TURNING IDEAS WILDCAT WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY News for Alumni & Friends A Legacy of Learning Vol. 26, No. 1, Spring 2021 School of Radiologic Sciences professor Diane Kawamura, recently retired from teaching full-time, has gone by many titles over her 41+ years at Weber EDITOR IN CHIEF Jaime Winston State University. BRADY PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Allison Barlow Hess Anna Burleson Nicola Corbin Caitlyn Coy Katie England Jessica Kokesh Megan Olsen MOST EFFECTIVE RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST EDUCATOR* SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHER RADIOGRAPHER DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION MASTER OF EDUCATION CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Allison Barlow Hess Nancy B. Collinwood BS ’94 Katie England Rebecca Gibson AS ’09 John Kowalewski Betsy Mennell Amber Robson BS ’05 CREATIVE DIRECTOR Stevie Emerson MPC ’20 DESIGNERS Emily Caraballo Stevie Emerson BFA ’06 MPC ’20 Antonio Moya BFA ’12 STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Benjamin Zack CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Skye Clayton Donovan Quintero Derrick Turner 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: 801-626-7396 or email: magazine@weber.edu. 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. WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2020-21 Nolan Karras BS ’70, Chair Kearston Cutrubus, Vice Chair Karla K. Bergeson Marty Carpenter BA ’01 Amanda K. Covington Louenda Downs BS ’78 Karen White Fairbanks Ben Ferney AS ’19 Curtis Funk BS ’11 Donald J. Salazar POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Advancement Services, Weber State University, 1265 Village Drive Dept 4018, Ogden UT 84408-4018. VOLUNTEER weber.edu/wsumagazine | alumni.weber.edu None have meant as much as TEACHER. A WSU graduate four times over, Kawamura helped make WSU a radiologic sciences powerhouse. She has taught undergraduate- and graduate-level classes on campus and traveled to remote areas of Utah and neighboring states to teach and evaluate students. Even in retirement, she still teaches WSU courses. She frequently runs into former students at educational conferences and in clinics where they hold administrative, supervisor or clinical instructor positions. These former students become role models to other professionals, provide excellent patient care, and leave a legacy of appreciation for their education. *Ranked by AuntMinnie.com in 2016 I believe every day should be a day of learning. weber.edu/radsci Did you learn from Dr. Kawamura? Share your memories with us at rwalker2@weber.edu. CONTENTS WEBER WATCH Allison Barlow Hess, Caitlyn Coy, Katie England, Jessica Kokesh, Megan Olsen, Jaime Winston MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Climb On, Wildcats! Just over a year after breaking ground, Weber State’s Outdoor Adventure & Welcome Center held its grand opening 14 A Story for the Ages Weber State’s Storytelling Festival turns 25 and takes a new approach to spinning yarns. on Feb. 3, 2021. The 16,000-square-foot building allows WSU’s Campus Recreation Outdoor Program to expand its equipment rental center and supports recreational rock climbing, with bouldering and a 55-foot climbing wall. 5 Weber Watch 26 A new home for outdoor recreation, inspirational students, faculty and staff, and WSU’s new Master of Social Work 20 Out of the Darkness WSU certificate programs help 1,200+ Utahns build high-demand skills, with support from state grants funded by the CARES Act. 33 A global pandemic means mental health care is more important than ever. 25 ’CATapult to Completion Since January 2020, ’CATapult has helped Wildcats reach their dreams. From Crisis to Opportunity 42 The facility includes a three-story, state-of-the-art rope access training center, where first responders and rescue workers can prepare for emergencies on high structures. “This new center will be a beacon, helping to recruit students to Weber State University while leveraging our incredible outdoor resources and helping students create healthy, active Class Notes lifestyles and lasting memories, all while getting the best Updates on the careers and achievements of Weber State alumni director of the Outdoor Program. higher education has to offer,” said Daniel Turner, associate The Office of Admissions will also use the building to host visitor experiences that showcase Weber State’s connection Success Starts with Belonging Associate professor Nicola Corbin on creating a sense of belonging in the classroom between education and the environment. The facility was designed by ajc architects and constructed by the Wadman Corporation. WEBER WATCH Going the Distance Shiyenne Yazzie found her path in the School of Radiologic Sciences Outreach Program. Distance doesn’t intimidate Shiyenne Yazzie. In fact, she thrives despite it. Living in Red Valley, Arizona, a community in the heart of the Navajo Nation known for its striking red-rock terrain, it’s a long drive for essential items or even doctor visits. She estimates the nearest doctor to be “an hour, maybe 45 minutes” away. So when she decided to join the radiography program at Weber State University, an institution 450 miles away, distance wasn’t the issue. Gaining skills to provide for her growing family was. About six years ago, Yazzie attended another university to pursue an electrical engineering degree. Being the first of her siblings in college, she found higher education difficult to navigate. After being poorly advised, she realized she had taken the wrong prerequisites. Soon after that, she learned she was pregnant. “My whole mindset changed,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to bring a kid into this world. I have to provide somehow. I have to know that he’s going to have a stable future.” Yazzie took a year off school to work a retail position to help pay tuition she still owed. After her son was born, she discovered WSU’s School of Radiologic Sciences Outreach Program. “I looked at the prerequisites that were needed, and I had most of them,” she said. With her next tax return, Yazzie finished paying her tuition balance and returned to school to complete the remaining prerequisites for WSU. To increase her chances of being accepted, she volunteered in the radiology department at Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility in Chinle, Arizona. While volunteering, she helped clinicians learn short Navajo phrases and used her language skills to aid older Navajo patients who did not speak English. Yazzie started WSU classes this past fall. “I am so grateful that I am where I am today,” she said. She takes classes online and meets with instructors in Phoenix once per month. The School of Radiologic Sciences offers a similar program in Montana as well. Yazzie looks to her mother, who raised her and her three siblings as a single parent, and her boyfriend, Mitchell, who encouraged her to pursue education, for inspiration. She hopes to inspire her son and younger siblings by taking her education the distance. “After I graduate with my Associate of Applied Science and become a registered RT [radiologic technologist], I want to keep going to school at Weber State for the CT/MRI program,” she said. “After I’m done, I want to go into a specialty for my master’s degree.” Shiyenne Yazzie, School of Radiologic Sciences student, with her boyfriend, Mitchell, and son. Photo by Donovan Quintero Spring 2021 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 7 WEBER WATCH WEBER WATCH Stewart Library and Health Sciences Team Up to Cut Costs for Students Professor Yu-Jane Yang Recognized for Excellence in Teaching with Prestigious National Award Toward the end of 2019, Weber State’s Department of Health were revised. Students in HTHS 1110 began using the new Sciences began evaluating the online course materials materials during the summer 2020 semester, while the HTHS made available to their students. They particularly focused 1111 materials were being prepared for rollout in the fall. WSU Director of Keyboard Studies and a Brady on materials used for HTHS 1110 and HTHS 1111, two The project was funded by the Stewart Library, the Stewart Presidential Distinguished Professor, Yu-Jane Yang, prerequisite classes all WSU students studying health- Education Foundation and Weber State’s Provost’s Office. The was recognized recently for her passion and dedication related programs must take focusing on human anatomy and updated materials cost $24 per student, saving each student to teaching. physiology. more than $275. After evaluating the state finalists from all 50 states Upwards of 1,500 students sign up for the courses each year, The department’s top priority in this project was creating in the U.S., the Music Teachers National Association with the number steadily increasing. quality content for its students, followed by keeping the cost (MTNA) selected Yang as the organization’s Teacher of The department’s conclusion: The content of the online inexpensive. The estimated savings over a 10-year period is the Year for 2020. course materials was not of the highest learning quality for more than $4 million. MTNA plans to honor Yang at its award ceremony in its students. Faculty began exploring the idea of creating Faculty members, such as James Cohen, assistant professor March 2021. The organization’s affiliated state chapter, better-designed materials on their own. of botany, have also partnered with the library by switching the Utah Music Teachers Association (UMTA) held a In December 2019, they got to work. Seven health sciences to ebooks, another strategy to save students’ textbook costs. virtual reception recognizing Yang’s accomplishment on faculty members began writing new online text and course “I want to make sure that students are able to participate in Nov. 7, 2020, at its virtual state conference. modules. Twenty individual learning modules were selected class starting on day one by having access to a licensed ebook Now in its 20th year, the MTNA Teacher of the Year and created. For each module, new images were adopted, and make sure that access to the text is not a barrier for award recognizes an individual teacher who has made PowerPoint presentations were redesigned and recorded students being able to fully engage in class,” Cohen said. a difference in students’ lives, has contributed to the lectures were updated. In addition, over 3,500 exam questions advancement of music in their community and is an example of a professional music educator each year. This is the first time this MTNA national teaching award has been granted to a teacher from Utah. New Dean for Arts & Humanities The new year brings a new dean to the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities. Deborah Uman believes the study and practice of arts and humanities helps people and societies survive and thrive, particularly during periods of tumult. She plans to help the Lindquist College support students and enrich the community with cultural excellence. “I am excited to join WSU with its deep commitment to access and equity,” Uman said. “Lindquist College offers extraordinary opportunities to students dedicated to creativity and analysis. I look forward to working with the outstanding faculty, staff and students to find new ways to communicate our shared understanding of the importance of arts and humanities in our rapidly changing world.” Uman specializes in English Renaissance literature, including writers such as William “I am extremely humbled by this totally unexpected national honor,” Yang said. “I would like to attribute this prestigious award to all of my inspirational former teachers and mentors, to my remarkable and diligent WSU students and to President Mortensen and the administration, as well as many generous music donors of WSU, from whom I have continuously received incredible support.“ Yang’s students at WSU have also received high honors from the Utah Music Teachers Association. Yang’s WSU piano students won four of the top six prizes in the state at the UMTA 2020 State Collegiate Piano Concerto Competition, recognized as one of the most competitive events for collegiate piano students in Utah. Min-Shan Shakespeare and John Milton with an additional focus on female writers from the “Susan” Tsai earned first-place state honors, Ting-Yu period including Mary Sidney and Aphra Behn. “Cindy” Lu received third place, and Shu-Han Shen and At St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York, Uman chaired the Department of English. She also served as interim director Miranda Hoggan were each awarded honorable mention. for the film and television studies program and previously directed the women and gender studies program. “Yu-Jane is the most dedicated, unselfish teacher, Uman holds a bachelor’s in English literature from Yale and her master’s and doctoral degrees in English literature from the mentor and friend I know,” said Laurisa Cope, UMTA University of Colorado at Boulder. president. “Thank you for all you have shared with the She’s also an active musician who plays trumpet in several community orchestras and chamber groups. 8 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 teachers and students of Utah.” WEBER WATCH Walker Institute Leaders Look to Keep Political Energy High The new leadership team at Weber State’s Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service hit the ground running with plans to get WSU and the surrounding community more engaged in and excited about the political process. Leah Murray and Devin Wiser, who both took on newly created positions with the institute in 2020, hope to increase civic engagement by combining two of former Utah Governor Olene Walker’s passions: education and politics. Wiser began serving as executive director of the Walker Institute and government relations in November, as political participation hit a peak during the recent presidential election. “Right now is the time to strike, while people are interested,” Wiser said. “It’s our goal to get them to maintain that interest always, and not just in the month or two leading up to a presidential election.” Fulbright Honors Weber State Scholar Sarah Steimel After an extensive application and review process, the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board selected Weber State communication professor Sarah Steimel as a Fulbright Specialist to conduct scholarly work during the late spring and early summer of 2020. Her project with Polotsk State University in Belarus was designed to expand higher-education Murray, who began her role as Walker Institute academic director in July, is equally opportunities to more of the country’s citizens excited about getting the WSU community involved in politics — and not just when through quality online programs. Steimel spent they’re voting for the president. three months coordinating plane tickets, visas and “Citizenship is a 365-days-a-year, all-levels-of-government kind of commitment,” other details with the State Department. Then the Murray said. trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Murray and Wiser are planning virtual events and “Of course, I was incredibly disappointed,” Steimel initiatives to help educate people about political processes and practical ways to be said. “I would have loved the opportunity to engaged. That includes efforts related to WSU’s Voter Friendly Campus designation, collaborate and share my passion for online and given to institutions that work to increase student voters, as well as a citizen’s international education with Belarusian colleagues. academy course to teach people about government. I also wanted to study their teaching practices to In addition, monthly forums will be held on timely political topics. Though virtual bring ideas back to WSU.” for now, the events will eventually bring people to campus, keeping Weber State a Steimel is hopeful the Fulbright board will be able hub for political discussions in the region. to reschedule once it is safe to do so. Until then, she For information on upcoming events and initiatives or to donate to the Walker Institute, visit weber.edu/walkerinstitute. will continue to share her passion for online and international education with Weber State students as the director of the Master of Professional Communication program. She is the 12th Weber State Fulbright recipient since 1999. Signing to Support Utah’s Climate President Brad Mortensen joined more than 120 other Utah leaders to sign Utah’s Climate & Clean Air Compact last fall, committing to address air quality and climate change issues in Utah. Signatories included leaders of business, government, faith and civic institutions in Utah. The compact calls upon state and community leaders, members of Congress, businesses and all Utahns to adopt the milestones of Utah Roadmap: Positive Solutions to Climate and Air Quality, which includes guidance to reduce greenhouse emissions, address air quality issues and make advancements in energy production. In 2007, Weber State committed to become carbon neutral by 2050. The university is on track to be carbon neutral by 2040, 10 years ahead of the initial goal. Find more information at climateandcleanaircompact.org. 10 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 GET READY TO LEAD Healthcare professionals know about providing excellent patient care, but what about organizational management and leadership skills? With Weber State’s Executive Master of Health Administration, learn the business behind healthcare leadership. Take the next step. EXECUTIVE MASTER OF HEALTH ADMINISTRATION NO GRE/GMAT REQUIRED For 2021 applicants ACCELERATED PROGRAM Complete in just four semesters Responding to Community Need, WSU Launches New Master of Social Work When Nick Call BA ’13, a Weber County native, sought a community partners when the university graduates the first master’s degree in social work to become a mental class of its newly launched Master of Social Work program, health care provider, he had to move to Salt Lake City to said Mark Bigler, Department of Social Work & Gerontology attend the University of Utah. Now owner and executive chair. The program accepted applications in December for its clinical director of Tree of Life Counseling Center in North inaugural class, which will enter the program in fall 2021. Ogden and Tree of Life Children’s Center in Farr West, Call Public and private providers of mental health care and says he would have stayed closer to home while pursuing substance abuse treatment in northern Utah are struggling his master’s degree if he had that option. to fill positions that require a Master of Social Work degree “It would have been a game changer for me,” Call said. due to national and local shortages of professionals in “The first four or five years of my career were spent in Salt the field, said Kevin Eastman, executive director of Weber Lake because that’s where I got my education. If I could have Human Services. In 2016, the Utah Medical Education Council gone to school here in Ogden, the first years of my career published a report projecting that the state would need to would have most definitely been spent here, serving the more than double its mental health care workforce by 2030, community in the best way I know: helping reduce the prompting urgent community discussion of the need for a stigma of accessing mental health care.” local program, Bigler said. Call stayed in the Salt Lake area because his program Weber State’s new graduate program will help surrounding maintained close relationships with local organizations, counties meet this need, Bigler said, since the program will funneling graduates into open positions nearby, he said. likely attract people like Call, who want to stay in the area This is exactly how Weber State plans to collaborate with after graduating. 12 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 FLAT-RATE TUITION No out-of-state increase ON-SITE ORIENTATION Attend one orientation ONLINE COURSEWORK Online degree NATIONALLY RANKED* Top 10 in the nation We accept any undergraduate degree (any discipline). *Recognized among the Top 20 Master’s in Healthcare Management Online by the Healthcare Management Degree Guide weber.edu/mha Storytelling Festival turns 25 and takes a new approach Jaime Winston Years before she first became a Weber State Storytelling Festival teller, Lynn Wing saw the power her stories held as an elementary school celebrity. Now a well-known regional storyteller with more than 25 years of experience, she earned her chops by spinning yarns as a volunteer at Salem Elementary in Utah County. And she had plenty to tell, inspired by places she lived and family who passed their stories down through the generations. Wing, who has lived in California, Hawaii, Wisconsin and Utah, still recalls the story her grandfather liked to tell about her grandmother feeding the family’s pig “a huge bottle of salt tablets.” “Every week, I would go in and I would tell a story,” said Wing, who performed in the school library. “Every 20 minutes, they’d bring in a new class, and I’d be telling stories for about an hour and a half to two hours.” It didn’t take long for kids in just 14 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 Spring 2021 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 15 about every grade to remember her. “I would walk down the accessible to everybody.” Last canceled due to halls and hear ‘Hey, Mrs. Wing!’ ‘Hi, Mrs. Wing!’” year’s festival reached 5,000 COVID-19, and she Wing’s love for storytelling runs deeper than the recognition it brings though. “We’re actually storytelling creatures. That’s how we communicate, really, all the time,” she said. “It just seemed a natural fit to be able to share all these stories.” Celebrating its 25th year, Weber State’s Storytelling Festival features adult and youth storytellers, ranging people. While organizers don’t has had to become know how many will attend comfortable with virtually this year, Byrd says the virtual storytelling link to the festival is being shared to over the course of the as many areas as possible. pandemic. Luckily, her partner, Telling Stories Online storyteller Eshu Bumpus, is a “technical wizard,” she said. from kindergartners to high school seniors. Typically held at Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Ogden, school districts send Along with reaching more people, Byrd says children by bus to attend, and special storytelling programs another advantage to going online is the ease of archiving are held at area schools. “It’s so fun to tell stories to these the recorded stories and providing them on social media and she said. “My task now is to effectively digitally enhance busloads of children who are very excited about the whole to teachers to show in their classrooms. “The big drawback my stories so they will be interesting — things you wouldn’t prospect of being there and taking part in the storytelling,” is we can’t have quite as many tellers, and we won’t have have to think about in an in-person performance.” Wing said. quite as many sessions,” Byrd said. “Storytelling is a reactive Wing performed in it for the first time in 2015, and returned each year since. She will also be part of the 2021 festival. WSU’s festival is the first festival in the nation to put national and youth storytellers on the same stage, said Karen Lofgren, former professor and founding festival chair. “I’m beginning to find out that each story event, so, recording the story, you also don’t see how the audience is reacting, and that will be a bit of a challenge for some of the tellers.” Wing said storytellers need to take a different approach to their telling online. “You don’t have the energy of a live audience,” she said. “Rather than trying to present as if Chloe Merrill, professor of child and family studies, former you’re presenting to an audience, it’s kind of scaled back on Boyd K. and Donna S. Packer Center for Family & Community the performance, a little more personal. I am telling a story, Education director and longtime Storytelling Festival supporter, says local schools, foundations and donors help support the festival financially so it can stay free to the public. In addition, a fundraising dinner is typically held during the festival. The 2021 festival, running Feb. 22 to March 18, will be held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the theme Tales to Remember: 25 Stories in 25 Days. Throughout the festival, new links will go live on the festival website that will take users to recorded stories. David Byrd, Storytelling Festival chair and teacher education professor, says the fundraiser will go online as well, and and I’m telling it to you.” requires different types of visual enhancements,” As she records her stories, she tries to imagine how her virtual audience will react. “If they are laughing, I must give them time to laugh,” she said. Motoko graduated from International Christian University in Tokyo and attended University of Massachusetts as an exchange student. While in college, she learned to mime. “Because I’m a mime and very physical, I naturally try to move and engage my whole body,” she said. “But recorded stories or going live online confines you into this little rectangle, and it’s a little bit frustrating.” A solution, she Wing adds that one thing, however, definitely hasn’t changed. As she tells her stories, those who hear them can still picture them in their minds. “If we’re doing it correctly, they’re experiencing the story with us,” Wing said. “It’s a very dynamic artform.” Motoko, a national storyteller at the 2021 festival who last attended in 2012, says she’s relieved that the festival wasn’t completely discovered, is finding parts of her stories that call for the camera to move instead, offering different angles and zooming in and out. At the festival, guests will see how Motoko and Bumpus have taken the reins in virtual storytelling, as she tells stories that include folktales from Japan and other areas in Asia. She will be joined by fellow national storytellers Ed Stivender and Simon Brooks. Stivender performed at WSU’s first Storytelling Festival and returned multiple times. Since 1980, he has performed all guests will have access to exclusive online stories. While storytellers won’t visit schools this year, the program is still The Award expanding its reach. “This has turned into an outreach program across the country, across the world,” Byrd said. “It will be The WSU Storytelling Festival honors a community member who perpetuates the art of storytelling with the Karen J. Ashton Award, named for a storyteller and longtime festival supporter, annually. This year’s award will be given to Claudia Eliason. 16 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 Spring 2021 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 17 over the country and world and can say that Ogden’s Egyptian Theater is In addition, one of the most beautiful theaters he’s come across. not many This year, however, like Motoko, he will go on screens helping them become immersed in stories is Stivender’s top goal, especially following a year like 2020. Meet a Youth Storyteller: Big crowds used to make Reese Draper a little nervous, To help accomplish that goal, storytellers representing a didn’t know what to expect, broad range of backgrounds, including bilingual storytellers, Lofgren said. She says it seems like about 150 guests came, a are brought in every year. small crowd compared to thousands today. “That’s one way we’ve been able to help people feel more me, especially the lovely, warm audiences in Ogden,” said Wet shoes and low attendance aside, Lofgren says WSU unified,” she said. “Right now, in our country, I think we Stivender, who also sees the bright side. “The fact it will President Paul H. Thompson saw a future in the festival need a little more of that.” perhaps reach a greater number is a positive thing, and I and didn’t want it to die after one year. The next year, the will do my best to give whoever is watching the break that I festival’s steering committee moved it indoors to Peery’s intend in my storytelling.” Egyptian Theater. The festival now holds events in Davis “Performing for a webcam, which I’ll be doing in my studio, is very different than performing for an audience in front of He says it’s an honor to return again for the 25th anniversary. but now that he’s a storyteller, his confidence has shot “Most storytelling festivals don’t make it to five years, but up like the giraffe’s neck in one of his favorite stories. the fact that this is the silver anniversary of a wonderful “I’m not as shy to speak in front of an entire crowd,” said Reese, a Riverdale Elementary fifth grader who was chosen as one of the youth storytellers at the 2021 festival is a great thing to celebrate,” he said. From Soggy Shoes to Success Story WSU Storytelling Festival. Festivalgoers might hear his story about how the giraffe Karen Lofgren uses one word to describe the inaugural got its long neck, tongue and legs, but they should also Weber State University Storytelling Festival, held Sept. 13 expect the unexpected. His favorite part of storytelling: and 14, 1996: “Disaster.” “You can tell random things that pop into your mind, The idea to hold the event outside at the Ogden campus, and they don’t have to make sense too much.” so festivalgoers could enjoy autumn as they listened to His family also appreciates stories. Reese says that storytellers’ captivating tales, didn’t go quite as planned. he enjoys listening to stories in the car with his “The night before, a water main broke on the lower campus, grandmother, and his father likes to share memories and that’s where all the tents were,” said Lofgren, chair from junior high and high school. Reese’s favorite of the first festival. “We went over the next morning, and school subject is language arts. At home, he enjoys everything was flooded.” playing with LEGOs and his dog, Tucker. While he Most of the water was able to be removed, but the grass just might become a nationally recognized storyteller stayed soggy. someday, right now, mail carrier is one of the careers wanted to reflect the culture of the community,” she said. attended since they instead of on stage. Giving people a break from their troubles and concerns and “We wanted it to be a broad community event, and we County and conducts outreach to local schools as well. Get Involved in The festival has received the Oracle Award from the National Storytelling Network in 2001, a community service award from Utah Association for Gifted Children in 2003 and the Distinguished Project Award from the Utah Association Storytellers Motoko and Lynn Wing of Teacher Educators in 2010. shared amazing stories with us that have Lofgren says the festival’s steering committee, a diverse group of volunteers who help plan and run the festival, been transcribed for you! Find them at weber.edu/wsumagazine. has been its key to success. “The success you see today is Have a fond memory from a past because of that original storytelling committee that had the Storytelling Festival? Tell us about it at vision,” she said. magazine@weber.edu. Ann Ellis, retired WSU teacher education professor, former festival chair for eight years and steering committee member since the beginning, says another reason the festival has lasted 25 years is its focus on children. “From the very This year’s festival runs Feb. 22 to March 18, 2021. Find out more at weber.edu/storytelling. beginning, we worked out a way for children to be active Festival organizers hope to host the 2022 storytellers on stage during the festival,” Ellis said. “It’s event in person, and they already need turned our festival into an internationally recognized event, volunteers. To sign up, contact David Byrd particularly because of the children who tell the stories.” at davidbyrd@weber.edu. Ellis says the festival also has a unifying power for all ages. that intrigues him the most. 18 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 Spring 2021 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 19 A global pandemic means mental health care Katie England 20 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 Spring 2021 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 21 Coping During Covid Corbin Standley BS ’15 lost his older brother, David, to suicide in June 2010, setting his life on a different course as he headed into his senior year of high school. To help Standley process his loss, he sought a better understanding of mental health by taking an AP psychology course, and later enrolled in the psychology program at Weber State. As he wandered the booths at a suicide prevention walk in Salt Lake City in 2012, one table in particular caught his attention. A volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) was handing out flyers about campus Out of the Darkness Walks — the first he had heard of such an event. Standley soon reached out to Taryn Hiatt, the area director for AFSP, about starting campus suicide prevention walks on Weber State’s campus. If anyone else was dealing with depression or Samuel Strong, who went live on Instagram to encourage Despite the extra stressors people have other students to walk with loved ones to promote positive experienced this year, Jeffrey said that the mental health by exercising outside with other people. actual number of people seeking help at the Those events have attracted others who have lost loved ones or dealt with depression themselves, including Bret as he had during one of the most formative years of his life, he wanted to connect them with support and resources by bringing the community and campus together. “I wanted to build awareness and support, while letting people know they’re not alone,” said Standley, who is now a doctoral student at Michigan State University whose work focuses on social and community issues related to suicide. Standley began the first Out of the Darkness Walk in 2015, and student-led suicide prevention events have been held on campus each year since. Since 2015, the walks have raised more than $10,000 for suicide prevention efforts. which worries him. Alexander BS ’19, former student body president and “In the early stages of the pandemic, as we current grad student and new student orientation program transitioned to teletherapy, we had about advisor for the Student Success Center. half our usual demand,” Jeffrey said. “At Like Standley, Alexander lost someone to suicide as a teenager. A boy he was in a relationship with died by suicide when Alexander was 19, prompting him to realize a couple of things. First, knowing that LGBTQ youth often face unique stressors that lead to higher rates of suicide, he committed to fully stepping into his identity as a gay man. Second, he was going to spread hope to others who might find themselves in a situation where they felt they had no hope. Alexander has spoken at suicide prevention events on campus, and still carries around a small rock he painted at one event that says “High hopes.” “If you pull it out of your pocket, hopefully it pushes you a little bit, or at least one more day.” he said. Effects of Pandemic losing a loved one to suicide, counseling center has diminished somewhat — Mental health is a struggle for many even in the best of times, and 2020 has featured a global pandemic, economic downturn and a contentious presidential election, the end of fall 2020 semester, we had about two-thirds the usual number of clients, but are almost on par with the typical number of sessions provided.” While he knows the mental health struggles are out there, he says some people may not have been comfortable with the virtual and tele-mental-health services offered during the fall 2020 semester, or they’re so burned out from dealing with everything else that even making an attempt to connect with services is too much. Many mental health issues first manifest between the ages of 18 and 25, Jeffrey said, right when many people are in college. Add that to the transition from high school to college and the stress of keeping up with classes, jobs and other responsibilities, and biological and environmental factors create the perfect storm. exacerbating depression and anxiety for many people. At Isolation is another factor that the pandemic has Weber State’s Counseling & Psychological Services Center, increased that can affect mental health, said many people are seeking services directly related to effects Amy Blunck, the coordinator of mental health from the pandemic, said Dr. Aaron Jeffrey, associate director initiatives for Counseling & Psychological of clinical services. Financial stress, family stress or Services Center. With many people working difficulty coping with changes brought about by COVID-19 or taking classes from home, it can make are all reasons people are seeking help, Jeffrey said. it easier not to check in with family and “I think we all have a coping buffer, and that’s just kind of friends about how they're doing. been whittled away with earthquakes and racial tension and Utah has had higher suicide rates than all of this stuff,” Jeffrey said. “And now with Covid, people the nation as a whole consistently for just don’t have this buffer anymore. What they used to be the last decade, and suicide is the In 2020, a suicide prevention walk in November was virtual able to roll with, now just pushes them over the edge. A lot of leading cause of preventable death in due to the pandemic. The walk was led by WSU Student people who previously may not have sought services come in Utah. It accounts for more than 600 Association mental health advocates, Carly Ferrin and and reach out to us now.” deaths a year — and thousands 22 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 Spring 2021 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 23 more attempts, according to the Utah Department of Health. Though Utah’s suicide rates have to Completion mostly held stable during the pandemic, rates of seeking help have gone up, Hiatt said. “Covid leveled the playing field,” Hiatt said. “Everybody’s Suicide Prevention struggling.” Seeking Help Treatment and support is available for anyone in the On Campus WSU community struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues. Support can range from calling the National Suicide Prevention lifeline to visiting your primary care physician for an assessment. The important thing, Hiatt said, is that you find someone who takes you seriously. Seeking support from peers on campus is another option. Blunck oversees health initiatives on campus, including a program of peer-based mental health support groups. Students have to take a class before leading a support group, such as the virtual anxiety toolbox. Since there is still a stigma around seeking Counseling & Psychological Services Center Students can schedule a free appointment at 801-626-6406 or weber.edu/counselingcenter. Caring staff will help direct you to the best treatment option for you. ’CATapult Funds Distributed So Far Wellness Center Find resources to maintain health and wellness of your body and mind. Learn more at weber.edu/studentwellness, or contact them at 801-626-7524 or studentwellness@weber.edu. Summer 2020 $233,185 In the Community mental health services, Blunck said some students who would be averse to seeking help from a therapist NUHOPE or counselor are more open to sharing with fellow This coalition works to prevent suicide and students. Options including group, individual, couple increase suicide awareness in northern Utah. and family therapy are also available through the Visit nuhopeutah.org for information on Counseling & Psychological Services Center. resources, support groups and more. For those who aren’t current students, the counseling Weber Human Services center’s website has a variety of useful mental health Call the 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-273-8255. information, videos, apps, screening tools and crisis Learn more about their services at weberhs.net. resources. Live On Utah If there’s a silver lining to the pandemic it’s that people Whether you’ve lost someone to suicide or are in are talking about mental health more than ever. crisis and considering it yourself, you’ll find “It emphasizes our need to connect with others. It a plethora of resources at liveonutah.org. Spring 2020 $22,852 Total awarded: $446,322 to 527 students as of October 2020 emphasizes the need to know we aren’t alone, we’re not alone in those struggles,” Standley said. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Average award: $1,080 Call 1-800-273-8255 24/7 to speak with a counselor. 24 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 Make your gift today at weber.edu/catapult. Tammy McCray had one goal: to graduate with her Since then, about $446,322 has been awarded to degree before she turned 60. 527 students. The average amount distributed to As a recipient of the ’CATapult Scholarship, the students has been about $1,080. 59-year-old was able to do that in December 2020 Mortensen said the idea for the program came from with a degree in communication with an emphasis students who shared personal examples about how in public relations and advertising. hard it is to stay in school with financial challenges. “After that I’m going to sit and rest,” McCray said, “Some students didn’t say anything and laughing, as she planned her graduation last fall. quietly dropped their classes before the tuition Eventually, she hopes to use her education to deadline every semester,” he said. “We know that promote her own photography business. scholarships dedicated to students working to Without the scholarship, McCray wouldn’t have had cross the finish line in their final semesters — like the financial means to finish her degree during the the Jack & Barbara Magdiel Scholarship Endowment fall semester. She knew it would have been twice as — really make a difference to help students finish. hard to return to school if she took time off to save, So, we wanted to do something bold to eliminate and she didn’t see getting a loan as an option. the financial barriers for students who have already On top of that, her mother passed away the prior put so much effort into their degree.” spring, followed shortly by her nephew, and then McCray tried once before to pursue higher by another nephew. This made staying focused on education at Weber State, but stopped to take classes, let alone paying for them, a challenge. care of her daughter after she contracted a staph McCray’s advisor, Leslie Howerton, suggested infection while giving birth. she look at scholarships to get through her final Even though her road to a degree has been long, semester, which resulted in her applying for the McCray has continued working full-time at ’CATapult scholarship. Marketstar, a local sales and marketing company, President Brad Mortensen announced ’CATapult, while pursuing her dream. a $10 million scholarship fundraising initiative McCray said students should believe in their aimed at helping students complete their degree, in dreams no matter what, and never give up. January 2020. “This has been on my bucket list,” she said. Spring 2021 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 25 WSU certificate programs help 1,200+ Utahns build high-demand skills during the pandemic, with support from state grants funded Megan Olsen 26 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 Spring 2021 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 27 With his newly minted bachelor’s degree in geography, Timber Erickson walked straight into a full-time position after graduating from Weber State University in December 2020. He’d been offered the job months before, despite the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affecting the economy. Erickson’s success wasn’t just a lucky break during a difficult time. Throughout his undergraduate years, he made incremental progress toward full-time employment. interpret geospatial data, called geographic information NUGeoTec was one of 16 Weber State programs that were associate’s degree in about 14 months, though the time systems (GIS). awarded grants from this funding after applying at the state frame is flexible. The courses don’t follow the schedule “It was a perfect opportunity for me to get established in the level, bringing in almost $2 million to the university. of a traditional semester, so students can start whenever geospatial field and gave me a really good skill set for my Most of those funds went toward student tuition for courses they’re ready. future position,” Erickson said. during fall and spring semesters, supporting more than With the grant, CS Flex paid the tuition of select students After only a few courses in geospatial technology during 1,200 Utah residents pursuing certificates ranging from taking any of the program’s first four courses, allowing them his first year of college, Erickson landed a summer job as instructional design to law enforcement. to earn a certificate in computer programming essentials on a part-time GIS specialist with his hometown of Evanston, The certificates offered through these programs can be their way to an associate’s degree in computer science. Wyoming. He kept the job throughout his undergraduate stand-alone credentials, qualifying students to work Because the program is online, CS Flex also opens years, making more money than he would in most student immediately upon completion, said James Taylor, director of opportunities for people across the state to earn a computer jobs. He continued to build on his geospatial technology Weber State’s Office of Sponsored Projects and Technology science credential. skills at Weber State, graduating with an advanced certificate Commercialization. Stacey King, a resident of Hurricane in southern Utah, is a in geospatial analysis in addition to his bachelor’s degree. Erickson has seen job postings for geospatial technology CS Flex student who was selected to receive Learn & Work The certificate Erickson earned is one of two offered positions in northern Utah that offer $20 an hour or more, he tuition support. Prior to this, King had been awarded a by Weber State’s Northern Utah Geospatial Technology said, requiring only a certificate and a high school diploma. scholarship that was discontinued because of the pandemic. Education Program (NUGeoTec), which also offers an entry- “As soon as students get a year’s worth of experience in Losing the scholarship made her consider postponing her level certificate. Either credential makes students hireable in school, they can find a decent job to provide for themselves courses so she could save money for tuition. the field after only two semesters of coursework. or their families,” Taylor said. “The CARES funding provided what I needed to keep going,” Given the employment success of Erickson and other Most of the certificates also provide foundational credit King said. students who’ve earned geospatial technology certificates, for associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, he said. This makes King teaches high school math for Utah Online School, a it’s no surprise that NUGeoTec faculty jumped at the them “stackable” credentials that allow students to progress public school open to students across the state. CS Flex opportunity to apply for a competitive state grant to expand in their careers while continuing to pursue a degree, courses will allow her to earn an endorsement in computer the program’s enrollment. formalizing an approach like the one Erickson took. science from the Utah State Board of Education. This will Utah allocated a portion of the state’s allotted funding from “A lot of our programs are for academic credit,” Taylor said. qualify her to teach high school computer science, expanding the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) “Weber State is really unique in that way.” her school’s course offerings and equipping her students As part of his geography major, Erickson studied geospatial Act toward an initiative called “Learn & Work in Utah,” which technology, a field that includes digital mapmaking, airborne gave colleges and universities the opportunity to compete and satellite imagery and global positioning and navigation for funding to train Utah residents affected by the COVID-19 systems (GPS), as well as the software used to analyze and pandemic. with marketable skills. The endorsement also comes with a This is true of Weber State’s new CS Flex program in computer science, which was also awarded Learn & Work pay raise. grant funding. CS Flex allows students to take computer Having flexibility in her coursework has been essential, King science courses online at their own pace, completing an said, since her job teaching online has ballooned due to the (Continued on page 32) WSU LEARN & WORK CARES FUNDING total number of 28 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 learn & work average tuition amount Spring 2021 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 29 Learn & Work Program Law How to Pivot Enforcement Your Food Academy Business to the New Normal Telehealth Certificate Northern Utah Geospatial Technology Education Program (NUGeoTec) Certificate School of Computing Digital Badges Instructional Design Certificate Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate Computer Science Flex Certificates Engineering, Applied Science & Technology Certificates of Proficiency Certificate and Credit-Granting Programs Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics Skill-Building Community Courses Graduate Certificate in Business Development Certificate in Systems Engineering Online Entrepreneurship Course Certified Information Systems Security Professional Mother Coders CARES for COVID-19 Learn & Work programs are only one way Federal CARES Act funding is supporting Weber State. The university has received five other grants of CARES funding to address needs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Three grants totaling $12.3 million were awarded through the U.S. Department of Education. They funded direct financial aid for students, the costs of rapidly transitioning to online learning, refunds of housing and tuition expenses, and training for faculty and staff, among other needs. The first grant of $5.86 million was dedicated to student financial assistance, as was a portion of the second grant. Weber State also received two grants of CARES funding from local agencies, one for $6.56 million through the Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN), the other for $750,000 through Weber County. The UETN grant covered education technology expenses, including a suite of new technology and collaboration spaces based in Lampros Hall and the Stewart Library, called the Digital Fluency District. The Weber County grant paid for personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies, parts of the Digital Fluency District, and equipment for radiology and respiratory therapy students to use in simulations that replaced the clinical experiences they lost due to the pandemic. Timber Erickson and professor Bryan Dorsey explore locations for a proposed wildlife crossing bridge over Interstate 84 in Summit County in November 2020. The research was part of a senior project by Erickson. Spring 2021 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 31 (Continued from page 29) pandemic, and she has four children of her own. “CS Flex courses are built to be accelerated, so you can finish them the flexibility to CLASS NOTES take more time A L U M N I U P D AT E S quickly,” King said. “But they also have if you have a rough week or if something just isn't clicking.” CS Flex was a new program in fall 2020, so it was a big surprise when it received more than $350,000 through the Learn & Work initiative, said Linda DuHadway, associate professor of computer science and CS Flex coordinator. The grant was a major vote of confidence in the program, she said, which was reinforced ’60s all of Eastern Europe. Richard registered to vote and out Education Association and and Edith have five children, to the polls on election day. the Distinguished Post- A Richard Watkins BA ’67 19 grandchildren and four Vickie and her husband, Greg Secondary Business Educator was born and raised in great-grandchildren. Seven Merrill AS ’80, have five sons award from Utah Business West Haven, Utah. Upon of their children and spouses and 14 grandchildren. Vickie Educators Association. She graduation from Weber State, are Weber State graduates. currently serves on WSU’s retired from WSU in 2017, he accepted a position and Richard is a member of the Emeriti Alumni Council. They and from Weber School By jumpstarting the growth of these certificate worked for the same logistics Wildcat Club and is proud to live in Syracuse, Utah. District in 2001. Joyce and programs, many of them designed to address long- company in Utah for over say he bleeds purple. They standing regional shortages in the technology 43 years. He retired from live in West Haven. workforce, Taylor thinks the Learn & Work funding Kenco Logistics as director will have far-reaching effects on the local economy. ’70s District at Bonneville High of Public Operations of the Western Region in 2008. Vickie Whiting Merrill AS ’71, as Business Department Richard served a mission for BS ’72 received her teaching chair for the majority Bill Van Dyke BA ’73 was The Church of Jesus Christ of certificate from Utah State of those years. While at a member of the Blue Key Latter-day Saints in France, by a surge of student interest. The program’s goal was to enroll 90 students for fall semester, DuHadway said. It ultimately enrolled more than 200 students and provided tuition support for 119. “There were students who only tried CS Flex because this funding was available,” DuHadway said. “These programs will grow and prosper even after this funding ends because they’re fulfilling a need,” he said. and 17 grandchildren. Joyce currently serves on the WSU School for 27 years, serving Emeriti Alumni Council. University and taught special Bonneville, Joyce received Honor Society and charter education in the Davis School the I Love Teaching Award, president of Chi Epsilon Phi Storehouse in Ogden, District for 30 years. She and was featured as a Fraternity/Sigma Gamma where he assisted those worked with students with speaker at numerous teacher Chi at WSU. Bill has been a professional banker for over behavior and emotional conferences. During those and transience in the area. disorders in the junior high years, she also was an 45 years in mortgage lending. While at Weber State, he met setting. As a history major at adjunct faculty member at His jobs have included loan his wife, A Edith Watkins WSU, she received the Utah Weber State in the BusEd/ officer, manager, regional manager (5-state region) and IC ’65. Together, they served State Historical Society Award Technology Business a proselytizing mission as the outstanding history Education department. vice president. He has also in Ogden, and another in student as a graduating While teaching at WSU, had ownership interest in a Yerevan, Armenia. While senior. At WSU, she was Joyce also received the mortgage company, which sold in 2015. Currently, he serving in Armenia, they were weber.edu/wsumagazine | Spring 2021 BS ’73, have four children worked in the Weber School and another at the Bishop’s experiencing homelessness 32 her husband, Dennis Porter Joyce Taggart Porter ’73 affiliated with Phi Kappa Phi, Outstanding Business responsible for Employment and was involved in getting Educator Postsecondary holds a branch lending Services for the church for students and elderly citizens award from Western Business manager license and is L Lifetime Member of the Alumni Association A Annual Member of the Alumni Association Spring 2021 | alumni.weber.edu 33 HIT THE Links SUPPORT WSU STUDENTS Join the Alumni Golf Classic and help raise $50,000 for alumni student scholarships. Donations of any size can be made while you enjoy a day of golf. June 4, 2021 at The Barn Golf Club a senior loan officer for A Dan Walker BS ’75 recently track and field program. Dan Academy Mortgage, and is retired after a 36-year and his wife, Elaine, have semi-retired. While attending career as a track and field been married for 46 years and WSU, Bill met his wife, Mary coach. During his 33 years reside in South Ogden. They Davenport Van Dyke. They at Weber State, he coached have three children and two were married in 1973 and 74 conference champions, grandchildren. have five children. They also 15 All-Americans and three have 12 grandchildren. As NCAA champions. After a volunteer, Bill is highly retiring from WSU, Dan spent involved with his church and his last three years coaching Jesse “Jess” Brown AA ‘85 has held many leadership at Idaho State, where he BA ‘86 served as a deputy and teaching positions. He helped bring the men’s sheriff for Duchesne County currently serves on WSU’s and women’s programs with an assignment as a Emeriti Alumni Council. from last place finishes in Drug Abuse Resistance the Big Sky to second and Education (DARE) officer. He third place finishes. Prior to was a police officer for Salem, coaching, Dan worked as a Provo, and for the Utah State lab specialist in St. Benedict’s Hospital in Provo. Jess is Hospital, now Ogden Regional currently serving as a driver’s Medical Center, from license examiner in the 1975–1984, during which time Springville DLD office. Jess he volunteered with WSU’s is married to DeAnn Brown, A Robert Alley BS ’74 married Suzanne Southwick Alley AS ’73 of Ogden in 1972. Following Weber State, he attended the University of Utah School of Medicine and graduated in 1978. Robert completed a general surgery ’80s residency at Fitzsimons Registration sells out quickly, sign up today! alumni.weber.edu/golfclassic S IS I R C A N I HELP A S T UDENT Donations to the Emeriti Alumni Student Emergency (EASE) Fund help WSU students facing hardships who can’t wait for regular student grants and loans to be processed. EASE funds can be processed within two days. How your donations have already supported students: Paid a student’s rent after her purse was stolen Paid for travel expenses to attend a parent’s funeral Assisted a student in purchasing eyeglasses Army Medical Center in 1983 and was assigned to Fort Stewart’s Winn Army Hospital in Georgia, where he served as a general surgeon. Robert returned to Ogden in 1986 and continued to practice as a general surgeon. In 1994, he became a full-time ER physician at McKay-Dee Hospital. He has been active in the Ogden medical community, serving as chief of surgery and trauma director at McKay-Dee Hospital, secretary and president of the Ogden Surgical Medical CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS Take part in WSU’s annual Leadership to Legacy mentorship program. As a mentor, your expertise can help students prepare for a successful future. Register today and we’ll contact you if and when a student in your field is seeking a mentor. medicine in 2017. He and Sue have five children and 18 grandchildren. He currently serves on the WSU Emeriti Alumni Council. class for 11 years. For two She is also a member of the of women’s and children’s They live in Spanish Fork. In years, she worked with the Utah Education Association services for University of past years, Jess has enjoyed state program Utah Center (UEA), and has served on the Utah Health, where she supporting the WSU Alumni for the Advancement of council of local presidents for has worked for 17 years. Band Reunion by playing Reading Excellence (UCARE), six years. Additionally, Cheryl Rita received her Doctor the tuba at the homecoming which identifies gifted is a member of the National of Nursing Practice in games. learners in Title I schools who Education Association Organizational Leadership are ELL (English language (NEA), and has attended the from the U of U in 2020, learners). Cheryl has also NEA annual meeting and and an MBA in Health Care worked in schools as a choir Representatives Assembly, Management from the director and directed school representing Utah, for six University of Phoenix in 2005. musicals for 4th–6th graders. years. She has four children, Rita is board certified as a She is a member of the and two grandchildren on Nurse Executive (NEA-BC). Weber Education Association the way. Rita’s doctoral project is on Cheryl Cloward Parkinson 35 years in the Weber the Weber County Medical Become a mentor ALUMNI.WEBER.EDU/MENTOR alumni.weber.edu/easefund who also attended WSU. BS ’85, M.Ed ’91 has taught Society, and president of Society. Robert retired from DONATE TODAY! School District, and holds an endorsement in gifted education. Cheryl worked on committees in the district for 25 years, and taught a 6th grade gifted and talented (WEA), currently serving on the WEA board and previously as vice president. L Lifetime Member of the Alumni Association A Annual Member of the Alumni Association Rita Aguilar ASN ’89, BSN ’02 is the senior nursing director addressing Utah's nursing workforce diversity. She is married to Danny R. Aguilar. Spring 2021 | alumni.weber.edu 35 ICATE O UT TY 100% A “Weber State Pond” T IF Edition Print F Become a lifetime member of WSUAA and receive: CE R Limited I H E N TIC currently an administrator Development, and helped starred in the film Horse Song, for American Leadership raise over $9 million for a which debuted at the 2000 ’00s Academy in Arizona. Ryan new library at the Shiprock Sundance Film Festival. He Thomas Hofmeyer BA ’00 also worked for the Arizona campus and archival building is also the WSU 1996 Crystal is a global head of logistics Diamondbacks for six years at the campus in Tsaile, Crest Talent of the Year award and trade compliance for and has been a coach for 19 Arizona. In 2011, Curtis left winner. He and his wife, Tecan, a medical technology seasons. His coaching career Diné College to focus on his Kathleen, have two children corporation. He guest lectures includes winning the Boys fine arts career. He became and reside in Farmington, yearly for MIT’s supply chain Basketball Arizona State a freelance photographer New Mexico. MBA program. Thomas is Championship last spring. for The Farmington Daily involved in Swiss politics as Ryan and his wife, Tamarah, Mindy Mortensen BA ’98 Times, The Navajo Times, The Albuquerque Journal and The is a botanist currently a member of The Liberals. have five children and live in Thomas and his wife, Aliona, Queen Creek, Arizona. Santa Fe New Mexican. He also teaching in Community Education for WSU, as well live in Zurich, Switzerland. as Home and Garden Plants They have one daughter. Curtis Ray Benally BA ’96 Watercolor Print graduated with an MFA Koolmees en artist Cara of 100 Signed by Ogd Limited Edition ticity en th Au Certificate of alumni.weber.edu/print in painting from the University of Oklahoma in 1999. Afterward, he taught fine arts and art history at Diné College’s Shiprock campus. He served as the dean of instruction and vice Matthew Mouritsen BA ’88 is the dean of WSU’s John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics. He has an MBA from Utah State University (1991), and a Ph.D from USU in Business Information Systems & Education (1997). Matthew has worked for 19 years as a professor in WSU’s School of Accounting & Taxation, and as the MBA program director. His research is directed at practitioners and includes publications and presentations in technology management, pedagogy, ethics and stakeholder trust. He and his wife, Aimee Mouritsen, have five married children and five grandchildren. 36 ’90s Jennifer McGrew BS ’92 holds an MFA from Utah State University and an MA from New York University. Jennifer taught English, theater and education courses at WSU from 2001 to 2010. During that time, she helped launch the WSU First Year Experience program as one of the first instructors. For 20 years, she has operated McGrew Studios, a production, costume and fabrication design company in Salt Lake City. Although her downtown shop location closed in November 2020, Jennifer continues to do Quinn Jacobson BIS ’93 elected to the city council received his MFA at Goddard in West Haven in 2010. College in Vermont. He After completing one term, worked as a photographer she was elected as mayor for the US Department of and is currently serving in Defense for 20 years and her second term. Sharon is retired in 2020. Quinn owns pursuing a master’s degree in Studio Q, and still enjoys public administration from working as an artist and Southern Utah University. educator. He teaches historic Her husband, Gus Bolos photographic processes AS ’93, is a physical therapist both privately and at the for Ogden Regional Medical University of Colorado, Center and also owns a Denver. Quinn has also home healthcare contracting given photography lectures company. Gus is pursuing his at universities in China and doctorate in Physical Therapy Spain. He published Chemical (DPT) at Arcadia University. Pictures (2020) and Conferring Together, they raised six Importance (2007). He and children. Of their children his wife, Jeanne, live in and their spouses, three are Florissant, Colorado. WSU graduates and six are currently attending. production work from her Sharon Arrington Bolos home studio, plus script BA ’93 worked as a home- Ryan J. Taylor BA ’97 earned development for film, TV, based accountant for several his doctorate in education commercials and the arts. small businesses following from Grand Canyon She lives in Salt Lake City. her graduation. She was University in 2018. He is alumni.weber.edu | Spring 2021 president of Institutional started his own business, Turkeyboy Photography. His photography focuses on social causes, such as the Dakota Access Pipeline protest at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in 2016 and missing and murdered indigenous women. Curtis is an actor for film and television and on campus. She also does A Jeremy Farner AA ’01, landscape consulting for AAS ’01, BS ’03 returned homeowners. Her husband, to Weber State in 2008 as Matt Mortensen BS ’98, is an instructor and is now a the network security officer tenured associate professor, for Weber County. They have program coordinator of four children, two of whom the Building Design & are WSU students. They live Construction (architecture) in Pleasant View, Utah. program, and director of 2 CAT CAT SCHOLARSHIPS Celebrate your success and help other Wildcats achieve their dreams. Make a donation of $20.21 or a donation in honor of your graduation year ($20.21 for the Class of 2021, for example). Since 2016, WSU graduating seniors have donated over $31,000 to provide Cat2Cat student scholarships for fellow Wildcats. WEBER.EDU/CAT2CAT g n i l e e e l F t ? t i ed l a at d WSU’s Department of Child of Trustees for the Bike & Family Studies. He and Collective, Chase earned the his wife, Jennifer, have two Presidential Volunteer Service children and live in North Award. He has also served as Ogden, Utah. for the Emerging Leaders Initiative of Utah. He and his wife, Anna, live in Salt Lake City. on ti rip c bs u s ine e eiv c re . m to tions ni r m te o s lu let rom on at a i s t p w a c fic ild ents E-Ne cial i t W i no pe ev ry us nta SU lumn nd s p e am lim al W e A nts a c p n e th e eiv com regio with n ev c Re uire out w ion o o q n b Ac rn a he-k rmat • t a o Le y in- inf • Update your profile at y ta thl S n • mo weber.edu/updateyourinfo z • is an adjunct instructor in While serving on the Board a community board member a ag UR I O P Y UMN E KE AL TION U A LE WS SOCI OFI O: R AS P NT T RE R CU Outdoor Recreation Summit. ’10s Melissa Aitken AS ’11, BS ’18 is receiving her MBA in Healthcare Administration Management from Western Governor’s University in winter 2021, and recently completed a Design and Interpretation of Clinical Trials course through Johns Hopkins University through Coursera. She is engineering from University of Wisconsin-Stout in spring 2021. Previously, Jamie worked for Autoliv as a global supply chain leader and project buyer for engineering and development. He also has a Six Sigma Black Belt from ASQ. He and his wife, Samantha, live in West Point, Utah. Tax in Houston, Texas. He works in the private client for over five years as a service department and clinical research nurse for performs tax compliance, Pharmaceutical Research preparing individual, Organization, LLC. partnership, estate and gift, ’18 owns LifeSavers CPR, communications, Chase Andrew Chris BS ’11 owns He leads Global Agent of Vista Medical Center and an organization providing worked as an advisor for The Life Empowerment, Change international service Florence Hospital for Steward certified American Heart Moore’s 2020 congressional LLC. His company provides trips to developing countries Health Care in the Phoenix Association instruction. campaign. Previously, personal growth coaching, to construct projects his area. He received his MBA The company offers Basic Chase worked as a digital empowered couple coaching students have designed. from Western Governors Life Support (BLS) training marketing manager for and empowered parent He is engaged in real-world University in 2011. Derrick and HeartCode BLS with Cicero Group and at the coaching, all delivered online. projects that serve the local previously worked as CEO first aid classes weekly Utah Governor’s Office of He also has books and community. His wife, A Jami for LifeCare hospitals in the and monthly to businesses Economic Development, online resources for personal Farner BS ’11 is a science Reno area, and COO for Gila and individuals. She and where he designed and growth, intimate relationship teacher at Mountain High River Health Care in Phoenix. her husband, Frank, live in executed strategic marketing building and proactive and School in Kaysville, Utah. He served a full-time mission Bountiful, Utah. initiatives such as the positive parenting. Andrew They have seven children for The Church of Jesus between them and live in Christ of Latter-day Saints in Clinton, Utah. Dusseldorf, Germany. alumni.weber.edu | Spring 2021 degree in manufacturing Previously, Melissa worked the COO for Mountain Cultivating the SEEds of Science He will receive his master’s a tax associate for Andersen Construction Excellence. 38 manager for JBT AeroTech. of Utah School of Medicine. on strategic marketing and Blake Moore. With a focus manufacturing engineering coordinator for the University Mindy Venditti AS ’08, BS staff for US Congressman as a production control/ Caleb Johnson MTax ’19 is Derrick Glum BS ’03 is BS ’10 is the deputy chief of has worked for four years a senior clinical research the Wadman Center for Chase K. Christiansen AS ’08, Jamie Rigby BS ’14, MBA ’17 TEACHER TWILIGHT Spring 2021 Zoom Series and other federal and state tax returns. He received his CPA license in September 2020. Caleb received his bachelor’s degree in Save the date! Integrating Art & Science March 4, 2021, 5 p.m. Co-sponsored with WSU Arts Learning Collaborative accounting from BYU-Idaho. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the greater Atlanta area. He and his wife, Hannah Johnson, Sorting the SEEds of Science April 15, 2021, 5 p.m. live in Houston. Utah Economic Summit, Talent Ready Utah, Utah Aerospace Pathways, Diesel Tech Pathways and the Utah Check the website for Zoom information later this semester. weber.edu/csme/training RISING WE LIFT EACH OTHER Our fall 2020 issue also included a call for cover artists to inspire hope for others during the pandemic. Here is some of the artwork shared using #EverUpwardatWeber. PLAYING BALL AT FOUR CORNERS Our Spring 2020 article Lasting Impressions covered WSU students’ environmental fieldwork in Utah around the globe, along with the trips former geology professor Walter Buss took with students to explore geologic sites. Larry German wrote to us about one more Buss trip worth mentioning. Weber State University News for Alumni & Friends, Over the years and most recently, our Wildcat Alumni Magazine has offered interesting commentary, about “the legendary trips former geology professor Walter Buss took with students to ... “ SEND YOUR BELL TOWER MEMORIES Missing, to my recollection, has been any mention or photos We will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stewart of the field trips to the Four Corners, where they would play Bell Tower in our fall 2021 issue. Send your favorite softball. Yes, the pitcher stood on the geographical center, memories of the Bell Tower for this section to with home plate, first base, second base and third base...in magazine@weber.edu. four different States. In those days, Four Corners was just a barren piece of dirt, with a marginal marker denoting the geographical designations. Today and for the past several decades, a much larger monument occupies the space. Sadly, no reference to Professor Buss and the Weber Junior College Students, who... with a home run, could travel through four states in the matter of a couple of minutes. TITLE CORRECTION Our fall 2020 issue included Throwing off Fear, a story about Weber State’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has impacted students and alumni. Reader Janae M. pointed out to us that we I know there is a photo, but for the life of me, I can’t find it. mistakenly included the wrong job title in the headline In the spirit of Walter Buss and Weber Jr. College, for our profile on alumna Libby Parr BS ’19. Libby is a radiologic technologist. Lawrence G. “Larry” German, AS ’60, BS ’66 Top row: Artwork by students at Weber State’s Melba S. Lehner Children’s School Bottom row: Artwork from editor Jaime Winston, two pieces of stunning artwork by WSU gradaute Ryan Snarr SURVEY SAYS… To better serve you, our reader, give us your feedback on the magazine and what you’d like to see in it. Survey takers will be entered to win exclusive prizes. Find our survey using the QR code or following the link at weber.edu/wsumagazine. 40 alumni.weber.edu | Spring 2021 Spring 2021 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 41 FACULTY FEATURE SUCCESS STARTS WITH BELONGING EDUCATION IS HARDLY A PASSIVE ENDEAVOR. WE CAN START THE PROCESS BY ASKING OURSELVES: Who are we and what social positions do we occupy? Who are our students and what social positions do they occupy? What are the different ways in which our students learn? BY NICOLA CORBIN Associate Communication Professor, 2019 WSU Crystal Crest Master Teacher Award recipient What accommodations are we making to eliminate barriers to learning? What books and course materials do we choose to assign? The benefits of inclusive pedagogy reach beyond the success of any individual student. When we approach our teaching with an inclusive mindset and create environments that foster belonging, we also model ways of interaction with people who are different from us. When it reaches its ideal in implementation, inclusive pedagogy models empathy and an What scholars do we choose to study? appreciation for nuance, in addition to the student success What experts do we choose to reference? And, in today’s world, we need more of that. outcomes we strive to achieve. What visuals do we choose to use in our presentations? What ways do we choose to conduct assessment of learning? Let’s take a jaunt through your memories, back to your time An inclusive pedagogical approach seeks to create exactly at Weber State. From the friendships you made to the hours such a sense of belonging. While the term “inclusive you spent in the classroom, you persisted to become a proud pedagogy” seems like some new-fangled innovation, the ideas Weber State alum. But, you might also know others who began behind this concept certainly aren’t new. Most of us teach with college the same time as you, but never graduated. the goal of success for all of our students, especially at Weber From financial concerns to unfamiliarity with navigating a State. However, when applied practically, the approaches we complex system to poor classroom performance, there are use in our teaching and curricula are sometimes counter- many reasons students do not make it to graduation. In fact, productive to learning for some students. Inclusive pedagogy student retention rates fall from 65% in the first year to about strives to correct this issue as much as possible. It is a 45% by the third year of a cohort at Weber State. It is a problem deliberate mindset and approach that challenges us to create that needs a holistic solution. courses and course environments in which more of our One part of this solution is to foster a sense of belonging in the classroom. 42 alumni.weber.edu | Spring 2021 students will reliably succeed. How do we choose to interact with our students? With these answers in mind, we must go a step further and ask ourselves: Will all of our students, regardless of who they are, feel that they belong in our classrooms and are being primed for success? Inclusive pedagogy invites us to make the necessary adjustments to make our answers “Yes.” Education is hardly a passive endeavor, and students have their own responsibilities to ensure the best outcomes for themselves. However, students tend to do best when the environment has been built for success. Drawing from a vast body of research and fields, the techniques and skills championed in inclusive pedagogical approaches help us to create such environments. WILL ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF WHO THEY ARE, FEEL THAT THEY BELONG? Non-profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID 1265 Village Dr. Dept. 4025 Ogden, UT 84408-4025 Find everything in Wildcat Magazine, at weber.edu/WSUmagazine. your favorite stories using #EverUpwardatWeber Permit No. 151 Salt Lake City, UT