant coach for the boy’s basketball team at Squalicum High school. Prior to joining the team at Squalicum, he worked for five years as a coach at Kentridge. Brian says he enjoys the competitiveness of the sport, and that his coaching philosophy is to smile more, and have fun.
Aubri Keleman (Cert. 2002), Whatcom County’s teen service and web coordinator, has been highlighted by the Bellingham Herald for her outstanding dedication to motivating teenagers to read. Aubri promised local teens she would eat a scorpion lollipop if they made a certain number of online posts about their reading. Aubri visits over 100 classes a year to talk with students about novels that could interest them.
Garrett Bosarge (Administrative Cert. 2001) has become the superintendent of the Des Moines Municipal Schools in New Mexico. Previously, Garret was the principal of the local middle school in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
IN MEMORIAM
Ron Lee (Cert.) Passed away on December 15th, 2008 at the age of 75. He was an educator in the Edmonds School District for nearly 40 years, where he taught “scholars”. Ron will be remembered for his amazing baritone singing voice and for his love of the outdoors, music, and local football.
Robert Bartholick (Cert. '51) Passed away on January 7th, 2009 at the age of 82. Robert served in the US Navy before attending Western and receiving a degree in math education. He was an avid skier, camper, fisher and golfer. Robert taught in the Highline School District until his retirement in 1981.
Karen Sue Delgrosso (Cert. ‘71) Passed away on December 10th, 2008 at the age of 59. She taught home economics for 23 years in the Clover Park School district.
Gary Jenson (Cert.) passed away on February 11th, 2009 at the age of 63. Gary was a teacher in the Kennewick School District for 28 years.
Evelyn Von Bargen (2 Year Elem. '32, Cert. '61) passed away on February 4th, 2009 at the age of 98. Evelyn will be remembered for her excellent seamstress abilities, and her love of music education.
Margaret Trott (M. Ed. '67) passed away on February 9th, 2009 at the age of 90. Margaret taught 6th grade at Bellingham’s Shuksan Middle School until 1974, when she retired.
Marylee Proffitt (Cert.) passed away on January 26th, 2009 at the age of 76. Marylee loved sailing, camping, and traveling. She also sang professionally as a soprano soloist, and became the first female commodore at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club.
Jerry Waddell (B.A.E.) passed away on November 26th, 2009 at the age of 81. Jerry and his wife of 60 years Sallyann moved to Juneau Alaska in 1948, where he pursued a lifelong career in education.
Joann Louise Rinehart (Cert. '30) passed away on December 22nd, 2008 at the age of 79. Joann taught primary school in the Clover Park and Shoreline School Districts. She enjoyed collecting antiques and traveling with her family.
Fall 2008
Crystal Bailey (B.A.E. Elem '05) and her second grade classroom at Garfield Elementary School in Everett, Wash. were featured in a column Nov. 23. 2008 on HeraldNet.com. The columnist followed Crystal throughout the day and discovered what a demanding job teaching is in today’s public schools.
DJ Brimer (BAE '00) changed careers and was hired as a career lieutenant with McLane/Black Lake Fire Department in Olympia after six years of service as a volunteer firefighter and sixth grade teacher at Tumwater Hill Elementary. He is now responsible for training student firefighters through the South Puget Sound Community College Fire and Emergency Services Training Program. He is also the Volunteer Firefighter Recruit Academy Coordinator for the Thurston County Fire Rescue Training Consortium, providing lead instruction and supervising primary instructors in all aspects of firefighting during the three month program offered during the Spring and Fall. The recruit academy is comprised of recruit firefighters from Thurston County fire districts. He and his wife Jen are also expecting their first child, a baby girl, in April of '09. He substitute teaches in grades 4-12 for all Tumwater School District schools in his spare time.
Shannon (Sumida) Harvey (BAE Sped and Eled ’93), principal at Cascade Elementary School in Renton, was named winner of the 2008 Milken National Educational Award. The award, which includes a $25,000 cash prize, was as a surprise announcement during a school assembly. Harvey has spent her entire career in the Renton School District. She was recognized for her leadership and organizational skills as well as ability to use data to achieve long-reaching results. Under her stewardship, Cascade has gone from 48 percent of its students meeting standard on the state reading assessment to 81 percent.
Cris Larson (B.A. Secondary English), of Everett, challenged incumbent state legislator John McCoy in the 38th district. Although not successful, he plans to use his experience running for office in classroom discussions about citizen access to government according to an October 11 article in the Everett Herald.
Russ Skolrood (B.A.E. Art-Elem. '84) challenged incumbent Jim Eddy (B.A.E. Elem. '79), both of Hoquiam, for Grays Harbor PUD commissioner in the November 2008 election. Skolrood was elected. Eddy had served as board president.
IN MEMORIAM
Henry Edward Bruenn (M.A.) passed away October 17, 2008 at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife Meeka and eight children. Following military service n the U.S. Navy and Merchant Marine during World War II, he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and education from Eastern Washington University and a master in education at Western Washington University. Services were arranged by Gaffney Funeral Home in Tacoma.
Spring/Summer 2008
Michelle Abernathy (M.Ed. ’96 and Principal Cert. ‘08) will be the new assistant principal at Kulshan Middle School. Abernathy completed her administrative training at Fairhaven Middle School, where she has taught math and science since 1990.
Dan Bauer (M.Ed. ‘92) was recently hired as superintendent of Cheboygan Area Schools in Michigan. Bauer is a native of Alpena, Mich., and has experience as a schoolteacher and administrator and a business owner and manager.
Sue Beeson (M. Ed. ‘72) retired after serving in education for 35 years in the Renton School District. Beeson taught math at Lindbergh High School for 21 years and served as an administrator at Hazen High School for 14 years, the last three as principal. Under her direction, Hazen High School saw a 10 percent increase in students passing the writing portion of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning and an expansion of campus facilities.
Sheryl Belt, Bainbridge Island, (B.A.E. '79 Elementary); has been appointed principal of Wilkes Elementary School on Bainbridge Island. Previously, Belt served as principal of Issaquah Valley Elementary School, taught and served as principal's assistant in the Snoqualmie Valley School District, and taught for six years at Seabeck Elementary in the Central Kitsap district.
Jack Lewis Bowman (B.A.E and Cert. ’54) spoke on leadership when he addressed graduates and guests at Western’s Summer Commencement ceremony on August 23, 2008. Bowman was named one of Western’s Alumni of the Century for his work as Johnson & Johnson Company Group Chairman, where he directed the company’s global pharmaceutical business.
Laurel Browning (Superintendent Cert. ‘06) was recently hired as the Burlington-Edison School District Superintendent. Browning served as the B-E assistant superintendent. In her time as assistant superintendent the district doubled the number of Advanced Placement classes offered.
Steve Clarke (B.A.E ’85 M. Ed. ’91), Principal of Bellingham High School and winner of the 2007 WWU Distinguished Alumnus Award for Woodring College of Education delivered the alumni address at Western’s Summer Commencement ceremony. Clarke was a National Principal of the Year finalist in 2006.
Linda Cowan retired from her 11-year position as superintendent of the Auburn School District. Cowan spent 30 years of her 40-year teaching career serving the district. As superintendent, she personally interviewed every teacher the district hired and visited classrooms to offer encouragement to students taking the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.
Carmela Dellino (P-12 Residency and Principal Cert. ‘05) was recently hired as the new principal of Roxhill Elementary in West Seattle. Dellino has over 20 years of education experience. Dellino served as assistant principal at Shorewood High School where she received the “Teacher of the Year” award from the Shoreline School District.
Katy (Dougharty) Dezendorf (Secondary Education Cert. ‘05) has been honored as the Teacher of the Month at Marcus High School in Texas where she was taught for three years. Dezendorf teaches art and serves as the head sponsor of the Art Club and the National Art Honor Society.
Alison and Tim Dickinson (’08) both began the school year as new teachers through Longview School District. The Dickensons return to their hometown to teach math at Mark Morris High School (Alison) and 2nd grade at St. Helens Elementary School (Tim).
Rochelle Doan has joined Kitsap Mental Health Services as director of development and community relations. Doan has served as adjunct faculty for the Human Services program on the Bremerton campus since 2002.
Rick Dubrow (Cert ‘82) is the owner of A-1 Builders, a Bellingham remodeling and custom home building company that is known for its localized and environmentally friendly practices. The company won the 2000-2001 Governor’s Award for pollution prevention and sustainability practices
Leslie Dykstra (Human Services) was recently hired by the Nooksack Valley School district as a representative of the Communities in Schools organization. As a representative, Dykstra orchestrated the creation of a $2,000 grant program for dropout prevention.
Marlene Easley uses the three-dimensional structure of clay to help break through learning caveats that are created by dyslexia. Easley has helped hundreds of students, ages 6 to 62 overcome both reading and math dyslexia during one-week programs through her business, Dyslexia Unlearned. Dyslexia Unlearned recently received approval in Education Service District 189 (which includes Whatcom County) to become a Title 1 provider.
Jerry Finkbonner was recently chosen as the Ferndale Record-Journal’s 2008 Golden Apple Award winner. Finkbonner was selected by the community based on his career-long commitment to Ferndale School District and promoting student enrichment for diversity. Finkbonner is currently on his 30th year of teaching in Ferndale School District.
Betsy (Mary Elizabeth Berry) Gottschalk (Art/Special Ed '89) was recently honored as the Gilder-Lehrman Washington State American History Teacher of the Year. Gottschalk has taught for 19 years at Assumption Catholic School as an eighth-grade instructor of history, literature and art. Gottschalk uses primary sources, field trips and art to engage students in her classes.
Sister Cecilia Gri (B.A.) celebrated her 95th birthday on August 9. Gri attended Western to study history and U.S. government while serving in St. Joseph Hospital with the novitiate for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. Gri taught for 15 years in Seattle, and served as principal of the St. Rose School for three years. Gri returned to Longview to work at St. John Medical Center.
Ruby Gubatayao (B.A.E ‘78 Cert.) has been sharing her experiences and travels around the world as a Tsimshian elder and resident of the Sitka Pioneers Home as a public speaker. Gubatayao has spent time with the native peoples of Norway, Sweden and Finland and has traveled extensively throughout Alaska.
Kristen Hammer (B.A. Human Services ‘99) has served as Executive Director of Womencare Shelter in Whatcom County for six months. Prior to being selected as Executive Director, she served as an overnight advocate, a woman’s advocate, a legal advocate, a teen leader and shelter manager.
April Jennings (B.A. Elementary ’05) is in Seoul, South Korea with the Department of Defense working with the Pacific Literacy Project. Jennings is a facilitator who helps new teachers use the program.
Richard Jones (M.Ed. ‘80) was recently hired as superintendent for the North Kitsap School District. Jones has been the superintendent of the 4,000-student Burlington-Edison School District since 1998.
Terry Kahler (Cert ’77) retired after serving at Crescent School in Joyce, Washington for 30 years. Kahler taught 25 different classes over the years and was known for his jokester reputation.
Karen Koschak (Cert./M.Ed. ‘86) was selected to serve as superintendent of the Granite Falls School District. Koschak has 16 years of experience as teacher and six years experience as a principal.
Morgan Luce (B.A.E. ’07) and Tommy Lingbloom were married on Aug. 11 in Bellingham. The couple met while attending Western. Morgan is teaching science at Mt. Baker High School and Tommy is student teaching at Shuksan Middle School.
Theresa Malich (Cert ‘77) was recently honored with an Alumni of Distinction Award by the Peninsula School district where she taught elementary, middle and high school. Malich was a graduate of Peninsula High School. Malich taught gifted and at-risk students through a textbook-free learning program called “Future Problem Solving.”
Laura McKenney (B.A.E. ‘08) was recently hired by the Issaquah School District to teach at the Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus as a ninth-grade math teacher.
Sally Neiland (Human Services ‘00) is the director of the Twin Rivers Unit of the Monroe Correctional Complex. The program is celebrating its 20th year, and has a 93% success rate of sex offenders not committing additional crimes. The program is being expanded to double its capacity, and a similar program is expected to open in Spokane by 2009. Two hundred men are enrolled in the program at a time; and there is a waiting list of 1,200 men.
Nicholas Nigro (TESOL ’05) has been teaching at the Berlitz International School of Languages in Graz, Austria for over two years. During his time at Berlitz, Nigro has become fully trained and qualified to teach all courses and specializations; or students ages four to 94. Nigro is currently teaching Business English around the Styrian countryside.
Bryan O’Donnell (Principal Cert ’07) was recently appointed assistant principal at Stevens Middle School. O’Donnell previously taught grades 6-8 in remedial math, language arts and social studies. O’Donnell has been a member of the district’s language arts and instructional materials committees.
Kathleen Poole (M. Ed. ‘96) was recently hired to be the assistant superintendent of elementary education for the Northshore School District. Poole previously served as principal at Highland Middle School in the Bellevue School District.
Sam Ryan (B.A.E. ’71) was named assistant director and building official at Whatcom County Planning and Development Services.
Chris Sanders (M. Ed. ’94) traveled to Kyrgyzstan with Habitat for Humanity. Sanders spends every summer traveling with a volunteer organization. During the school year she serves as a first-grade teacher at Washington Elementary School in Mount Vernon, Wash.
Shannon Scott was hired to fill a principal position at North Elementary School in Moses Lake, Washington. Scott began her new position on July 1, 2008 after two years of working as principal at Quincy’s George Elementary School.
Jason Shdo (Principal Cert ‘06) was recently hired as principal at Sidney Glen Elementary. Shdo most recently served as assistant principal at Orchard Heights Elementary School and has served in the South Kitsap School District for 21 years.
Rob Slater (Cert ’07) is serving as a multi-subject teacher at Clearview High School. This summer he is working at the first-ever Clearview summer school program, chairing and directing a play with his kids as fellow actors in the Skagit River Shakespeare Festival and designing programming for a $200,000 grant directed at reducing the number of students who drop out of high school.
James Walsh (M.Ed Special Ed. ‘96) was recently featured in the Bellingham Herald for his work as a Whatcom Middle School special education teacher.
Don Weisel (B.A.E. ’57) recently had a track named after him at South Bend High School. On Friday, September 26, the track at South Bend High School was renamed the Don Weisel Oval in honor of the achievements and contributions that Weisel made to the school district and community. Weisel worked at South Bend for thirty years, and retired in 1987.
Robbie Whitlock (Cert ‘71) retired after teaching elementary physical education in the Bellingham School District for 36 years.
Linda Woiwod (B.A.E. ’71 and Cert ‘71) was recently named the College Woman’s Programs Council’s Educator of the Year by the Washington State Community and Technical College Woman’s Council. Woiwod has served as Skagit Valley College’s Dean of Student Services and works to provide scholarship opportunities to women in higher education.
IN MEMORIAM
Jacqueline Bechtel (B.A.E ’66) passed away on June 14, 2008. Bechtel began her teaching career at Big Lake Elementary School and went on to teach English for 20 years at Sedro-Woolley High School. While teaching at Sedro-Woolley High School she facilitated many extra curricular activities, was the ski program coordinator, soccer coach, debate coach, and yearbook advisor. Bechtel loved to travel and collected antiques.
Joseph Borek (B.A.E, M. Ed.) passed away on June 15, 2008 at the age of 83 after having celebrated Father’s Day with his family. Borek served in the Shelton and Snohomish School Districts for 30 years. Borek enjoyed sports and spending time with his family, and will be remembered for his kindness and great sense of humor.
Dale D. Campbell (B.A.E. ’54) passed away on June 16, 2008 at the age of 78. Campbell served as a fifth grade teacher in the Lake Stevens School District. Campbell went on to work at Jansport until his retirement. Campbell was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and enjoyed restoring Model A’s, music, art, genealogy and photography.
Richard “Dick” Brock (Cert ’53) passed away on March 18, 2008. Brock served as an elementary education and high school history teacher in the Tenino School District. Brock was the head football coach at Tenino High School for 16 years and the head basketball coach for 26 years. Brock was inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002.
M. Isabel Ryan Bzdyl (Cert ‘35) passed away on March 23, 2008 at the age of 93. Bzdyl enjoyed a long career as an elementary school teacher in the Snohomish School District. She was also an accomplished seamstress and pianist.
Beth Chowen (B.A.E. ‘88) passed away on April 30, 2008 at the age of 64. Chowen taught for 10 years in the Sedro-Woolley and Everett School Districts before opening her own in-home preschool.
Helen DeVries (Cert.) passed away on July 12, 2008 at the age of 91. DeVries was an elementary teacher in the Bellingham Public Schools for 30 years. DeVries was an avid gardener, knitter, and traveler.
Margaret Dove (B.A.E) passed away on May 11, 2008 in Bellevue. Dove was better known as St. Joseph of Peace Sister Claver. She was in England in 1921, and entered the Postulancy for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in Ireland in 1938 before coming to Bellingham. Dove dedicated her life to children, education and her faith. Dove was the founding Principal of Sacred Heart School in Bellevue and served as principal in Trail, B.C., Corvallis, OR, Mount Vernon, Port Angeles and Seattle.
John Fox (M.Ed. Special Ed. ‘90), Deming, Wash. passed away June 22, 2008. He most recently taught at Bellingham and Squalicum High Schools. Fox particularly enjoyed horseback riding.
William Todd Hatch (Cert. ’43) passed away on July 5, 2008 at the age of 86. While at Western, Hatch served as student body president and received his commission in the United States Naval Reserve. Hatch also met Evelyn “Pete” Peterson at Western, whom he married on December 4, 1943. Hatch received his Master’s Degree in Education in 1947 from Claremont Graduate School, and returned to Washington State in 1950 to begin a 30-year career in education. Hatch had a passion for boats, fishing, and golfing.
Burton Horman (Cert ’52) passed away on March 30, 2008 at the age of 81. Horman served as a seventh-grade teacher in the Lynden School District and became Principal of the Lynden Grade School in 1959. Horman also volunteered for the Lynden Pioneer Museum and enjoyed restoring antiques and old cars.
Tom Ingalls (’93) passed away on April 3, 2008 after a battle with cancer. Teaching was a second career for Ingalls, who taught for 15 years in Arlington schools. While teaching kindergarten at Pioneer Elementary School, Ingalls was instrumental in planning a science garden on the school’s wetlands.
Alice Johnson (B.A.E ’31) passed away on May 2, 2008 at the age of 96. Johnson taught briefly before working at the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. Johnson enjoyed cooking, world travel, and playing bridge.
Elmer Lundstrom (Cert. ’51) passed away on July 19, 2008 after a brief illness. Lundstrom moved to Seattle in 1942 and joined the Army Air Corp in 1943. Lundstrom met his wife, Georgia Merrill while in cadet training school at Washington State University. After the war, he graduated with a teaching certificate from Western Washington University. Lundstom taught in Blaine for two years before moving to Seattle, where he taught at Madison, Eckstein, and McClure Junior High Schools. Lundstrom was active in Boy Scouts, at the Queen Anne Lutheran Church, RV traveling to Minnesota, fishing, and woodwork.
Carol Linda (Howe) Mayo (Cert.) passed away on July 11, 2008 at the age of 67 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Mayo was an avid outdoor enthusiast, and hiked all over the Pacific Northwest, summiting both Mt. Rainer and Mt. St. Helens. For eight months, Mayo traveled Europe solo prior to beginning a career as a high school special education teacher. Mayo’s later careers included working for the Seattle mayor’s office, and then as an interior designer.
Gerard A. Mc Elholm (Cert.) passed away on August 10, 2008 at the age of 79. Elholm came to the United States as a teenager from Ireland, and served during the Korean Conflict in Army Intelligence. Elholm taught and was a principal for many years in the Highline School District.
Zetta McMullen (B.A.E ‘72) passed away on May 28, 2008 at the age of 97. McMullen taught for 30 years in the Arlington School District. While in Arlington, she was an active member of the Free Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, led the choir, and served as director of the children’s camps.
Robert B. Morse (M.Ed), while surrounding by his loving family, passed away on July 18, 2008 from a prolonged battled with cancer and complications from a bone marrow transplant for leukemia. Morse began his career serving in the U.S. Navy for four years as a submariner on the U.S.S. Rock. Morse then began teaching Special Education in the Sedro-Woolley School District for twenty-five years. Morse was a remarkable man, who inspired many people.
Royal Penewell (B.A.E ’52) passed away on July 24, 2008 at the age of 85. Penewell met his wife, Joan, at WWU after serving in the Naval Air Force. He served as a math teacher on Vashon Island and then moved to the Bellevue School district and taught at all levels, from elementary school to community college. Penewell inspired his students and was an active community volunteer in the Washington state Math Council and other retiree associations.
Darlene Diane Peterson (B.A.E. ‘62) passed away on May 3, 2008 in Burlington, Washington. Peterson enjoyed spending time with her four grandchildren and traveling. She taught elementary education in the Sedro-Woolley School District for 21 years.
Warren A. Putaansuu passed away on April 3, 2008. Putaansuu was a Navy radioman and served on the U.S.S. Philippine Sea and the U.S.S. Yorktown. Putaansuu was a high school teacher in Longview, Kent, and Chimacum schools. His interests included golfing, gardening, travel, and playing with his grandchildren.
Dan Reef (M. Ed.) passed away at the age of 80. Reef built the foundations of an outstanding band program in the Burlington-Edison School District and was later appointed superintendent. He later worked as a consultant for Bellevue School District, Seattle Pacific University, and Seattle University.
Kenneth Seng, Jr. (Supervisor for student interns) passed away on May 7, 2008. Seng served as a Junior High School Principal and continued to provide leadership as a supervisor for student interns at Western.
Jon Speck (B.A.E.) passed away on June 29, 2008 from cancer. Speck taught in Klickitat Washington for three years and spent the remainder of his teaching career in the Tacoma School district, where he taught for 26 years. Speck was an avid violinist and played with the UPS-Tacoma Symphony.
Janet Thiessen (‘72) passed away on March 14, 2008 from cancer. Thiessen was a dedicated mom devoted to migrant worker health and safety, as well as the Democratic Party’s platform. Thiessen served as an office manager for Congressman Al Swift and eventually became Swift’s Chief of Staff.
Kathryn Thomas (M.Ed. ‘59) passed away on March 15, 2008 at the age of 99. Thomas was an active member of the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church. Thomas taught for many years at Anacortes High School.
John Sevier Warden (M.A. Music Education ‘50) passed away on July 21, 2008 in Bellingham. Warden began teaching music in Montana, where he met his wife Helen Reis. Warden taught music for five decades and continued to volunteer in many schools after his retirement.
Howard Wilder (Cert ‘31) passed away on April 17, 2008 at the age of 104. Wilder served as a middle school teacher for 17 years in Western Washington and Ellensburg. Wilder went on to work for the lumber business for 16 years and owned Lincoln Grocery in Mount Vernon.
Arnold “Arnie” Young (Cert) passed away on August 11, 2008 after a long bout with cancer. Young taught and coached in the Renton School District for 37 years. Young is a member of the Washington State Track Coaches’ Hall of Fame, and each year Renton School District holds the “Arnie Young Invitational Track Meet” named in his honor.
Winter 2008
Armelda Brack, Everett, (M.Ed '76); a veteran teacher for the Everett School District, has been a participant in the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Choir for more than 20 years. She is now retired, but during her years as a teacher, she also organized events celebrating the life of Dr. King.
Kaycee Brumfield, Issaquah, (B.A.E.); is in her second year teaching kindergarten at Grand Ridge Elementary in Issaquah. She is shown at left in a summer practicum for her post-baccalaureate class prior to getting her certificate in 2006.
Della Cooper, Turklock, Calif. (B.A.E. '95); has been nominated for Class Acts. She is currently a fourth grade teacher at Discovery Math-Science Magnet School at Walnut Elementary Education Center in Turlock, where she has been for eight and a half years.
Jenn Haase, Renton, (B.A. '98); was named one of the Teachers of the Month by the Rotary Club of Renton. She volunteered with AmeriCorps and taught environmental education before joining the Renton School District, where she is in her third year.
Marjorie Johnston (Human Services ’92) was ordained at Westminster Congregational United Church in Spokane in November, 2007. She is believed to be the first declared lesbian to lead a mainline Protestant church in Spokane. Her story was published in the Spokesman Review.
Laura Marie Mallahan (B.A.E. and Cert '79), teaches eighth grade English and is the school librarian at St. Mary Magdalen School in Everett, Wash. She and her husband Michael have two sons attending WWU and a third who is planning to attend in the fall.
Clark Moore (B.A.E. '64); spent the winter months of the past 27 years in Haiti in search of a small fort built by Christopher Columbus. During his quest, he has located more than 980 former native sites.
Linda Quinn, Seattle, (M.Ed. '80); is the current principal of Ghidotti Early College High School in Grass Valley, Calif. She was born and raised in Seattle and was previously the director of development for the Puyallup School District and principal of various high schools for nearly 20 years prior to moving to California.
Paul Shanahan, Shoreline, (MED-School Admin '06); was appointed as half-time principal at Echo Lake elementary in Shoreline. He has been a sixth grade teacher at Echo Lake since 2000 and has been a leader in the school's technology integration program. Shanahan was also named an Apple Distinguished Educator in 2003 and outstanding educator by the Echo Lake PTA in 2004.
IN MEMORIAM
Janice Louree Barnes, Mount Vernon, (B.A.E.); passed away on January 5, 2008 at the age of 80. She taught in Mount Vernon schools for almost 30 years until she retired in 1993.
Lea McMillan Diacos, La Conner, (Teaching Cert.); passed away on January 18, 2008. She taught school in Anacortes before moving to Hawaii. She later returned to La Conner in the 1980's, where she has lived since.
Mildred Myrtle Hartman, Stanwood, (B.A.E.); passed away in February, 2008 at the age of 90. She served as a teacher in a two-room school in Bow-Edison for a short time, as well as a teacher for the Shoreline School District.
Donna Henry, passed away on February 9, 2008. She taught elementary school in Index and Skykomish, Wash. and later served as a teacher at Roosevelt High School in Seattle. She was an accomplished landscape painter and avid gardner.
Alice Llewellyn, Spokane, (B.A.); passed away on February 12, 2008. She was an elementary teacher in Malaga, Wash. for two years and in Wilbur, Wash. for one year.
Sr. Lucy Nieckarz, CSJP, Bellevue, passed away on January 16, 2008. She taught in Catholic schools in Bellevue, Longview, Port Angeles, Seattle, and Wenatchee, Washington as well as Trail, B.C.
James C. Norris, Bellingham, (B.A.E. '49); passed away on February 4, 2008. After earning his teaching degree from WWU, James taught for several years before serving as principal of various schools and director of curriculum in the Mount Vernon School District until 1966.
William J. O'Neil, Bellingham, (B.A.E. '46 and M.Ed '53); passed away in February, 2008. During his undergraduate work, he left temporarily for military service. Upon his return, he completed his bachelor's degree and continued on to achieve his master's in education. He taught in Lynden for two years before accepting the position of Whatcom County Superintendent of Schools. He later joined the Westerm College of Education staff, serving in a variety of administrative roles until his retirement in 1978. O'Neil was also very involved in his community and enjoyed traveling.
Gordon Edwin "Coachie" Robertson, Tenino, (B.A.E. '59); passed away on January 27, 2008. During his 40 year career as a teacher, he taught at Coupeville High School, Pe Ell in South Umpqua, Ore. and Sultan High School before moving to Tenino. Robertson also coached football, basketball, cross country and track and field. He was inducted into the the State Coaches Hall of Fame for cross country and track and field.
Connie Sherwood (B.A. Human Services '94) passed away on February 20, 2008 from cancer. She was an avid gardener and worked for the Snohomish County Human Services department.
Mary Lucile Teller, Seattle, (B.A.E.); passed away on January 4, 2008. She served as a teacher at the Highlands preschool in Shoreline for 35 years, until she was 75 years old. She was also actively involved with the Camp Fire organization and helped create the first Camp Fire museum in the country. She also received the Camp Fire Spirit Award in 1999, a lifetime-achievement award recognizing her 40 years of service.
Doreen V. Underhill, Seattle, (B.A.); passed away on December 17, 2007. She taught ice skating at Ballard, Highland and Sno-King ice arenas for many years.
Janet (Arteburn) Wright, Greenwater, Wash. (M.A.E. '78); passed away on January 10, 2008. She spent most of her career serving as a classroom teacher, school administrator, and elementary principal in the Highline School District.
Fall 2007
Steve Adams (M.Ed. '90); is returning to the Lopez School District after his retirement last spring to teach Physics and Physical Science part time.
Anthony Brown (B.S. and M.Ed); has been named the new principal of Mill Creek Middle School. He has previous experience in Kent, Edmonds, as well as Mill Creek.
Pat Burleson (B.A. Eled '73); has been hired by the Lopez School District to coordinate the Parent Partner Program in the district. Burleson is a retire-rehire employee, formerly employed by the Anacortes School District.
Carri Ellis Campbell (Art – Eled ’99) is now the Seattle Public School district’s visual and performing arts manager. As such, she will head a leadership team, hired over the next five years, to represent the visual arts, music, dance and theater. No other district in the state is as committed to arts education. To read the full article on-line: http://www.seattleschild.com/1007-2.htm
Merrilee Carey (M.Ed. '98); is the principal of the new Kent Phoenix Academy, an institution with new, non-traditional programs. She brings a diverse background to the academy, with experience in retail management and alternative schools.
Phyllis Carney, Seattle, (Eled Cert '85); has retired from her position as children's librarian at the Orcas Island public library after 16 years. After 25 years on the island, she and her husband are moving to Seattle. She earned her elementary teaching certificate from WWU.
Ann Marie De Collibus (Cert. '87) was named the Washington Art Education Association's Teacher of the Year. She earned her teaching certification from WWU and has been teaching at Ferndale High School for 13 years.
Sinead Fitzpatrick, Mount Vernon, (B.A.E. '03); married Colby Plagge on September 15. She is currently finishing her graduate work in continuing and college education at WWU, and is director of the WorkFirst Program at Skagit Valley College.
Rev. Dan Hallgrimson, Corvallis, OR (B.A.E. '64); retired at the end of the year after thirteen years with Grace Lutheran Church and over three decades as a pastor. After graduating from WWU, Hallgrimson joined the Peace Corps and taught in Malaysia. Upon his return, he taught in inner Seattle and then Hawaii before becoming a pastor.
Amarantha (Mara) Handy, Oaksdale, (Teaching Cert. '07); has been hired by the Oaksdale School District to teach kindergarten and Spanish.
April (ICD-Eled '05) and Rodney Jennings (PE & Health P-12 '06) are living in Seoul, Korea, where April is teaching 4th grade at the Seoul American Elementary School. She was one of 47 teachers to receive the 2007 General Bell award, which recognizes educators and staff at Department of Defense schools who provide high quality educational services in South Korea.
Tom Keegan, Port Angeles, (M.Ed. '84); helped welcome elected officials and tribal representatives as well as young Native Americans attending the ceremony at the Peninsula College commemorating the first longhouse on a community college campus in the nation.
Lynne Munoz, Mukilteo, (B.A.E. '94 & M.Ed. '96); is the new director of Everett Community College's School of Business Design. She has taught business courses for the past 23 years and has worked at Everett Community College since 1996, earning tenure in 2000.
Don Olcott Jr., Burlington, (B.A.E. '81 and M.Ed. '86); has been appointed chief executive officer of The Observatory on Borderless Higher Education with the Association of Commonwealth Universities in London. He was previously the president of the United States Distance Learning Association, as well as an educator and consultant to institutions from the U.S. and Canada to Australia, Greece, and the U.K.
Lisa Patrick (B.A.E. '88); has been welcomed as a new faculty member of Ohio Wesleyan University. She holds teaching certificates and has taught at the pre-school and secondary levels in two states. She has also held adjunct and part-time teaching positions at Ashland University and Ohio Wesleyan University.
Sarah Pritchett, Seattle, (M.Ed. '99); is the new principal of McClure Middle School in Queen Anne. She was previously the vice principal at Lake Washington High School, where she served for seven years.
Jennifer Reinig, Tacoma, (Principal Cert. '07); is the new principal at Stevens Elementary School in the Capitol Hill area of Seattle. She previously taught fourth grade at the Hilltop Elementary School in the Highline School District, as well as serving as an assistant principal within the district.
Brian Ward, Federal Way, (B.A. '80); assisted in flood relief efforts in December of 2007 in Pierce County. He is currently a sheriff Sgt. with Pierce County.
IN MEMORIAM
Helen Aamot, Mount Vernon, (B.A.); passed away on August 4, 2007 of this year. She earned her degree in education from WWU, while she pursued a long and distinguished teaching career with Sedro-Woolley school district, where she stayed until her retirement in 1976.
Lilly (Nelson) Brossard, Napavine, passed away on December 21, 2007.
Mary Louise Burke, Seattle, (B.A.); passed away this August, 2007 after a long fight with cancer. She taught for many years at both the Shoreline and Lake Washington School District.
Ethel Boynton Crook, Bellingham, (B.A. and Teaching Cert. '62); passed away on August 29, 2007. She retired after a forty year career teaching in the Bellingham, Ferndale, and Lynden School Districts. One of her greatest passions in life was her music.
Francis LeMont Dawson, Bellingham, (B.A.E. '67); passed away in December of 2007 at the age of 94. He taught various subjects in Sedro-Woolley and Nova Scotia until moving to Anacortes where he was employed for almost ten years with the Anacortes Post Office.
Frances Scheffler Jackson passed away on December 6, 2007. She taught and supervised students at WWU.
Joyce Laramore, Santa Rosa/Bellingham, (B.A. & Teaching Cred.); passed away in October of 2007. She taught high school English and journalism. She also became the first trained child development evaluator for Sonoma County in Calif. As well as Santa Rosa, Laramore also taught in Okinawa, Japan.
Richard (Dick) MacArthur Newlean, Friday Harbor, (Teaching Cert. '37); passed away in September of 2007. He spent years teaching near Everson, Wash. as well as Vancouver, Wash.
John "Jack" Parker, Grandview/Everett, (B.A.E.); passed away on November 30 of 2007 at the age of 82. He taught elementary and middle school in the Everett School District for 25 years.
Norma C. Richardson, Port Angeles, (B.A.E. '80); passed away in September of 2007 of age-related causes at the age of 85. She spent most of her years teaching in the Port Angeles School District at Jefferson School.
LaVera Frost Roland, Sumas, (B.A.E.); passed away in Bellingham in December of 2007. She served as a teacher in Prosser, Wash. and Lewiston, ID.
Jack L. Roodzant, Oak Harbor, (B.A. '61); passed away on December 3, 2007. He taught for seven years in East Los Angeles and then continued his teaching career in Oak Harbor, where he retired in 1993.
Mary-Ann Schlilaty, Monroe, (B.A.E. '85); passed away in December. She taught in Snohomish as well as Monroe until her retirement in 1993.
Owen David Simmerer, Burien, (B.A.E. '92); passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 6, 2007. He taught in the Highline Public School District for 15 years. He was currently a Behavioral Disorder Specialist with Evergreen High School.
Christine St. Pierre, Bellingham, (B.A.E.); passed away in September of 2007 after a brief illness. She taught at Ferndale and Nooksack High Schools and established and ran the John King Alternative High School at Skagit Recovery from 1999 until her death.
Iver Wick Jr., Grays Harbor, (M.Ed); passed away in December of 2007. He taught and served as a principal within the North Beach School District for over 30 years.
Summer 2007
Sheryl Christeen Bale, Bellingham; current Western student and art education major was highlighted in a Bellingham Herald article. Bale organized an art sale to help raise funds for Western students traveling and studying in Italy this summer.
AJ Barse, Silverdale, (B.A.E. '07); was featured in a Central Kitsap Reporter article. Barse is currently substitute teaching in the Central Kitsap School District.
Scott Brodhun, Port Angeles, (B.A.E. '80); was recently hired as city parks and recreation director for Petaluma, Calif. Previously, Brodhun was director of facilities, maintenance, athletics and technology for the Port Angeles School District.
Laural Browning, Mount Vernon, (B.A.E. '86); was selected by the Skagit Women's Alliance and Network as one of five finalists for the Professional and Business Woman of the Year Award for 2006. Browning is the assistant superintendent for the Burlington Edison School District, the first woman to hold the position.
Browning, along with Kathy Ehman, were also highlighted in a recent Skagit Valley Herald article as being among the first graduates of the Superintendent's Certificate Program at Western.
Mischa Burnett, (Cert. '05); was recently hired as Central Elementary School's new principal.
Dave Chappell, Centralia, (B.S. ’83); has been hired as the new assistant principal for Elma High School in Elma. He has previous experience as a Washington State legislator, a reserve police officer for Centralia, and was a member of the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee.
Scott Conlan, Blaine, (M.Ed. '06); was featured in an Issaquah Press article. Conlan and eight other people from Western climber Mount Baker in two days to help raise money for Sea Mar Community Health Centers.
Tania De Boer, Ellensburg, (B.A.E. '07); was recently selected to be the new Life Skills teacher at Valley View Elementary School.
Alex Duchemin, Poulsbo, (B.A. ’07); was crowned Miss Poulsbo the same day she graduated from Western Washington University last spring.
Andrew Frost, Longview, (Cert. '03); was hired as principal of R.A. Long High School. Frost started his career as a high school science teacher in Gig Harbor and comes to R.A. Long from Ephrata High School where he was assistant principal.
Larry Gasser, Westport, (B.A.E. '65); was featured in a Daily World article highlighting his companionship with his guide dog. Gasser retired as a college professor in 1990.
John Gebert, Lake Stevens, (M.Ed. '91); accepted the position of Principal at Cavelero Mid High School in the Lake Stevens School District. He previously served the district for the past 10 years as the principal of Lake Stevens High School followed by Lake Stevens Middle School.
Shawn Ingraham (MIT '07); was hired by the Okanogan School District to teach mathematics.
Brian Lewis, Sequim, (B.S.); has been recently hired as the business manager for Sequim School District. He has previous experience with Olympic Educational Service District in Port Angeles, as well as the Brinnon, Cape Flattery, Orcas Island, and Queets-Clearwater school districts.
Rob Manahan, Lake Stevens, (MA); has recently taken on the position of Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Lake Stevens School District. He brings ten years of experience with the district to this new position.
David McKellar, Marysville, (post-bac); has been appointed the new principal of Quil Ceda Elementary School. His most recent position is that of assistant principal at Marysville Middle School, where he has been for four years.
Dennis Myers, Stanwood; was featured in a Daily Herald article. Myers was recently inducted to the Washington Officials Association Hall of Fame following a 36-year high school basketball officiating career.
Tami Nesting, (Administrative Credentials); is one of two new assistant principals for Mariner High School. She has been with the Mukilteo School District for thirteen years.
Tim Patterson, Issaquah, (M.A. Admin.); is the new principal of Inglewood Junior High School. He has more than 14 years of experience as an educator, with his most current former position being associate principal of Eastlake High School in Sammamish.
Katherine Playford, Bellingham, (MA); was selected as the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. She teaches Spanish and English as a Second Language at Sedro-Woolley High School. She received an educational grant as well as a personal gift certificate.
Sarah Price, Auburn, (B.A.E. 2006); was featured in The Seattle Times. Continuing a family tradition, Price was hired to teach third-graders at Chinook Elementary School in Auburn. Her mother, grandfather, and grandmother all were teachers in the Auburn School District.
Brian Putnam, Redmond, Ore., (M.Ed. 1985); was recently hired as Director of Educational Improvement for the Redmond School District in Oregon. Prior, Putnam worked as the Director of School Improvement at the Arizona Department of Education and was employed by the Oregon Department of Education as an Education Specialist.
Heather Santos, Camas, (B.A.); has been named one of two 2007 Chamber of Commerce Educators of the Year. Currently, she teaches English and coaches the women’s softball and wrestling teams at Washougal High School.