2010s
Brianna Walling ’14 was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and began teaching English in Argentina this spring.
This year there are three PLU alumni volunteering through a program called Young Adults in Global Mission (pictured). Emily Bishop ’14 is in Rwanda, Caitlin Zimmerman ’14 is in South Africa and Ashley Dell’Osa ’13 is in the United Kingdom. This year there are 63 participants volunteering through YAGM all over the world.
This year there are three PLU alumni volunteering through a program called Young Adults in Global Mission (pictured). Emily Bishop ’14 is in Rwanda, Caitlin Zimmerman ’14 is in South Africa and Ashley Dell’Osa ’13 is in the United Kingdom. This year there are 63 participants volunteering through YAGM all over the world.
Cassie (Kelsey) Bieker ’12 and Tyler Bieker ’13 were married in August in her hometown of Marysville, Wash. Their wedding was a testament to the lasting love and lifelong friendships they were blessed to find in their time at PLU.
Cassie (Kelsey) Bieker ’12 and Tyler Bieker ’13 were married in August in her hometown of Marysville, Wash. Their wedding was a testament to the lasting love and lifelong friendships they were blessed to find in their time at PLU.
Annika (Carow) Deming ’12 was hired as communications manager at the Connecticut Convention Center. She will be overseeing all social media, digital media and public relations strategies.
Annika (Carow) Deming ’12 was hired as communications manager at the Connecticut Convention Center. She will be overseeing all social media, digital media and public relations strategies.
Jonathan Jackson ’12 was named program director at Palmer Scholars in Tacoma, Wash.
Laura (Rudquist) Nagel ’12 and Ryan Nagel were married on July 19 in Minnesota. Fellow Lutes Rachel Kisling ’12, Emma Struss ’12, Caitlyn Jackson ’12 and Elizabeth Ginsberg ’12 joined in the celebration!
Kelsey (Johnston) Stamps ’12 and Barrett Stamps ’11 were married July 26 at Delille Cellars in Woodinville, Wash. Lutes in the wedding party included Annie Zorko ’12, Hannah Szabo ’12, Shannon Price ’12, Kindra Stamps ’11, Auston Hilkin ’13, Aaron Rasmussen ’10 and Scott Zhang ’12. They currently reside in Bonney Lake, Wash.
Kelsey (Johnston) Stamps ’12 and Barrett Stamps ’11 were married July 26 at Delille Cellars in Woodinville, Wash. Lutes in the wedding party included Annie Zorko ’12, Hannah Szabo ’12, Shannon Price ’12, Kindra Stamps ’11, Auston Hilkin ’13, Aaron Rasmussen ’10 and Scott Zhang ’12. They currently reside in Bonney Lake, Wash.
Olivia Joy (Hustoft) Taylor ’12 married Dayna Marie Taylor on Aug. 30, 2014 in Ferndale, Wash. Lutes in attendance included Christopher Staudinger ’08, Tawny (Clark) Staudinger ’08, Paige MacPherson ’11, Jenny Snipstead ’11, David Hustoft ’77 and Rusty Veth ’07.
Alicia Coragiulo ’11 married Christopher Adkins on July 20, 2013, in Mercer Island, Wash.
Anneliese Kellogg ’11 married Lt. Josheua Samuelson on Dec. 27 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn, Wash. They had a small, intimate ceremony of 15 guests. Josheua is a graduate of the University of Alabama Birmingham with a degree in biomedical engineering and is now a nuclear engineer for the United States Navy. Anneliese received her degree in music education from PLU and is now the director of bands at Keithley Middle School in Parkland. Go Lutes!
Anneliese Kellogg ’11 married Lt. Josheua Samuelson on Dec. 27 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn, Wash. They had a small, intimate ceremony of 15 guests. Josheua is a graduate of the University of Alabama Birmingham with a degree in biomedical engineering and is now a nuclear engineer for the United States Navy. Anneliese received her degree in music education from PLU and is now the director of bands at Keithley Middle School in Parkland. Go Lutes!
Kari Plog ’11 was awarded a Blethen Memorial Award for Distinguished Newspaper Reporting, receiving first place in enterprise reporting for her story about the eight people who mistakenly drove their cars down the boat launch and into the water at the Narrows Marina in Tacoma.
Sarah Wise ’11 had her third annual PY // Art from Parkland’s Youth juried art exhibition hosted in the PLU University Gallery in January 2015, featuring students from three local schools. A $500 scholarship was awarded to the Faculty Choice winner, a senior from her alma mater, Franklin Pierce High School.
Sarah Wise ’11 had her third annual PY // Art from Parkland’s Youth juried art exhibition hosted in the PLU University Gallery in January 2015, featuring students from three local schools. A $500 scholarship was awarded to the Faculty Choice winner, a senior from her alma mater, Franklin Pierce High School.
Heather McGivern ’11 finds that reflecting on her days at PLU elicits the most nostalgic feeling within her. After all, she met her spouse during her time here, found her sense of self and pondered what to do with her “one wild and precious life.” One of the more deeply personal (and incredible) things she has chosen to do is to become a mother! She and her husband had their first child, Eveleen Lettie McGivern, born Dec. 7 at Tacoma General Hospital at 2:29 p.m., weighing 6 lb, 12 oz., 18 inches long. Photo taken by Heather’s husband, photographer Matthew McGivern. Possible future Lute, Class of 2037?
Heather McGivern ’11 finds that reflecting on her days at PLU elicits the most nostalgic feeling within her. After all, she met her spouse during her time here, found her sense of self and pondered what to do with her “one wild and precious life.” One of the more deeply personal (and incredible) things she has chosen to do is to become a mother! She and her husband had their first child, Eveleen Lettie McGivern, born Dec. 7 at Tacoma General Hospital at 2:29 p.m., weighing 6 lb, 12 oz., 18 inches long. Photo taken by Heather’s husband, photographer Matthew McGivern. Possible future Lute, Class of 2037?
Becca (Krzmarzick) Fairchild ’10 married Tyler Fairchild on Aug. 9 in Tacoma, Wash. PLU friends in the bridal party included Nicole Ferrin ’10, Dena Harkovitch ’10 and Hannah Middlebrook ’10. Becca is a senior research analyst at Deloitte Digital.
Becca (Krzmarzick) Fairchild ’10 married Tyler Fairchild on Aug. 9 in Tacoma, Wash. PLU friends in the bridal party included Nicole Ferrin ’10, Dena Harkovitch ’10 and Hannah Middlebrook ’10. Becca is a senior research analyst at Deloitte Digital.
Tyler Gubsch ’10 was ordained into the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America July 27 and is now serving Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tekamah, Neb.
Tyler Gubsch ’10 was ordained into the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America July 27 and is now serving Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tekamah, Neb.
Leanne (Briggs) Lang ’10 married Christopher Lang in Denver, Colo., on June 14. Lutes in the wedding party were Andrew Guinn ’09 and Carissa Davidson ’10. Other Lutes in attendance: Katie Oliver ’09, Zachary Alger ’09, Kathryn Guinn ’12, Hanna Hill ’13, Teal Flannigan ’10 and Catherine Cheng ’12. The couple recently relocated near Denver. Leanne accepted a position as a senior accountant at Inspirato, a luxury destination travel club.
Leanne (Briggs) Lang ’10 married Christopher Lang in Denver, Colo., on June 14. Lutes in the wedding party were Andrew Guinn ’09 and Carissa Davidson ’10. Other Lutes in attendance: Katie Oliver ’09, Zachary Alger ’09, Kathryn Guinn ’12, Hanna Hill ’13, Teal Flannigan ’10 and Catherine Cheng ’12. The couple recently relocated near Denver. Leanne accepted a position as a senior accountant at Inspirato, a luxury destination travel club.
Christine Mahar ’10 married Jeffrey Kostechka on Sept. 26 at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Astoria, Ore.
Christine Mahar ’10 married Jeffrey Kostechka on Sept. 26 at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Astoria, Ore.
Brian Seppi ’10 married Emily (Marks) Seppi ’10 at Chateau Rive on June 20, 2014, in Spokane, Wash. Lutes in the wedding party included Erin (Milliren) Baker ’10, Caitlin Webb ’10 and John Vankat ’10.
Brian Seppi ’10 married Emily (Marks) Seppi ’10 at Chateau Rive on June 20, 2014, in Spokane, Wash. Lutes in the wedding party included Erin (Milliren) Baker ’10, Caitlin Webb ’10 and John Vankat ’10.
2000s
Dannielle Hanson ’09 received National Board Certification in Early Adolescence/English Language Arts in November.
Rebecca (Richardson) Holland ’09 married Eric Holland on Dec. 29, 2012, at Mindekirken Norwegian Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Lutes in the wedding party included Katherine (Collins) Riling ’09 and Christy Olsen Field ’08. Rebecca and Eric welcomed a baby boy, Leif Eric Holland, on May 14, 2014. Rebecca is in her first year of the master’s of divinity program at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.
Rebecca (Richardson) Holland ’09 married Eric Holland on Dec. 29, 2012, at Mindekirken Norwegian Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Lutes in the wedding party included Katherine (Collins) Riling ’09 and Christy Olsen Field ’08. Rebecca and Eric welcomed a baby boy, Leif Eric Holland, on May 14, 2014. Rebecca is in her first year of the master’s of divinity program at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.
Jessica (Luppino) Pagel ’08 and Travis Pagel ’07 welcomed their son, Hunter Natale Pagel, on Oct. 23.
Jessica (Luppino) Pagel ’08 and Travis Pagel ’07 welcomed their son, Hunter Natale Pagel, on Oct. 23.
Blake Busey ’07 has been serving at Fort Bliss, Texas, as the medical director of his family medicine clinic as well as the PCMH director for primary care. He will be deploying this summer and will return in the fall. He has published two papers this year, one on Moyamoya disease and the other on Mullerian agenesis. He has designed a study that is underway at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Rhabdomyolysis. His wife, Selia, and daughters, Oriya and Serafina, are happy to be settling in El Paso, Texas!
Blake Busey ’07 has been serving at Fort Bliss, Texas, as the medical director of his family medicine clinic as well as the PCMH director for primary care. He will be deploying this summer and will return in the fall. He has published two papers this year, one on Moyamoya disease and the other on Mullerian agenesis. He has designed a study that is underway at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Rhabdomyolysis. His wife, Selia, and daughters, Oriya and Serafina, are happy to be settling in El Paso, Texas!
Jennifer Henrichsen ’07 and PLU Professor of Communication Joanne Lisosky researched and wrote the first-ever U.N. report on digital security for journalists. The report findings were presented at the Internet Governance Forum in Istanbul, Turkey, in September 2014.
Kristi (Clough) Herriott ’07 married Todd Herriott on July 19 in Seattle. Lutes in the wedding party were Katie Schrenk ’06, Gretchen (Kurz) VanPelt ’06 and Beth (Zimmerman) Grolbert ’07.
Kristi (Clough) Herriott ’07 married Todd Herriott on July 19 in Seattle. Lutes in the wedding party were Katie Schrenk ’06, Gretchen (Kurz) VanPelt ’06 and Beth (Zimmerman) Grolbert ’07.
Ellen (Brotherston) Aronson ’07 and her husband, Kyle, welcomed Connor David Aronson, born Nov. 7, 2013, joining big sister Linnea. Proud grandparents are Ruth (Swenson) Brotherston ’79 and Stuart Brotherston ’79. Godparents: Christy Olsen Field ’08 and Carl Field ’08.
Ellen (Brotherston) Aronson ’07 and her husband, Kyle, welcomed Connor David Aronson, born Nov. 7, 2013, joining big sister Linnea. Proud grandparents are Ruth (Swenson) Brotherston ’79 and Stuart Brotherston ’79. Godparents: Christy Olsen Field ’08 and Carl Field ’08.
Jeff Kensrud ’07 and Brianne Kensrud had a baby! Scarlett Grace Kensrud was born May 26, 2014. They are so thankful for Scarlett and enjoy all the new things they get to do as a family of three!
Jeff Kensrud ’07 and Brianne Kensrud had a baby! Scarlett Grace Kensrud was born May 26, 2014. They are so thankful for Scarlett and enjoy all the new things they get to do as a family of three!
Audrey (North) Thornburg ’07 and husband Jacob welcomed Future Lute Kirra Grace Thornburg on Sept. 17.
Audrey (North) Thornburg ’07 and husband Jacob welcomed Future Lute Kirra Grace Thornburg on Sept. 17.
Megan (York) Wallace ’07 and her husband, Jesse, welcomed their first son, Paxton Ellis, on Dec. 22. He weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured 20 inches. They are so thankful for their happy and healthy little boy.
Megan (York) Wallace ’07 and her husband, Jesse, welcomed their first son, Paxton Ellis, on Dec. 22. He weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured 20 inches. They are so thankful for their happy and healthy little boy.
Jenae (Yandell) Lyamin ’06 married Andre Lyamin on Dec. 28 at Lake Wilderness Lodge in Maple Valley, Wash. Jenae recently graduated from the City University of Seattle with a master’s of business administration with an emphasis in change leadership, and she works at Boeing as an industrial engineering analyst.
Jenae (Yandell) Lyamin ’06 married Andre Lyamin on Dec. 28 at Lake Wilderness Lodge in Maple Valley, Wash. Jenae recently graduated from the City University of Seattle with a master’s of business administration with an emphasis in change leadership, and she works at Boeing as an industrial engineering analyst.
Jennifer Schlies ’05 graduated from her residency program in June 2014 in Muskegon, Mich. She moved back to Minnesota and started an OB-GYN attending physician job with the Buffalo Clinic in Buffalo, Minn., in August 2014.
Claire Zovko ’04 has been hired by the Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía (“ISDE”) based in Madrid, Spain, to teach international and comparative sports law within the LL.M. in International and Comparative Sports Law program at St. John’s University School of Law in Queens, N.Y. This program is designed for recent graduates in law and other attorneys with interest in developing their career in the sports law world.
Claire Zovko ’04 has been hired by the Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía (“ISDE”) based in Madrid, Spain, to teach international and comparative sports law within the LL.M. in International and Comparative Sports Law program at St. John’s University School of Law in Queens, N.Y. This program is designed for recent graduates in law and other attorneys with interest in developing their career in the sports law world.
Megan (Ernst) Kilpatrick ’04 and husband Todd became the proud parents of Alden McCrohan Kilpatrick, born Nov. 13, in Tacoma, Wash. As the first grandchild for both families, he is very spoiled!
Megan (Ernst) Kilpatrick ’04 and husband Todd became the proud parents of Alden McCrohan Kilpatrick, born Nov. 13, in Tacoma, Wash. As the first grandchild for both families, he is very spoiled!
Kerry (Weathers) O’Flaherty ’04 and her husband, Ryan, welcomed Future Lute Chloe Evelyn O’Flaherty on July 27, 2014 in Puyallup, Wash.
Kerry (Weathers) O’Flaherty ’04 and her husband, Ryan, welcomed Future Lute Chloe Evelyn O’Flaherty on July 27, 2014 in Puyallup, Wash.
Aaron Lunday ’03 married Allison Kolp, former PLU assistant swimming coach, on July 18 in Olalla, Wash. Lutes in attendance included Scott Olson ’03, Matt Sellman ’96, Stephanie (Coleman) Sellman ’96, Jenn (Jennings) Schneider ’02, Kasey Dorcas ’11, Christy (Amondson) Webster ’98, Randy Webster ’02, Jessica (Bland) Ober ’04, Hannah Procter ’14, Kina Ackerman ’14, Patrick Carlisle ’08, Nicole (Block) Swanson ’04, James Jennings ’06, Lindsey (Robinson) Jennings ’04, Holly Mulvenon Wright ’04, Annika (Nelson) Iverson ’02, Courtney Eronemo ’14, , Lisa Morgenthaler ’04, Chase Mesford ’12 and retired PLU head men’s and women’s swimming coach Jim Johnson.
Aaron Lunday ’03 married Allison Kolp, former PLU assistant swimming coach, on July 18 in Olalla, Wash. Lutes in attendance included Scott Olson ’03, Matt Sellman ’96, Stephanie (Coleman) Sellman ’96, Jenn (Jennings) Schneider ’02, Kasey Dorcas ’11, Christy (Amondson) Webster ’02, Randy Webster ’02, Jessica (Bland) Ober ’04, Hannah Procter ’14, Kina Ackerman ’14, Patrick Carlisle ’08, Nicole (Block) Swanson ’04, James Jennings ’06, Lindsey (Robinson) Jennings ’04, Holly Mulvenon Wright ’04, Annika (Nelson) Iverson ’02, Courtney Eronemo ’14, , Lisa Morgenthaler ’04, Chase Mesford ’12 and retired PLU head men’s and women’s swimming coach Jim Johnson.
John T. Burke ’02 and his wife, Heidi, welcomed their second child, Tessa Jo Burke, on May 16, 2014. Tessa joins her proud big brother, John. The family lives in Burlington, Wash., and John is an associate at Skagit Law Group in Mount Vernon, Wash.
John T. Burke ’02 and his wife, Heidi, welcomed their second child, Tessa Jo Burke, on May 16, 2014. Tessa joins her proud big brother, John. The family lives in Burlington, Wash., and John is an associate at Skagit Law Group in Mount Vernon, Wash.
Julie (Feltmann) Dennis ’02 and Joshua Dennis ’03 welcomed son Calvin Russell Dennis on May 27, 2014.
Julie (Feltmann) Dennis ’02 and Joshua Dennis ’03 welcomed son Calvin Russell Dennis on May 27, 2014.
Ashley Seffernick ’02 and Mel Carson welcomed their second daughter, Elizabeth Josephine, on March 13, 2014. Big sister Maggie is thrilled!
Ashley Seffernick ’02 and Mel Carson welcomed their second daughter, Elizabeth Josephine, on March 13, 2014. Big sister Maggie is thrilled!
Deann (Merkel) Holliday ’01 and her husband, Brian, welcomed their first son, Lincoln Anton, on July 29.
Deann (Merkel) Holliday ’01 and her husband, Brian, welcomed their first son, Lincoln Anton, on July 29.
1990s
Amy (Pardini) Sonnichsen ’99 had her first novel published by Simon & Schuster BFYR in February 2015. Red Butterfly is the story of an 11-year-old Chinese orphan who is left in China alone when her American foster mother is repatriated.
Kelley Minty Morris ’98 became the youngest person elected to the Klamath County Board of Commissioners last May. Her four-year term started in January 2015.
Kelley Minty Morris ’98 became the youngest person elected to the Klamath County Board of Commissioners last May. Her four-year term started in January 2015.
Andrea (Bernhardsen) Rodenberg ’98 graduated from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va., with a master’s in Human Services Counseling: Marriage and Family Cognate on Dec. 21, 2014.
Andrea (Bernhardsen) Rodenberg ’98 graduated from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va., with a master’s in Human Services Counseling: Marriage and Family Cognate on Dec. 21, 2014.
Lute friends gathered for an eighth annual PLU family vacation: Josh Wyrick ’97 and Erin (Mortensen) Wyrick ’97, Curtis Fenimor ’97 and Mary Ann (Forsythe) Fenimor ’97, Scott Cushing ’97 and Kim (Creighton) Cushing ’97, Brian van Valey ’97 and wife Kelly, and Peter Finstuen ’98.
Lute friends gathered for an eighth annual PLU family vacation: Josh Wyrick ’97 and Erin (Mortensen) Wyrick ’97, Curtis Fenimor ’97 and Mary Ann (Forsythe) Fenimor ’97, Scott Cushing ’97 and Kim (Creighton) Cushing ’97, Brian van Valey ’97 and wife Kelly, and Peter Finstuen ’98.
Amy (Mustain) Nowik ’96 and her husband, George, welcomed daughter Hope, born in December 2014. She joins big sister Kyra to complete the family.
T.J Keiter ’94 and his wife, Jessi, welcomed baby girl Margaret Elizabeth Keiter on Dec. 1.
T.J Keiter ’94 and his wife, Jessi, welcomed baby girl Margaret Elizabeth Keiter on Dec. 1.
Kirsten Parsons ’93 was hired at Allsteel Inc. as a business development manager.
Borge Steinsvik ’92 became president and partner of RS Platou Houston Inc. in July. RS Platou serves the shipping and offshore industry worldwide by providing services within chartering, sale and purchase and contracting of ships and offshore units. Further, the company provides investment banking services and project financing with a core focus on the shipping and offshore industries.
Daven Rosener ’90 has recently celebrated a successful first year working full-time as president and owner of his own small communications agency, GreenMegaphone, Inc. While he has owned the business for several years, 2014 was the first year he was completely full-time in the self-employed arena. He gives many thanks to PLU for starting his communications career on the right foot, and a special thanks to professor Cliff Rowe, his mentor, professor and friend. Also, this brief wouldn’t be complete without thanking the most amazing person in Daven’s life, his wife, Sara (McNamara) Rosener ’90.
Daven Rosener ’90 has recently celebrated a successful first year working full-time as president and owner of his own small communications agency, GreenMegaphone, Inc. While he has owned the business for several years, 2014 was the first year he was completely full-time in the self-employed arena. He gives many thanks to PLU for starting his communications career on the right foot, and a special thanks to professor Cliff Rowe, his mentor, professor and friend. Also, this brief wouldn’t be complete without thanking the most amazing person in Daven’s life, his wife, Sara (McNamara) Rosener ’90.
1980s
Dave Howell ’89 gave a presentation entitled “Golden Guidelines for Good Game Design” at the PAX Developer’s Conference this year.
Edwin Dierdorff ’88 recently was elected marketing vice president for the Northwest Sound Men’s Chorus-2014 Evergreen District Chorus Champions. He is also the assistant director with the Seattle SeaChordsmen Men’s Barbershop Chorus and Evergreen District Historian. This spring, he is celebrating his 37th year as a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Edwin Dierdorff ’88 recently was elected marketing vice president for the Northwest Sound Men’s Chorus-2014 Evergreen District Chorus Champions. He is also the assistant director with the Seattle SeaChordsmen Men’s Barbershop Chorus and Evergreen District Historian. This spring, he is celebrating his 37th year as a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Lynnita (Smith) Bergström won a prestigious leadership award in Northern Sweden. Lynnita moved to Sweden in 1991 after marrying Tomas Bergström, a native Swede. She has worked as an RN in Sweden and won the award through the occupational health company she and three other Swedish nurses have started in Northern Sweden.
Trudi (Strain) Trueit ’85 sold her latest children’s novel, The Sister Solution, to Simon & Schuster. It will be published through Simon & Schuster’s tween imprint, Aladdin MIX, in the fall of 2015. Trudi is the author of more than 90 fiction and nonfiction books for kids. You can find her at www.truditrueit.com.
Trudi (Strain) Trueit ’85 sold her latest children’s novel, The Sister Solution, to Simon & Schuster. It will be published through Simon & Schuster’s tween imprint, Aladdin MIX, in the fall of 2015. Trudi is the author of more than 90 fiction and nonfiction books for kids. You can find her at www.truditrueit.com.
David Sperry ’84 had his first novel, The Pouakai, published by IFWG Publishing. An alien invasion technothriller seen from the viewpoint of an airline pilot, it is available online, and (hopefully soon) at a bookstore near you.
Kelly Carlisle ’83 has been named assistant superintendent for the Salem-Keizer School District in Oregon.
Patrick Swenson ’82 had his first novel published by Tor Books (Macmillan) in August 2014, a science fiction noir thriller titled The Ultra Thin Man.
Tony Lorenzo ’81 recently opened a new restaurant near St Joseph Hospital in Tacoma: ZZ’S Chinese Food & Pop Jones BBQ. Website: zzandpop.com.
Tony Lorenzo ’81 recently opened a new restaurant near St Joseph Hospital in Tacoma: ZZ’S Chinese Food & Pop Jones BBQ. Website: zzandpop.com.
Arved Plaks ’81 retired from Boeing in 1995. She last worked on development of the International Space Station (formerly named Space Station Freedom). Currently Arved is a freelance writer and member of the executive committee of the Estonian American National Committee.
1970s
Stephen Whyte ’79 is CEO and president of Vitus Group, a Seattle company, which announced in March that it is one of a handful of real-estate developers to team with the Partnership for a Healthier America in an effort to promote healthy living in affordable housing. Vitus Group will incorporate active design elements into at least 80 percent of its developments within the next few years. Part of that will mean indoor and outdoor spaces to encourage year-round exercise for children and adults. The effort focuses on accessibility of healthy alternatives for people who might not otherwise feel they can afford it.
Co-Class Representative Leigh Erie ’77 passed away on April 12, 2015. We are grateful for his many years of service to PLU.
Debra (Hammon) Young ’74 recently moved back to Tacoma and would like to reconnect with the students who made PLU special for her, like the members of “BANTU.” She says, “We made history and changed the face of PLU for a short time. We should be proud of the important role we played in the history of PLU.”
Rebecca (Rodning) Frank ’71 and her husband, Don, now live in Murrieta, Calif. Don is retired as a professor at California Polytechnic University. Rebecca is retired as a specialist in the special education field. They both have new “jobs” volunteering full-time: Rebecca with the most poor, needy and homeless of their greater metropolitan area. and Don as a counselor with many men. They love their new life, and their home is not empty—they have three daughters and a son…that is, four beautiful dogs.
1960s
Jim Ojala ’69 is a longtime rower who has been active in Whatcom Rowing Association (Bellingham) the past three years. When a fellow member posted a handbill about Allied Arts’ call for submissions in conjunction with this year’s Whatcom Reads! book by Daniel James Brown, The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest at the 1936 Olympics, Jim decided to create a collage in the subject he knows well. Jim’s collage showed at Allied Arts Gallery in February and was then moved to a library in Whatcom County. Jim’s interest in rowing began at PLU, where he earned four varsity letters.
Willie Stewart ’69 was honored by the Tacoma School District in February as it renamed the Reengagement Center the Willie Stewart Academy in honor of his decades of service. Willie was the first black principal in the city and also was a former district administrator and school board member.
Paul Benson ’67 has been chosen as director of the National Endowment of the Humanities’ 2015 Institute on Slavery, to be held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Paul is professor of Humanities at Mountain View College, Dallas, Texas.
Carolyn (Ericksen) Swanson ’61 is retired from FDA but is teaching Bible classes at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Seattle. One of them is Manna and Mercy, written by another alum, Dan Erlander ’62.
Gary Peterson ’60 began a 38-year teaching career in the local area after graduation. He married Cindy Lantz in 1963, and they have three married children who live in different parts of the country and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gary’s closest friends, Jim Kittilsby ’60, Ken Miller ’64 and Harold Peterson ’62, all attended PLU, and they occasionally take in a PLU sporting event in the area. Gary thinks PLU brought him into contact with some quality people and launched him into a satisfying career in education. He has good memories of his years at the college, over half a century ago.
1950s
Al Dungan ’59 and his wife, Hildred (Hansen) Dungan ’60, are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first great-grandchild. Their homes are in Edina, Minn. (April-December), and Casa Grande, Ariz. (January-April). The newest member of their family will be the son of their grandson, Peter, who was married by Al in Bozeman, Mont., in September 2012.
Roberta (Lunsford) Kahle ’58 had her fourth book, The Covered Bet, published by Koehler Books. She is garnering five-star reviews for its suspense, setting and family dynamics. The book is available at all bookstores and on Amazon for print and e-book. Kehle would like to talk to other alumni on her blog at www.robertakehle.com and on her Facebook author page. PLU grads have longevity!
