WSU Alumni Magazine WINTER 2025 CELEBRATES 60 Radiology students transform communities, on campus and across the country While completing radiology classes online and clinical hours at the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock, New Mexico, KENDRA ELLISON realized many elderly patients face a language barrier while seeking care. “I noticed there weren’t many Navajo translators,” she said. At times, politely asking elderly patients who primarily speak Navajo to “sit still for a moment” or “please lie down” became a difficult task for caregivers. Ellison, who is learning Navajo herself, started thinking there should be an app for that. After attending a recent women’s entrepreneurship program, she plans to create one offering essential medical terms in the language with their proper pronunciation. The app would also honor her father Samuel, whose first language was Navajo. In the meantime, she’s gaining skills to treat patients one-on-one by earning an Associate of Applied Science in Radiography from WSU’s inspiring professors. “They keep me going, encouraging me despite what is going on in life,” said Ellison, an Army veteran who recently lost loved ones and faced her own health challenges. After graduating in spring 2025, she plans to earn her bachelor’s degree in computed tomography at WSU, making her father, professors and community proud. REGISTER AT Dumke College of Health Professions weber.edu/radsci WILDCAT DEPARTMENTS 6 WSU Alumni Magazine Weber Watch Vol. 29, No. 2, Winter 2025 An update on Mt. Ogden’s W, a student following her tech dreams, athletics and more TRAVEL WITH WALDO 34 Contact WSU Alumni Relations at alumni@weber.edu for a travel-friendly Waldo to take on your next trip. Snap his picture at your destination and share it with us @weberstatealumni on Instagram. Be sure to use #travelwithwaldo. EDITOR IN CHIEF Jaime Winston BA ’22 Catalyst for Growth CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rachel Badali BS ’17, MBA ’22 | Kandice Harris John Kowalewski | Bryan Magaña BS ’06, MA ’09 Jennifer Wright | Benjamin Zack One of WSU’s top mentors retires. 36 Tee Time with the Alumni Leaders CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Get to know our 2024–25 WSU Alumni Association leaders. 41 Class Notes CREATIVE DIRECTOR Updates on the careers and achievements of Weber State alumni 48 Nancy B. Collinwood BS ’94 | John Kowalewski Bryan Magaña BS ’06, MA ’09 | Betsy Mennell Amber Robson BS ’05, MPC ’17 Jill Walker BS ’06, MA ’12 | Jennifer Wright Matthew Zacher BFA ’11 DESIGNERS Wildcat Inbox Lauren Davenport BFA ’24 Chelsea Maki BS ’16 | Jennilyn Keinsley Staying in touch with alumni and friends STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Ryan Ash | Benjamin Zack CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Robert Casey 20 WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2024–25 Karla K. Bergeson, Chair Keith Titus BS ’02, Vice Chair Brent Bishop | Matt Dixon BA ’98 Tammy Gallegos | Casey Hill BA ’03 Monet Maggelet | Lori Belnap Pehrson BS ’87 Donald J. Salazar | Emily Sorenson BS ’24, BS ’24 FEATURES 14 Comments and questions may be sent to Wildcat, Weber State University, 1265 Village Drive Dept 4025, Ogden, UT 84408-4025. The editor may also be contacted by phone at 801-626-7396 or email at magazine@weber.edu. Waldo Celebrates 60 As Waldo enters his golden years, we reflect on his historic tenure at the university. 20 WSU Alumni Magazine FALL 2024 14 Wildcats Abroad POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Advancement Services, Weber State University, 1265 Village Drive Dept. 4018, Ogden, UT 84408-4018. Photographer Benjamin Zack accompanied students and faculty on their life-changing journeys across the world. ON THE COVER: Waldo artwork by creator DEAN HURST AS ’48 CELEBRATES 60 4 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 28 Uncovering Evidence WSU students learn at the scene of the crime. Send address changes to Advancement Services, Weber State University, 1265 Village Drive Dept. 4018, Ogden, UT 84408-4018. Call 801-626-6138 or email giving@weber.edu to update your records. TAKE OUR SURVEY to help shape the future of Wildcat. You can enter to win a Weber State gift package. weber.edu/wsumagazine alumni.weber.edu THE OFFICE STAR addresses grads Emmy-nominated actor and comedian Rainn Wilson, best known as Dwight Schrute on NBC’s hit show The Office, delivered the commencement address to WSU’s Class of 2024. Wilson encouraged the graduates to nurture a “bouquet of virtues,” serve others rather than being self-indulgent, invest in relationships, choose love over fear and keep hope alive. “Don’t give into the bitterness and the cynicism and pessimism of these modern times. Keep hope alive, like Jesus — and SpongeBob. Bring joy into your work, into your family life, into your friendships and, above all, into your service to others,” Wilson said. John Kowalewski Bryan Magaña BS ’06, MA ’09 Jaime Winston BA ’22 Jen Wright MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS 6 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 7 WEBER WATCH WEBER WATCH COMING SPRING 2025: When Weber State announced plans to install a permanent solar-powered W on a slope of Mt. Ogden east of campus, the first lighting was planned for Homecoming 2024. The complexity of the construction project has delayed that date FROM RWANDA TO UTAH, facing tech challenges with brilliance until next spring. “We are targeting April 2025,” said JACOB CAIN, DAVINA KAMIKAZI developed her passion for WSU’s director of operations in Facilities technology growing up in Kigali, Rwanda, often Management. “That being said, we are going to solving problems with Wi-Fi or televisions. Now be a little subject to the weather,” he cautioned. studying computer engineering at Weber State, After engineering and choosing the proper she is turning her passion for tech into a career. materials, crews installed the concrete base last She also won the Student Pathway Award, fall. The electrical components and solar panels recognizing her dedication to STEM studies and will likely be added in the spring, depending on putting her in company with tech leaders, at the how long it takes snow to melt from the mountain. 2023 Women Tech Awards. As construction progresses, you can follow along “There was actually a group networking session, with a construction cam or donate to support the and I learned that even though I’m still struggling project at give.weber.edu/light-the-w. in college, I’ll be able to make it,” she said. As a child, Kamikazi participated in the Rwandan government’s One Laptop per Child program Make your gift to help light the W! that brings technology into primary schools. She decided to come to the United States for college to be close to companies she could work with after graduating. She chose WSU for its financial aid, international student community, small class sizes and quality reputation. Deciding on her major took a little more thought. “I knew I would love to do something related to tech, but I also loved mathematics,” she said. Computer engineering encompasses both. “It pushes me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I get to learn as well as solve issues with hands-on experience.” Kamikazi said being a woman in engineering can sometimes feel overwhelming. “Imposter syndrome is real,” she said. Luckily, she has a strong support network and knows her family is cheering her on from Rwanda. “Their words of encouragement and my trust in God have been moving me through the course,” she said. She also works in WSU’s graduation office, ensuring students meet graduation requirements. After graduating herself in spring 2026, she would like to gain work experience in the United States before fulfilling her long-term goal of A construction crew member works on the site of the new “W” installation on a hillside above Weber State, Sept. 26, 2024. 8 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 launching a startup company in Rwanda that will help improve agriculture through digital technology. Kamikazi would love to see more Rwandan girls succeeding in technology. At first, it looks impossible, but you have to believe in yourself and allow yourself to be challenged.” — DAVINA KAMIKAZI Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 9 WEBER WATCH WEBER WATCH A THUNDEROUS DEBUT Dillon Jones steps onto the NBA court DILLON JONES went from jump shots at the Dee Events Center to playing in the NBA. The number of Weber State Wildcats in the National Basketball Association has doubled. Forward DILLON JONES BS ’24 was selected with the 26th pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards. Shortly after, the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired him. Jones, the 2024 Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player, is only the second WSU player ever to be selected in the first round, joining DAMIAN LILLARD BS ’15 who was picked sixth overall in 2012. Additionally, Jones is the 17th player in SPIRIT SQUAD WINS BIG IN FLORIDA Weber State men’s basketball history to be selected in the NBA Draft, the most in Big Sky Conference history. Wildcat fans may see Jones and Lillard square off Four national championships, three grand national championships, one world title for the first time in the NBA as the Thunder face the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb. 3, 2025. Jones will take the court closer to home on Feb. 21, 2025, when the Thunder take on the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Vacationers and snowbirds love Florida for its World Championships in Orlando and won a gold theme parks, beaches and gators, but the 2023–24 medal in the hip-hop category. Weber State Spirit Squad athletes will remember The cheer team also found gold in Florida. the state as where they made history. The Spirit Squad, which includes the cheer and dance teams, returned home from the 2024 NCA/NDA Collegiate National Championships in Daytona, Florida, last April after winning four national championships and three grand national championships. Led by coach ERICA WILLIAMS JORDAN, the dance team won two national championships and a grand national championship at the event. The national championships came in the jazz and hip-hop Division I competitions, with the grand national title in jazz. Their Division I jazz score was 98.3429, the best of any school in division history. Later that month, the dance team represented the United States at the International Cheer Union 10 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 The large coed group took first in the Division IA Championships and then won the grand national championship with a score of 99.2333, the highest in school history. Likewise, the small coed group claimed both national and grand national championships. In addition, the partner stunt team of JOSH HILL and HAILEY SMITH took first place. The trip to the national championships helped cap off cheer coach SUMMER WILLIS’ 25th year at WSU. She previously led the Wildcats to seven national and two grand national titles. ABOVE: The Dance Team practices their hip-hop routine before competing in the International Cheer Union World Championships. BELOW: Awards from the 2024 NCA/NDA Collegiate National Championships I was wanted at Weber from the jump, and to have that same level of things play out on such a way higher scale is kind of crazy to think about. What they did to get in position to take me … I’m forever grateful for that.” — DILLON JONES REGARDING HIS WEBER STATE EXPERIENCE FROM A PRESS CONFERENCE FOLLOWING THE NBA DRAFT Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 11 WEBER WATCH WEBER WATCH ‘COACH HOUSE’ STEPS UP to lead Wildcat Softball KRISTIN DELAHOUSSAYE, longtime WSU assistant region honors three times. She graduated with a degree in exercise and softball coach, was named the team’s new head wellness and later earned a master’s degree in sports management and a coach last June. “Coach House,” as she’s known certificate in athletic administration. She was an assistant coach at Dixie to players, replaced Wildcat legend Mary Kay State and then at BYU, where she spent four years before arriving at WSU. Amicone, who retired after the 2024 season. “Coach Amicone has built a great program here and was kind enough to allow me to be a part of that,” said Delahoussaye, who joined WSU in 2014 and has been assistant head coach since 2020. “My plan is to take the foundation she and I have worked on and continue to build a dynasty that produces huge successes on and off the field.” YESENIA QUINTANA, new director of the Community Education Center Coaching is something I am very passionate about,” Delahoussaye said. “I love helping young women find their power and chase their dreams.” As she took the reins, she discussed her top priorities as head coach: Delahoussaye was a four-year starter at second “Recruit the right people, help them grow into the best versions of them- base for Brigham Young University from 2008– selves, and then make sure they are prepared to leave their mark on the 2011, earning first-team all-conference and all- world once they graduate.” A NEW DIRECTOR BUILDING community connections THE SOUTH KOREA CONNECTION Weber State’s Community Education Center recently welcomed its MARY MACHIRA, executive director and senior new director, YESENIA QUINTANA BS ’13, MED ’18, a WSU alum and experienced international officer of the Office of International Programs & Services, recently received the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to learn higher education practices and connect with universities in South Korea. staff member. Located in central Ogden, the CEC is a gateway to Weber State, offering ESL classes, career development programs and more. Much of the staff is bilingual to help fulfill the center’s mission of furthering the education of Ogden and Weber County’s Spanish-speaking population. “We want to increase access to resources and experiences while also strengthening the fabric of our community, creating a ripple effect of connections and opportunities,” Quintana said. WSU soft-launched Building Puentes, a Spanish-taught program offering classes that could count toward WSU degrees, with a $2.5 million grant from the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity in fall 2024. Quintana led outreach and recruitment efforts, helping students with enrollment and identifying opportunities to grow the program. New head softball coach KRISTIN DELAHOUSSAYE celebrates with one of her players. 12 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 She envisions the CEC as a welcoming place for Spanish speakers and many others to embark on their journey to college and their careers. Machira hopes the experience, a two-week seminar in June 2024, will strengthen Weber State’s commitment to academic excellence through transformative learning experiences rooted in global best practices. “It’s important to open our minds and embrace diverse educational perspectives from around the world,” she said. The Fulbright Scholar Program allows award recipients to teach, conduct research and implement professional projects worldwide. Machira chose South Korea because of growing interest among students and to increase study abroad opportunities. Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 13 Waldo the wildcat has served six decades as WSU’s charming mascot. Whether illustrated or live and in-person, the feline with the most WSU spirit has helped shape the university community’s collective memory. As Waldo enters his golden years, we reflect on his historic tenure at the university. May there be many more years to come. Celebrates 60 Birth of a Wildcat by Kandice Harris & Jaime winston “Mr. Weber State” Dean Hurst AS ’48 served as the first fulltime director of Weber State’s Alumni Association and the newly created college development fund. During his Weber career, he secured more than $50 million in gifts to the institution and procured funds for iconic structures like the Stewart Bell Tower and Dee Events Center. His most famous accomplishment, though, was creating a beloved mascot. “He always joked, ‘I will go to my grave having people think the only thing I ever did at Weber State was make Waldo,’” said Dean’s daughter, Karin Hurst AA ’79. In January 2024, Dean passed away at age 97. The WSU community remembers Dean for his work with alumni, fundraising and, later, as vice president of college relations, but he had a point about his mascot art standing out. Weber State approached Dean to draw Waldo, named by athletic director Gary Crompton, to promote the football and basketball teams. According to Special Collections & University Archives, the first-known Waldo reference appears in a 1964 Signpost student newspaper ad, offering readers a chance to order their own Waldo the Wildcat T-shirt. “Waldo took off,” Karin said. “He’s lovable, he’s spunky, he’s kind of irreverent, he’s sassy, and I think he became more than a mascot; he became a symbol of Weber State.” Share your best memory with Waldo! Email us at magazine@weber.edu. Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 15 “ A cat has nine lives. I don’t think Waldo’s ever going to die.” Dean’s art helped promote sports events, with Waldo taking on “Summer came to me and said, ‘We other team mascots like the Idaho Vandal and Northern Arizona just redesigned our mascot, and we Lumberjack. It also helped promote various campus programs, need somebody who can tumble in such as the rodeo and international clubs. it. Would you be willing to do that?’” Dean even used Waldo in fundraising presentations. He also he recalled. created a female counterpart, Wilma, who, unfortunately, didn’t Willis’s insistence paid off. Limb gain the same level of popularity. caught on quickly and won the Karin recalls discussing Waldo’s tail with her father. In his National Mascot Championship earlier renditions, Waldo doesn’t have a tail. Later, Dean added a short one. “Which he said wasn’t entirely accurate,” Karin said. “He just said it fit better than having a long, waving tail.” Waldo helped Weber State College rebrand itself to the community after becoming a four-year baccalaureate institution during the 1963–64 academic year. Dean kept drawing Waldo until he retired from Weber State KARIN HURST University in 1991. at the National Cheerleaders Association championships three times. Along with the accolades, Waldo allowed Limb to step outside his own skin. “I’m pretty introverted, but having that suit on, I was able to go out into a crowd and just make people laugh, make people smile and While the Athletics Department now uses a fiercer wildcat in dance like nobody was watching,” its branding, Dean’s character has inspired decades of Waldo he said. T-shirts, pins, mascot costumes and more. During a basketball game, he “A cat has nine lives,” Karin said. “I don’t think Waldo’s ever might have done splits through a going to die.” basketball hoop during a timeout and then searched for fans to sit next to as the game commenced. Being waldo Joseph Limb acrobatically tumbled across the Stewart Stadium end zone in his graduation robe, finishing his routine in a happy dance and jump split after hearing his name at the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology’s 2021 convocation. someone’s day,” he said. According to Limb, future Waldos should know when to be energetic, when to tone it down, when team and working with athletics department staff members teasing is fun for someone and when it crosses a line. who helped him with everything from transportation to “Great mascots are able to be in the moment with people and creating props. While he can’t speak much about the specifics of his job now, picture with an elderly person who is just thrilled to be there these experiences transfer to his current work as an electrical and have this fluffy animal next to them or knowing when to engineer at Northrop Grumman. step back and give a child space when they’re scared,” he said. Limb hopes to see future Waldos continue to be positive the role of Waldo at both Spirit Squad competitions and a wide When he needed a role model for conducting himself, he looked representatives of the university and create great memories range of campus events during his eight years at WSU. to WSU’s presidents. Both Charles Wight and Brad Mortensen whenever they wear the suit. Science and be named outstanding student in electrical engineering, but only keen fans might have recognized his moves from a Wildcats basketball or football game. Limb took “If I could go back and keep doing it, I totally would,” Limb said. Before switching to electrical engineering, he began his WSU education as a music major. Whether performing percussion with the band or working on electronic devices, he knew he would need a scholarship to afford tuition. A former gymnastics teammate recommended the Spirit Squad, which offers scholarships. He wasn’t sure about the idea at first. And, at weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 interactions as you can to make bring out the best in the moment, whether that’s taking a Anyone could tell he was thrilled to receive his Bachelor of 16 “You’re just trying to have as many As Waldo, Limb won the National Mascot Championship in 2015, 2018 and 2019. served as president when Limb was a student. Limb recalls once consulting Wight, a former chemistry professor, about using carbon dioxide gas canisters during his 2015 National Mascot Championship performance. Combustibles were not allowed, and Wight assured Limb that carbon dioxide is an inert gas. Wight later cheered on Limb as he won the competition. the tryouts, he felt defeated when he didn’t know stunting as Waldo helped Limb gain his confidence and realize how much well as those with experience. As he headed toward the door, a he could accomplish. He also learned that great teammates cheerleader sent by coach Summer Willis stopped him. build confidence in one another by performing with the cheer “It felt like there was a part of me that could come out and just enjoy life.” JOSEPH LIMB Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 17 a WSu Mascot history 1920 Weber students became known as the Wildcats when the term was used in the Ogden Standard Examiner discussing a football game against Ogden High School, although it wouldn’t be widely used across campus until the 1930s. The nickname was also given to Wallace Morris, a football player on the 1923 and 1924 teams. 1995 A second mascot, 1964 Dean Hurst, who The Cat, was introduced in fall 1995. He was labeled as Waldo’s fierce cousin. Matt Maw served as The Cat from 1999–2000, until he broke his neck while attempting a triple back flip. Because of his story, actor Christopher Reeve came to campus for convocation. In Matt’s honor, The Cat was retired in August 2000. later became Weber’s executive director of Alumni Relations, created Waldo the Wildcat for the Athletics Department. The earliest-known reference to the character appears in the Signpost student newspaper in October 1964. The live wildcat was also named Waldo in February 1965. 1953 A halftime picture from the Homecoming football game is the first record of someone dressing up as a mascot. 1979 Primo the Peacock was introduced at a basketball game. The costume cost $300, with a substantial portion donated by the Wildcat Club. 1964 A newborn female 1946 Farrell Collett, an art professor, drew a mascot for the Signpost. Sophomore Don Brenneman won a contest to name the character with his suggestion, “Webert.” Other entries included Mert the Mewer, Hep Cat, Peter Puss, Webe and Willie the Wildcat. 1963–64 A costumed mascot later appeared at events during the school year. bobcat was rescued from being killed by its mother by Weber Assistant Professor of Microbiology David Terry, who housed and fed the cat for nine months before giving it to the institution. The Spirit Committee took over the wildcat’s care. She would appear at any games where the Wildcat Marching Band performed. The wildcat was friendly with small groups. However, while appearing at games and parades, she was sedated so she wouldn’t get agitated by large crowds. After she attacked a cheerleader in 1968, she was rehomed in Eden, Utah. 1968 An official costumed Waldo was introduced in March 1968 at a basketball game in Montana. The costume was ordered from a Salt Lake City costume shop. Waldo’s purpose was to promote “enthusiasm and spirit at athletic events.” Waldo was generally only present at home games and wasn’t allowed to go to any away games. The costume was retired in 1973 after the cheerleader who dressed as Waldo stepped down, only to be brought back in 1976. 1982 A new costume was introduced around 1982, adding whiskers to the costume. The costume was changed again around 1987, adding a mohawk. 1992 A more 1980 A new Waldo was introduced in January 1980 and appeared at events alongside Primo until Homecoming 1980, when Primo quietly went away. cartoonish, friendlier looking Waldo was introduced around 1992. He made his last appearance in August 2012 at the opening of Wildcat Village Stewart Wasatch Hall, and the contemporary Waldo was introduced in September 2012. Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 19 ITALY, DEPARTMENT OF VISUAL ARTS S CE N E S OF SU M M E R F ROM E U ROPE BY J AI M E W I N STO N AN D B EN J A M I N Z ACK PHOTOS BY BEN J A MI N Z ACK MAY 6–21, 2024 TOP: A Weber State University student explores a contemporary art exhibition at Palazzo Grassi in Venice, Italy. Throughout the trip, students visited sites and exhibits featuring both contemporary and classical art. MIDDLE LEFT: Gondolas line a canal in Venice, Italy. S 20 tudying abroad leads to intercultural experiences, by Eglė Budvytytė and paintings by Ficre Ghebreyeusus. forever friendships and unique insights into subject The trip made her realize she could go anywhere. areas that come only from first-hand experience. “The world, traveling, visiting other countries, experiencing ADDIE HARMON BFA ’23 thought she wouldn’t be able different cultures — these all became accessible, in reality to experience that due to the cost, until she received a as well as in my mind,” she said. scholarship to study art in Venice for three weeks in 2022. This past summer, WSU photographer BENJAMIN ZACK “It was 14 students and two professors, and we all lived in accompanied students and faculty on their life-changing this little apartment we rented out,” she said. “We would journeys to Italy, Finland and Switzerland. Like Harmon, go to see art basically every day.” the students featured here have become part of a much At the La Biennale di Venezia, a festival featuring artists larger global community. MIDDLE RIGHT: Students sketch the sculptures and ceiling fresco in Chiesa di San Pantaleone Martire, a 17th-century parish church in Venice, Italy. Visual arts professor MATTHEW CHOBERKA leads the Contemporary Art study abroad program in Venice every other summer. The trip is designed to overlap with the La Biennale di Venezia, an international contemporary arts festival. from around the world, she found inspiration in video pieces BOTTOM LEFT: A student admires the frescoes of the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy. The chapel was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the influential 14th-century frescoes by Giotto. weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 21 FINLAND AND ESTONIA, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MAY 6–17, 2024 NOT ONLY DO WE WANT THEM TO HAVE A RICH AND FULFILLING EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, WE ALSO WANT THEM TO DEVELOP SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THEM IN FUTURE EMPLOYMENT SITUATIONS. Eric Hunter WSU STUDY ABROAD DIRECTOR TOP LEFT: Students and faculty from the Moyes College of Education hike through Nuuksio National Park in Finland. During their time in rural Finland, students visited local schools and nature centers to learn about incorporating nature into the classroom. TOP RIGHT: Students feed lichen to reindeer at the Nuuksio Reindeer Park in Finland. MIDDLE RIGHT: Church steeples are reflected in a student’s glasses during a walking tour of Tallinn, Estonia. While in Estonia, students learned about how Soviet occupation and the region’s battle for independence still impact the country today. BOTTOM RIGHT: Students plunge into Lake Siikajärvi after warming up in the nearby sauna. The Nordic Education study abroad trip is structured around visits to schools in Finland, Estonia and Sweden. In addition to the time spent in the classroom, students learn about local history, food and culture, including Finland’s sauna culture. 22 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 The northern lights shine over Lake Siikajärvi near Nuuksio National Park in Finland. Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 23 SWITZERLAND, MASTER OF HEALTH ADMINISTRATION MAY 5–11, 2024 ARE PLANNED IN THE 2024–25 ACADEMIC YEAR, INCLUDING TRIPS TO NEW ZEALAND, CHINA, COSTA RICA, GUATEMALA, TEXAS AND NEW YORK. TOP: Students and faculty from the Master of Health Administration program watch the countryside roll by as they take a train through the valleys above the Saane River in the Swiss mountains. MIDDLE LEFT: Weber State students share gelato during a day off in the historic Swiss mountain town of Gruyères. The Healthcare in Geneva study abroad program focused on meetings with international organizations based in Geneva, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Near the end of the trip, students and faculty took a day off to explore the Swiss countryside. MIDDLE RIGHT: A dock stretches from the medieval Chillon Castle into Lake Geneva near Montreux, Switzerland. BOTTOM RIGHT: Students and Église Saint-Théodule de Gruyères stands on the edge of the mountain town of Gruyères in Western Switzerland. 24 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 faculty hike to Gruyéres Castle after visiting the nearby cheese factory. Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 25 SWITZERLAND, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK MAY 1–14, 2024 TOP LEFT: Students with the Studies in Harm Reduction study abroad program meet with the Bern Cantonal Police to discuss Switzerland’s evolving drug policies. Following a devastating heroin epidemic in the 1970s and '80s, Switzerland shifted to a focus on “harm reduction.” This policy seeks to mitigate the harms that can arise from drug use instead of focusing on total abolition. TOP RIGHT: Students take in the view from the walkways near the top of the gothic Lausanne Cathedral in Lausanne, Switzerland. MIDDLE RIGHT: Flags line the streets of Bern. Students from the Department of Social Work spent two weeks based in Bern and traveled nearly every day to meet with social workers, police, medical professionals and non-profit organizations in cities throughout Switzerland. BOTTOM RIGHT: Social workers give Weber State students a tour of a consumption facility in Bern. At sites around the country, residents are allowed to consume certain drugs in a supervised setting. 26 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 Sunlight shines through the stained glass windows of the 12th-century Lausanne Cathedral in Lausanne, Switzerland. Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 27 UNCOVERING EVIDENCE CASE # 4115-F1709 WRITTEN BY: Rachel Badali CONTENTS ITEM # ITEM DESCRIPTION WSU students learn at the scene of the crime VIVIANA ARROYO, a crime scene investigation program student, takes photos to document a mock crime scene at Weber State’s new CSI house on the Ogden campus. 28 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 29 When students step into the basement or surrounding area of Annex 9 on the east side of Weber State’s Ogden campus, they could be entering the site of a residential burglary, motorcycle accident, homicide or variety of other crisis scenarios. The new CSI house, which opened its doors last spring, was born from a desire to give students in the crime scene investigation program an elevated learning experience. They collect evidence, dust for fingerprints and photograph the area — and it all happens at one home on Taylor Avenue. “This house lets students apply concepts in as realistic a scenario as possible,” Weber State’s CSI house gives students experience investigating violent crimes, accidents and more. said MITCH PILKINGTON, CSI program director. “Talking about principles and methods in class is one thing, but learning how to effectively apply that in a crime scene environment is very, very different.” The CSI house has several different rooms; it includes most of the spaces typically found in a home — or a crime scene. There’s a fully furnished MAYKAYLEE GETTY, a crime scene investigation program student, dusts for fingerprints at the scene of a “crime” at the WSU CSI house. bedroom, bathroom and living room. One wall features removable drywall panels with bullet holes created from different caliber firearms at varying angles and distances for analyzing bullet trajectories and paths. There’s also a wall with rolls of butcher paper, ready to be unrolled and spattered with simulated blood so students can measure and interpret stains. Outside, the parking lot has plenty of room to “There are all of these things you encounter in real scenes that just can’t stage accidents, and a surrounding wooded area be replicated in a classroom,” said NICK JENSEN, a senior in the criminal offers more terrain for students to test their justice department. “And putting together a mock crime scene is always forensic science skills. going to be a little lacking compared to the chaos of a real scene, but getting “It’s a culminating experience where we’re bringing all these different concepts together, Jensen currently works as a detective in the Davis County Sheriff’s Office to the mastery phase of actually applying what crime lab. He’s one of four crime scene investigators serving Davis County they’ve learned,” Pilkington said. and, occasionally, other cities or counties that call for backup. Before the CSI house, BRENT HORN, associate He’s been the lead investigator on more than 400 crime scenes. dean of the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences “This is a really tough job, and it’s tough for a bunch of reasons,” Jensen empty classrooms at night, cars borrowed from the automotive department and reserved space in the Shepherd Union to simulate crime scenes. Those options, while useful, all had limitations: 30 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 between the academic and the practical.” allowing students to go from an introduction and criminal justice professor, recalls using Students KIRA MCLELLAND and KATIE COCHRAN use state-of-the-art equipment to help solve the case at a mock crime scene. experience in a more realistic space is really helpful in bridging the gap “You can’t throw blood on the wall, you can’t shoot holes in the wall. You can’t make the real kind of messes or the real kind of evidence,” Horn said. The CSI house changes that. said, noting the demanding schedule and long-lasting emotional toll of some investigations. For Jensen, those challenges made it important to choose a school that would help him excel in such a difficult field. Weber State offers the education and outcomes to help him expand on his on-the-job training and experience. WSU’s crime scene investigation program has three full-time faculty members. There’s Pilkington, who has handled thousands of death scenes and specializes in bloodstain pattern analysis; Horn, who has a background The crime scene investigation program offers a hybrid of criminal justice, basic science and forensic science courses. At the CSI house, students practice skills, such as collecting fingerprints, to help solve crimes. Learn more at weber.edu/cj/CJForensicScience.html. Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 31 COMBATING CRIME BY STRENGTHENING CYBERSECURITY CYBERSECURITY Weber State also plays a leading role in addressing cybercrime. As technology advances, cyber threats increase. WSU’s Cybersecurity Initiative has become northern Utah’s central resource for all things internet-safety-related. It helps prepare students for careers in cybersecurity. It also offers outreach and training so the community can learn to better protect their information. in chemistry and spent years doing forensic drug analysis in the Utah State Crime Lab; and PAUL RIMMASCH, assistant professor, who spent 25 years with Weber-Metro CSI and still works as a part-time crime scene investigator. Together, they have more than 65 years of collective experience. “Learning from people who’ve done this for decades, people who understand the job, is really, really helpful,” Jensen said. “They’re hitting on the things that matter, and they’re hitting on the importance of doing things the right way every time.” Students in the program have access to state-of-the-art equipment, like multispectral imagers used to detect latent evidence and 3D lasers used to document crime scenes, so they’re comfortable with the tools of the trade when they go out into the field. “We know that scientifically trained civilian crime scene investigators generate better outcomes,” Horn said. “And we want to make sure that we’re putting out the best next generation of crime scene investigators.” WSU’s CSI graduates can be found in county, city and state agencies and skills, becoming a better crime scene investigator along the way. He’s also left his own mark on the program, helping to create the trajectory enforcement, forensic laboratories, the court system, the private sector and, wall at the CSI house and visiting Salt Lake City’s Capitol Hill to advocate for of course, crime scene investigation. legislative support and interest in the house. After graduating, Jensen plans to continue working as a crime scene investigator. He knows it’s a job that isn’t for everyone, but that’s what keeps him coming back. “There are things in this career that I’m able to do, like allow families or victims closure and justice, that might not happen otherwise,” Jensen said. “This is something I’ve chosen to do, and taking on that responsibility is a powerful motivator for me.” Under the agreement, the NSA helps provide tools students need to succeed, such as technology and internships, while the university offers training and mentoring to personnel in STEM fields and future cybersecurity leaders. NICK JENSEN, a senior in the criminal justice department and detective in the Davis County Sheriff’s Office crime lab MITCH PILKINGTON, CSI program director, assists student KATIE COCHRAN with her investigative work. “The EPA opens up another way to gain government expertise for students who want to serve in that way,” said the late MATT PAULSON, who served as director of Weber State’s Cybersecurity Initiative. “It doesn’t matter where you are on your cybersecurity journey, Weber State can help out with that.” Students EMMA REEDER and SHANNON SHUMWAY apply investigative techniques they learned to a mock crime scene at Weber State’s CSI house. weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 Since joining the program, Jensen said he feels like he’s added to his knowledge throughout the nation. They work in areas like victim’s advocacy, law In March 2024, WSU further enhanced its cybersecurity reputation with a new Educational Partnership Agreement with the National Security Agency. 32 Learning from people who’ve done this for decades, people who understand the job, is really, really helpful. -Nick Jensen Catalyst for Growth One of WSU’s top mentors retires students struggling with developmental math also struggled with developmental English. In 2018, he received a $2.2 million grant to help launch Wildcat Scholars, where students build relationships Before ERIC AMSEL earned his master’s at Harvard, becoming a beloved educator at institutions in Canada and New York, along with 28 years at Weber State, he struggled in school. “My high school grades were pretty awful,” Amsel admitted. “My math and English were really poor. I just needed support. I needed direction, role models, mentoring.” Thankfully, he found support to make it to college and soon found an interest in psychology, along with a mentor to help him nurture that passion. “I really wanted to work with her because of the kind of work she did in the area of cognitive development,” said Amsel about his Harvard professor, Deanna Kuhn. 2 pretend play, studying scientific reasoning of adolescents and mathematical reasoning of Weber State students.” When he became associate provost in 2016, he realized many doctorate at Columbia and postdoc at Yale, and prior to c= a + b with students,” he said. “They’ve worked on interviewing kids in He was also there for students, like him, who struggled in class. By Jaime Winston 2 “A lot of the really important research that I have done has been Amsel and Kuhn created scholarly research that is still regularly cited. When she moved to Columbia, Amsel knew where to go for his doctorate. Much of Amsel’s own psychology research examines the growth of hypothetical thinking from imaginative play during early childhood to scientific reasoning among Likewise, Amsel worked with hundreds of WSU students to complete research, practicums and directed readings, with many resulting in presentations at academic conferences or professional publications. Much of Amsel’s own psychology research examines the growth of hypothetical thinking from imaginative play during early childhood to scientific reasoning among adolescents and adults. “Thanks to him, I found a career that not only aligns with my professional goals but also allows me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of my students and clients.” — Daniel Hatch BA ’02 who enter the university below college-level placement to finish “Eric provided the guidance to help me find direction, support to help me succeed, helped me believe that I could accomplish goals, and encouraged me to push myself to achieve. He changed my life.” their composition and math requirements in one year. — Shane Bench BS ’08 with advisors, faculty, and each other while completing corequisite English and math courses. The program allows students CONNOR DELA-CRUZ AA ’19 visited Weber State after completing his religious mission to find out how to get an education. Struggling to find his place, he soon discovered Wildcat Scholars. When he met Amsel, he instantly found a connection. “I spent a large portion of my life believing that education wasn’t in the cards for me,” Dela-Cruz said. “I have severe ADHD, and I grew up struggling in the classroom setting. When he shared how he overcame his challenges to go to school, that helped me to realize that I can do the same with my challenges.” Amsel served as vice provost for undergraduate studies, academic support and institutional effectiveness during the final years of his WSU career. Prior to that, he chaired the psychology department and served as a leader in the Faculty Senate. He received many honors during his tenure, including being adolescents and adults. Nearly three decades of inspiring students “I was among the numerous students who have been lucky enough to work directly with Eric on research over the years. Of all of the professors with whom I have worked, he has had the greatest impact on my career and in my journey to becoming a two-time Fulbright scholar and business professor.” — Craig Crossley BS ’00 “I want to express my sincere gratitude for your unwavering support of students like myself who come from backgrounds that may have discouraged us from pursuing higher education. Your belief in our potential, exemplified by your work with Wildcat Scholars, has had a profound impact on countless lives.” — Monse Gutierrez BA ’24, BS ’24 to Amsel upon his retirement Association H. Aldous Dixon Award. He was also recognized for “Eric gave me thoughtful feedback and support not only as an undergraduate, but as a graduate student as well. He encouraged me to follow what I was passionate about for my dissertation. I’m glad that I followed his advice to write about what I actually care about, even if it meant a somewhat longer dissertation process.” his work on the WSU Holocaust Commemoration Committee. — Lauren Rankin BS ’08 named Utah’s Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, WSU Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor, WSU Hinckley Award, and recipient of the WSU Alumni “Part of what attracted me to Weber State is the impact I could have,” Amsel said. “What I’m taking away now in retirement is this deep satisfaction that I’ve done innovative work that has been impactful.” Were you one of Amsel's students? Share how he impacted your life at magazine@weber.edu. 2 b + 34 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 y=mx+b a2 + b 2 Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 35 with the Tee Time ALUMNI LEADERS WSUAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT EMERITI COUNCIL PRESIDENT Matt Dixon BA ’98 Kathy Mower CP ’72 Please share your best golfing experience. Please share your best golfing experience. The best experience was golfing at Entrada a couple of years ago in St. George. This is the golf course where High School Musical was filmed. My husband and I enjoy a little healthy competition with our children when we travel. We were doing a scramble in South Carolina with my son and his wife. My daughter-in-law hit her drive. When we came around the corner, the ball was sitting right next to a large alligator’s mouth. Obviously, we didn’t retrieve it. Another time, at a golf scramble, our team came in last. Our prize was four fishing poles. We were encouraged to take up a new hobby. What are some of your favorite places to explore Utah’s great outdoors? I enjoy fly fishing and mountain biking in the beautiful Wasatch Back. My family’s favorite place is undoubtedly Lake Powell. What makes Weber State special? First, the personal connection students have with professors, and the high-impact experiences they receive while attending WSU are second to none. Second, the quality of education for the cost makes attending Weber State an easy decision. What is your favorite thing about being involved in WSUAA? It’s fun to be around the amazing people that help make WSU so great. From the faculty and staff to the many great alumni that serve on various boards, it’s an honor to be involved and to be able to give a little back to WSU. In this issue of Wildcat, we're featuring WSU's study abroad program. What foreign country would you most like to visit? 2024–25 WSUAA LEADERS 36 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 I’d love to return to Brazil. I had the opportunity to serve an LDS mission in Recife, Brazil, and I’d love to be able to go back and visit the amazing people and culture that taught me so much during my two years serving there. What are some of your favorite places to explore Utah’s great outdoors? Two of my favorite places to explore Utah’s great outdoors are Bear Lake and St. George. They are both exceptionally beautiful! I enjoy hiking, biking, walking and kayaking in both of these places. Do you have any outdoor-related family traditions? One of our favorite traditions is spending the Fourth of July week and the week after Christmas at Bear Lake. Our family does enjoy competition. We have pickleball, basketball and cornhole contests outside. We also love to boat, paddleboard and kayak. We keep the midnight oil burning playing games together in the evenings. In the winter, the family likes to go sleigh riding, skiing at Beaver Mountain and playing ice hockey on the frozen lake. Another family tradition is our family campout each year. Recently, we were in the Uintas. It is exhilarating to be in nature and to appreciate all of God’s marvelous creations. I have to admit, though, that my idea of camping is spending the day with the family in the campground, then finding a nice hotel close by to spend the evening. Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 37 What is your favorite thing about being involved in WSUAA? My favorite part of being involved in the Emeriti Alumni Council is, again, the people. We have some of the most extraordinary people you will ever meet, including our fearless leader, JASON NELSON. They are friendly, talented, service-oriented, giving and fun to be around. We love to laugh and spend time together! I am so grateful for the new friendships I have made and the associations I have with members of our alumni council. They are the best! Go Wildcats! What foreign country would you most like to visit? Visiting the continent of Antarctica is on my bucket list. My daughter-in-law and I went on a Civil War cruise up the Intercoastal Waterway 25 years ago. There were lots of people on that cruise who had traveled the world, and I asked them their favorite cruise destination. Without exception, I was told Antarctica. I decided then and there that someday I would visit that continent. It hasn’t happened yet, but it will! NEW ALUMNI COUNCIL PRESIDENT Tia Walker BS ’17 You’re not a golfer, so what other outdoor activities do you enjoy? I enjoy going hiking, watching a good football or soccer game, snowboarding occasionally, shooting hoops, going to outdoor concerts, barbecues and going on walks either in the neighborhood, with a friend or playing Pokémon GO. What are some of your favorite places to explore Utah’s great outdoors? What foreign country would you most like to visit, and why? More of Europe than the two countries I have visited (the UK and Italy). If I had to pick, I would have to go with either Spain or Germany. Both have a rich abundance of history, beautiful land and architecture. STUDENT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT Phoebe DuCourant AS ’22 Please share your best golfing experience. I grew up golfing with my dad and brothers in Idaho and then had the chance to golf on the Clearfield High School golf team. I can still remember the first time my dad finally let me drive the golf cart. I may have been too young. But after I almost drove into a pond, he decided I needed a bit more time till I could really take the reins of the golf cart. We laughed about it for a while. What are some of your favorite places to explore Utah’s great outdoors? I love Ogden. I feel like Ogden has some of the best access to any kind of outdoor activity. I love to ski, and there are amazing ski resorts right in our backyard. I also love to hike and feel that some of the prettiest hikes I have been on are in Ogden. What do you think makes Weber State special? Hiking Adam’s Canyon, Waterfall Canyon or the Wind Caves up in Logan. Going tubing in Ogden’s Weber River, driving up canyons — especially during fall — or going to Park City to explore. The ability for students to be involved in as many things as they wish to be. There are so many opportunities for students to be involved on campus. Weber State really knows how to connect their students to in-the-field experiences and resources to help them be successful. Do you have any outdoor-related family traditions? What is your favorite thing about being involved in WSUAA? Going to outdoor concerts and having summer barbecues. The wonderful people that I get to meet and learn from. It truly has blessed me in a professional setting to have learned from amazing people. What do you think makes Weber State special? The people who know there is more to Weber State than what others give it credit for. The people who donate time, money and/or resources to continue to help with Weber State’s growth and make it a place where students want to go to school and 38 are proud it is their university. And of course, the professors, faculty and staff who try their best day in and day out to help students grow and succeed. weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 What foreign country would you most like to visit, and why? I would love to visit Greece. It is beautiful, and the food is amazing. EXECUTIVE MASTER of HEALTH ADMINISTRATION “There’s a sense of mentorship in this program. People here want you to become better.” CLASS NOTES — Marcus Garong, MHA grad ALUMNI UPDATES ’50s RON STEPHENS AS ’54 founded 100% Online Designed for Working Professionals Becoming a healthcare leader shouldn’t require you to put the rest of your life on hold. Our flexible, high-quality, low-cost online eMHA program allows you to earn your degree while continuing to work. NO GRE/GMAT REQUIRED Skip the entrance exam ACCELERATED PROGRAM Complete in just four semesters, 16 months total FLAT-RATE TUITION No out-of-state increase VIRTUAL ORIENTATION Attend one virtual orientation weber.edu/mha APPLY NOW! ALUMNI DISCOUNT Weber State alumni who are accepted into the eMHA cohort will be eligible for an additional one-time 5% loyalty discount on the first semester’s tuition. EXECUTIVE IN RESIDENCE Here to provide mentorship NATIONALLY RANKED and presided over the Weber School Foundation. The foundation’s success led other Utah school districts to form their own foundations. The relationships he built working with other districts led to his becoming superintendent of Murray City School District. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and completed USU’s Education Specialist program. Ron was active in government, serving on the Washington Terrace City Council and as Washington No. 1 Online MHA Program, 2021* Terrace mayor before serving *Recognized among EduMed’s Best Online MHA Programs for 2021 Legislature. After retiring four terms in the Utah in 1998, he served on the Kaysville City Council for eight years. He held several driver safety instructor the local and national art leadership roles with the for AARP. He serves on the community and has served Church of Jesus Christ of Wasatch Peaks Credit Union on the Eccles Community Art Latter-day Saints including Audit Committee. He and his Center Board of Directors for bishop, stake president, wife, JOY JEFFS AS ’63, served over 24 years. He is the artist high council member and a mission for their church in behind the famous bronze Utah North Correctional Berlin, Germany. Joy worked Wildcat statues on WSU’s Services coordinator. He as an X-ray technician at the campus and other mascot also served as Rotary Club Dee Hospital in Ogden after statues for several Utah of Murray City president graduating from WSU. She then high schools. David created for two years. He lives with dedicated her time to raising many large-scale paintings his wife in Kaysville, Utah. their family and later worked for public schools, including They have seven children, 31 for the IRS, retiring in 2003. Bonneville High School, ’70s Fremont High School and DAVID JACKSON BS ’74 has local and national fundraisers grandchildren and 66 greatgrandchildren. Wahlquist Junior High School. He has contributed art to ’60s been a professional painter STEPHEN JEFFS BA ’67 taught and sculptor for over 55 German and student years. He taught art at government at Roy High Bonneville High School for School for 34 years. He 27 years before retiring in earned a Master of Education 2000. He earned a master’s from Utah State University degree in fine arts from in 1976. He is a volunteer the University of Utah in district coordinator and 1983. David is immersed in for over 50 years. His work is currently represented in galleries across the country, including the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona; Maya Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Sportsman’s Gallery locations in Colorado, Tennessee and South Carolina; Bella Fine Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 41 Goods galleries in Wyoming, JOSEPH MICHELS BS ’76 LYNN ARAVE BS ’78 was a multiple roles, including 19 years. Prior to that, he Colorado and Arizona; and formed his consulting reporter-editor at the Deseret scout executive, working in was the marketing director for the Standard-Examiner for Gallery Veronique in practice, Solomon Bruce News for 32 years. He began Utah, Idaho, Texas, Alaska Cincinnati, Ohio. He has Consulting in 2007. He as a sports writer for the and Washington. He later 13 years. Craig is involved in received more than 40 art advises clients on supply first three years and then served as the foundation many community activities awards. He has a gallery chain management, business reported on Utah radio executive director of Clover and events, including Ogden and studio at his home in operations, executive stations for the remainder of Park Technical College in Pioneer Days. He is the chair Mountain Green, Utah. coaching, government his career. After retirement, Lakewood, Washington. He Lynn was a news specialist is the executive director of Ogden’s Christmas Village procurement and legal expert witness work. His education for Layton City and became of the N.O.V.A. Principles includes a master’s degree immersed in historical in systems management research and writing. He from the Viterbi School of has also published 10 books Engineering at the University and maintains blogs about of Southern California, history, hiking and religion. a Ph.D. in industrial While attending Weber State, engineering at the Look he ran cross-country and College of Engineering at track and was The Signpost Texas A&M University, a sports editor for two and second master’s degree a half years. He was also a from the University of member of the Delta Phi Oklahoma and, as a James Kappa fraternity. He resides Forrestal Fellowship in Layton, Utah, with his wife. recipient, a master’s degree They have four children and in strategic studies at the four grandchildren. KRISTEEN KIRBY POLHAMUS BS ’75 has been widely published in piano compositions nationally, including “Jazz A MEANINGFUL BOOST AT A CRITICAL MOMENT A sudden financial issue can disrupt the best-planned budget. CATapult Scholarships are available to students who have completed 50% or more of their graduation requirements. The awards are flexible to address unique circumstances that may otherwise prevent students from graduating. Since 2020, generous donors have contributed more than $4 million to the initiative. Spree,” “Unicorn Ride,” “Hope Avenue” and “Rococo Keys,” along with arrangements of “Simple Gifts” and “Ash Grove.” She taught piano for 45 years and played as a professional pianist extensively in the Salt Lake City area. She has recently been honored with the prestigious Best CATapult Impact of State award for Arts and Entertainment: Original Music Composition. She is 98% 54% OF RECIPIENTS HAVE EITHER GRADUATED OR ARE STILL ENROLLED RECIPIENTS ON AVERAGE ARE OF RECIPIENTS HAVE GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE 60% from Kaysville, Utah. DAVID GRAY BA ’76 is a semiretired attorney in private practice. He is a member of the Minnesota State OF THE WAY THROUGH THEIR DEGREE Bar Association, Hennepin County Bar Association and a contract public defender 45% OF RECIPIENTS HAVE COMPLETED A BACHELOR’S DEGREE 45% OF RECIPIENTS ARE 25 OR OLDER with Hennepin County District Court. He is also licensed to practice in Federal District Court. He earned a Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law, now AS OF JULY 2024... » $2,816,749 TOTAL AWARDED » 1,506 STUDENTS HELPED known as Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and is a volunteer MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY: weber.edu/catapult 42 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 with Minneapolis-based Community Emergency Services. Naval War College. While at Foundation, which provides local law enforcement with a curriculum to teach principle-based decisionmaking skills to adolescents. Advisory Committee. He has performed stand-up comedy for more than 25 years. He and his wife, Francene, have two children and five grandchildren. He holds a master’s degree BARBARA BATCHELOR MS ’88 in nonprofit management was an educator in the Davis and philanthropy from Bay School District for 32 years. Path University. Lyman and his wife volunteer in various capacities with their church and community, including chaplains for the Lehi City Police Department. They have three children and 12 grandchildren. After retiring in 2008, she continued as a substitute teacher in the same school, East Layton Elementary, for 12 years. In 2011, she became a supervisor for student teachers at Utah State University, where 1975–76 Outstanding Weber ’80s State AFROTC cadet by the LYMAN GIFFORD BS ’83 retired and community involvement upcoming educators. She from Boy Scouts of America director for Ogden Regional earned a bachelor’s degree after 31 years, where he held Medical Center for the past in education from the Weber State, he was named Ogden Chapter (235) of Air Force Association. He is a distinguished military WALTER “CRAIG” BIELIK BS ’84 she provided feedback has been the communications and encouragement to University of Utah in 1965 graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Utah. In 2002, he retired as a colonel after 30 years of active duty in the United States Air Force. He later served as the dean of the business college at Montana State University, Billings from 2005–2007. He received the 2024 Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers Fellow Award. In 2020, he was the WSU College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology convocation speaker. and began her first teaching We want to help spread the word about your business. Follow these steps to be featured on the Weber State Alumni Association Instagram: assignment the week after - Follow us @weberstatealumni - DM us that you’re interested in a spotlight of her grandchildren also graduation. Her four children, daughter-in-law and two Weber State is building a permanent W on the mountain. e t a n o and ! D e t a r b e Cel Donors who give over $100 will receive a limited edition print signed by Ogden artist Cara Koolmees. graduated from Weber State. ’90s JIM BATCHELOR BS ’90 is the assistant principal at Clearfield High School. He also served as an assistant principal at Central Davis Junior High School for three years. Before becoming an give.weber.edu/light-the-w-gifts administrator, he taught Commission. She has physical education, driver volunteered for over 20 years education and health for 27 coaching youth sports. years in the Davis School District. During that time, he served as head wrestling and track coach at Syracuse Junior High before becoming 2024 SPONSORS & PARTICIPANTS! the head baseball and an assistant football coach at Davis High School. In 2005, he became the head football coach at Layton High School, where he coached for 13 LAST YEAR’S GOLF CLASSIC RAISED $70,600 FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS seasons. He was awarded Coach of the Year in 2007 by Deseret News. He earned a Master of Education from the University of Phoenix and a Secondary Administrative License from Western Governors University. He played football for Weber State during the 1987 and SEE YOU AGAIN SOON! JUNE 6, 2025 and Franklin Covey. Her family-owned restaurant, Good Time Spaghetti Co., opened in Ogden while she was attending WSU in 1992. She has served on many volunteer boards over the years and currently is on the Davis County Chamber of Commerce Executive Board and the Layton City R.A.M.P. Learning Team for Davis fantasy. She works as a School District. She is a technical editor at Patrick certified trainer for Language Space Force Base in Florida. Essentials for Teachers of University. Before his role money market specialist with RMP, he worked for and for Promised Valley the U.S. Forest Service as a STEPHEN BATCHELOR BA ’02 Playhouse as a box office wildland firefighter with the is an educator in the Davis manager. While attending Logan Interagency Hotshot School District who supports Weber State, she worked for Crew. Brandon has coached alternative education at her family restaurant, Good Junior Jazz youth basketball Renaissance Academy. There, Time Spaghetti Co. She met and volunteered with the he teaches English, food her husband at Weber State Bonneville-Roy Mountain truck management, and during a sorority/fraternity Bike Team and the Ogden exchange. All three of her children are Wildcats, two WSU graduates and one taking WSU’s concurrent enrollment courses as a high Bicycle Collective. GABE ARCHULETA BS ’01, BS ’19 is a mission assurance manager II at Northrop Grumman, an American birth of their first grandchild. Sysco, Iomega Corporation suspense and mid-grade for Morgan Stanley as a and recently celebrated the her company, she worked for serves on the Professional horticulture from Utah State where for over 10 years he vendors. Prior to establishing Elementary School. She young adult paranormal years. She has also worked Northern Utah Dermatology, advertising for multiple for 10 years at Lakeside genres include romance, a Bachelor of Science in He and his wife have two kids specializes in direct mail published author. Her book worked for the past 28 a physician assistant with owns Batchelor Management elementary school teacher for 22 years. He completed DAVID BROWNING BS ’97 is JULIE BATCHELOR BS ’94 HIATT CALDWELL BS ’11 is a the IRS, where she has with Rocky Mountain Power defense technology company. football at Weber State. Before that role, Liz was an been an arborist and forester of the student-athletes he coached went on to play intervention programs. University in 2005. JULI SHELLEY BATCHELOR SANGBERG BA ’96 is a tax analyst for school student. Inc., established in 2004. She alumni.weber.edu/golf BRANDON LARSEN AS ’00 has 1988 seasons, and many Advertising and Marketing YOUR GOLF GAME HELPS WSU STUDENTS! ’00s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical has been providing care to patients in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. For the past 29 years, he has worked in various positions including in clinical laboratory medicine. He is boardcertified in microbiology, hematology and clinical chemistry. He also worked for GlaxoSmithKline in the areas of infectious disease, cardiology, endocrinology and vaccines. He obtained a master’s degree from the University of Utah, where he graduated at the top of his class as a physician assistant. multinational aerospace and BRYAN CALDWELL BS ’01 received an engineering leadership award from L3Harris in May 2024 for his work in developing a Do you own or operate a business? Reading and Spelling, a professional development Scan to request your free Weber State swag box! program that supports educators. She earned a master’s in curriculum and instruction through the American College of New York City Nurse-Family eight years as an election Partnership, a mission- specialist with the Weber County Clerk Auditor’s office. French and applied reading JULIA CHERASHORE BM ’02, BS ’03 has over 20 years of driven nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of He resides in Ogden with his skills at Layton High School experience with companies mothers and babies in New husband, Ken. for 15 years. He also coached in the financial services York City. She’s a believer in football for 13 years at Layton industry, including Goldman education in all its forms. High. He earned a special Sachs and Morgan Stanley. education endorsement She earned an MBA from New from Utah State University York University in 2009. She ’10s in 2007. His wife, LIZ MERRILL has served on the advisory DANIEL WADE BS ’10 is an BATCHELOR BS ’00, has worked board of Mamaroneck election systems specialist for the Davis School District Schools Foundation, which with the Utah Office of for 25 years. She is a literacy is dedicated to elevating the Lieutenant Governor, coach in elementary schools, K–12 education, and joined where he provides training where she trains teachers the foundation’s board of and support to election to use reading programs for directors in 2023. She serves administrators throughout Tier 1 instruction and reading on the board of Friends of the state. He previously spent rock and roll history. Before this role, he taught English, Education in 2024. complex model in system availability for Airservices Australia. He is a director of system engineering over reliability at L3Harris Space and Airborne Systems in Melbourne, Florida. He has published peer-reviewed articles in the Reliability and Maintainability Symposium on part derating and deorbital analysis. He earned a Master of Science in technical management from No need to drive to the DMV! Scan the QR code to get your WSU plates from the DMV and support student scholarships! 1. 2. 3. 4. Select “Change Your Plates” Enter your information Select “Special Group Plate” Select “Weber State University” KIMBERLY LYNNE BS ’11 is the information literacy instructor and concurrent enrollment coordinator for WSU’s Stewart Library. She earned a Master of Library & Information Science from San Jose State University in 2017 and is currently studying for her Master of Education at Weber State University. After graduating BRANDON STEVENSON AAS ’11, BS ’13, BS ’13 moved automotive technology MBA, he earned a graduate position at Weber State and certificate in aerospace DANIEL SESSIONS AS ’17, BS ’19 is an educator at South VIVIAN HARDY AAS ’18, BS ’19 Stewart Library as an archival and oral history digitization to Indiana to work for has been in that role for management, a program Ogden Junior High School, years in the early childhood specialist, helping to make Cummins Inc. after over four years. He serves on designed to support the where he teaches Utah field. She worked as a the university archives more graduating from WSU. He WSU’s Faculty Senate and is needs of Hill AFB. Nominated accessible to the public. working toward a Doctorate by his squadron group studies, United States history family childcare specialist began as a tech support She is the face behind the of Business Administration director, Matt was awarded and teaching as a profession. in the Care About Childcare engineer and became a popular Instagram account global business development with Capella University in a full scholarship, sponsored He is also a National program at Weber State for 10 @chapter_adventure, manager. During that time, Minneapolis. by Hill AFB, to participate in Academic League coach. He is years, supporting individuals where she hosts monthly he earned an MBA from currently pursuing a Master who provided childcare in reading challenges and the University of Southern of Education from Weber their homes with training shares book reviews and Indiana. After nine years State. As part of his graduate and coaching, as well as recommendations with her in Indiana, he moved back facilitating grants through audience. She lives in Davis to Utah to be closer to County with her husband his family. He accepted and their two boys. an assistant professor of from WSU, she worked in the ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Scholarships Do you know a student interested in applying for an Alumni Scholarship? SPENCER ARAVE BS ’13 is an instructional designer ALUMNI.WEBER.EDU/SCHOLARSHIPS MBA program. For all your meaningful events Host your special event at the John A. and Telitha E. Lindquist Alumni Center. The Bill and Patricia Child Garden Room and the Moyes Garden Patio are perfect backdrops for any celebration. for the University of Utah JESSICA SLATER BS ’15 is studies, he participated Hospital, where he works the first female chair for in a study abroad trip to the Utah Department of WSU’s Department of Finland, Estonia and Sweden. Workforce Services Office of providers to better the user Automotive Technology. The group visited various Child Care. Before her role experience of the electronic As department chair, she schools, learning from at WSU, she worked with medical record system. He prioritizes articulation educators and students family childcare licensing also works for Warehouse agreements with in-state about how education differs for the military and the 22 event center, where he and out-of-state institutions, in those countries. He has State of Utah for 19 years. aeronautics and military pursuing a bachelor’s degree emcees various events leading students to the participated in community Her husband, RYAN HARDY science at the University of from Southern Utah University. including bingo nights and education opportunities theater since childhood BIS ’19, was on active duty the State of New York. After variety shows. He serves on at WSU. She believes that and most recently played in the United States Army retiring from the military, the Clinton City Council and opportunity is for everyone and that education should the Beast in Beauty and the for 17 years as a helicopter he worked for Lifetime emcees many local events. He lives in Clinton with his be equitable. She promotes Beast at the Terrace Plaza crew chief mechanic for wife and daughter. community engagement Playhouse in Washington Apache attack helicopters. Terrace, Utah. He studied professional with trainers, clinicians and MATTHEW HEINER AS ’15, BS ’21, MBA ’23 is a project manager with the Ogden through the Weber Welcome Alumni Relations alumni.weber.edu/eventrental 801-626-7535 Products as an international planning and operations administrator for 23 years. They walked together, with Car Show and the Annual their daughter, at WSU’s 2019 Automotive Skills Contest. commencement. Activation Department at RACHEL BADALI BS ’17, MBA ’22 is the news coordinator Hill Air Force Base. He is for WSU Marketing & part of a team that oversees Communications. In this all new requirements and role, she works closely with modifications of legacy reporters to share WSU’s aircraft, implementing data, accomplishments and tools and training required promote news coverage of to update the aircraft. the university. Before that, Prior to this role, he was Rachel worked as a media an F-16 lead mechanic and developer in Marketing & a structures supervisor. Communications, producing He completed his MBA projects like the president’s through WSU’s John B. annual holiday video and Goddard School of Business the commencement video. & Economics in the top 10% Her favorite part of both jobs of his class, earning him is sharing stories about what the distinction of Goddard makes Weber State great, Scholar. In addition to his Great, GREAT. Air Logistics Complex In 2023-24, over $130,000 in scholarships were awarded to over 70 WSU students. Students do not need to have an alumni relative to apply! the aerospace management recently retired after 40 Pass us a note! WE WANT TO FEATURE YOU. JASMYNE LITANSKI AS ’21, BA ’23, MSW ’24 is a clinical social worker in private practice at Embrace Counseling in Riverdale, Utah. She uses dialectical behavioral therapy with adult clients and works with families using emotion regulation and trust-based ’20s relational intervention. In April 2024, she was awarded Outstanding Student in JESSIKA CLARK BS ’20, MPC ’22 is the public relations Community and Macro Social manager for Weber County. What have you been up to since graduation? Share information on your professional and volunteer work, any credentials or awards you may have received, or other accomplishments and interests. It’s our opportunity to share a bit of your story with the Weber State community. She is tasked with finding alumni.weber.edu/classnote AS ’21, is an assistant branch innovative solutions to boost community engagement and increase brand recognition on the local, regional and Work by WSU’s Master of Social Work program. She volunteers for Grow Ogden, a community farm launched through Eden Streets to help feed and employ those in need. national stages. In 2024, CHLOE SANGBERG AS ’23 Jessika was nominated as is a student at Southern the Young Professional of the Utah University where Year by the Ogden-Weber she is pursuing a degree Chamber of Commerce. Her in elementary education husband, JACOB SANGBERG through SUU’s Department of Teacher Education. manager at Goldenwest Credit Union and is currently Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 47 WILDCAT INBOX Staying in Touch with Alumni and Friends Dear Wildcat, Did you know your WSU library card unlocks a world of opportunities? Alumni can still borrow books from Stewart Library and access online resources from our community computers on the first floor. You can also get research help in person or via chat, email and phone. The library supports lifelong learning with lectures, exhibits and other events. It is easier than ever to get to the library via the free OGX bus that comes to the center of campus. Don’t miss our special exhibits this winter of the Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City and jazz musician Red Nichols. I was delighted to read the recent article featuring DR. YU-JANE YANG and WSU’s piano program. I graduated from WSU in 2002, and though I was pre-med, I loved playing piano. Interested in expanded services, like free interlibrary loans and event invitations? Consider joining the Friends of the Stewart Library to support your alma mater’s intellectual hub. Your participation supports our mission and enhances your connection to the university and its resources. CAROL HURST, a WSU supporter alongside her husband DEAN, was my teacher from the time I was in junior high through my years at Weber and into med school. Although I loved school, many other aspects of my life felt chaotic. Along with teaching me to play piano, Carol made me feel loved, that there was good and beauty in the world and that there could be a space in it for me. Along with two other students, I played at a recital she put together at the Eccles Community Art Center. She took me to local musical performances. She wrote me a letter of support when I was nominated for a Crystal Crest Award. When I graduated from WSU, she gave me a beautiful tapestry piano overnight bag. After starting medical school, it was difficult to find time for lessons. Still, Carol allowed me to call on her periodically. Then, devastatingly, she was diagnosed with lung cancer and underwent grueling treatment. I gave her a colorful glass heart pendant, and she told me she wore it to her appointments. I often visited her and Dean at their home during her treatment, even if it was to watch Jeopardy rather than for a piano lesson. I was heartbroken when she died, and I know so many others were as well. We look forward to welcoming you back to the library! TRIBUTE TO PIANO TEACHERS Later, when I worked as an internist and hospitalist at Ogden Regional Medical Center, Dr. Yang generously agreed to take me on as a student. Her style was very different. She was so scientific, which appealed to me. She even measured the distance from my elbows to the keyboard and provided a lift I would put on the piano bench each lesson for the proper angle. She took me with her to Schulzback-Rosenberg for an amazing summer week of piano in Bavaria, Germany, to play for a master class and to learn. I think I was the only medical student in the company of concert pianists, something I definitely was not. Dr. Yang was ahead of the world with online teaching. Summering in Taiwan, except for occasions like the festival mentioned above, she adopted technology that allowed for remote lessons. This past summer, we met for a lesson using Zoom. She explains and teaches in a way that is, for me, so difficult but truly effective. Sadly, I have had a critical illness, which required brain surgery, and other life circumstances have made regular lessons and practice a challenge. However, I still do it as often as I can and find it stimulating, healing and beautiful. I work part-time at an inner-city clinic. My patients face dire circumstances, and my work can be draining. I’m thankful I have the ability to play the piano, to remember my experiences with these teachers — women of talent, kindness, strength — and for the gift of music they offered me. Thank you. — Melissa Bentle BS ’02 — Erich Goeckeritz, Stewart Library administrative associate Dr. Yu-Jane Yang is a Presidential Distinguished Professor, the director of Keyboard Studies and the director of the Piano Preparatory Program at Weber State University. weber.edu/wsumagazine | Winter 2025 INSTA-RESfolPlowOersNSwhEat Sthey would We asked Instagram bowl. They i Relations candy add to the Alumn t their ou ab are time to sh didn’t waste any ats. favorite sweet tre “Almond joy m y fave 🔥❤❤” @raissarohbock I work part-time at an innercity clinic. My patients face dire circumstances, and my work can be draining. I’m thankful I have the ability to play the piano, to remember my experiences with these teachers — women of talent, kindness, strength — and for the gift of music they offered me. Thank you.” — MELISSA BENTLE BS ’02 corice “Black Panda Li namon Cin and Chocolate 🐻 Bears.” @myrthpriest ! 🙌” “Nerd clusters @wsucareerservice s The Wildcat MicroFund offers Utah entrepreneurs grants and support to help them launch and build their businesses. Our spring 2024 issue told the stories of five recent recipients. When we posted a link to the story on Instagram, MicroFund business/small-batch butter company Mountain Born Creamery, headed by BAYLEE SORENSON, and fans responded. “Best butter in the state of Utah!” @taggesfruit Want to share your thoughts on something you read? “No words for how much I love this!” @mountainborncreamery Additional businesses we featured include Outdoor Volleyball Club, Oaxaca en Utah and KL Vending Services. Find support for your start-up at weber.edu/wildcat-microfund. Baylee Sorenson Mountain Born Creamery To better serve you, our reader, give us your feedback on the magazine and what you’d like to see. You can also enter to get a chance to win WSU gear. Use the QR code or find a link at weber.edu/wsumagazine. The survey closes on March 15, 2025. Email us at magazine@weber.edu. Please note letters may be edited for length or clarity. 48 MESSAGE FROM STEWART LIBRARY Follow Weber State on social media: facebook.com/WSUAlumniAssociation @WeberStateAlumni @WeberStateU @WeberStateU Winter 2025 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 49 D L I W We’re ! g n i t n i r p t u o ab G SCREENPRINTIN BANN ERS G N I T N I PR DING BIN EMBROIDERY SWAG ENGRAVING Let us help you with your next project. We have lots of new equipment and want to make cool things for you or your business. We can print shirts for family reunions, corporate events, and clubs. Need a custom award or banner for an event? How about wedding invitations or graduation announcements? We've got you covered. You support us. We support Weber State students! Stack Your Brilliance SCIENCE C E R T I F I C A T E + A S S O C I A T E’ S + B A C H E L O R’ S Explore “stackable” credentials that improve hireability while pursuing your dream. weber.edu/cos/degree Wildcat 801.626.6107 wsucopy.com Non-profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE 1265 Village Dr. Dept. 4025 Ogden, UT 84408-4025 Did you know... THE MAGIC MIRROR IS A WEBER ALUM? MORONI OLSEN voiced the Evil Queen’s mirror in the 1937 Disney classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Clarence the angel’s boss in 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life. But first, he attended Weber Stake Academy. Olsen served as senior class secretary/treasurer and graduated from the highschool equivalent three-year business program in 1907. He later returned to Weber to put on plays with his theater company. He worked as a teacher, playwright and Broadway actor, in addition to appearing on film alongside Cary Grant, Lucille Ball and Joan Crawford. A scene from the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Walt Disney Studios, 1937), depicting the Magic Mirror (voiced by Moroni Olsen) PAID Permit No. 151 Salt Lake City, UT