Living the Dream WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY News for Alumni & Friends Thankful weber.edu/wsumagazine | alumni.weber.edu MARIA HERNANDEZ PADILLA WILDCAT Vol. 22, No. 2, Fall 2017 Radiologic Sciences Student and Role Model Ordinarily soft spoken, Maria can’t help but talk a little louder, and faster, when discussing radiologic sciences. “I’ll earn my associate’s degree next year,” she says, “but I also want to get my bachelor’s degree, concentrating on CT, and eventually go into nuclear medicine.” editor in chief Amy Renner Hendricks Creative director Hillary Wallace BFA ’98 Contributing writers Matt Gerrish BS ’10, MPC ’15 Amy Renner Hendricks Allison Barlow Hess Karin Hurst Loreen Nariari BS ’14 Jaime Winston designers Emily Caraballo Amy Hajdas Hillary Wallace BFA ’98 contributing editors Nancy B. Collinwood BS ’94 Rebecca Gibson AS ’09 John Kowalewski Brad Mortensen Amber Robson BS ’05, MPC ’17 Always one to focus on her studies — “My mom never had to tell me to do my homework; I just loved doing it!” — Maria was excited to be the only student chosen from her class to participate in the radiologic sciences clinical internship at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, where she still works on an as-needed basis. “I’ve grown so much already and am grateful to be at Weber State.” p hotographers Ryan Belnap D’arcy Benincosa Ryan Bethke Emily Caraballo Robert Casey Dariya Dolgacheva Matt Gerrish BS ’10, MPC ’15 Matt Herp, Standard-Examiner Joe Salmond Kris Snibbe Zac Williams BS ’01, MPC ’13 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: 801-626-7359 or email: magazine@weber.edu. Gear for Wildcats of All Ages 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. Maria is the first person in her family to attend college. Her parents emigrated from Colima, Comala, Mexico, when she was an infant and moved to Utah when she was in elementary school. postmaster: Send address changes to Advancement Services, Weber State University, 1265 Village Drive Dept 4018, Ogden UT 84408-4018. Today, she takes being a role model seriously. weber state university board of trustees 2017-18 “I want to be an inspiration to my two younger brothers and to the millions of students like me who are trying to succeed in a tough, tough world. It doesn’t always come easy, but I’m here, and I’m thankful for the opportunity. I know I’ve chosen a great pathway.” Nolan Karras BS ’70, Chair Kearston A. Cutrubus, Vice Chair Karla K. Bergeson Danielle Croyle BS ’96 Karen White Fairbanks For more information about WSU’s Department of Radiologic Sciences, visit weber.edu/radsci Maria is holding a hand anatomy model that was created on a 3-D printer. Radiologic sciences students now have access to seven 3-D printers and software, courtesy of the Dr. Ezekiel R. and Edna Wattis Dumke Foundation. Aulola P. Moli Scott W. Parson Donald J. Salazar Jeff M. Stephens BS ’84, MS ’88 Cover art provided by Emily Hart Wood BFA ’08. Jump to page 20 to read more about Emily. See more of her art at emilyhartwood.com, or follow her on Instagram @the_papermoon_studios. Get 25% off one apparel item - with this coupon PR5000000004801 Three locations to serve you: Ogden, Davis and WSU Downtown wildcatstores.com WEBER WATCH CONTENTS WEBER WATCH Matt Gerrish BS ’10, MPC ’15, Amy Renner Hendricks, Allison Barlow Hess and Loreen Nariari BS ’14 MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Each year, the Center for Community Engaged Learning 9 offers the Engaged Learning Series, a university-wide series of events to engage students, faculty, staff and community Living the Dream members in discussions of issues of public concern. In 2017-18, the series will focus Get “Goosebumps” as you read how 10 alumni made their dreams come true. on civility. Participants will discuss the definition of civility, how civility ties into ethical 30 Dreamin’ With the Cats Alumni Association leaders share what they dreamed they’d be, and what they became. 32 Class Notes Wildcats share their successes and updates. 39 behavior, who decides what is Dixon Awards civil, why civility breaks down Named in memory of former Weber College President H. Aldous Dixon, the awards go to … visit weber.edu/wsumagazine. and more. For a list of events, 1.3 Million Hours and Counting A decade ago, Weber State established the Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL) to enrich lives in local communities. In those 10 years, WSU students have amassed 1,333,821 service hours, working within the three pillars of community engagement — service, democratic engagement and community research. CCEL participants have served the greater Ogden community, the state, the region, the country and the world. E NGA GE D LEARNING SERIES: Civility Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 5 A lone map remains in WSU’s Social Science building. WEBER WATCH WEBER WATCH What the World Needs Now is Literature, Sweet Literature Thanks to two WSU professors, we can now add empathy to the University. It has been published as a chapter in Routledge ever-growing list of benefits associated with reading literature. Press’ book Rethinking Empathy Through Literature. English professor Sally Shigley and psychology professor Today, the research continues to progress. Fowler’s student, Lauren Fowler, who also heads up WSU’s Neuroscience Chase Brower, for example, looked into the relationship Program, joined forces to study a possible between oxytocin, a neuro-hormone widely connection between literature and empathy. referred to as the “love hormone,” and literature. The study measured the physiological signs His study involved testing individuals for of empathy (facial muscle activity, heart rate, oxytocin receptor genetics, then testing them to skin temperature) in its subjects as they read measure their physiological levels of empathy. Construction Zone the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Wit, which “Chase found that, with literature, instead of chronicles a woman battling stage 4 cancer. Over the summer, construction crews gutted an saying, ‘Here is your empathy level based on your The results of the study showed that reading iconic Weber State building in preparation for a genetics,’ you can say, ‘Here is your empathy literature elicited empathy because readers massive remodel. The Social Science building will be range, and literature actually can bring that level assumed the role of the main character. reconstructed from the inside out. When complete, up,’” Fowler said. “It’s been really fun to involve the busy building that sits grandly at the front of The study has been presented at several students and watch this research evolve.” campus will be renamed Lindquist Hall. conferences, including one at Oxford WSU broke ground in May for the Dumke Center for Interprofessional Education in Health Care. On the east side of Weber State, construction on the new Ezekiel R. Dumke Jr. and Katherine W. Dumke Center for Interprofessional Education in Health Care is underway. The building will provide collaborative space for students and faculty in various health care President Serves Abroad disciplines to study and learn together. During spring 2017, a team of 20 volunteers, including WSU President Charles A. Wight and his wife, Victoria Rasmussen, traveled to Ghana as part of a study abroad trip. Trip director Lisa Trujillo, WSU associate professor of respiratory therapy, has extensive knowledge and experience with service work in Ghana. In 2016, she helped the University of Ghana implement the country’s first and only respiratory therapy degree program. New Library Dean and a Newly Renovated Library When she was just 4 years old, Wendy Holliday, the new Stewart Library dean, learned to write her name in order to obtain a library card. “My dad got to check out books because he had a library card, and I could check out The trip was Wight’s first international service trip only two on his card,” Holliday said. “I can still remember when I successfully wrote with WSU. While in Ghana, he taught short courses on that name on a library card and could check out a big stack of books just like him.” malaria prevention and represented the Rotary Club of Ogden, a trip sponsor. He also met with leaders at the Holliday’s love of reading and learning led to a Ph.D. in history and a master’s degree University of Ghana to discuss their respiratory therapy in library science. program, which continues to receive development Holliday arrived at WSU just in time for the grand reopening of the Stewart Library support from Weber State. in August. After a 16-month renovation, the building now includes expansive windows to allow for more natural light, additional research and study spaces, a new heating and air National Champs x 2 conditioning system, and remodeled restrooms. Weber State claimed two national championships at the 2017 “I feel grateful to be arriving here at this time,” Holliday said. “I am really appreciative NCA and NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships of the thoughtfulness that went into the new library design. It’s going to provide a in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Wildcat cheer squad won the wonderful space for students, staff and faculty to come together to learn.” Division I Coed crown (its third in six years), while the Wildcat Staff hope the campus community will come and check out all the resources dance team won the Hip Hop Division I title. 6 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Fall 2017 Wendy Holliday available in the library — including a book, of course. Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 7 WEBER WATCH Track Star Returns to Coach R emember R.L. Stine’s Give Yourself Goosebumps “All of us have a story,” Shonduras said, “and we’re in books that were popular with kids in the 1990s? charge of what it looks like.” Corbin Talley BS ’03 loves to compete, no matter what he’s higher GPA — but, of course, who keeps track of those kind of doing. He met his future wife, Stefanie Hansen AS ’98, in numbers?” he said, laughing. the mid ’90s when they both ran for Weber State. They also It’s hard to overlook the numbers Talley has tallied. At WSU, he happened to be in the same psychology class. their own adventures? Some of the stories had over 20 was part of seven Big Sky Championship track and field teams possible endings, good and bad. “We got competitive with our grades,” Talley remembered. and twice competed at the NCAA Championship in cross You know, the ones that turned young readers into main characters, the ones that allowed kids to choose How true. Take Jessica Schreifels Miller BS ’09, MPC ’13, for example. She moved straight through her story: bachelor’s degree, journalist, master’s degree, Pulitzer “The great thing about the books was, if you didn’t Prize. Joe McGill BS ’03, however, skipped back and like the ending, you went back and started over, you forth: football, NFL dream, foot injury, derailed dream, “The professor would announce country. He also earned Big Sky Academic honors 10 times. the top test score. Half the time Following graduation, Talley began coaching at Davis High it was me, and half the time it jumped to page 23 instead of 32,” said professional sales School in Kaysville, Utah. He led the boys’ and girls’ teams to accounting major, manager to the stars in L.A. Amanda was my wife. alumnus Shaun McBride BA ’12. “My life has kind of a combined 23 state championships and 45 region titles. Talley King’s ’17 story sent her around the globe: Ogden, West been like one big choose-your-own-adventure story.” “In fact, the year she graduated, was named the 2016 Nike Nationals Coach of the Year. Point, Afghanistan, Ogden. she had the highest GPA for a Shaun, aka Shonduras, went from skateboard shop He’s excited to return to the home of the Wildcats as the head Over the next few pages, we’ll share the stories of 10 student-athlete. A few years owner, to online jewelry seller, to sales representative, coach of the men’s cross country and track and field programs. alumni. Each took a different path, at a different stage to social media guru, to a marketing and advertising in life, but they all have two things in common: Their “The No. 1 priority is to create experiences and an atmosphere honoree in Forbes’ list of 30 Under 30 (in other words, journeys started right here at Weber State University for these athletes that are positive and help them work hard he skipped from page 23 to 32, went back to page 14, and today, they are … and work together,” Talley said. “I think that combination will hopped to 35, then turned to page 60). later, I received the same honor — with just a slightly result, down the road, in winning.” Solar Gazing When the sun went behind the moon during the solar WSU is working with Salt Lake County’s Clark eclipse on Aug. 21, physics professor John Sohl and his Planetarium to produce the video for global High Altitude Reconnaissance Balloon for Outreach distribution to planetariums. and Research (HARBOR) team were hard at work. “I’ve never witnessed a total solar eclipse before; Situated near Rexburg, Idaho, where the eclipse was the spectacle was jaw-dropping,” Sohl said. “We had 100 percent, the team launched balloons, loaded with arranged to have all science hardware automated cameras and equipment, to the edge of space. during the time of totality, so we could just enjoy They were part of a NASA-funded study to capture the the eclipse. That was a good thing because it was event on video and measure the atmosphere, with a so amazing that we wouldn’t have been able to tear special focus on ozone. ourselves away from the view.” Living the Dream Amy Renner Hendricks, Allison Barlow Hess, Karin Hurst and Jaime Winston MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS The Artist jump to page 20 The Journalist jump to page 22 The Surgeon jump to page 18 The Teacher The Social Media Guru The Harvard Professor jump to page 10 jump to page 16 jump to page 26 8 weber.edu/wsumagazine | Fall 2017 The Geologist jump to page 12 The NFL Coach jump to page 28 The Paramedic The Business Manager jump to page 24 jump to page 14 The Social Media Guru Shaun McBride “Shonduras” BA ’12 Professional Sales haun McBride’s parents: “Hey, there’s this college up the S description of it. I sold it and doubled my revenue. I did the road called Weber State. You should probably go.” same process over and over. Shaun: “That’s probably a good idea. Let’s do it.” “At the end of the semester, I was smiling and walking over to Two days after Shaun returned from a life-changing mission Tim to hand him my paper, and he was like, ‘Fun project?’ I in Honduras, he walked into class. “Guys, I literally fell in was like, ‘Yeah, I hope I get a good grade, but if not, I just made love with Weber. A lot of my friends were paying tons of $600 and have a new Game Cube!’” money to go to other universities, but Weber was a blast,” he Turns out the project went really well. Turning to Border, told a crowd of WSU students during a spring 2017 speech Shaun laughed and said, “I’m just gonna say you gave me on campus. “I met that guy, right there,” he said, pointing to an ‘A’ because that’s the story I want to remember. I can’t associate professor of professional sales Tim Border. remember my exact grade, but I learned a lot about life.” A natural storyteller, Shaun told the audience about his senior Today, Shaun, aka Shonduras, has created a social media negotiations project. “I thought, what if I took something — a empire in the Clearfield, Utah, building he refers to as his pair of headphones I won at a skateboarding contest — took “Spacestation.” He has amassed millions of followers on social great pictures of them, wrote a good description for them media, where he is most popular on YouTube and Snapchat. and used them to trade up for something else. I did that on He works with brands such as Nickelodeon, MTV, Taco Bell, KSL. I got a used video gaming system that didn’t have a Red Bull, Doritos, Xfinity and Axe to tell their stories. photo, made really nice photos of it and wrote an awesome Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine Photo by Zac Williams BS ’01, MPC ’13 11 The Geologist Jessica Castleton BS ’05 Applied Environmental Geosciences J essica Castleton used her Weber State University education to she said. “Being able to do fieldwork in Moab was fun, and become one of the best at helping Utah communities prepare communicating the geologic hazards to the community has for the worst. been rewarding.” “Weber prepared me the most by providing me with hands- Castleton earned her master’s degree in geology from the on field education,” Castleton said. “We learned how to apply University of Utah in 2015. She has volunteered with local what we were learning in the classroom in the field as a chapters of the Association of Women Geoscientists and the professional geologist would.” Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists Now, Castleton creates maps of possible geologic hazards for (AEG), and she currently serves as regional director for AEG, communities as a hazards geologist with the Utah Geological supporting chapters in Utah, Nevada and Arizona. Survey. “I also get called out for hazards response when there In addition, she serves on WSU’s Geosciences Advisory is an event such as a debris flow, flood, rock fall or other Committee. geologic hazard,” she said. “I like helping people be prepared “I have had the opportunity to work with professionals from for disasters and understand the environment they live in.” universities all over the world, and I can honestly say that One of her most exciting projects involved creating a map for Weber State is the best,” she said. “The geologic education I Moab. “The project stemmed from a disaster response visit received at Weber was world class.” to determine why a sinkhole had formed under a home,” Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine Photo by Zac Williams BS ’01, MPC ’13 13 The Paramedic Amanda King ’17 Paramedic Program A manda King followed her dream when her friend could “My first day at Weber State, I was greeted by a whole lot of no longer live hers. very smiling faces and donuts and people helping me find my King graduated from the United States Military Academy, aka classes,” said King, who recalls upperclassmen yelling at new West Point, in 2006 and served eight years in the Army. While students on her first day at West Point. on one of her three tours of duty in Afghanistan, her close However, King didn’t pick WSU for its friendly atmosphere. friend and fellow soldier, Jennifer Moreno, an Army nurse, was WSU offered the quickest path for King to fulfill her dream. killed during a rescue mission. Now, she works for a private ambulance service as she awaits “That was really a game changer for me in determining that training to become a fire department paramedic. medicine was a true passion in my life,” King said. “I wanted “Weber State was definitely what I needed to make my dreams to go on and follow in her steps with medicine since she was come true,” she said. “Weber State embraces people like me unfortunately not able to,” King said. who, at a later age, decide they want to switch career paths.” King, who was handed her diploma at West Point by former President George W. Bush, decided on Weber State to pursue her dream. Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine Photo by Zac Williams BS ’01, MPC ’13 15 Photo by Ryan Bethke The Teacher Ginny Shepler BIS ’80, BS ’86 Social Work, Psychology, Child Development and Elementary Education T heir school mascot may be a tiger, but every Wednesday, “I want my students to know they are talented, capable and students in Ginny Shepler’s classroom at Juan Bautista smart,” Shepler said. “One time a student wrote, ‘Mrs. Shepler De Anza Elementary in San Jacinto, California, turn into knew we could do it even if we didn’t know we could.’ I also Weber State Wildcats. Most wear purple and white, although received a note once that said, ‘Mrs. Shepler is the best teacher there is a smattering of Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers because she cherishes us.’ If I can make all my students feel T’s among them. that way, I know I’ve done my job.” Shepler is an intervention teacher. Her students, kindergarteners Originally from Michigan, Shepler turned down a partial through fifth-graders, need extra support to be successful in scholarship at Michigan State University to attend Weber State English and language arts. She uses the shirts as incentives in with her best friend. her classroom. “All students end up having a chance to wear “I loved Weber,” she said. “I really enjoyed the personal them multiple times throughout the year,” she said. relationships we had with our professors. By the end of my In addition to Weber Wear, her classroom features several freshman year, I was placed in work study jobs completely pieces of Weber State paraphernalia: a pompom, banner aligned with my school focus, so my work experience and bumper sticker hang from the wall. Approximately enhanced my learning experience. And, since my family was 85 percent of students at De Anza Elementary come from so far away, the people at Weber became my family.” socioeconomically disadvantaged homes. Part of the school’s mission is to prepare students for college. Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 17 The Surgeon Daniel Cox BS ’08 Zoology, Pre-medicine Program W hen then-cabinet builder Daniel Cox enrolled at Weber away from finishing his ENT residency at the University of State in 2004, he wasn’t sure he’d enjoy science, so he Utah Hospital. He was weeks away from moving his family decided to take his required science classes first, just to get to Atlanta, where he would be participating in an endoscopic them out of the way. skull base surgery fellowship at the prestigious Emory It was a good decision. University. He recalled, “I wasn’t a good student in high school, but Endoscopic skull base surgery is a minimally invasive during my freshman year at Weber, I took Glenn Harrington’s procedure that allows surgeons to remove tumors and lesions microbiology course, and it opened my eyes. through the nose versus a large opening in the skull. “I remember going home and reading my textbook, not “Weber State offered so many opportunities that I wouldn’t because I had to, but because I wanted to. The next day I was have gotten at other, larger schools,” Cox said. “During my first sanding cabinets — I loved to work with my hands — and all anatomy class at medical school (at Washington University of of a sudden I just stopped, looked at a coworker and said, ‘I’m St. Louis), the professor asked how many of us had performed going to go to medical school.’” dissections on human cadavers. I’m surrounded by students Fast forward to June 20, 2017. Cox and his wife, Tori Edwards Cox BS ’08, had just welcomed their fourth child into the world at 2 a.m. Daniel was days who had attended Harvard and Yale, and only three people raised their hands. “I was one of them, thanks to Weber State.” Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine Photo by Zac Williams BS ’01, MPC ’13 19 The Artist Emily Hart Wood BFA ’08 Visual Art & Design, 2-D Emphasis E mily Hart Wood’s artistic voice came from an unlikely understanding and a perspective — more so than skill — that I source — Bill Murray, the iconic star of Ghostbusters, couldn’t have gotten anywhere else.” Zombieland and Groundhog Day. At the heart of WSU’s visual art and design program is It happened in 2010, when a Los Angeles art gallery invited individualized teaching. “Those professors are so involved Wood to participate in its group show Mr. Bill Murray, A Tribute with each student,” Wood said. “They were so passionate to the Legend. Before producing a whimsical, whiskered, pipe- about what they were doing it was just contagious.” smoking Murray clutching a goldfish bowl and straddling Wood paints at home in a light-flooded space she calls The the bow of a sailboat, Wood had separated her abstract work Paper Moon Studio. She accepts commissions and exhibits her from her illustrative work (see the Bill Murray painting at work extensively in galleries throughout Utah and California. weber.edu/wsumagazine). Photo by Zac Williams BS ’01, MPC ’13 Wood was especially touched recently when she learned that “Now those two styles have come together,” Wood said. “Bill Wonder Rising, a small painting purchased at a gallery in Park was my first painting where I feel like I found my style. Oh, Bill City, Utah, now “resides” in California with the Palm Springs Murray ... you sneaky little devil!” Police Department, where it symbolizes fighting Internet Wood’s “style” is abstract art and collage meet illustration. And crimes against children. while a Hollywood heavyweight may have inspired her style, “I didn’t have crimes against children in mind when I Wood got her scholarly appreciation of art from Weber State. painted it,” Wood said. “But now when I look at it, I see a “I would not be doing what I’m doing if I hadn’t gone child being rescued.” to school,” she said. “At Weber State, I developed an Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 21 The Journalist Jessica Schreifels Miller BS ’09, MPC ’13 Communication J essica Schreifels Miller arrived at Weber State with a clear idea of what she wanted to study: journalism. She’d found code violations following a report of sexual assault. That story led to a yearlong, statewide investigation and to The Tribune’s her passion in high school, writing for TX, the teen section of 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting. the Standard-Examiner. “Other people in Utah did this story,” Miller said, “but we “I didn’t really know how to write articles, so I would look at kept pushing. I wonder if we hadn’t done that, if we hadn’t the stories from the ‘grownup reporters,’ and I just copied kept writing story after story, it would have just been their style, and I called sources,” she said, laughing. “Like I dismissed as a bad week in public relations, and nothing actually called real people for my stories, which apparently I would ever have changed.” didn’t have to do, but I did.” In June 2017, BYU announced it had formally adopted an At age 20, Miller was selected as editor-in-chief of The Signpost. amnesty policy for victims or witnesses of sexual assault. Driven, she graduated from Weber State in just three years “Journalism makes you curious,” Miller said. “You look at and earned her Master of Professional Communication degree things, and don’t just take them at face value. You think, four years later. ‘What’s the real story? What’s really going on?’ Journalism has After receiving her bachelor’s degree, Miller reported first for become part of my identity: I am a woman, living in Ogden. I the Standard-Examiner and then as the cops reporter at The Salt am a wife, and I am journalist. It really has become the core of Lake Tribune. There, she received a call that a Brigham Young who I am.” University (BYU) student claimed she was punished for honor Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine Photo by Zac Williams BS ’01, MPC ’13 23 The Business Manager Joe McGill BS ’03 Accounting I n 1998, Joe McGill was voted Most Athletic at Bellflower High campus in January 2001. During his first semester, during spring School in Los Angeles County, California. He was so set on practice, he injured his left knee. It derailed his football career. getting to the NFL that it surprised him when a teacher asked But, thanks to his high school teacher, McGill had a backup plan. what he was going to do if football didn’t work out. “I became involved in Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting and finance “What do you mean if football doesn’t work out?” McGill fraternity,” McGill said. “It was great. Professionals would come recalled asking. “I was 17. I was going to the NFL,” he said, speak. We’d hear about interesting careers. During my senior laughing at the memory. year, I was elected vice president of special projects.” “She said, ‘But you have to have a plan B,’ and I told her I’d like McGill graduated from WSU in 2003. A CPA and business to run my own business. She knew math came easy to me, manager, he owns Topline Business Management, LLC in Los so she asked if I had ever considered accounting. My family Angeles. His clients work in entertainment and include actors, was all blue collar. I didn’t even know what a certified public actresses, writers, producers and athletes. When asked who, accountant was, or anything about the accounting world really. specifically, he laughed and said, “People you’d recognize.” “I had been putting marketing/advertising as my major on Today, McGill thinks of Weber State as a “blessing in disguise.” college applications, but from then on, I switched to accounting.” “Weber took me outside my comfort zone,” he said. “I was McGill committed to play football at the University of San Diego away from home, not around my family, so I had to do a lot but eventually decided to play for a community college, where on my own. It allowed me to interact with professionals at an Weber State noticed him. He was recruited and arrived on earlier age and understand the concept of networking, which was key to my success.” Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine Photo by Dariya Dolgacheva 25 Photo by Kris Snibbe, Harvard The Harvard Professor Todd Rose BS ’00 Psychology T odd Rose came to Weber State in the late 1990s a high- for Individual Opportunity, a nonprofit organization that school dropout with a 0.9 GPA. He had been labeled a promotes individuality in work, school and society. class clown, a troublemaker, and, as he explained in his new Rose believes that “the average” is a mythical yardstick that book The End of Average, “More than one school official told my hurts everyone. His mission is to dispel the myth of “the parents that they would have to temper their expectations average” and help the public understand that there is a about what I would be able to achieve in life.” “powerful alternative”: individuality. Rose, however, felt that “something wasn’t right with [that] Rose explains in his book that there are three principles of analysis.” “I felt sure I had something to offer; it just seemed individuality: the jaggedness principle (talent is never one- like there was a profound mismatch between who I really was dimensional), the context principle (traits are a myth) and the and the way the world saw me,” he wrote. pathways principle (we all walk the road less traveled). At WSU, Rose forged his own path based on his strengths and “We no longer need to be limited by the constraints imposed weaknesses, and found success. Today, he is the director of the on us by the Age of Average,” Rose wrote in his book. “We Mind, Brain, and Education program at the Harvard Graduate can break free of the averagarianism by choosing to value School of Education, where he leads the Laboratory for the individuality over conformity to the system. We have a bright Science of the Individual. He is also a co-founder of The Center future before us, and it begins where the average ends.” Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine 27 The NFL Coach John Fassel BIS ’99 Exercise Science, Athletic Coaching, Communication Teaching A t 43 years old, John Fassel has quite the résumé. “John actually started out as a quarterback, and he certainly Under work experience, he adds: special teams added to our depth at that position, but we already had our coordinator for the Oakland Raiders, special teams quarterback lineup, so we moved him to wide receiver,” coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, interim head coach for the Arslanian said. “He was one of those athletes you just wanted L.A. Rams, and special teams coordinator for the L.A. Rams. to play. He was a prototype quarterback, but he quickly Under achievements, he adds: family man — he and his wife, became a prototype wide receiver.” Elizabeth, have two daughters, Lilah and Avery — triathlete, Today, as the special teams coordinator for the L.A. Rams, and even lifesaver — he and a surfer rescued a drowning man Fassel enjoys “helping young guys make the transition at Manhattan Beach in 2016. from being a college student-athlete to being a responsible Fassel was a wide receiver at Weber State in the late 1990s. professional,” and says his three years at WSU were “three of He transferred to WSU from the University of the Pacific in the most memorable years of my life.” Stockton, California, where the football program was dropped “I had GREAT teachers and GREAT coaches and GREAT friends. in 1996, during Fassel’s sophomore year. Dave Arslanian, who I am forever grateful to them, and to the cafeteria workers (I spent nine seasons as Weber State’s head coach, from 1989- ate every meal in Promontory Tower!),” Fassel said, laughing. 1997, recruited Fassel. “I’ve been back a few times. It still feels a little bit like home.” Fall 2017 | weber.edu/wsumagazine Photo by Matt Herp, Standard-Examiner 29 I D E M A DRE ome ... Today I am ... I’d bec DANIELLE CROYLE BS ’96 GERRIT WOLTHUIS BS ’71 A Police Captain & A Banker & President, WSU Alumni Association President, Emeriti Alumni Council As a child, I dreamed I’d become ... As a child, I dreamed I’d become ... a flight attendant. I had never flown, a race car driver because I loved fast and wanted to travel. cars! My first car was a 1950 Chevy with a 1953 Oldsmobile Rocket V8 I actually became ... a police officer. engine. My childhood hero was ... Wonder I actually became ... a banker because Woman. She had killer boots and of my Weber State education. awesome bulletproof bracelets. A RACE CAR DRIVER My favorite coming-of-age movie is ... Three O’Clock High because it was filmed at Ogden High School when I attended there. The celebrity I wish would have come to my sixth-grade slumber party is ... Princess Leia. I tried to replicate her cinnamon-bun hairstyle, but my hair was too blonde and fine. My dream for WSUAA in 2017-18 is ... that we raise so much A ROCKSTAR reveal a secret, but I would accept a challenge. The celebrity I wish would have come to my sixth-grade slumber party is ... Roy Rogers. My dream for WSUAA in 2017-18 is ... to see more Weber State Weber State. alumni become WSUAA members and support their school! AN OPERA SINGER INDIA NIELSEN BS ’14 KENDRICK GARRETT A Civic Advocate & A Microbiology Major & President, Young Alumni Council President, Student Alumni Association As a child, I dreamed I’d become As a child, I dreamed I’d become ... a ... an opera singer because I hadn’t rock star because I loved jamming out yet realized my debilitating fear of on my bass! singing in front of other people. I’m actually becoming ... an I actually became ... a public servant optometrist because eyes are so because the Olene S. Walker Institute interesting, and there are so many of Politics & Public Service allowed me beautiful things in the world to be seen. to serve five fantastic internships that gave me work experience before I graduated. My favorite coming-of-age movie is ... Big Fish. It’s about finding your place in the world by surrounding yourself with people who make a meaningful impact on your life and community. My favorite coming-of-age movie is ... Big Fat Liar. All those pranks were just too good. (Also, I kinda had a crush on Amanda Bynes.) In a junior high school game of Truth or Dare, I would ... always choose truth because I knew what kind of dares my friends were capable of coming up with. I once watched my best friend Something I got away with as a kid that I now wish I hadn’t was drink an entire 32-ounce bottle of Heinz ketchup. (I also had the ... wearing a white Nike one-piece sweat suit in a Gap Kids ad. The privilege of hearing it all come back up a half hour later.) picture still haunts me. Something I got away with as a kid that I now wish I hadn’t was The celebrity I wish would have come to my sixth-grade slumber ... eating cold cereal night and day. My addiction is pretty real. A party is ... Avril Lavigne because she was my musical obsession world without cereal? Unimaginable! and idol when I was in sixth grade. 2017-18 In a junior high school game of Truth or Dare, I would ... never scholarship money, every student (who wants to) can attend A FLIGHT ATTENDANT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LEADERS My favorite coming-of-age movie is ... The Sandlot because those characters did what I would have done at that age. My dreams for WSUAA in 2017-18 are ... to see us create new My dream for WSUAA in 2017-18 is ... to inspire all Wildcats — friendships and opportunities with and for fellow Wildcats, and to past, present, and future — to stay connected and engaged with help others see the importance of giving back. each other and the Weber State community! Fall 2017 | alumni.weber.edu Photo by Zac Williams BS ’01, MPC ’13 31 CLASS NOTES A L U M N I U P D AT E S ’50s Warren Buss AS ’57 retired from the University of Northern Colorado after 38 years of teaching plant physiology, botany, environmental studies, biology, photography and scientific writing. He received UNC’s Outstanding Service Award and also the Favorite Teacher Award. He is the webmaster of the Colorado Upon retirement, he founded a paralegal for MetLife Law wrote a satirical book, a computer forensics-based Department in Manhattan. Helpful Household Hints for company. Upon his second He now lives in Marriott- the Domestically Challenged. retirement, Michael became Slaterville, Utah. Carma currently publishes a fine arts photographer. a blog and lives in Folsom, His Yellowstone Winter Julee Smith BS ’73 is the Reflections image received executive director for Ogden’s an International Award of YCC (Your Community Merit from the Professional Connection) Family Crisis Photographers of America. He Center. For 26 years, she has is co-owner of Artistic Photo taught in WSU’s Department Expression LLC in West Linn, of Child & Family Studies Oregon, where he lives with as an adjunct instructor, a his wife, Lorraine. position she started while California. ’80s A statistician, Donna Greenman Ruiz BS ’85 worked for various contractors at Hill Air Force Base and retired in 2016 from working as a probation officer Lockheed Martin. She has Biology Teachers Association James Elmer BS ’73 retired in the juvenile courts. Julee and previously served as after 18 years from ION has taught classes on human president and vice president Media TV Network as development and parenting of the organization. Warren the master controller. He and is currently teaching a lives in Greeley, Colorado, previously owned/operated marriage class. She and her with his wife, Beverly. Zazzoo Designs Co., where he husband, Mont, live in Ogden. They have five children, 17 produced custom embroidery grandchildren and three for designers such as After almost 20 years as enrolled at the university. Geoffrey Beene and Calvin a technical writer and Donna lives in Layton, Utah. Klein. James was the head of editor at Hill Air Force Base, the embroidery department Carma Allen AS ’77 moved at Eaves-Brooks Costume to the Bay Area, where Michael Anderson BS ’70 had Company in New York, she produced manuals a 25-year career as a special where he produced custom- and training materials for agent with the IRS criminal embroidered costumes the defense industry. She investigation division. In this for various entertainment later worked on product role, he created the training industries. He performed development teams and and standards for computer on Broadway, off-Broadway, wrote user manuals for evidence processing that are on TV and in film, and is a a health care laboratory now recognized worldwide. member of the Screen Actors equipment manufacturer. Guild. James also worked as She retired in 2005 and great-grandchildren. ’70s Chat with a ’Cat; been an adjunct instructor in WSU’s mathematics department for 30 years. make dreams come true. Three of her four children attended Weber State, and three of her grandsons are A Each year, our student call center raises thousands of dollars for crucial scholarships and programs including Dream Weber, which provides free tuition and fees to Utah students whose annual household income is $40,000 or less. In 2016-17, Dream Weber sponsored 2,800 students. Scott Sessions ’85 is a regional manager for Self-Reliance Services of The Church of Jesus THE WILDCAT CHAT PHONATHON STARTS SOON. Christ of Latter-day Saints. He previously served as associate manager for the Pick up your phone! LDS church’s Employment Resource Services. Scott is a board member for the WSU WILDCAT CHAT Staffed by Students. SUPPORTED BY YOU! Alumni Association’s Arizona L 32 alumni.weber.edu | Fall 2017 A Lifetime Member of the Alumni Association Annual Member of the Alumni Association Fall 2017 | alumni.weber.edu 33 Regional Alumni Network trips to Mexico. Matthew and and a mentor for Year Up. Zalinda have four sons, all of He and his wife, Julie, live in whom are students at WSU. Finding the right job is a HANDSHAKE away. Mesa, Arizona. Shane Rasband AS ’95, AS 2017 sponsors and participants! James “Jim” Hull BS ’88 is a ’12, BS ’15 is a software principal product engineer engineer and records for Micron Technology. He manager for Jacobs previously worked for Iomega Technology. He served in as a product validation the U.S. Navy and Air Force engineer. Jim and his wife, reserves for more than Jody Hull AS ’90, BS ’92, live 24 years. Shane and his in Boise, Idaho, where Jody wife, Stephanie, have three works for Idaho Wildlife Fish children. He is a volunteer and Game. for the Lakeside Elementary Community Council and Boy ’90s Scouts of America. Jake Shannon BS ’95 is a Larry Riggs BS ’92 is the human resources leader with global director of airbag $29,882 for student scholarships. Seattle, where he lives with where he previously served his wife, Ruth Ann Shannon as a technical support AA ’95, and their six children. manager. Larry received Prior to joining Amazon, he his MBA from Utah State worked in human resources University. He is a mentor and global marketing for for the WSU Alumni alumni.weber.edu/golfclassic including leading human company’s site in Munich, lead family physician at the Germany. North Ogden Clinic. He A Foundation. She also serves Corps. Matthew currently a mentor in the Alumni Association’s Leadership to Ogden City Volunteer of the Year. She volunteers with Rotary International and organizes humanitarian 34 alumni.weber.edu | Fall 2017 L ifetime of Commerce, and is a One year $20 / Lifetime $295 Single $550 / Couple $1,000 for Visit Ogden and the Affairs Committee and as was recently named South Ogden/Weber Chamber New Grad on the Board of Governors serves on WSU’s Student Toone Weeks AS ’88, BS ’90, Jenny Brown Scothern BS ’96 the GOAL (Get Out and Live) in the U.S. Army Medical His wife, Zalinda Lanette Single $35 / Couple $55 is the executive director for previously served as a major Legacy mentorship program. (alumni & friends) resources efforts at the Matthew Weeks BA ’92 is the Intermountain Healthcare Annual 17 years at Merck & Co., Association’s Leadership to Legacy mentorship program. See you next year! June 8, 2018 If you want a job, or have a job to offer, visit: weber.joinhandshake.com Amazon Web Services in manufacturing for Autoliv, This year’s WSU Alumni Golf Classic raised Weber State has a new way to help students and alumni build meaningful careers. Handshake is a personalized career platform that unites 350+ universities, 180,000 companies and 6 million job seekers. member of the Ogden Rotary A Club. Her husband, Greg Scothern BS ’03, is a project manager for Boman & Kemp Manufacturing Inc. They have two children. Which WSUAA membership is right for you? alumni.weber.edu/member Fall 2017 | alumni.weber.edu 35 Stay connected to Weber State; help a student build a career. WSUAA’s Leadership to Legacy mentorship program matches alumni and friends from various professions with students interested in similar careers. To learn more, visit alumni.weber.edu/leadershiptolegacy Angie Adams Bond AS ’98, BS ’01 was an organic chemistry ’00s lecturer at Stanford and the intensive care unit at husband, Matthew, live in Ogden Clinic. She also serves Larchmont, New York. They on the board for Ogden Clinic have one daughter. Tamara Davies BS ’04 works for WSU’s Office of Alumni in communications at Relations. Over the past Pluralsight in Farmington, 10 years, she has also Utah. She received her worked for Weber State in Master of Professional the Stewart Library and as Communication degree from a Foundations of College Westminster College. Her Success instructor. Her husband, Derek Davies BS husband, Shane Walker AAS ’04, MAcc ’05, is a controller ’10, BS ’13, is a software for Petzl America. Tamara engineer for Hill Air Force and Derek have one child and Base. They have two live in Centerville, Utah. daughters. Joe Jatip BS ’04 is a Jeffrey Bailey BS ’07 consultant and talent is the director of acquisition specialist for Dell business development Technologies. He previously for AlphaGraphics worked as a human resources in Bountiful, Utah, manager for The Church of where he has worked Jesus Christ of Latter-day for 13 years. He is a Saints and for MarketStar scoutmaster and 11-year Corporation. He and his wife, volunteer for Boy Scouts Tami, have four children and of America. Jeffrey and live in West Haven, Utah. his wife, Ruth, have four University, where she Shauna Pitt AS ’00, BS ’05 received her Master of Arts is an advisor for WSU’s Dr. of surgery at the University of Michael Giles BS ’03 is a tax degree in organic chemistry. Ezekiel R. Dumke College Utah, where she earned her and estate planning attorney She also was a chemistry lab of Health Professions. She medical degree. Megan is also at Bennett, Tueller, Johnson instructor for undergraduate serves on Weber State’s Staff a member of the University & Deere in Salt Lake City. He students. Angie now works as Advisory Committee and the of Utah School of Medicine received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) an independent consultant Marriott Staff Development Admissions Committee. Her and LL.M. (tax) degrees from for Rodan + Fields. She and Committee. Shauna, who husband, Todd Grunander Boston University. Michael her husband, Matthew, live recently celebrated her BS ’02, is an orthopedic serves on the WSU Planned in Portland, Oregon. 10-year anniversary at the surgeon and chief of surgery Giving Committee and is university, also teaches an at McKay-Dee Hospital. They a mentor for the Alumni Angelina Feichko BS ’98 is introduction to health care have three children. Association’s Leadership to Austin Green BS ’06, M.Ed. CEO and principal broker of careers course. Legacy mentorship program. ’11 is an elementary school and is the assistant professor She has received numerous Blynn Simmons BA ’00 is senior account executive for Cory Weeks AA ’03, BA ’06, awards in her 19-year career an attorney who focuses on Enterprise Rental Agency, IC ’07, MA ’14 is a finance in real estate, including estate planning, business where he has worked for accountant for Utah’s the Lifetime Sales Master planning and transactions, more than 11 years. He and Division of Finance and is Award from the Board of elder law, and mediation at his daughter, Brookelyn, live the Payment Card Industry Realtors, Rookie of the Year, Sage Law Partners LLC in in Los Angeles. (PCI) compliance coordinator Outstanding Achievement Farmington, Utah. She lives Award, and she was an in South Weber, Utah, with Julia Cherashore B.Mus. ’02, Centerville, Utah, and is a inductee of the Hill Air Force her husband, Scott. BS ’03 works in risk Young Alumni mentor for the Program. Angelina lives with her husband in North Salt Lake, Utah. for the state. He lives in management for Morgan WSU Alumni Association’s Megan Wolthuis Grunander Stanley. She received her Leadership to Legacy BS ’01, a surgeon, is the MBA in finance from New mentorship program. assistant director of trauma York University. Julia and her ’08 is the employee wellness Daniel Peterson ’08 is coordinator for WSU. Her a deputy prosecuting husband, Trevor Johnson attorney for the Ada County BS ’14, is a process engineer Prosecutor’s Office in Boise, at Hill Air Force Base. Idaho. He handles felony Raeanna and Trevor live in trial litigation for the county. Hooper, Utah, with their two His wife, Valerie Peterson daughters. AS ’06, is a registered nurse. 36 Boise, Idaho. teacher for Utah’s Davis Erik Oberg BS ’09 works School District. He previously in Twin Falls, Idaho, as taught in the Canyons School an innovation scientist District. For the past seven for Chobani, where he years, Austin has served as designs and develops an adjunct faculty member at new drinks from idea to Weber State, teaching in the commercialization. He English as a Second Language received a master’s degree program. He and his wife, from Utah State University Amanda, live in Layton, Utah. in food microbiology, quality PLATE! Support WSU students and show Wildcat pride wherever you drive! To learn more, call 801-626-7535 or visit alumni.weber.edu/lp and safety. Erik lives in L Jill Walker BS ’06, MA ’12 is Kimberly, Idaho. the new alumni coordinator L alumni.weber.edu | Fall 2017 Great, Great They live with their family in Lucien Hardy III BS ’01 is a Sold By An Angel Real Estate. Base Honorary Commander children. Raeanna Johnson AS ’05, BS A Lifetime Member of the Alumni Association Annual Member of the Alumni Association Fall 2017 | alumni.weber.edu 37 ’10s Shayden Bertagnolli BA Martha Camarillo Freston India is president of the WSU community groups. In 2014, BA ’12 is a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Alumni Association’s Young he completed Spinal Ride, candidate at the University of Alumni Council. breaking the quadriplegic Dr. T. Ramakrishna (T.R.) Reddy handcycle distance world Professor of Political Science & Philosophy California, Berkeley School of Law. She previously worked Chad Illum BS ’15 works record, pedaling 1,040 miles for the Utah law firm, Parr in the track program in from Idaho Falls, Idaho, to founded Shayden Therapy Brown Gee & Loveless, and outbound logistics network Huntington Beach, California. of Ogden and is currently the San Francisco District monitoring for General During Kris’ ride, he raised establishing a company that Attorney’s Office. She and her Motors, where he has held $25,000 for therapy for spinal will empower teenagers to husband, Joel Freston BS ’11, roles in stamping support, cord injury patients who live in San Francisco. indirect purchasing and the can’t afford treatment. He command center. He was volunteers at Utah Special ’10 is a licensed marriage and family therapist. He college-aged individuals to conquer anxiety and thrive in relationships. Shayden India Nielsen AS ’12, BS formerly a pricing analyst for Olympics and the Utah Boys has a master’s degree in ’14 is a financial disclosure Pro Star Logistics. He lives in & Girls Clubs. marriage and family therapy specialist for Utah’s Warren, Michigan, with his from Auburn University. He lieutenant governor. She wife, Sadie Martineau BA ’13, considers his career calling is a Big Sister with Big to be a relationship/anxiety Dr. Eric Amsel Associate Provost for Academic Programs and Assessment Eric Amsel’s lengthy résumé reveals The Weber State from which T. much about his innovative teaching, Ramakrishna (T.R.) Reddy will retire at renowned scholarship, prolific the end of fall semester 2017 is a far cry research, numerous publications and from the one he first encountered as a prestigious awards. And yet, in a single newly hired assistant professor in 1965. line, written by the former student who During a teaching career that will span nominated Amsel for the Dixon Award, 51 years, Reddy witnessed Weber State we learn everything we need to know evolve from a small senior college into about Amsel’s selfless character: “No a nationally respected university. matter when you [reach out to] him, By the time his desk is cleared, the he is always to the rescue!” That’s a Mitch L. McBride AS ’16, India-born Reddy will have shared who is a stay-at-home mom BS ’17 is the director of powerful, honest assessment of a man his unique perspective on American Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, to their two children, with marketing and development who knows a lot about assessment. democracy and international politics therapist. He and his wife, a volunteer at the Humane one on the way. for United Way of Northern with an estimated 30,000 students. Shelly, live in Farr West, Utah, Society of Utah, and she with their two sons and daughter. donates time to The Road Home’s literacy program. Utah. He and his wife, Jenny, Kris Sanford BS ’15 is a Many of his previous students have live in Ogden with their three professional speaker for forged illustrious careers; one became a children. Utah Supreme Court justice, and later, student, church and a federal judge. Reddy, named Outstanding Social Sciences Faculty Member of 198081, infuses his classes with relevant assignments and topical guest presenters. In the wake of deadly 2017 H. Aldous DIXON AWARDS attacks in the U.S. and abroad, Reddy As associate provost for academic programs and assessment, Amsel oversees all academic degree programs at WSU. He also assumes primary responsibility for the university’s regional accreditation, program review, general education oversight, and assessment of learning outcomes. Amsel joined WSU’s psychology faculty in 1996 as a champion of undergraduate research. During his long teaching tenure, he collaborated with scores of invited India’s inspector general students on research into human of police to speak to his students cognition. He and his “apprentices” about combating terrorism. explored fascinating topics such Reddy, who chaired the as counterfactual thinking and its Department of Political Science impact on job satisfaction, fantasy- & Philosophy for more than a reality confusion, and imaginary decade, encourages his students thinking in autistic children. to expand their worldviews. He His outstanding chairmanship of was a longtime faculty advisor the psychology department and for WSU’s Model United Nations leadership of the WSU Faculty program and was the university’s Peace Corps liaison officer. Senate earned Amsel the respect of his Weber State colleagues. In 2007, Amsel was named a His distinguished service to Weber State students and faculty Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor, and in 2016, he will not end with his retirement. Reddy plans to create an was selected as one, of two, WSU associate provosts following endowment to support a student research and writing award a nationwide search. established in his name. Named in memory of the former Weber College president, the H. Aldous Dixon Awards have been presented annually since 1970 to honor faculty and staff who have demonstrated careers of excellence and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support students. Dixon served as president of Weber College from 1919 to 1920 and again from 1937 to 1953. ™ and © 2017 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Fall 2017 | alumni.weber.edu 39 Non-profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID 1265 Village Dr. Dept. 4025 Ogden, UT 84408-4025 Permit No. 151 Salt Lake City, UT ‘A Special Moment’ It took more than 50 years for Weber State men’s basketball to retire its first number in 2015. It took only five years for WSU to give Damian Lillard BS ’15 the same honor after his departure for the NBA draft in 2012. After five NBA seasons, a Rookie of the Year award, two All-Star Game appearances, a music label and countless endorsement deals, it’s easy to see why Lillard has earned the right to have his No. 1 jersey immortalized in the Dee Events Center rafters. Weber State made it official in August, as the Wildcats hosted their second annual Alumni Classic. Lillard — who helped organize the event — was honored during halftime in front of several thousand fans and more than two dozen WSU hoops greats. He spoke fondly of his memories at Weber State, a time in which he led the Wildcats to two Big Sky titles, earned two conference MVP awards and was named to the 2012 All-America team. Lillard returned to WSU in 2015 to fulfill his dream of graduating, collected his degree in professional sales and gave a surprise speech during commencement exercises. Lillard is the third Wildcat to have his jersey retired in the Dee Events Center. He joins men’s basketball legends Willie Sojourner and Bruce Collins. Photo by Robert Casey