SW hee ao oe OO Ge Return Engagement scaRRREEOF AC, | Vol. 4, No. 3, Fall 1999 TET CH OLAS TIT BIETp ma (oAi te ATC ade Mexed Om ALLE Allison Barlow Hess Joe Bartenhagen '98 Melisa Holmes Wy (caratg (ellambeb Jodi Kilcup Lorine Murtagh Craig J. Oberg Mark Peterson eo) a ore eee Heather Voigt '99 Jason Wanlass Gilera elas Contributing Editors Barbara Bernstein Victoria Gorrell Melisa Holmes Jodi Kilcup Melsiem\y(Uineeran Sandy Sowerby '95 MO es ies Steve Conlin SEI GIN MersLe Craig ]. Oberg SICAVORSIIIAD Clark IE CONTENTS 6 THE AGE OF LEARNING: WSU's nontraditional students take advantage of flexible courses and services. lO e-mail: jkilcup@weber.edu POSTMASTER: Send address changes Con Ae Pn Aol lems) Com OLN VOR IOV 4016 University Drive, Ogden, UT 84408-4016 RIVERBANK WISDOM: Honors students explore the philosophy of fly fishing with award-winning author Peter Matthiessen. [2 FROM COACH 2 COACH: Coach Jerry Graybeal attracts football fans in a basketball town, while coach Al Givens boosts the popularity of women’s volleyball. Matt Thomas Comments and questions about Vista may be sent to the editor at the address below. Comments also may be forwarded by phone: (801) 6267535; fax:.(801) 626-6563; or The Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts ushers in a new era of culture in Northern Utah. Cels Vem melleiicem er ialalee live) Alumni Relations ©1999. Postage paid at Ogden, Utah. Distributed without charge to alumni and friends of Weber State University. You CAN Go HOME AGAIN: 14 RUBBING SHOULDERS WITH WARREN BUFFET: WSU students attend the Berkshire Hathaway stock- holders’ meeting in Omaha. IS ALUMNI UPDATES: Find out what your old friends are up to in this rapidly growing section of Vista. BRIAN GRIFFIN Uris Jodi Kilcup THE NEWLY RENOVATED VAL A. BROWNING CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS WELCOMES PATRONS WITH A SUITABLY DRAMATIC ENTRANCE. Weber State University web site: www.weber.edu WSU Alumni Association home page: www.alumni.weber.org On the Cover Rogers and Hammerstein's 1951 Broadway classic, The King and I, came to life on the Utah Musical Theatre stage in Ogden this summer. Guided by UMT's new artistic director, Jerry P. O’Connor, the production showcased Paul Nakauchi as the mercurial King of Siam, a role he also recently played in the Broadway revival. Playing Anna was Linda Kerns who recently was featured in the movie Titanic, and whose Broadway credits include Beauty and the Beast and the national tour of Les Misérables. Approaching its 20th anniversary next year, UMT has gained national recognition as a home for professional musical theater and as an educational extension of Weber State University. Photos by Steve Smith. V S TA Forward/tookiong Looking Back Ay 5 3 i os a See a i a a tianaannl Ithough it is hard to believe, | find myself moving into a third decade of association with Weber State University. | came here - in the fall of 1978 as the second woman in the (then) School of Natural Sciences. Chemistry professor Helen James was the “pioneer scientist” in this regard and several other women before me had held temporary faculty positions in other departments. At that time, women were not strangers to the faculty in general, although most of them were concentrated in “traditional” departments, such as allied health professions, child and family studies, and the now-defunct cosmetology program. Over the last 20 plus years, the number of faculty positions held by women (and by other under-represented groups) has not only increased, but the positions are distributed more widely across disciplines. My perspective as a feminist scientist and former coordinator of the Women’s Studies program (which also didn’t exist until more than IO years after | arrived) leads me to feel some satisfaction about the progress of women at WSU. For example, repeated attempts to address salary inequities (in response to a variety of motivating factors) have resulted in less discounting of the value of women’s contributions relative to men’s. | hope, with continued commitment, we will address pay equity for WSU staff, where a high percentage of women are concentrated. This dedicated group deserves our profuse thanks, as well as recognition for the vital role it plays in running the university. haat a TWS / But what of the future? | hope WSU will continue to recruit well-qualified women to fill faculty openings. Seeing a woman standing in front of the classroom or laboratory does make a difference to young women as they imagine their educational and career possibilities. Trust me, | was one of those young women once. More than recruiting, however, it is important for us as an institution to realize that, in our society, in addition to their jobs on campus, women still bear the major responsibility for raising children. In an environment where child-care options are limited, women often are forced to leave otherwise satisfying positions, where they are making significant contributions, in order to care for their families. Once again, this is not just Weber's problem; there are not many institutions where this need is recognized and addressed. Even so, it is a very real problem that is not likely to change without some considered attention. When | look forward, one of my fond hopes is that the needs of working mothers will command the collective attention they deserve. We must support parents now if, as we frequently say, our children are our future. — Gloria Z. Wurst, Zoology Department Editor's Note: With Gloria Wursts inaugural column, we introduce Looking Forward, Looking Back, 2 regular item featuring the memories and hopes of faculty, alumni and friends as they consider WSU's role in our community. FALL 19 9 Q9 ABOVE: GLORIA Z. WURST, WSU PROFESSOR OF ZOOLOGY, VAULTS OVER FENCES IN PURSUIT OF TRUTH. BeELow: WURST COUNTS SALAMANDER LARVAE IN A LOCAL POND. WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY News | HIGHLIGHTS u d e . r @webe Have you hit our web site lately? he is said and done, is the Star Wars: Episode 1 — The Phantom Menace, Mark Skywalker) Hamill dished fans (a.k.a. Luke the inside Hinckley Fellow Award in April. One of prestigious faculty honors given each year, the award recognized ogy. Part of the Convocations program, Adelmann a series of weekly lectures and forums, scholarship and creative activities. the actor spoke to a record-breaking crowd of 1,800 in April. He reminisced about his days as a Jedi knight and for his commitment movies, on Broadway and doing voice- generosity of this nation of which you are a part. We have our problems. We have our crises, but we shall survive them as we have done in the past.” to To pay tribute to Holocaust victims and FAREWELL EXTRAVAGANZA Survivors while raising awareness of WSU’s Alumni Association welcomed modern-day injustice, WSU sponsored graduates to the ranks of alumni with a Day of Remembrance in April. The its first-ever Grad Finale last spring. commemoration focused on the theme The big bash honored more than 3,000 “Never Again?” and featured a presen- Students who earned degrees during tation by German-born author Ursula the 1998-99 school year. The evening Hegi, an outspoken critic of discrimi- was filled with free food, entertainment now look forward to the celebration world each spring, as the event becomes an annual rite of passage. as part of WSU's Earth Day activities in aaa RACE ON THE RANGE April. Although there is no Single solution to societal EF at # Mi we F eh Outdoor enthusiasts biked : e” where Arthur problems such as school sincere interest in his shootings, Williams told Students and desire to improve WSU's her audience they could lope make a difference by tak- second the past Adelmann’s 33 years, their individual communi- in May. Spon- tion and human performance Eden, on love, respect for and honor side the classroom. The visual arts pro- of the earth,” fessor has exhibited work in more than she said. 85 venues and has served on at least Through extensive study and exhibiting abroad, as he works to establish a cultural- the Buffalo department, the competition took learning environment have spilled out- tions, most recently with South America, during annual ties. “People cant return to be created based he has developed international connec- play Biathlon place at Antelope Island State Park. Nearly 150 athletes participated in the new paths can committees. roam sored by the health promo- but perhaps university the buffalo and ran where the ante- ing a personal interest in 40 not and giveaways. Departing Wildcats can but broken Over do society; GREENSPEAK. Williams spoke of our beautiful FACULTY FLAIR in lose faith in the goodness, strength and Author and naturalist Terry Tempest talked about his recent work in other overs for cartoons. place CALL FOR TOLERANCE Adelmann was awarded the John S. scoop about his role in the original tril- in the world. Take your ation receive free library privileges. For Bolivia. So it came as no surprise when the most greatest stabilizing force WB paying members of the Alumni Associ- exchange program between Utah and Amidst the hype prior to the release of “This nation, when all library hours, call 801-626-6414. SKYWALKER SCOOP said: : BOOKWORM BOUNTY More than 6,500 books are checked out of WSU’s Stewart Library each month. The public is invited to access all resources at no charge during regular business hours. For $15 each year, community members can purchase a library card to check out materials. Dues- race, which consisted of a 14.2-mile nation in all forms. Nearly 200 high- mountain bike challenge and 3.9-mile school and university students, educa- run. Proceeds from the event are being tors, and members of civic and church used to upgrade WSU's human perfor- groups from throughout Northern Utah mance laboratory, where the public can also participated in a March for Toler- receive complete health, nutrition and ance as part of the event. fitness assessments. KEEP FAITH IN AMERICA During COMMUNITY his address at WSU’s ENRICHMENT 113th More than 500 state and civic leaders, commencement in May, LDS Church clergy, educators and law-enforcement President officers attended a National Hate Crimes Gordon B. Hinckley encouraged 2,000 graduates to keep believing in their country. Symposium WSU co-sponsored in While acknowledging deep social problems, VISTA SUMMER SKYGAZING WSU's Ott Planetarium held a series May with the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an international human-rights organi- ag Participants examined aM ‘and ‘introduce and Domestic Prevention Conference. Drawing as a visiting scholar at the University of helped stargazers of all ages scan the Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. ‘72 of Layton, Utah, owners of Lifetime Skies allowed groups to remain out- HOLLYWOOD CALLS Layton, Utah, executive director of the doors — often until the early hours of Actor Danny Glover, best known for the morning — his role as Roger Murtagh in Holly- eeQrams, 500 participants and grab panoramic star shows and telescope- “observation, sessions for more than an 000 visitors: annually. Nearly oneFor information about upcoming events, all 801-626-6855. “was more than aB csienrt hah of sight i and. sound = it was. tradition.. Nearly: i i _ ENTER°CONSTRUCTION ZONE 90. 000 people attended the John and _ WSU began offering a bachelor’s degree _Telitha Lindquist Family Summer r __ inconstruction management technology \ ops yale Le ks. at yea “events in: ae this fall The four-year program was cre- uated to meet the large demand for ago. an hour-long: outdoor concert: “by the. New Ameti¢an, trained professionals, in one of the 10 + fastest-growingoccupations. Students | etree avent ame tt Orehestra “enrolled in the program receive a com) «prehensive téchnical education -that pre-~ NOT-SO-LAZY SUMMER Days faculty put their summer break to good use, applying for a wide range of teaching and research opportunities. Shane Schvaneveldt, business management professor, scholarship won a Fulbright and will be working in Japan. Judith Mitchell, teacher education professor, was selected by the Utah Board of Regents to serve on their missions and roles task force. Professors Jim Gaskill, criminal justice; Craig Gundy, health sciences; Paul Johnson, criminal justice; Taowen Le, information systems and technology; and Gene Sessions, history, were chosen, through a competitive federal grant process, to develop Internet-based coursework. FALL 199 9 off WSU’s Convocation series for Fall semester by sharing his life experiences as a dyslexic youth, society in ties to your heart dreams “look hearts and souls — our collective be a part of the nomic and ecological issues.” Alumni Association be working in the field, all courses are Saluted offered in the evening. friends at an Oscars-type gala during distinguished alumni Hosted °92, by and KSL-TV's PERFECT FIT Rod Barbara Y. Keller of Bowling Green, awards ceremony was held in the newly Ohio, assumed a new position this fall renovated Val A. Browning Center for as dean of students at WSU. With more the Performing than 35 years shurtliff, of the 30th Arts. The Award, which annual Lewis W. recognizes administrative expe- exemplary commitment to education, rience, Keller most was presented to Sandy Havas, execu- recently served as tive director of the Eccles Community associate dean of Art Center in Ogden. The Emeriti Alum- Students at Bowling ni Lifetime Achievement Award went to Green State Univer- Don Buswell offer an Designed to serve Students in Utah's rural the program's required SALUTES Zundel is col- associate communities, The red carpet was rolled out in Octo- Homecoming. join the next spring. community dialog about social, eco- ber as the WSU crime justice, beginning in that express ‘vto accommodate those who may already centers. degree in criminal for the WSU can to online the Standing-room-only crowd urban prospective colleges and universi- Nations urged in major laborating with six other Development Program, Glover have been known to battle the dark side of home. WSU aS a good United Sherlock Holmes, Columbo and McGruff effort from the comfort will ambassador for the CRIME FIGHTERS ONLINE fighters the coming century. Now serving Davis Arts and Humanities Council. Now as well as his hopes for Barry Mower °74 and Kathy Mower Products; and Charlene Nelson ’85 of wood's Lethal Weapon series, kicked _Pares them:to manage projects of ever- (oy “nereasing size and complexity. Designed WSU Keller held positions at Syracuse Uni- per than year, the planetarium holds weekly pro- of colors inthe at : Green, gathering, knowledgeable astronomers ; SYMPHONIC RPECTACULAR third of itS patrons’are student groups Some came for the music, others, to } ranging from ‘ple-schodl. to high-school. purthe ples at Bowling versity in New York. She also spent time ~— dozens of galaxies. During the school m to higher education, and the Child Prevention Prior to working night sky. The warm weather and clear N ional Youth Sports Psanyane se a Antelope Island State Park that were more WsU- over the summer included: the ibuse — and Weber State was a perfect fit.” an “astronomical” success. the eatubiy ection events « held at d aivanaged of spring and summer star parties at ’41, of Ogden, retired sity. “| was attracted dentist and humanitarian. Paul Kunz, to WSU because of attorney with Kunz, Kunz and Hadley in the obvious efforts, from the top level Ogden, received the Distinguished Ser- down, to put students first,” she said. “I vice Award. And Distinguished Alumni wanted to work in an environment that Awards were presented to Sen. Robert meshed well with my own philosophies Montgomery, M.D. °53 of Ogden; classes will be developed by participating schools. “This will be one of the first collaborative degree programs in the state,” Said Morris Sterrett, chairman of WSU’s criminal justice department. “Pooling our resources will minimize costs and faculty overloads.” — Melisa Holmes Development Communications You CAN GO BRIAN GRIFFIN WSU’s STUDENTS AND FACULTY RETURN TO THE VAL A. BROWNING CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS New Look: RENOVATIONS OF THE VAL A. BROWNING CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS WERE DESIGNED BY SANDERS AND HERMAN, AN OGDEN ARCHITECTURAL FIRM. s you approach the newly renovated Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts, the first thing you'll notice is the circular drive that delivers guests directly to the center's front door. Next, long-term patrons will observe that the building’s landmark arches are gone. Instead, we now have the architectural equivalent of a “party hat,” notes Jim Christian, theater arts professor. His jest refers to the glass-paned steeple that presides over the center’s dramatic modern entrance. As you enter the high-ceilinged lobby, curving slate staircases, blond wood and muted colors announce the center's new updated Deco style. What you can't see from your vantage point is the complex of new classrooms, rehearsal rooms and theater spaces that make the center a state-of-the-art facility for performing arts educators and students. In September, the Browning Center opened its doors—after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus—with a pirouette and an arabesque. The Bolshoi Ballet traveled “from Russia with love” to help WSU celebrate the return of Northern Utah's cultural center. The Bolshoi was delighted to mark its 225th season with an encore performance on the Austad Theater stage, whose generous dimensions easily accommodated the company’s 60 traveling dancers. Close upon the ballet’s slippered heels followed two WSU theater productions, The 1940s Radio Hour, a swinging evening of musical theater, and The Serpent, a dramatic time capsule that revived the issues and ethos of the '60s. Rounding out the Fall Semester calendar were performances by WSU's symphony orchestra, marching band and the Weber State Singers, and an Orchesis Dance concert, as well as numerous faculty recitals. ERA OF EXILE Renovations closed the Browning Center in 1996. Meanwhile, faculty and students in theater, music and dance found temporary quarters in facilities across campus. The exiled groups viewed their homeless period through different lenses. “We spent those two and a half years in spiritual limbo,” says Christian. At a practical level, he explains, it was simply harder to mount productions. “With the scene shop on Wall Avenue, costumes in the Miller Administration Building, and classrooms and offices in all four corners of the campus, we faced some logistical challenges. It is wonderful to centralize our departments again.” “It's been an adventure,” agrees Michael Palumbo, music professor and chairman of the performing arts department. “Our ensembles have performed in the Shepherd Union Ballroom, the Marriott Allied Health Building, and at Peery’s Egyptian Theater in downtown Ogden. On the plus side, we've discovered a whole new dimension to the campus we weren't aware of. We will make more of an effort now to connect across campus.” Catherine Zublin, theater arts professor and associate dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, teaches costume design, a subject that requires bolts of fabric and trunks of materials. She recalls “hauling stuff from the costume shop through pouring rain to classes in other buildings.” After arriving soaking wet a few times, she decided to invest in rubber boots for the interim. HOME AWAY FROM HOME Although the Browning Center has long been a fixture in the cultural life of Northern Utah, more than half of the current performing arts students have never studied or performed in the facility. The center's stage manager, Sarah Bartlo ‘96 was eager to return home to the building where she learned her craft. As a student she arrived at the center early and left late at night—and felt part of a community that, she believes, was somewhat fractured during the renova- VISTA BRIAN GRIFFIN You know what they say about New York: If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. And if you number among the performers who appear nightly on Broadway, there's no question — you've definitely “made it.” That elite group now includes Andre Ward 95 and David Spangenthal 95. If those names sound familiar, you probably caught them in WSU performing arts and Utah Musical Theatre productions several years ago, where they won rave reviews as Student performers. After graduating, the performers moved to the nation's hub of professional theater and suffered through the classic purgatory of tough auditions and limited income. Unlike many aspiring performers, however, both have been employed most of the time. Andre Ward tions. “Having a home will pull the department together again,” she predicts. Tracy Callahan, theater arts professor, expects the center to serve as a “cluster” place for students who, at last, can congregate again in one building, sharing energy and ideas. She envisions an environment like that depicted in the movie Fame, with students rehearsing scenes, songs and choreography in the hallways, a concerto wafting from one door and a acoustics, and more inviting public spaces that offer a good prelude to an evening of entertainment.” Her favorite new feature is the Eccles Theater, a “black box” performance space designed for intimate, flexible seating and experimental productions. “I love costuming people when they're up close and the audience can see their buttons and earrings. It’s as close as | get to film work.” Performing arts faculty and staff may have to arm Faculty agree that, when prospective students tour the campus, the Browning Center will play a role in their decision to attend WSU. “Facilities impact recruiting,” Christian says. “When you visit, they can make your heart sink or take wing. People in the arts care about aesthetics.” Thomas Root, music professor, believes the renovated center will help him recruit band students. “Bringing in students is about people, not facilities,” he says. “But when students see the center, they'll think ‘this is worth being a part of.’ You make points picking up people in a Cadillac instead of a Yugo.” Browning Center’s managing director, claims he has “the most rewarding, challenging job at WSU,” since he works daily with talented people both on and off campus. His role, he explains, is to make every performance pleasant for the audience. He attends to the details that ensure a technically flawless production, whether that requires fresh supplies of hand towels in the restrooms or tighter lighting cues on stage. Responsible for scheduling each year's calendar, Jensen pictures future seasons that feature diverse artists and productions, ranging from large national shows to innovative experimental theater. “No acid rock,” he explains, “but yes, we'll provide a home for the Ogden Symphony Ballet, as well as recital space for ‘Miss Myrtle’s Backyard Ballet School.’” soliloquy from another. Putting herself in the public’s shoes, Zublin counts the advantages of the center's updated design. “We have safe parking, the biggest theater in Northern Utah (the Austad Theater seats |,800), wonderful FALL 199 9 wrestle over the distinction, but Scott Jensen, the — Jodi Kilcup, Alumni Relations David Spangenthal : Ward is now a featured dancer performing the role of Chester in Saturday Night Fever, which opened September 28. Spangenthal is performing in Cats, Broadway's longestrunning show, Both Ward and Spangenthal attribute much of their success to their WSU education and to their mentor, Jim Christian, theater arts professor. “Professor Christian stressed the importance of having a great work ethic and being a responsible individual,” says Ward. — Heather Voigt ‘99 FAR THE AGE O For OLDER STUDENTS aT WSU, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN e cherishes every sunrise. To him, the first few silent hours of the day are the most precious and productive. A composer, poet and writer, Richard Swenson (bottom left) seizes the JUST JUMP IN A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO CHILDREN, CLARK TAYLOR 31-YEAR- OLD ERIKA PEEBLES, OF OGDEN, HAS FINISHED HER ASSOCIATE DEGREE AT WSU AND PLANS TO EARN HER BACHELOR'S DEGREE AND TEACHING CERTIFICATE FaLL Semester 2000. PEEBLES WANTS TO TEACH HIGH SCHOOL. “DECIDING WHETHER TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL IS LIKE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF THE TOO HOT OR TOO YOU JUST HAVE TO AND FIND OUT. IT WAS A WHILE GA MBLE FOR ME.” NEW CLARK TAYLOR FOR WATER’S COLD— JUMP IN WORTH- FRONTIERS THE MAJORITY OF HIS LIFE, OGDEN R ESIDENT TOM BRIGGS HAS WORKED IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY. HE RECENTLY SOLD HIS LONG-HAUL COMPANY AND IS HEADED BACK TO SCHOOL. “MANAGING DAYTO-DAY OPERATIONS OF MY BUSINESS ENCOMPASSED MY LIFE. I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO EXPLORING NEW FRONTIERS AT WSU,” HE SAID. THE 43-YEAR-OLD HUSBAND AND FATHER WILL START CLASSES SPRING SEMESTER. HE’S EYEING A DEGREE IN HEALTH PROMOTION AND HUMAN PERFORMANCE. day and travels to WSU's Stewart Library to tackle one of his many projects. As the first shards of sunlight pierce the sky, he sits quietly and thinks. He carefully places the words in his heart onto paper as they slowly spiral up from his subconscious. Swenson’s morning routine has been the same for years. His most recent project is an autobiography. Four volumes of memoirs are already completed— each neatly penciled in a separate notebook. His next masterpiece may be a poem, love song or even a play; his imagination is the only limit. “The overriding theme of all my work is the elevation of the human spirit,” he said. Swenson has always had the desire to write and compose; he just never had the time or the proper training. His life changed nearly 20 years ago when he decided to go back to school. At age 85, Swenson is the oldest student at WSU. He also may have the longest attendance record of any Wildcat. He takes one class each semester, mostly English or music, then applies what he learned each morning in the library. In his spare time he reads the newspaper every ‘day, stays politically active, mows his larger-than-average lawn and finds time to tinker with the Model-A Ford in his garage. In short, he loves life. “I get tired of walking up stairs, so | run up them instead,” he said. “I've watched dozens of friends retire and buy motor homes with the intention of traveling the country. They get tired after just six months on the road and end up spending their time at home vegetating in front of the TV. | would rather spend my days on campus learning. It keeps me well-oiled and full of enthusiasm.” But going to college hasn't always been this convenient. He’s waited more than half his life to complete unfinished business at WSU. The Ogden native enrolled at Weber College in 1933. However, his first taste of higher education was cut short in 1934 when he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. Swenson worked a year in Zion National Park reinforcing riverbanks. He married shortly after his return to Ogden and was drafted into the Army just before the birth of his first child. After a short stint at Fort Douglas, Utah, he sailed on the Queen Elizabeth to Europe to serve his country in France and England during World War II. VISTA eee” we NING BACK TO THE CLASSROOM In 1980, following 13 years in auto sales and a lengthy career at Hill Air Force Base, Swenson’s desire to attend college blossomed again. Retired and contemplating the next step in his life, he remembered a high-school music teacher who once told him he had an extraordinary ability for composing. “I decided right then to start taking music classes at WSU and I've been coming here ever since. The experiences I’ve had on campus are priceless.” He still remembers his first day back—65 years old and surrounded by peers young enough to be his grandchildren. “It was strange but euphoric. It was like being a teenager again. | loved hobnobbing with all those young people and feeding off their enthusiasm." Nearly 20 years later, Swenson still has a passion for learning. His latest interest is technology. “I bought one of those iMac computers last summer to help me compose my music. Now I'm taking computer classes to learn how to use it.” BREAKING TRADITION When Swenson first set foot on the Weber College campus 66 years ago, nontraditional students, also called adult learners, were a rarity. Today, 46 percent of the 15.2 million people enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities are 25 or older and nearly 3.4 million are more than 35 years old, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Closer to home, recent WSU statistics show our fastest growing student population is over 50. Some simply are seeking an opportunity to expand their minds, while others are pursuing new skills and credentials to stay employed or land better jobs. On average, workers will change jobs seven times in their lifetime, a fact that forces more and more adults, like 38-year-old Shelly Bellflower of Ogden, to face the reality that preparation for the workforce can no longer end at 21. Bellflower, a single mother of five children, was faced with the overwhelming task of developing new job skills following her divorce. Once struggling to make ends meet, she now works full time as a computing consultant in WSU’s John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics. “I'm also a full-time student. I’m going to get a degree and make something out of my life,” said Bellflower, who spends her spare time on campus serving as the university’s nontraditional student senator. “Some of my constituents are 50-year-old fathers who came back to school after losing their FAL Lj fesSS::9 offers nearly 60 courses. Students attending the branch campus can earn an associate degree. EVENING CLASSES Currently more than 280 evening classes are oc CO = = x ra offered on WSU’s main campus. An additional 415 are available off — = jobs. Others are SHELLY BELLFLOWER, moms who've finA SINGLE MOTHER OF FIVE ished raising their CHILDREN, WORKS FULL TIME, families. A large porATTENDS CLASSES FULL TIME, tion are people who AND DEVOTES HER SPARE want more than their MOMENTS TO WSU’s sTUcurrent jobs have to DENT GOVERNMENT, SERVING offer.” Bellflower will AS THIS YEAR'S NON-TRADIgraduate in DecemTIONAL STUDENT SENATOR. ber with a bachelor’s degree in information systems and technology. She dreams of ore day starting her own computer consulting company. She and Swenson are just two of 4,500 nontraditional students enrolled in WSU's programs each year, where nearly 35 percent of the student body is age 25 or older. “To have thousands of adult-learners attending a primarily undergraduate institution such as WSU is unique and impressive,” said Kathleen Lukken, associate provost. “Our older students bring a wealth of knowledge and world experience to the classroom. They're very serious about getting an education. They understand what school can do for their lives,” Lukken added. “Their intense drive influences students of all ages across our campus, creating a student body that is focused and devoted to shaping their futures.” i) campus at local high - schools and other public facilities. Students also have their choice of nearly 25 evening _ classes at WSU-Davis. : ‘One-Stop SHOP You asked for it. WSU Students attending evening classes can now obtain information on everything from admissions to financial aid and registration. The One-Stop Shop, located in the Academic Advisement Office, stays open through evening hours to help our evening students stay connected with the university. SPECIALTY SERVICES — Jason Wanlass, Media Relations Hundreds of nontraditional students receive help and support from MI@DELING WSU’s Services for SUCCESS Women Students and “How CAN | EXPECT MY CHILDREN Veterans Affairs offices. TO GO TO COLLEGE IF | HAVEN’T GONE MYSELF?” SAID 32-YEAROLD MARGARET PILCHER. THE OGDEN RESIDENT LEFT Both play key roles in acclimating new or returning adult students. HER JOB TO ATTEND WSU IN 1995 FOLLOWING THE BIRTH OF HER THIRD CHILD. CuRRENTLY SERVING AS NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENT SENA~ TOR, PILCHER WILL GRADUATE IN May 2000 witH DUAL BACHELOR'S DEGREES IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND SOCIOLOGY. HER NEXT GOAL: LAW SCHOOL. co © = = =< = FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SCHEDULING OPTIONS, ONLINE COURSES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND SERVICES FOR NONTRADITIONAL STUDENTS AT WSU, CONTACT Acabemic ADVISEMENT AT (801) 626-6752. Riverbank \NV7 | C Y | WSU Honors STUDENTS Go FISHING WITH FACULTY, EXPERTS AND WORLD-CLASS AuTHOR PETER MATTHIESSEN The Weber State University Honors Program provides capable and motivated students with an unusually rich, Supportive, and challenging academic experience. Honors education fosters the growth of intellectual inde- pendence and initiative, invites a sophisticated level of classroom and extracurricular interaction, and examines complex issues from diverse perspectives. \; ‘ 4 ae % ast spring, WSU students learned fly fishing is a way to know the world, or at least offers a window on the disciplines of biology, literature, gender studies, physics and environmental science. “Epistemology of Fly Fishing,” a new Honors course, introduced this diverse range of academic subjects, while teaching students the art of fly fishing. The course concluded with a field trip to the Green River, where my students and | explored the philosophy of fly fishing with Peter Matthiessen, world traveler and author of 24 books, including At Play in the Fields of the Lord, which was nominated for a National Book Award and adapted into a film, and The Snow Leopard, winner of the National Book Award. Recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Matthiessen has journeyed to such remote areas as Nepal, the Amazon jungles, the Selous Game Reserve, Sudan and New Guinea. A native of New York City, Matthiessen is a Zen master. Many schools boast about distinguished visiting writers, but how often can students share stories with a world-class author over a roast beef dinner at a roadside café? That was the type of experience our honors students enjoyed— intimate moments, relaxed settings and a chance to share the real life of a literary icon. Aside from learning the technical aspects of fly fishing—casting, tying knots and flies, and studying stream entomology—each student kept a journal, recording personal observations, reactions to speakers, and fishing aspirations: he course started with fly casting lessons in the gymnasium. Fortunately, we tied yarn balls on the tippet end instead of flies, so no ears were hooked. The students caught on to casting quickly. No wind and very few willows along the indoor track made for long, tangle-free casts. WSU English professor Sally Shigley helped us explore women's roles in fly fishing. Times are changing, we learned. Fishing vests come in pastels, women's waders are cut differently and lighter rods have smaller grips. We also decided it’s easier to teach fly-casting techniques to women. Brad Carroll, WSU physics professor, dispelled any nervousness about his subject by applying it to casting, water flow and surface tension. Students even balanced water-filled plastic cups over their eyes to gain a fish-eye’s view of the air-bound world. Other invited lecturers included Jack Dennis, Gary LaFontaine and Mike Lawson. OAL D heboue my of the world around me has increased at welt I have learned ot just things J learn in class but subjects whose ee bring people ints the group Wlt 1 welcome wiound him and never once did he mabe me feel like I was. this unleamed fly fisher and thal he didnt have time for me. CRAIG J. OBERG LE was a — Adam Taintor, Ogden FRESHMAN, CRIMINAL JUSTICE f ear of failure was high the day we learned to tie flies. Dave Scadden, owner of Anglers’ Inn fishing tackle stores in Utah, was patient as we all tied a big green wooly bugger—then a dry fly, heavily hackled. Three hours was long enough for — Blynn Simmons, Ogden SENIOR, CRIMINAL JUSTICE 10 VISTA rock all around. The fish were smart and I am determined ta Go hack there this summer and catch the one trout that got away —three times! — Charity Bentley, Ogden SENIOR, ENGLISH Wnt, re awe é “a nothing is more satisfying than landing a fish on a fly you actually tied. Fortunately for amateur fly tiers, some fish are easily fooled. I have seen a lat of different approachesto teaching fly fishing. Helping to develap the WSU ty fe lieuadde. J have never in my entire carcer heard. of a course of thit caliber, Mawy individu- boat rounded the last bend. I could hear him telling the other Guys, him. Memories and — Dave Scadden OWNER OF ANGLERS’ INN, SALT LAKE AND OGDEN n afternoon spent with a piece of window screen stretched between two dowels demonstrated more about entomology and ecology than any lecture could have explained. Students climbed over snowbanks, waded into the south fork of the Ogden River, shuffled their feet on the gravel bars and netted aquatic insects. Everything from stonefly nymphs to free-swimming caddis flies found their way into students’ collections, demonstrating the huge concentration and variation of insect life under water. Now they know why trout are often fat and our healthy clear mountain streams need to be preserved. All semester the reputation of the Green River, Utah's premier blue-ribbon trout water, grew to mammoth proportions. Fortunately the river's beauty, as it flows down the canyon from Flaming Gorge dam, met all our expectations. Following a seminar led by Scadden, the students headed up river. Their challenge was to catch one fish on a fly, an unusual final exam. For the novice fly fisher, catching one fish a day on the Green River is a good day. Most students achieved that; very few exceeded it. Still, if you can land one of the most finicky trout in Utah it should give you confidence in lesser waters. the greatest experiences Tue cur had, The river was locstifud, auth the sounds and. smolls and. the rod FALL 199 9 : like thal wre price- less. I will always remember that moment and the friend I made applaud this clats Now that hid leaks like he huows what he is doing.’ Just a feu seconds later, I sot the — Tyler Pendleton, Roy JUNIOR, MATHEMATICS he next day, Matthiessen and Scadden exchanged tales about experiences in Siberia, with fish as long as your arms and accounts of fishing prowess twice that length. Meanwhile Mikel Vause, director of the honors program, cooked us a hearty cholesterol-laden breakfast. Students gathered to absorb the raconteurs’ ripostes. Matthiessen has a unique ability to engage students and break down barriers. It seemed there was neither a place he hadn't visited, nor a beast he hadn't studied. Soon we were all entwined in past adventures, along with thoughts on fly fishing, conservation and the outdoors. Casual conversation over fried eggs and whole wheat pancakes is a good way to start a day of fishing. When asked how he felt about the field trip, Matthiessen replied he had enjoyedit very much, calling Flaming Gorge a spectacular place. “That was an awful good bunch of kids,” he added. “As | know from hard personal experience, dry fly fishing can be very frustrating indeed for a beginner. It’s difficult. They were all great sports. | think I got to talk to all of them before the smoke cleared. Some were shyer than others and came up kind of slow, but when | turned around there was always a student sitting next to me.” — Craig J. Oberg MicroBioLocy DEPARTMENT CRAIG J. OBERG he a reanay most to discover ne afternoon Peter and | floated the Green River with Dave Scadden acting as our guide. The blue wing olive mayflies were hatching and fish were sipping in the flats. Peter showed he is not only a great writer but can cast a fly line with the best. He worked the water for seven miles, tossing smooth pinpoint casts to rising fish and hooking his share. | could tell he learned to cast on big waters. Handling 80 feet of line in the air was no problem for him and is no small feat when you have passed your 7Oth birthday. Apove: PETER MATTHIESSEN, NATIONAL Book AWARDWINNING AUTHOR, DISPLAYS THE FISH THAT DIDN'T GET AWAY. Bottom OPPOSITE PAGE: THE GANG GATHERS FOR THE RECORD. BUT ARE THESE THE SMILES OF SUCCESS OR PREFLIGHT JITTERS? STEVE CONLIN JERRY GRAYBEAL: BuiLDING WSU FOOTBALL IN A BASKETBALL TOWN hard and got aturally, basketball is not his sport. But Jerry Graybeal, WSU's head football coach, was at the Ogden Street Festival this summer, trying to shoot baskets with passersby to raise money for his team, at the rate ofa buck a shot. Sink it, and you got a WSU football cap. Miss it, and you got raspberries from the spectators. It was a tough, opportunistic crowd. Graybeal’s jumper is not a fluid thing—it's all arms, no legs and as he jumps he fades off to one side. The balls caromed off the backboard, one after the other. Thunk. Thunk. Thunk. “Come on,” Graybeal said, smiling. “Come on.” Thunk. “It could be the wind,” he remarked to a few of his players gathered beneath the basket. They shook their heads. A boy from the crowd took his turn, standing a little Closer to the basket than Graybeal did. Thunk. The crowd heaped some verbal abuse on the kid. Graybeal gave him another shot, free of charge. This time, he hit pay dirt. Swish. Graybeal threw up his hands and gave the kid a WSU football cap. “Here you go. Now, who's next?” great results. ” JUST A REGULAR GUY people to say we were just a bunch of average suys who worked exceedingly By his own admission, Graybeal is just a “guy.” First off, he looked more like a bystander than a coach at the street fair—in his shorts, sandals and a tropical print shirt. He’s a lean 5°10,” with thinning, short-cropped hair. When he talks, he sits bolt upright and seems to juggle his words, which come fast, in both hands. He grew up in Spokane, Washington, playing sandlot football and two-hand touch in his front yard. Every Christmas, he'd get a full football uniform from his parents— Packers or Rams— pads and all. He played high-school ball in Walla Walla and ended up the defensive backs’ coach at Walla Walla Junior Col- lege. Eventually, he ended up at Eastern Washington University, as defensive coordinator. When the team won the Big Sky championship in 1997 it was due, in part, to his top-ranked defense. Then, after 16 years at EWU, he won the head coaching job at WSU. WORKING THE SYSTEM The rest is history in progress. Although he’s following in the footsteps of WSU coaching greats, such as Sark Arslanian, Mike Price and Dave Arslanian, the only shadow Graybeal feels looming over him is time. “After you're an. assistant for that many years and you get to be 43 years old, you're probably only going to get one good opportunity to be a head coach,” he said. “I don't worry about any ghosts out there. I'm more concerned about doing things that work. I've coached on two conference-championship teams and been to the national playoffs, so 1 know this system works.” However it turns out on the field this year, Graybeal’s football program is guided by one rule: Work hard. Morning to night. Start to finish. It’s how he’s always done it. “These guys know that, between the whistles. there's no fooling around,” he said. “They'll do what they have to do to become better football players. All of them will be students of the game.” “T expect to coach another 20 years,” Graybeal said. “I'd love to do that here at Weber State.” And how does he hope his career will be viewed from that distant vantage point? “I'd like people to say we were just a bunch of average guys who worked exceedingly hard and got great results,” he said. — Joe Bartenhagen ‘98, Contributing Writer MATT THOMAS ‘l’d like getting a scholarship to play defensive back for Idaho State University. “I wasn't talented enough to go to the NFL; I'm not very physically imposing,” he said. “I wasn't a great athlete, but | always played and | think the reason | did was because of my mind. I enjoyed knowing the game and how it was played.” When Graybeal graduated, he walked into a job as VISTA STEVE CONLIN AL GIvENS: DIGGING VOLLEYBALL$ NEW POPULARITY Entering his seventh season as head coach, Givens spent seven years as head coach at Texas A&M and one year at “Ole Miss,” before coming to WSU, in addition to having coached high school volleyball. In his 22-year career, he has seen women’s athletics— and the sport of volleyball—take off in popularity. He attributes this newfound interest to the Olympics, which increasingly showcase women's sports, and events like the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team's recent World Cup victory over China. “TV markets are recognizing that women's sports will sell if they promote them. People will watch,” he says. ne well-known coach wears a creamcolored sweater to every game. Another chews on a white towel during tense moments. But Al Givens, WSU's women’s volleyball coach, has a more subtle game-day ritual. “Every coach has a routine,” Givens says. For him, game day begins with a walk-through practice and pre-game warm up with the team. He then shows up 90 minutes before starting time so he can relax, watch video tapes of the opposing team and strategize potential game situations. According to senior starter Liz Covill, from Laketown, Utah, he also “brings an inspirational story to get us fired up.” STEVE CONLIN LIVING IN A FISH BOWL THE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM PSYCHES UP FOR A BIG GAME. OFF COURT, COACH GIVENS PRAISES HIS TEAM’S DUAL COMMITMENT TO ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC SUCCESS. FALL 199 9 Givens’ coaching philosophy stems from a strong work ethic. “If you were to ask the players, they would probably say | have a tendency to work them too hard. I’m a workaholic,” he says. He credits his team with being dedicated student athletes. “We have a good success rate with graduation,” he observes. “Generally speaking, female athletes finish their education.” He sympathizes with the challenges his athletes face, because they are “living in a fish bowl.” Even so, his wife Flossie reminds him from time to time that his players have lives away from the volleyball court, too. Some are married, some work and all are juggling school with multiple obligations. As much as Givens admires his hyper-responsible student athletes, it’s obvious his players return the respect. April Taylor, a senior from Bountiful, Utah, describes him as “charismatic and very motivating.” When asked what she admires about Givens, Laura Black, a senior from Orem, Utah, replied, “If all of us had his desire to win, we'd be unstoppable.” As for life off the volleyball court, Givens admits it's tough to find spare time now that volleyball is becoming a year-round enterprise. He credits his family with helping him to keep his perspective and a sense of humor. “To a lot of people,” he says, “you're only as good as your last win. But whether you win or lose, you can always go home. The love and support of family are unconditional.” — Lori Reagan, Contributing Writer CHASING GLORY IN FLORIDA For the first time in history, a WSU athlete won a gold medal in the Junior Pan American Games this summer in Tampa, Florida. Then Weber won another one. Freshman Ryan Smith aced the javelin competition with a personal-best throw of 221 feet, four inches. Freshman Joel Atwater (below) took first place in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase with a time of 9:10:79. Stanford University was the only other school to have more than one athlete competing in the games. RUBBING SHOULDERS WITH WSU Stupents ATTEND BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING IN OMAHA Warren Buffet dents found the multi-billionaire’s down-to-earth demeanor very appealing. “I think people just love him,” she added. Although other universities own Berkshire Hathaway stock, WSU is the only school to reap additional dividends for students. “We met a finance professor ach year more than 15,000 Berkshire Hathaway stockholders gather in Omaha, Nebraska, for a six-hour, question-andanswer session with Warren Buffet, one of the world’s wealthiest and most successful investors. Thanks to a generous donor, the sophisticated crowd includes a delegation of WSU business students. “I'd say it was amazing,” said Amy Anholt, who, along with three other students from the John B. Goddard School of Business & Economics, attended this year’s meeting. “For business students, it was like Mecca,” agreed David James, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance and hopes to own Michael Jordan of the investment world. He's my role model for an investment career.” EDUCATIONAL DIVIDENDS f '] bs 3H ae is suet nd drank William Child 'S2, president of R.C. Willey, made the students’ trip possible by donating SO shares of Berkshire Hathaway stock to the university. Twenty of those shares went to the school of business and recently averaged about $75,000 per share, for a total of nearly $1.5 million. Not only a significant financial contribution, the shares are equally valuable as an educational tool. WSU students began attending the convention in 1996. Now, months before the annual meeting, many students vie for a chance to join the pilgrimage to Omaha. “This is the bridge between classroom theory and application,” said Kyle Mattson, a business administration professor who accompanied the group this year. “Warren Buffet believes an educated ( shareholder is a better shareholder and so he spends ,, 4 lot of time dispensing practical advice.” Michael Vaughan, dean of the business school, has _ jobserved the impact of the trip on students’ education: (“Warren Buffet has not only enjoyed unprecedented _ success as an investor, he exhibits many traits which ~ jour students should study. He has a brilliant mind and is fundamentally concerned about his shareholders.” OWN-TO-EARTH TYCOON , Buffet created his financial empire by making longsrm investments in companies with dominant market TOM SUBJECT PHOTOGRAPHY an asset-management company. “Mr. Buffet is the Mh Sa. from another university, and he didn’t bring students with him. | felt very lucky” said James. THIS YEAR’S STUDENT STOCKHOLDERS POSED FOR A PHOTO WITH WARREN BUFFET DURING A NIGHT OF MINOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL: CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: AMY Nl. ANHOLT, AARON PHILLIPS, DAVID R. JAMES, AMBER HARRIS AND WARREN BUFFET. During their education, WSU business students get plenty of practical experience. They participate in internships, conduct financial audits and, WHEN THE STUDENTS TOLD as a group, manage a BUFFET THEY WERE FROM stock portfolio worth WSU, THE MOGUL COULDN’T RESIST A BUSINESS PLUG. HE about $35,000. In fact, ADVISED THEM TO “KEEP among their portfolioSHOPPING AT R.C. WILLEY.” management decisions, THE HOME FURNISHINGS COMlast year’s students PANY |S JUST ONE OF THE HOLDbought a share of BerkINGS OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY. shire Hathaway stock. Following her exposure to a high-powered stockholders’ meeting, Anholt now knows which stock she will buy first and what she will do with it. “I've asked a lot of questions, not just of Warren Buffet but also of William Child and my instructors,” she said. “I'm convinced my first choice will be a Class B share of Berkshire Hathaway so I can attend the conference again next year.” — Allison Barlow Hess, Communication Department VISTA oo8@LINE OF FIRE roomful of WSU ROTC cadets listened with rapt attention when Col. Howard Olsen '77 addressed their class last spring. “Knowing what | know now,” he told them, “if | were graduating and were offered a job Arlington Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial. “Here | was,” he recalls, “a guy born and raised in Clearfield, Utah. My dad was a machinist at Hill Air Force Base. | decided to enroll in the Weber State ROTC program and that made all the difference.” Any regrets? “None,” he tells the cadets. “It’s been a great ride.” at one of our country’s great corporations, versus serv- ing as a lieutenant in the Army, I'd choose the Army.” It’s not hard to see why, considering the scope of Olsen's career. Now a senior fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, a congressionally funded think tank, Olsen was most recently assigned as the Army's chief of general officer management at the Pentagon. Working directly for the Army's chief of staff, Gen. Dennis J]. Reimer, Olsen was the principal adviser on all matters pertaining to the Army's general officers corps. He helped assign Army generals to peacekeeping work in Bosnia, a responsibility that entailed the training and professional development of more than 400 general officers. — Jodi Kilcup, Alumni Relations WAR GAMES RETURN TO WWII graduate of WSU's ROTC program, Lt. Col. Gail Long ‘80 commands the Army's 201 st forward support battalion in Vilseck, Germany. Her troops provide tank and vehicle maintenance, ambulances, field medics, equipment and other vital services to a mechanized brigade of the first infantry division, better known as “the Big Red About his unique role as Reimer’s assistant, Olsen commented: “Reimer is the finest man I've ever met in my life.” Reimer has had a difficult tenure, Olsen explained. It was the general's job to “take the organization down and to live “,. deprived within those budgetary restrictions.” Despite such challenges—and the scanof food and dals that have rocked the military during recent years—"“Reimer has maintained steady focus. His integrity is above reproach,” Olsen said. As the “gateway” to Reimer, Olsen became closely acquainted with all the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other pr nent generals. Out of Reimer’s window, he could: 9 9 . War an “THE U.S. INSTITUTE OF PEACE, articipated in,an DVISeED Gen. Dennis J. rest, OF STAFF, ON ALL MATTERS SRELATED TO THE ARMY'S and 28 fellow the WWII platoon 19 Top: Cot. Howarp OLSEN "17, A SENIOR FELLOW AT sleep, she general officers. When asked whether he aspires to the rank of general, Olsen acknowledged his ego wouldn't mind relived that outward sign of success. But he also understands completely what's entailed. “People see the trappings of the office,” he remarked. “But they don't realize the cost.” Among his duties, he has had to mission call generals with orders to move their families to new bases—at difficult times. “One general's daughter had just been elected student-body president at her high school,” he said. : Olsen recalls the day in 1998 when he was pro moted to colonel. He stood in Reimer’s office in Pentagon, flanked by General Henry H. Shelton, FALL Army LEADERS SHow ALL THAT THEY CAN BE . oe To" orm ® yo wi SERVICES TO. ~ One” In VILSECK, Alumni Updates DEFENDING Bugs Bonn nny onsulting with his 13-year-old son is just part of the job for Michael Grow ’72, an attorney who represents some animated clients, such as Bugs Bunny, Taz and Batman. Working to protect trademarks, copyrights and patents as an intellectual property attorney for the Arent Fox law firm in Washington, D.C.., Grow represents the “‘toons’” owner, Warner Brothers, and other corporations, such as Century 21, America Online and Mars, Inc. Although it’s satisfying to work in the big leagues, Grow says it is sometimes more | 960s rewarding to represent the underdog—citing John Carman ’65 retired from Dixie College in May after 32 years as an automotive technology professor. He looks for- ward to spending his extra time with his 1950s his defense of a small, local steel fabricator that was sued by Bethlehem Steel Corporation. “Bethlehem unsuccessfully attempted to seize wife, Brenda, and their new grandchild. all its assets,” Grow recalls. “After 10 years of Wendell H. Hall °50, formerly a WSU professor and chairman of the foreign lan- Dean Hughes ’67, a national best-selling author, has been writing for 20 years. A and continue operating.” teaches oe son Young University and author of the series Children of the Promise, Hughes is releas- guages department, 1959-61, currently creative students through his perrte site on space-age writing instructor at Brigham ing a new nine-book series. The first three volumes in the “Promise” series were placed on Deseret Book's top 10 sellers list. In his new “Scrappers” series, each book will feature a different baseball player’s point of view. Ten thousand copies of the first volume were distributed to children are Thomas G. Alexander ’55, the Lemuel Hardison Redd Jr., Professor of Western American History at Brigham Young Uni: versity, has written more than 20 boo and monographs, and more than 80 h ang major league | oneal pees feaais 4 litigation, my client was able to retain its assets Like many successful attorneys, Grow logged hours in student government as a senator and on the school debate team, experiences he says served him well. ‘Being on the debate team taught me many lessons that are particularly helpful in the work | do today. | had the good fortune of having Randy Scott [a communica- tion professor and former department chairman] as a debate partner.” Grow also praises other WSU professors, such as Richard Ulibarri and Richard Sadler in history and Rod Julander in political science. Grow returns to Utah to hike and ski and remains a loyal Wildcat. In fact, as the underdogs’ advocate, he especially enjoyed watching the men’s basketball team ace North Carolina in last spring's NCAA tournament. Dan James "68, under and pr mCo., ecently — Tyler A. Holt 99, Alumni Relations na torical articles. Alexander has been a p fessor at BYU since 1973 and has serv as director and advisory board member Barney Chapman ‘72 holds a number of the Redd Center. He previously taught at Southern Illinois University and the Uni- versity of Nebraska. Formerly president of the Board of State History and the Mormon History Association, Alexander now serves as a consultant for local, regional and national organizations and presses. lene Leanne (Ragland) Norris Gilmore her retirement ’59 celebrated in June after 24 years of teaching elementary school, 17 of which were in the Davis County School District. Gilmore has attended the Salt Lake City College of Medical and Dental Assistants and has worked as a medical assistant. Jerry Peterson ’59 has been appointed by Gov. Mike Leavitt as chairman of the Utah Division of Business and Economic Development Board of Directors. Peter- son was formerly the president of Overland West Inc., in Ogden. °68 received recognition of her outstanding profession- al achievement, Geneal Shay the 1999 Athena Award from the Ogden/ Weber Chamber's Women in Business in community service and efforts to assist women in attaining excellence and leadership. Shay is the Northern Utah area manager for US WEST and, among other volunteer activities, is a member of the WSU Alumni Association board of directors. Design Systems, Inc., in San Jose, Calif., which provides comprehen- sive product development services and technology for the world’s leading elec- tronics companies. Bingham has worked at Cadence since 1993 in positions such significant local leadership roles. He is vice president and chief of staff at America First Credit Union; a colonel serving as commander of the 419th Fighter Wing Support Group; chairman of the military affairs committee for the combined cham- bers of Ogden/Weber and Salt Lake City; as chief financial officer and executive vice and Cadence Before Bingham ident of ments I've made in life has been my education at WSU," he said. president. He has been a member of the board of directors since 1998. his employment with Cadence, was CFO and executive vice presRed Lion Hotels and Inns, as well as managing director of Agrico Overseas Investment Company in the Netherlands. Stephen M. Sill ’70, vice president and controller at Security National Life ance Co., in Salt Lake City, has elected vice president for education Insurance Accounting and Systems Insurbeen of the Asso- ciation Inc. Sill has been a certified public accountant for more than 29 years. chairman of the Weber Republican Party. "One of the best Nick Jorgenson Kim Jorgenson counselor, won Samaritan Award ’74, a state auditor, an ’75, a state vocation the 1999 Vita Wire from the State of U Cellular Telecommunications Industry Foundation. The Jorgensons weré among 52 people selected to receive recognition for their heroic efforts to save lives using a cell phone. The couple was featured in USA Today and flown to Washington, D.C., to receive the award. VISTA 1930s t's a matter of degrees Colleen with works. Bradford's hundreds of voice-overs for local and national TV, and acting in local and Museum of Art and the Brigham City Museum Gallery, where she was one of four featured artists in a June exhibit. Her regional stage productions. pieces also have been honored by the Utah Watercolor Society, Utah Arts Coun- That's how many students graduated from Weber State University in May 1999 because of their own hard work, remained atre since dent. Her is a film cil and the Eccles Community Art Center. faculty dedication...and your gifts. Roger M. Bird °82 of New Albany, Ohio, Cowan has involved with Utah Musical Theher initial participation as a stuhusband, Thomas Cowan ’81, editor and director at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. has been named divisional vice president for trade sales at the Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories Inc., a com-| Annual gifts from alumni and friends help WSU provide an ever-richer learning environment and give students the chance to receive an exceptional, affordable education. pany he has worked for since 1983. He also has held positions as territory, district and regional manager, and as director of national accounts. : Teri (Campbell) Cowan ’82 is using he WSU degrees in theater arts and English to establish herself as a successful actress, | aiving NS °80 is making waves watercolor paintings are featured in many permanent art collections, including the Springville ..more than 1,500 of them! AN Bradford her performing roles in “Touched Angel” “Promised and TELLING _ celebrating the cycle g, growing and giving Land,” “'$eal’and Arabian Gulf by an recording Brown-Wahler’s ship assisted with Operation Allied Force, the largest NATO air attack in Europe since World War II. IT ‘ riends of Anna Jane Arroyo ’86 say “her middle name is “Tell It Like It Is.” Arroyo doesn’t mince words when it Terry Keefe °75 has retired as chief of police in West Valley, Utah, where he worked for 20 years, and now is police chief in from the in 1984 ment for Layton, Utah. Keefe graduated FBI National Academy in Virginia and has worked in law enforce25 years. Susan Hill McCollum ’75 is serving as president of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association. She is the third woman to hold the position in the association's 80year history. ee Costley *76 was named out- e’standing student in finance when he grad- L, scchoo! for shis master’s iness rie ation After to lieutenant of the patrol/paramedic division for the Davis County sheriff's office. Fluckiger has worked in law enforcement and as a paramedic for more than 20 years. Howard named V. Halverson ’77 has been coordinator for the Clearfield Job comes to advocating for the poor, ethnic minorities and women. As administrator of Corps Center's community-service team. the Ogden Area Community Action Agency, Halverson Arroyo oversees state- and federally funded will organize an average of three service projects per week throughout Utah's Wasatch Front area. He has worked in several positions dealing with youth and grants and programs. Two such programs are Head Start, which prepares children from is a member of the Weber County Associ- low-income families for kindergarten, and Special Olympics advisory board. the Community Services Block Program, ation of Retarded Citizens and the Weber Curtis Harris °78, chief executive officer, president and chairman of Barnes Banking Company in Kaysville, Utah, was elected chairman of the Utah Bankers Association. Harris has been with Barnes since 1983. He is also chairman of the Pacific Bankers Management Institute, past-president of the Western Independent Bankers Association and a member of the board of directors for the Salt Lake City branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. which manages employment and housing referral services and a food pantry. Arroyo also volunteers for organizations designed to promote and preserve diversity, such as the Utah Coalition of La Raza, Utah Hispanic Women’s Association, Image de Utah and Alianza Latina. A WSU bachelor’s degree in social work shaped Arroyo’s commitment to the common good, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Utah. She speaks fondly of influential WSU professors, a group that includes Bob Heffernan, Raymond H. Clark, William Poe and Gordon Allred. But the memory of sociology professor Daniel Gallego, who died last year, Donna Ann Gordon ’79 earned a master’s degree magna cum laude in computer brings tears to Arroyo's eyes. “He always took the time to counsel and encourage information systems from the University of Phoenix Online in June. She is currently teaching computer courses at the College of Eastern Utah. even my own,” she said. “He was an incredible motivator. He had an eagle's eye me. And he constantly challenged me to do better, to rise above expectations— when it came to recognizing the individuals who had the potential and desire to succeed. With that kind of support at WSU, how can you not succeed?” — Tyler A. Holt 99, Alumni Relations FALL: 199 9 Abel Ortiz ‘85 has been named one of 12 recipients of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Children and Family Fellowship. Ortiz, the first Utahn to receive this honor, is the former director of the Salt Lake Division of Child and Family Services. The fellowship supports his 1 1-month study, which examines ways to assess the needs of troubled families and change pol- icy to meet those needs. Mike King °86 was recently hired as an information systems manager by Penna, Powers, Cutting & Haynes, a Salt Lake City- based advertising and public relations firm. Shaun Caldwell ’89 recently completed his master’s degree in instructional technology at Utah State University. Caldwell graduated with a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy from WSU. At USU, he held leadership positions in educational radiation therapy organizations and has spoken nationally on the topic. A 1999 nominee for the Varian Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of radiation therapy education, he THE BIG hen Richard K. Merrill graduated ' from WSU in 1989, he didn’t expect his degree would place him in a “cheesy” has developed an online course in radiation therapy. job. Fortunately, he was wrong. Merrill, who Shane chemistry, is now the research manager for Charlesworth °89 has been appointed mortgage department manager and mortgage loan officer at the Bank of Utah's Roy, Utah, branch. Charlesworth previously worked at Community Bank of Nevada as a residential lending vice pres- ident, at Western Mortgage/United Savings in Las Vegas and at First Security Bank. majored in microbiology and minored in Leprino Foods Company in Denver, the largest mozzarella cheese manufacturer in the world. “If you eat pizza, you are feasting on my cheese,” he claims. Merrill earned his doctorate in food chemistry at Utah State University, but he thanks WSU microbiology professor Craig Oberg for his academic successes. “Dr. Oberg's desire for knowledge and enthusiasm for his work were contagious, motivating me to stop being a mediocre student. The education | received at WSU taught me to set and achieve goals,” he said. Merrill draws upon skills in marketing, mathematics, law, public speaking, engineering and the sciences in his job. In addition, he serves on several national committees, such as the National Cheese Institute's scientific and regulatory affairs committee and the International Dairy Federation's board of directors. In his spare time, Merrill enjoys life with wife, Kristine, and son, Ethan—and heads for the great outdoors, playing softball, camping and climbing 14,000-foot peaks in the Colorado mountains. — Tyler A. Holt ‘99, Alumni Relations : 4 su: Srewaat L LieRaRy: Free accesss (save $15) 5 WSU WILDERNESS RECREATION Center: Discounted tips and rentals (save $15 or more) 6 i WSU Swenson Gym: Discounted admissions coupons (save $10 or more) WSU Bookstore Discounts (Save $5 on average purchase) WEBER STATE CrepIT Union: Membership eligibility (benefits worth $108 or more) WSU PerrorminG Arts: Alumni pay student rate (save $25 or more) | QO WSUAA Toastmasters: Discounted annual dues (save $5) Total WSU Alumni Association membership value: $400 or more! To join, call 626-7535 today or log on to www.alumni.weber.org 1990s Kevin Burton °91 has been named per- sonal banking officer for the U.S. Bank's Bountiful, Utah, branch. Burton has previously worked for Republic Mortgage and First Security Bank and volunteers for the South Davis Soccer Association and Davis County School District's Spectrum Program. Steven L. Mathews °92 has been appointed vice president/commercial loan officer for the Bank of Utah’s main branch in Ogden. Mathews, who has worked with the bank for eight years, will handle small business administration loans. He previ- ously worked for the San Francisco Federal Reserve in Salt Lake City and at First Security Bank in Provo, Utah. Linda Saxton ’92 is using her nursing degree from WSU She has opened health-care facility to do what she loves. her home for the as a small elderly. She cares for two to three residents at a time, assisting them with daily medical needs and providing companionship. Wendy A. Stock ’92, an economics professor at Kansas State University, has completed a study with Vanderbilt University economics professor John Siegfried, which compares doctorate labor markets in 14 social science, engineering and sci- ence disciplines. Rod Zundel ’92, sports reporter and anchor for KSL-TV, hosted the fir: Salutes” awards ceremony in the newly renovated Val A. Bro Q¢ ter for the Performing Arts. Michelle (Ivey) Cox ’93 has joined the» Utah Transit Authority as compliance offi- cer for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Cox worked for more than six years with the Utah Office of Recovery Service the Labor Commission and the Uni of Utah Office of Equal Opportu Affirmative Action. Steve Jones ’93 was appointed vice president of rental operations for Hertz Overland West, an Ogden-based company where he has worked for more than 10 years. VISTA Ira Cronin ’94 came back to his alma mater as the celebrity runner for the WSU Coca-Cola SK Challenge in September. In 1997, he joined the Fox-TV news team as a sports anchor and reporter, after three years as a photographer, editor and member of the production crew at KSL-TV. John R. Anderson ’95 recently opened Pediatric Dental in Farmington, Utah. After graduating from WSU, Anderson completed his dentistry training at the Creighton University School of Dentistry Scott Simpson ’96 has been named the Republican Party's executive director. For- merly the party’s communication director, he produced last spring's state convention. Sally Jones ’97, child-life specialist at McKay-Dee Hospital, was appointed as co-chairwoman League/McKay-Dee for the Health first Junior Connection, an event that focuses on issues related to children and health care. lic relations specialist for Your Community Connection in Ogden. Matthew Godfrey 95 won the 1999 Ogden Rex Cragun ’99 left behind an educational legacy in a petri dish when he graduated from WSU. Working in an independent research class, Cragun successfully mutated a strain of pneumonia bacteria. He presented his findings at a regional conference of the American Society of mayoral race, after working for several years at lomega Corp. and in the Ogden City planning department. Godfrey currently runs his own business managing apartments and rental homes throughout Ogden. Reb Haas-Close °95 received her doctorate in medicine from the University of California-Los Angeles in June. Haas- Close graduated with many honors, including the Emil Bogen Research Prize and Janet M. Glascow Memorial Achievement Citation American Medical Women's Award. She also received letters of distinction from several departments and was a member of the Alpha Omega medical honor society. She will complete her internship at Cottage Hospital in Santa the Alumni College in. Irelagt : a nine-day travel and learning opportunity, July 5-13, 2000. Discover the ‘Enierald ile’ s fabled setting for Celtic history, music. and dance, tall tales, 4 greats, hearty food, a vibrant culture and spectacular sc otics. The virus is responsible for approx- Islands, from Bunratty Castle to the wit ahd wisdom of Ireland” From Galway Bay to the Aran premier storytellers...what better place for an adventure of learning, fellowship, and exploration? imately 500,000 cases of bacterial pneumonia and more than 5,000 cases of meningitis, as well as children’s ear infections and sore throats in the United States The all-inclusive value price for this program is just $2,195 per person. Space is limited, so plan each year. WSU students are following up on Cragun’s research this year. Joey Haws ’99, a former sports editor George County areas. He also is working as an beat reporter for the Ogden City/Weber to make your reservations no later than March 31, 2000. ther the “Raecaresin his doctorate of dental surgery from Northwestern University in Chicago. intern with the Utah Starzz professional women’s basketball team. Renaissance Art Mark Jonathon Phipps °99 recently got into character, playing Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt The Alumni College Ellis ‘96 has been promoted to information systems manager at the Ogden Clinic, an affiliate of PhyCor, Inc. Ellis holds a WSU bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and business administration and has logged more than six years of experience in the field. Wayne Hillstead °96 has been appoint. SG to. ine) WSU Industrial Advisory Com- in the Salt Lake Acting Company's annual production of Saturday’s Voyeur, a popular spoof of Utah life and politics. Tell Us Your Story What’s new in your life? Have you landed a new job? Had a recent wedding? Added to your family? Traveled to Timbuktu? Keep your Updates.” Call Alumni Relations at 801-626-7535. Or fax to 801626-6563. Or send an e-mail message to jkilcup@weber.edu. Dentistry, has joined Dr. Paul C. Bennion as an associate at the South Ogden Family Dental Center. FALL 1999 ang Classic Cisne in Tuscany, Italy, June 14-22, 2000, was developed in | response to over- fellow alumni posted by contributing your news to Vista’s “Alumni veceved his dociraten in Seer medicine from the University of Louisville School of ISLE: Travel to ova cunt Clare. : various strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae are growing increasingly immune to antibi- for the WSU Signpost, now reports to the Ogden Standard-Examiner’s newsroom. In June, Haws accepted the position of police Lee °95 received THE EMERALD Microbiology. His goal was to discover why Barbara, Calif., and spend the following three years in residency at UCLA. She plans to work in emergency-room medicine. Shou-Cheng WSU serinl Cory Ervin ’98 was recently hired as pub- and Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. TRAVEL WITH Our mailing address: WSU Alumni Relations, 3701 University Circle, Ogden, UT 84408-3701. whelming demand from past partici- pants. Immerse yourself in the culture of a, upicgl Tuscan village for eight wonderful =~ days. Headquar“tered in the 2ancient i and Assisi, among oiher sites. iatthisD cassie temperate region with its opulent museums, magnificent vineyards and olive groves, influential intellectual history and extraordinary dining. An adventure for the mind and the senses. Take advantage of this unique opportunity for an all-inclusive value price of just $2, a7). and be sure to make your ar reservationswee ray @2), 7000." Call Alumni Relations for a thugs ard to be placed on our alumni travel mailing list: 801°626- 7535 or send e-mail to: alumni@weber.edu. | Bo — & S66 7 O >Z2 Ae, oD ¢Oo ,;§ ; QED © Bees az doctorate from Stanford University. well include Freddie Mac securities. Glenn includes WSU in his blue-ribbon academic pedigree. “I got a great education at Weber,” Glenn said. “WSU's pro- For Glenn, performance counts most when it improves the lives of average Americans. He takes pride in knowing Freddie Mac te | * . “es ‘ fessors are focused on teaching—not research.” In fact, WSU's accounting program turned Glenn on to business. “I've . had some of the finest teachers anywhere, including at least one Nobel laureate,” + sie ‘ ‘ helps families stay in their homes when bad times hit: “I just love the letters we get from people we've helped.” — Mark Peterson, Media Relations a 50B > Zz + . * a ,=- 2 of om oO xm CO S 5 2 — 3 eS 2 es Zr _ = FZ = 7 5= =2356 Kn & < — om O