SS CR MERA SeegO sees uei 2 7 ~ @weber.edu serving 10,000 online visitors each day. Have you hit our web site lately? Stand-out Students 15,314 students were enrolled at WSU Spring Semester, more than 85 percent of whom worked full- or part-time jobs while going to school. First-time freshmen, who make up 18 percent of the university’s annual enrollment, entered with higher than 3.3 grade-point averages and ACT scores averaging 22. fibers of history and heritage around the world. WSU applauded this ancient art form in November during its third-annual Storytelling Festival. National and regional performers, as well as local students, shared renditions of legends, fairytales, myths and fables. More than 5,000 area schoolchildren attended the festival. All That Jazz Rituals of Respect Two pianos, two different 2 ae ae and legendary pianists Ramsey the Peery’s Egyptian Theater | oe formance. Longtime friends Lewis and Billy Taylor shared eo ersity web sit styles, two incredible talents united in one powerful per- oe BY | and cultures during WSU’s fifth-annual Diversity Month. Focusing on the theme ‘Together By Chance, United By Choice,” a series of forums, round-table discussions, ethnic food days, performances and competitions were held throughout January. A featured guest There was plenty of clown- ing around when Dr. Hunter to carry on in January. He struck funny November “Patch” Adams visited campus bones with his red nose, streaked blue ponytail, mismatched socks, students and community members a taste of _ ent philosophies at WSU in and give i Students, faculty, staff and area residents celebrated differ- The Best Medicine West gathered tribal i _ Embracing Diversity his hip-hop band. traditions il an f i ‘eial i at HIE el Flal .ft i na auf i 1ts i tf le i ela i i ii auete te i ae i li IPSN tL fli !VW ut a a il ve all i u aD ii iy al ty fi ul i aei ralinlls : ii si Ca Intermountain 1,300 Wildcats joined the ranks of proud WSU alumni. was Mohammed Bilal, of MTV’s Real World, who performed with More than 300 Native Americans from throughout the explosion” in his lifetime, he told them to be prepared to grab hold of opportunities — even those that do not yet exist. During the ceremony, nearly authentic Indian customs. A powwow was the highlight of baggy pants and bright Hawaiian shirt. But it was his serious mes- sage that won several standing ovations from a crowd of 1,600. va s the festivities. Dressed in full O een regalia, members of 30 tribes O ake O it danced for hours to the beat of a host drum. Megan Morris of Roy, Utah, was crowned stage in October for an intimate evening of jazz music. Part of WSU’s “Affairs of the Arts” series, the event was one of many sponsored by the Val A. Browning Foundation for the Cultural Arts. Once Upon a Time Tales of humor, horror, fantasy, tragedy and adventure have been spun and recounted for centuries — preserving the ae yea) }: bi 1999 Miss Indian WSU, succeeding Lakota Simons (above) who was crowned in 1998. Launching Their Futures Former U.S. senator and astronaut Jake Garn encouraged newly minted graduates to continue learning and promised a voyage into unexplored frontiers during his address at the university’s 112th commencement in December. Focusing on the “technological Founder and director of the Gesundheit Institute in West Virginia, Adams was the subject of a recent blockbuster movie. While at WSU, he shared his vision for providing free, holistic medical care and his belief that humor helps healing. Adams was featured as part of the Open Hour program, a series of weekly Convocations and Honors Issues Forums. Other noteworthy speakers this school year included: actor William Davis from the television series the X-Files; singer Fabrice Morvan of the former pop duo Milli Vanilli; Judge Mills Lane, (at right) former boxing referee and host of a court television program; and criti- cally acclaimed author Carlos Fuentes. Bracing for the Millennium Bug WSU gained national attention for its free Y2K Conference in January. To dispel anxiety and help communities prepare for the year 2000 computer bug, the university assembled a panel of experts to discuss food storage, government readiness, health care and financial issues. A front-page USA Today story about grassroots Y2K preparedness acknowledged the university’s proactive efforts. Focus on Families The WSU-Davis Campus launched a new program, Parenting In Progress, this semester to help families establish and maintain healthy home environments. Free lectures by faculty on topics such as attention deficit disorder, logical consequences, grief and money management were offered monthly at King Elementary in Layton, Utah. The program will break during the summer and resume Fall Semester. WSU Headhunt Representatives from more than 150 local and national companies came to WSU in February to recruit students and alumni during the state’s largest Career Fair. The university organizes the event annually to help Wildcats obtain full- and part-time employment, internships and summer jobs. This year more than 5,000 participants took advantage of the full-scale networking opportunity. H. Aldous Dixon Award. Named for one of WSU’s founding presidents, the award is presented annually to an outstanding faculty or staff member. Hansen was selected for her 40 years of service and leadership on campus and positive impact on the quality of Utah health care. She retired from the university this spring. Exemplary Excellence The Alumni Association recognized nursing professor Gerry Hansen in February with the 1999 1S i. ae ees a One of the world’s oldest and most beloved musical institutions, the Vienna Choir a = ‘a Ba il Boys, marked its 500th anniversary with two Ogden performances in February. A feature of WSU’s “Affairs of the Arts” series, male choristers aa < de O online institution over the past three years. Still a familiar face on campus, Livingston served in faculty and administrative positions at WSU from 1980-93. He replaced Richard O. Ulibarri who, after 25 years as dean, returned to the classroom as a history professor. Nurturing Dreams ages 10-14 mesmerized audiences with their exceptional singing and charm. Their broad repertoire drew from the works of great composers, signature Viennese folk songs and operettas. (above), president of the National Organization for Women, focused on the challenges and successes of women pioneers and pacesetters. a os 0 Exquisite Euphony Saluting Progress of Women WSU joined the national celebration of Women’s History Month by honoring female students and the contributions of women leaders. Throughout March, a variety of events centered around the theme, “Women: Putting Our Stamp On America.” Two addresses by Patricia Ireland Oo = a Welcome Back E. Jeffery Livingston (above right) returned to WSU in March as the new dean of Continuing Education. Formerly the chief executive officer of the Western Governors University, Livingston helped form, launch and operate the From researching mystical traditions to studying the origins of criminal justice in Greece, 34 WSU faculty projects received crucial support this spring, through funding that accompanies the Hemingway Faculty Vitality Awards. The Richard K. and Shirley S. Hemingway family established a trust 10 years ago to sustain faculty enthusiasm and improve student education by giving professors opportunities to pursue new ideas and educational experiences. Over the last decade, more than $500,000 has been awarded to 130 ventures. Some of this year’s winners plan to explore cultural/gender issues through film and literature; study bee pollination; and develop a digital piano laboratory. — Melisa Holmes, Media Relations VISTA Spring 1999 3 Olene S. Walker, Utah's lieutenant governor and a WSU alumna, took time for a photo shoot on the capitol building steps after spending the day in a retreat for state government leaders. Last January, she participated in a WSU Alumni University panel discussion of the psychology of leadership. Community leaders and WSU faculty discuss life at the helm Mark Twain tells the story of a king who wanted to meet the world’s greatest g neré . Upon arriving at the gates of | his wish was granted and he was whis! ced to the home of a common But his heavenly guide explained shoemaker. “There must be some mistake,” the king exc aimed. r the cobbler had posses the q ualities necessary for history-making leadership. He simply hadn’t been in the rl right place right time. * ee | Seerpt & ° mm wain’s fable poses an age-old question: are leaders born or are they developed by mentors and skill-building environments? Last January, seven community and campus leaders assembled for an Alumni University seminar to tackle this and other riddles about the art of leadership. The panel accepted the “great-person theory,” arguing that leaders are genetically endowed with enduring traits such as greater intelligence, energy, communication skills — even height. In the past decade, research has modified that view, showing that leaders may score higher in these areas, but not significantly. discussion, moderated by Alma Harris, professor of business management, sparked friendly debate and raised issues which later were pondered by WSU faculty in separate interviews. Like Mark Twain’s king, we expect leaders to stand out from the crowd and to seem fated for special power and influence. For many years, Harris said, scholars 4 VISTA Spring 1999 Born to lead? Still the “great-person theory” has its advocates. “I’m not sure leadership can be learned,” argued Stuart Boyd, a retired brigadier general and WSU’s director of applied technology education. “It was not difficult to identify cadets who had leadership potential,’ he said, recalling his experience with incoming freshman at the Air Force Academy. “You can pretty well pick them out of the crowd. But over the years they still have to develop communication and management skills.” Judy Webber, a sales agent with Coldwell Banker Premier Realty in Ogden, agreed. “Some people have an inward drive, a unique quality others want to follow. You can take courses and polish skills, but some people just have it.” Rod Julander, professor of political science, later confirmed her insight, offering former Utah governor Calvin Rampton as an example: ‘He was so bright he inspired awe among his colleagues and always was three steps ahead of everyone else.” The notion received another vote of support from Stuart Thatcher, a WSU alumnus and president of People and Profit, Inc., in Farmington, Utah. He identified key traits leaders share: force of will and the ability to make things happen. “Leaders are born,” Thatcher said, “but they can learn to be better leaders.” Citing the Mark Twain story to illustrate his point, he explained that people’s unique capacities cause them to thrive in particular environments. The key is to find the right match. Thatcher is disturbed by motivational speakers who teach their audiences how to mimic the activities of good leaders. “Many people don’t have the ability to persevere in roles they are not things about your organization.” Bruce Haslam, professor of psychology, noted that a leader’s readiness to listen is driven by context. “Airlines have recently recognized the need for behavior modification among pilots,” he said. Often trained by the military to operate through the chain of command, authoritarian pilots have sometimes refused to listen when co-pilots © or crew members alerted them to problems. Haslam recalled an instance when a flight bound for Frankfurt, Germany, landed inad- vertently in Belgium, because a stewardess was afraid to point out the pilot’s flawed sense of direction. The best leaders, Haslam suggested, can adapt skillfully to the context and issues at hand, without imposing preconceived notions and solutions. suited for,’ he concluded. Nurtured toward leadership Other panelists argued for the powerful influence of a developing leader’s environment. “I’m not comfortable saying leaders are simply born,” countered Olene Walker, Utah’s lieutenant governor and a WSU alumna. She agreed leadership traits are somewhat genetic, but added that environment, parents and mentors establish patterns that children tend to emulate. Jewel Lee Kenley’s story is a case in point. A WSU alumna and currently president and owner of Ed Kenley Ford of Layton, Utah, Kenley was recognized in 1998 as one of Jime magazine’s dealers of the year. Yet several years ago, she was happily raising her children and teaching piano. With her husband’s untimely death, responsibility for the company was “dumped in her lap.” The transformation, at a difficult time, may have daunted some. But Kenley was spurred by awareness of her duty to the company’s employees and their families. “I evolved and developed,” she said simply, adding that the key to her leadership success has been honest, regular communication with her managers and staff. Such commitment to communication is one of those traits that can be developed, added Tom Davidson, retired vice president of the Thiokol Corporation in Ogden. “I’m sort of a nut about communication,” he explained. : “The good leaders, I’ve found, are good listeners. We’re all so busy talking or getting ready to talk that we don’t hear what the other person has to say. If you listen, you'll find out all kinds of interesting “We’re all so busy talking or getting ready to talk that we don’t hear what the other person has to say. If you listen, you'll find out all kinds of interesting things about your organization.” — Tom Davidson This approach is the hallmark of leaders found in egalitarian societies, such as the Kalahari Bushmen or the Eskimos, commented Rosemary Conover, professor of anthropology. While inheritance through kinship taps individuals for headman roles, their authority springs from acts of generosity and a desire to lead by example through hard work and integrity. “The leaders of bands and tribes won’t succeed if they try to coerce or bully their followers,” she explained. “Their power derives from a carefully developed network of obligation,” a concept familiar to dealmakers who exchange favors over linen-clad tables. Gene Sessions, professor of history, is intrigued by the ability of outstanding leaders to craft a compelling story of heroism. “Theodore Roosevelt calculated each aspect of his self-made image,” he observed, including his stint with the Rough Riders in Cuba, which established his reputation as a fearless military adventurer. From George Washington to Golda Meir, Sessions said, our most inspiring leaders have known how to distill the hopes and dreams of their people into great stories. Yet sometimes motivational leadership falters. Joné Koford, a WSU alumna, health care advisor, and president of Strategic Healthcare Innovations in Kaysville, Utah, described her experience with a CEO who excelled as a mentoring, articulate and visionary leader. Despite his skills, the company failed. The problem, she explained, was execution. “He could draw a picture of the future, but he couldn’t assemble the forces to execute the strategy.” Posing a question from the audience, WSU President Paul H. Thompson asked the panel to consider the case of Abraham Lincoln. History tells us he was moody and not a good manager or orator. How could he be one of our nation’s greatest leaders, yet lack such important qualities? Comparing Lincoln to President Jimmy Carter, Koford noted that Carter has been judged an unsuccessful president, a mere manager. “But it might have been different if he’d had one issue, like the Civil War, that spanned the ages. Lincoln failed in small areas but succeeded in a big one. It might have been his timing.” Walker pointed to Lincoln’s strength of character. “He was committed to the right action for the nation and wasn’t guided by public-opinion polls. Politicians have to listen to constituents but, in the end, leaders are better off if they pursue policies that have intrinsic worth.” STOTT Boyd agreed, adding that a solid moral foundation correlates with the best in leadership. “The strongest officers I worked with had their personal and spiritual lives together and were dedicated to their own personal health, as well as the health of the organization.” People who seek leadership roles to acquire money, power or status may, by some fluke, achieve success, commented Walker. “But they’Il never have satisfaction. The moral integrity, the cause and relationships with others are finally more important.” Panelists nodded in agreement as Walker concluded: “We need leaders who have vision and are willing to see what is possible, will take risks to get there and have the ability to empower others to reach their maximum potential.” — Jodi Kilcup, Alumni Relations Addressing a standing-room-only crowd of students from colleges and universities across the nation, Carlos Fuentes (at right) asserted that “humanism and creativity are the right and left hands of culture. %) or Wu Pa rr O —! rt = Ie = WSU students mingle with world-class authors In 1980, as a nontraditional student at Weber State University, | was invited to read a term paper at the English department's annual awards program. Some months before, I had written Frankenstein: The roe Creation of Innocence and Evil for Dr. Gerald Grove’s British Romantic literature class. I was thrilled by the invitation to read that paper and still regard it as a capstone to my undergraduate schooling. Keer N... 17 years later, 1 am a faculty member at WSU and have had the opportunity to read both critical and creative papers in the U.S. and abroad. Each presentation has been exciting, but none compares with my first reading that spring afternoon in WSU’s Social Science building. The National Undergraduate Literature Conference is a direct result of that experience. Soon after being hired at Weber, I approached Candadai Seshachari, English department chairman, with the idea of a conference at which WSU students could show their wares and see how they compared to students from other Utah institutions. Sesh’s support was immediate. My colleague Michael Myer and I headed off to the Rocky Mountain Modern Language Conference with fists full of flyers inviting students from other schools to participate in what we had dubbed the Utah State Undergraduate Literature Conference. No sooner had we started to distribute the flyers than a professor from Ricks College, in Idaho, asked if his students could submit papers. Within 15 minutes, the conference had evolved into the Western States Undergraduate Literature Conference. That same hour, a professor from Florida asked if her students could join us. Our idea for a quiet little in-state gathering had exploded into the National Undergraduate Literature Conference (NULC). Along with providing undergraduate students an audience for their works, we wanted to give them an opportunity to meet 6 VISTA Spring 1999 with and listen to writers who had “made it.” So we decided to approach the best authors in the world. A colleague in the history department cautioned us, “If you land John Barth, it will be a miracle. Weber State University has never had an author of Barth's stature on campus.” Our first call was to Barth, who gladly accepted and was thrilled to speak to undergraduates. GML We also invited Tobias Wolff, a professor in Syracuse University's creative writing program, who is recognized as one of America's finest short-story writers. He, too, jumped at the chance to be involved with our enterprise. The conference was not only off the ground, it was soaring. Barth and Wolff gladly coached us on how to improve our event and Wolff suggested we invite Richard Ford the next year. Ford brought his friend Raymond Carver. Next came Ray Bradbury and Alan Cheuse, who has since become a mainstay of our one-of-a-kind conference by helping bring prominent authors such as Larry McMurtry, Tess Gallagher, Anne Beattie, Richard Bausch, and George Garrett. Meanwhile, Brad Roghaar, English instructor, took Michael Meyer’s place as conference director for several years, followed by Carl Porter, director of the Learning Support Center, with whom I have shared conference leadership since 1992. The 1999 NULC, held in April, featured equally impressive guests: Carlos Fuentes, the Latin-American novelist, poet and essayist who has been twice nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature; Molly Giles, an award-winning writer of short stories; and David Lee, Utah’s poet laureate. A common thread runs through all of the stories, poems and essays presented by our visiting writers: concern for careful reading and good writing as practices that help us explore our individual truths. Ray Bradbury, in numerous interviews, has expressed concern that the future of civilization rests upon the next generation’s literacy. He fears students of all ages are not learning to love reading for the purpose of gaining knowledge and inspiration. As we rely increasingly on television and electronic media for information, he believes, we are killing the intimacy and subtlety that come from contact with the printed page. The NULC celebrates reading and writing through hands-on work with those who practice the ancient and noble craft of storytelling. For a few days, students, faculty and world-class authors follow Thoreau’s advice, by pursuing the art of ‘living life deliberately, on its own terms.” We gather to share our work, refine our craft and shape new truths. It is nothing short of life changing. — Mikel Vause, Honors Program God is the Sun I’ve always known that the sun 1s God. We all know this somehow — in our animal blood, in our bones, or in our eyes as we squint to look at the sky. Or we know this in sleep, from the oldest mind, and wait to shout it on our deathbed. ast year, 22-year-old Andrew Christensen heard four words that changed how he viewed himself and the world. The WSU English student was spending his summer break studying literature and philosophy at Cambridge University in England. During a lecture on the life of Joseph M. W. Turner, he heard the British painter’s last words: “God is the sun.” The phrase, which captured the dying artist’s love for light and color, became embedded in Christensen’s mind. After pondering it for more than a year, the aspiring writer put his feelings into words. Christensen shared his poem with more than 150 students from nearly 40 colleges and universities across the country during the 14th-annual National Undergraduate Literature Conference in April. The event, sponsored by WSU’s English department, gives students the opportunity to present critical and creative papers to an audience of their peers. “Writing is a joyful but painful process of creating order out of chaos. The challenge is producing a finished product that is as beautiful as you first envisioned,” said Christensen, who always carries a notepad for scribbling down sudden bursts of ideas. “This conference [was] a great opportunity for me to get feedback on my work from some of the world’s finest writers.” Il There was a time when I could stand all day in front of the bathroom mirror, switching the light on and off to see my retina contract and expand. Then [’d run warm water over my hands for unnatural lengths of time, just to feel warmth. lll I would look up to the night sky as a child and still now, thinking what a fool I am, wishing I were something else — an astronaut, then; a physicist now. Then I lie cold in my bed and am terrified at the thought of all that empty space — the emptiness between things, in things. V The foggiest night I can remember — we ran through streets in front of cars, leaving just enough time to make it safely across. Andrew Christensen (left), Then we stood under streetlights in a church author of the poem at right, parking lot. [ realized the nature of angels that night plans to graduate in 2000. as we moved in softly defined cones of light, arms and heads floating upward — Both of his parents are WSU apparitions to the passing cars graduates, as are his maternal grandparents, making his achievements the latest installment in a proud family tradition. Below right is a detail from Parliament Burning a canvas by Joseph M. W. Turner, whose last words inspi ¢ , Christensen's poe itp alisineetha amtcay Al tarn nant sneehteate tine Nlemte merece VTCap: ne ad nt WEBER STATE i FN a ap , t e e l e l a WCShUampBsasWkientb 4 Unexpected fans “Sometimes smaller, quicker and bigger, stronger and heavily favored.” Thee how a sportswriter for the Portland Oregonian opened his story about WSU’s victory in the NCAA Tournament’s first round. We weren’t the only fans to cheer our men’s basketball team through their upset triumph over University of North Carolina’s “Tarheels.” The day after the Wildcats’ big win (76-74), WSU bookstore phones began ringing with orders for Weber State University merchandise —- from North Carolina. Callers chiefly identified themselves as Duke University fans or members of the “ABC Club,” which translates as “anything but Carolina.” Long-distance requests included orders for $11 WSU hats, plus $40 for overnight shipping, reports Jennilyn Stoffers, WSU bookstore marketing overlooked is better than coordinator. ““We did $6-7,000 in sales that first day after the game,” said Stoffers, “and we've sold more than 300 shirts so far.” In response to the demand, Stoffers designed a special T-shirt (shown above), and promptly sold a box-load to the Duke University golf team, who planned to wear the provocative garb at a match against the Tarheels. “The response has been off the charts,” she said. In addition, WSU’s web site received 42,000 hits after the big game — a new record. And phones were ringing off the hook in the Admissions Office with calls from prospective students. The Wildcats made headlines in more than 25 national newspapers and were featured on the Today show. Not bad for the surprising team from Ogden, Utah. Boca: Carla Taylor is all of those things and more. A fiercely competitive woman who cares deeply about her players’ well being, she is much more than a coach. In fact, she becomes almost a second 0 = = o x a PS © 42 a pS a LU 1) =e a ‘oo Oo Oo Weber State’s Night: Harold Arceneaux and his teammates celebrate their 76-74 win over the North Carolina Tarheels March 11, in Seattle’s Key Arena. 8 VISTA Spring 1999 parent to her athletes during their stay at Weber State, teaching them not only the game of basketball, but the game of life, too. It’s just that her particular classroom setting is 94 feet by 50 feet, surrounded by the sidelines, scoreboards and purple seats of the Dee Events Center. ‘IT try to make the kids feel at home here,” Taylor said. “We try to have a friendly, family atmosphere. You have to be a teacher and help them instead of getting frustrated when they don’t do things the way you want them to.” ‘She cares a lot about her players, and she’s more than just their coach,” said WSU assistant coach Rachelle Gardner, who would know a little bit about such things, since she was a four-year letter winner at Weber State and a two-year starter for the Wildcats. “Carla is their friend, their teacher and, in some ways, almost like a parent to them. And track and field. She was a three-time high school state champion in the javelin in her native Oregon. STEVE CONLIN “Ogden was a lot like home, and it was close but still far enough away,” she recalls of her decision to attend Weber State. “I was a 5°10,” bossy point guard who wanted to be a coach,” she recalls. In basketball, Taylor was a four-year starter for the Wildcats. She also participated in the Division II championships in track. In 1988, at the age of 26, with only four years of coaching experience, she was named head coach of the WSU women’s program, making her one of the youngest Division I coaches in the country. It is an opportunity for which, 11 years later, she remains very grateful. Hying High in the Big Sky Pride and accountability “T look forward to coming to work every day,” she continued. “And I don’t see this job as a stepping stone to someplace else, because I don’t feel I’ve done what I need to do here yet,’ she said. § with grace and grit y called COac She takes pride in the progress of the WSU “C.T.” That’s short for h could just as well stand for “Caring yus.” Or “Classroom Teacher. e4 she’s so competitive, whether it’s basketball, bowling, skiing or just running to the door as we’re leaving work. She wants to win at everything.” Winning attitude The wins haven’t come as frequently as Taylor would like, with a career record of 129-169 in her 11 seasons at the WSU helm. The Wildcats went 11-16 this season but, after struggling through a 1-9 start, her team won nine of its next 11 games and earned a berth in the Big Sky Conference post-season tournament. Despite the mid-season turnaround, Taylor was far from satisfied with her team’s success this season. And she’s not satisfied with the job she’s doing, either. “T still have tons to learn,” she admitted. ‘You never stop learning in this profession. The kids change every year. We’re so close to becoming a championship team. I knew it would take time to build; I just didn’t think it would take 11 years.” Taylor came to Weber State as a student in 1980 as a two-sport star — basketball and women’s basketball program, and of women’s athletics in general. “It’s been a cs z slow process,” Taylor said. “When I started, I had one assistant coach and a $2,000 budget. Now I have two full-time assistants, new offices in the Dee Events Center and nice, new facilities. There’s been a commitment by the university to give our athletes an opportunity to be successful. ‘‘There’s always pressure to win,” she added. “People are paying more attention to the women’s basketball program than ever before. It’s much more visible now, and with the growth of women’s sports in general, there’s more pressure to win than po O O Lu > if oo op Left to right: Senior T. L. Bartlett, sophomore Charlie Clinger, and junior Tory Bailey are high there used to be. And I think we should all be accountable.” Taylor asks her athletes to give back to the community that supports them. “We have good kids here, kids who are strong academically and are involved in the community. We’re constantly representing Weber State jumpers on the WSU track team who all have University, and we need to do it in a Sociology major Bailey has made it to 7’ 1/4.” first- class manner. We need to set a good example and be good role models for the youth. We demand that of our kids. We tell them to be punctual and to be thankful for the opportunity they have.” Yes, C.T. is “Constantly Thankful.” She feels lucky to be coaching at a place like Weber State. And, in turn, WSU cleared jumps of seven feet in competition. Clinger, a finance major who stands nearly seven-feet tall himself, has jumped 7’4 1/2." Bartlett, a history major, has cleared 7’2 1/2." All three high jumpers competed in the outdoor season this spring. Congratulations to the indoor track team, one of WSU’s Big Sky championship teams this year. is lucky to have someone like Carla Taylor coaching our women’s basketball team, too. — Randy Hollis ’74 VISTA Spring 1999 9 “In a short period, students learn how to navigate the university and get a degree in a timely way.” — Judy Elsley Freshmen turn to First Year Experience program For 15 years, Iris Mabrey was a firefighter in Riverside, California. But after a move, three children and a divorce, she ) Mabrey enrolled at Weber State needed a new start. University to study psychology. She remembers the terror of her first day. ’ i would fight a fire any day,” she said. “It never scared me as badly as my first time walking on campus.” The pressure built as she sat in class, waiting for her instructor to arrive. “If he had been 30 seconds later, I would have walked out and never come back.” Fortunately, Iris got involved in WSU’s First Year Experience program (FYE), which she credits with much of her collegiate success. “It’s a wonderful program; every student who goes through it benefits.” FYE was launched four years ago and now boasts enrollment of nearly 1,000 students, about half of all entering freshmen. The program helps students foster friendships, improve academics and take advantage of the broad range of university resources. “Tn a short period, students learn how to navigate the university and get a degree in a timely way,” said Judy Elsley, FYE co-coordinator and associate professor of English. “Students are not wasting time and money being frustrated.” Although the program 1s still new and data are limited, the university has found FYE students achieve higher GPAs and fewer of them drop out of school. Larry Helmbrecht, counseling psychologist at WSU, was motivated to teach the FYE core course by memories of his own early academic struggles. “I grew up poor in rural Minnesota,” he said. “Neither of my parents graduated from college. When I got done with high school I went to bartending school. That’s what I wanted do the rest of my life, and my family thought that was great.” Eventually, Helmbrecht enrolled in a junior college. “I had no tools. It took me probably two or three years to finally know how to take notes, listen to the instructor, and study for an exam. I believe in the program because I know it is essential for many of the students.” Three years ago, Taunya Carus left a job she enjoyed to pursue her education at WSU — anticipating her long-term responsibilities as a single parent. In FYE, she found more than just academic tools. One of her teachers encouraged her to get a “total university experience,” including social clubs, volunteer groups and professional organizations. FYE students have two options: they can enroll in the core class, “Introduction to the University,” or join a cluster program where a cohort of 30 students take the core class and two general education courses. “The core course is the foundation,” says Michael White, FYE co-coordinator and international student adviser. “It’s where students learn how to learn.” Network of friends Angie Tucker, a dental hygiene major, says she never felt lonely on campus after her FYE classes. “I still have classes with some of the same students I started with, and we’re good friends. We help each other study, we support each other, and that has helped me feel connected even on a commuter campus with 14,000 other students.” “We all need a sense of community and connection,” said Kathleen Lukken, associate provost, who helped start FYE at WSU. “In the cluster classes students and teachers laugh together and share a common experience. They worry about us and we worry about them.” Each one teach one “T’m now an FYE class mentor, taking 22 credits. Although I’m a single parent, trying to work full time, I’m also very involved in two organizations. Other students in my classes see all that I’m doing and they come to me and ask, ‘How do you do it? Teach me; show me. I want to be just like that.’ So I try to encourage them to find what they love to do, because then they too will find the time to be successful.” ‘Peer mentoring has strengthened the whole,” explained Elsley. “The peer mentor is somebody the students feel is successful, someone who is less intimidating than the teacher and is a bit closer to the students’ experience.” Mabrey believes FYE prepared her to attack her degree as well as she was prepared to attack a roaring fire. “The program is such a worthwhile opportunity,” she said. “After all, earning a degree takes four or five years. It’s so much better for students to start off with a solid foundation.” — Allison Barlow Hess, Communication Department 10 VISTA Spring 1999 Satellites with ‘Attitude WSU’s Center for Aerospace Technology tests latest invention Mi... than 500 miles above the Earth’s surface a small, blue metal box tumbles end over end in the silent vacuum of space. A passenger aboard our planet’s gravitational merry-go-round, the Weber State Satellite (WEBERSAT) is in its ninth year of orbit, circling the globe at more than 15,000 mph. Roughly the size of a microwave oven, this small, 25-pound satellite is just one of several built in the last 17 years by students and faculty at WSU’s Center for Aerospace Technology (CAST). Powered by a mere seven volts of electricity (the equivalent of a nightlight), it lacks the high-tech design and capabilities of its larger counterparts, but its purpose is nonetheless important. The successful launch and orbit of WEBERSAT in 1990 proved to the world that small satellites can play viable roles in space. Additionally, it helped establish WSU as a technological leader and the only undergraduate school to put a satellite into space. Primarily used to transfer signals between amateur-radio operators, WEBERSAT is on the last leg of its mission. Soon its transmissions will fade to silence and the craft will burn up as it re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere. However, as WEBERSAT’s decade of fame comes to an end, a new generation of CAST students and faculty are poised to continue advancing aerospace technology well into the next century. Launching the test case This fall CAST personnel will travel to South Vandenberg Air Force Base, home to the California Spaceport. Located 60 miles north of Santa Barbara, the port will be the launch site of CAST’s latest project: the Joint Air Force/Weber Satellite (JAWSAT). JAWSAT is a multi-payload adapter, basically a large aluminum box which contains experimental satellites from across the country. Designed by WSU students, the crate-sized, metal cage nicknamed “the stack” will provide a new way of placing multiple satellites into orbit at the same time. This lightweight piece of “luggage” tips the scales at 30 pounds. However, during takeoff it will experience launch loads up to 300 times its own weight. | In September, JAWSAT will become the first payload of its kind to rumble to the far reaches of the atmosphere aboard a 60-foot, disarmed Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). A growing demand for satellite-launch vehicles (rockets) is fore- ing the U.S. to find new ways to put communication and research satellites into orbit. As current launch costs reach $10,000-$20,000 per pound, communication companies and the government are turning their attention to more than 250 ICBMs left over from the Cold War. What was once a brute-force nuclear weapon now presents a cost-effective option for the growing satellite industry. If WSU’s launch is successful, it will usher in a new era of using modified ICBMs as booster rockets. Additionally, the JAWSAT mission will allow WSU’s CAST team to test its newest invention — a pint-sized controller that could forever change how small satellites are maneuvered there is no up or down in space, accurately pointing a weightless chunk of metal is more difficult than it sounds. Steering in space The movie Apollo 13 chronicles how astronauts aboard a dilapidated spaceship were forced to work through a never-ending string of problems, only to discover that their tiny craft was off course. Those who’ve seen the film won’t forget the heroic scene where Jim Lovell (played by actor Tom Hanks) fires the ship’s booster rockets and manually re-routes the vessel by targeting the Earth through one of the ship’s windows. Even with modern technology, positioning something in space is as complex today as it was for Lovell in 1971 (not to mention expensive). Because of the high costs of attitude- control systems, many small satellites such as WEBERSAT are released into orbit as free-tumbling crafts, incapable of precisely pointing at an object in space or on Earth. “In the past, no one was interested in launching small satellites because without accurate positioning they couldn’t perform any major functions. But soon, CAST’s new attitude controller could make smaller crafts capable of performing like larger, more costly ones,” : Smith said. continued on next page » while in orbit, said Jay Smith, CAST director, who recently patented the device. The most common shortfall of small satellites such as WEBERSAT is they lack an attitude, or the ability to maintain a defined position in a weightless environment. Since ee CAST director Jay Smith holds a pint-sized controller designed to position satellites in orbit. He is seated in front of "the stack," a device developed by WSU students to carry multiple satellites into space aboard a disarmed ICBM. US WN ei » continued from previous page All but one of the JAWSAT payloads will be deployed into orbit. The remaining device, a NASA research project, will twist and turn in space with the help of CAST?’s attitude controller. Based on Newtonian physics (for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction), the invention consists of a small, electronic wheel. When the wheel is rotated, the satellite moves in the opposite direction. The same technology is currently used to position bussized satellites. The biggest challenge is proving it can work. “We have to show the aerospace community that our device can function in ° space,” Smith said. “That’s why this launch is so important.” The end result? Hundreds of new Satellite services could be possible — and affordable: sending a fax with a wrist computer, talking to anyone from anywhere in the world via a “sat” phone, or using a computer to get an update on the exact location of the driver who is running late with your “overnight” package. Inside track for undergraduates Vince Marcus of South Ogden also is hoping for a successful mission. The 22-yearold computer science student works part time as a computer programmer for CAST. His most recent project simulates the stresses of takeoff by violently shaking full-size prototypes of “the stack.” Data received during the testing give engineers an idea of how their design will hold up during the satellite’s 25,000-mph trip into space. Marcus is just one of 15 WSU students working on the JAWSAT project. “Being contributing members of the CAST team is an invaluable experience. The knowledge we gain here puts us years ahead of undergraduate students at other schools,” he said. “Seeing a project I worked on fly into space will be an awesome experience.” — Jason Wanlass, 12 VISTA Spring 1999 Media Relations Alan F. Reeder °59 began working on behalf of people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities Carolyn Rich °66 along with her husband principal of the Price Savers Wholesale Homer, a pediatrician, share a passion Warehouse based in Salt Lake City, where for art and have been actively involved in the local art community for 30 years. Their drawings, paintings and pottery have been featured in numerous exhibits, most recently at the Myra Powell Art Gallery at Union Station in Ogden. in the 1960s, and has received the lifetime achievement award for “contributions to improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families,’ from the Pearl Buck Foundation. Donna Roberts °67 was named the 1998 Outstanding Business Education Teacher of the Year by the Utah Business and Computer Education Association. This award honors teachers who make significant contributions to the field through involvement in education and the community. Roberts recently retired from WSU after 25 years of service. Frank Salimeno °65 has been named Utah Optometrist of the year by the Utah Optometric Association. He opened his Ogden practice in 1972. Olin F. Craig 66 is president of America First Credit Union, after serving as vice Thomas R. Grimm ’69 has been named president of Sam’s Club, the wholesale club division of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Before joining Sam’s Club he was president president for 19 years. For seven years he has been director of the Credit Union Executive Society. He has served the society as chairman of the board and was inducted into its hall of fame in 1996. and CEO of Pace Membership Ware- house. Grimm was the founding he served as president and CEO for eight years. He lives in Bountiful, Utah. Scott E. Alvord °71 recently was named fire chief of Provo City. He has 26 years of experience in fire services working for the Logan City Fire Department, as fire chief in Sun River, Oregon, and most recently, as fire chief in Sedona, Arizona. Richard K. Bojak °73 a former WSU football player, is the new head football coach at Riverton High School in Riverton, Utah. He also was named 1995 Utah Teacher of the Year. Darrell T. Jones °73 has been in the financial services industry for 18 years with Salomon, Smith, Barney, as senior vice president of investments. He recently was promoted to senior consulting group associate at the firm’s Ogden branch. Mr. Microphone Lives His Dream Rod Zundel °90 is a familiar face to sports fans across the Wasatch Front. A sportscaster for KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, he says he always wanted to be a sports reporter. As early as age seven, he recalls, he sat in his parents’ car with his “Mr. Microphone” and pretended to announce football games over the radio. Among his favorite experiences on the job, he lists meeting football great Terry Bradshaw. Another is his wager with former Jazz basketball player Antoine Carr during the 1997-98 season. Zundel promised to shave his head if the Jazz made it to the finals and, when they did, Carr collected on the bet by taking the razor to Zundel’s head himself — live on TV. Zundel credits his WSU degree and college internship as the launch pad for his broadcasting career. He is grateful to the communication faculty, especially Larry Stahle, who, through many “heart-to-hearts” helped shape his professional direction. Without such support, he says, he would not have finished his education. In turn, Zundel shares his knowledge with students. Whether addressing an elementary classroom or a college auditorium, his message is the same: “Find a hobby you really enjoy, have fun doing it and make it your career.” By following that advice, he wakes up to his dream every day. Terry Keefe °75 has been appointed West Valley City police chief, overseeing 158 officers. Colonel Gene E. King °76 a graduate of WSU’s ROTC program, recently became the 52nd commander of the Army’s Watervliet Arsenal in upstate New York, overseeing more than 900 military and civilian staffers. Known as the “Nation’s Cannon Factory,” the arsenal is the sole facility in the U.S. that manufactures, in quantity, largecaliber guns for weapon systems such as tanks and howitzers. King’s Army career has taken him throughout the U.S. and Europe. Kelly McGarry, °76 has been named to the Something to Smile About For Karen Preston °92, giving the gift of a smile is all in a day’s work. Preston is a registered dental hygienist for the Oral Health Institute in Springville, Utah. During the past 23 years, she has helped thousands achieve their ultimate smiles. Preston most enjoys working with patients who hesitate to smile and bringing them to the point where they can’t stop grinning. Each patient poses a different challenge, needing anything from a simple cleaning to reconstructive surgery. People from around the world seek dental care at the Oral Health Institute, she says, which offers services regardless of patients’ ability to pay. Working at the clinical-research facility keeps Preston informed about the latest equipment and products. Preston worked as a dental assistant for six years before continuing her education at WSU, a move that All-American Team of the American opened the door to her career in dentistry. She describes Kathleen Lukken, associate provost, as her mentor. Funds Group, for outstanding service, expertise and dedication to principles me the encouragement to pursue dental hygiene,” said Preston. of sound mutual fund and variable annuity investing. McGarry has been with Everen Securities since 1988 and has been in the financial services field ‘Karen was a bright, motivated and inquisitive student and she’s continued to demonstrate those qualities as a practicing dental hygienist. I respect her judgment and value her friendship,” Lukken said. Sounds like the kind of for 21 years. mutual admiration that produces big smiles. Laurie Henderson °77 is director of nursing at the Crestwood Care Center of Ogden. Her career has spanned 21 years of long-term care experience, eight years as director of nursing. She also has worked as a total quality management consultant. held positions such as district manager, regional manager and, most recently, director of national accounts. Col. Howard Olsen ’77 is training the U.S. Army’s senior commanders for peace operations. He reports directly to Army Chief of staff, Gen. Dennis J. Reimer. Mark Stromberg °78 and Randy Hunt have formed the Stromberg Group in Bountiful, Utah. A limited liability company, the new firm will create value in businesses through holding, developing, and acquisitions. Formerly a top executive with US West, Stromberg also has served as executive vice president for Franklin Covey. Larry G. Chatterton °83 has been appointed regional administrator for Region I of Adult Probation and Parole, for the Utah State Department of Corrections. For the past 11 years he has worked in the Ogden office as a supervisor, most recently of the probation drug unit. Chatterton also has taught as an adjunct professor in the WSU criminal justice department for eight years. Lance D. Hamner °84 is serving his third term as prosecuting attorney in the eighth judicial circuit in Johnson County, Indiana. He also has been listed in the 1998 and 1999 editions of Who’s Who in American Law. Marion Stuart °81 has started her own business in Ogden. Called Learning Wrap-Ups Inc., the new company develops learning tools for almost every subject, including math, music and foreign language. Previously, she taught for seven years. Roger M. Bird °82 is the divisional vicepresident of trade sales for the Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Albany, Ohio. He joined the company in 1983 and has “She gave James F. Brown °85, a corporate finance attorney, has joined the law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery in Silicon Valley, where he serves the needs of high technology companies in the areas of finance, intellectual property and litigation. Thomas F. Calton °86 has completed requirements for certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is now a diplomate of the board. Board members are orthopaedic surgeons who are active in patient care, It's a matter of degrees «more than 1,400 of them! That’s how many students graduated from Weber State University in December 1998 because of their own hard work, faculty dedication...and your gifts. 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. ~~ Annual Oving celebrating the cycle learning, growing and giving EBER STATE UNIVERSITY education and research. VISTA Spring 1999 13 ALUMNI UPDATES CONTINUED A Dynasty of Doctors 1980s cont. Diane Cornia *86 has joined the health-care team of Rocky Mountain Home Care, providing services including nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, and medical social work for patients in their homes. Cornia has worked at the Evanston Hospital and has been the director of nursing at an extended-care facility in Logan, Utah. Jo Ann S. Secrist °86 is the state legal assistance developer for the Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services. She has authored or co-authored numerous publications such as Improving Police Response to Elder Domestic Abuse and What comes to mind when you think of a family business? The Corleone kin? How about a medical dynasty boosted by two generations of undergraduate education at WSU? Medicine is “all in the family” for Jeremy Booth 98, who is in his first year of medical school at the University of Utah. His wife, Jodi Booth °99, graduates this spring from WSU and will join Jeremy in med school this fall. Jeremy’s father, Jeffrey Booth, M.D., 70, a practicing rheumatologist in Ogden, says he has been impressed by the development of WSU’s health and sciences programs. He might be even more impressed if he knew that, over the past few years, 62% of WSU’s pre-med students have been accepted into medical schools across the country, compared to the national average acceptance rate of 45%. Domestic Violence 101: a User- Jeremy has never regretted his choice to attend WSU. Friendly Manual for Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Officers on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Previously, Secrist has been assistant attorney general for the Utah Attorney General’s Office, staff attorney for the Utah Prosecution Council and associate professor of family law in the family studies department at Brigham Young University. Gary Gerfen °87 is the lead manufacturing engineer on the T-38C military aircraft avionics upgrade program at BoeingMesa in Mesa, Arizona. This techno- logical aircraft will provide Air Force A retail empire? “Weber is the best-kept secret,” he said. “The advisers and professors, like Kent Van De Graaff, professor of zoology, provide the individual attention that helps you succeed.” The Booth family’s commitment to WSU has produced at least one renegade, however. Jeremy’s mother, Barbara Booth ’71, graduated from WSU in elementary education. pilots with training in multi-functional electronic displays, such as a global positioning system, an inertial navigation system, and a traffic avoidance system. He has spent the last year with Boeing Commercial Airplane Group in Seattle, Washington, working on an extended range version of the 767-400 series aircraft. Gary is currently pursuing his MBA in technology management through the University of Phoenixonline. With his free time he enjoys riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, golfing, hiking, fishing and traveling to Alaska. His wife Amy works for Alaska Airlines as an applications builder. From Weber to Wall Street Jerine Price °87 manages the Jetpower Department at FMC Jetway Systems in Ogden. Price’s department builds units which supply ground power to many domestic and international airports. Bob Jensen 88 manages the newly formed business equipment leasing division of Barnes Banking Co. Robert C. Anderson °89 is the main sales representative for Jensen Oil Co., a position he has held for the past four years. He also volunteers his time Just try to keep up with Rosita Rankelyte °94, whose journey has led her from Lithuania to Og- as-a first lieutenant with the Civil den and on to Wall Street. Looking for an opportunity to improve her English, master Air Patrol. His son, Robert Jr., computer skills and develop as a debater and public speaker, Rankelyte took advantage of attends WSU. an exchange program between Vytautas Magnus University and WSU. Lt. Ronald D. Kirby °89 1s the new police chief for Tooele, Utah. Kirby is an 18-year veteran and past section commander of the Utah Highway Patrol. “I’m very grateful for those two wonderful years in Ogden,” she said. “Indeed, coming to WSU was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life’’ Among significant professors, Rankelyte names Gene Sessions, professor of history, and Nancy Haanstad, associate professor of political science. Without them, she says, she would not be where she is today. At WSU, Rankelyte focused on building a strong background in micro- and macroeconomics, which proved useful when she pursued a master’s degree in international economics at Johns Hopkins University. job on Wall Street, working for J.P. Morgan. gave her a broad view of high finance. Next stop? A The company’s rigorous training program and rotation opportunities She recently joined Chase Securities, an investment bank where she con- ducts corporate bond research. Reflecting on her odyssey, Rankelyte is proud of her ability to take prudent risks that open new worlds. “There are studies showing that the overwhelming majority of people, at the end of their lives, regret not the mistakes they made but the risks they never took,” she said. f Newt Gaskill °90, a magna cum laude graduate of the political science program at WSU, has been awarded a Fulbright Grant for his dissertation research on religiously based political mobilization in Brazil. He will spend the next few months conducting interviews with religious and political leaders and activists in Brazil. Bonnie Julian °92 is director of sonal Ministries at Wasatch Roy, Utah. She also chairs of directors of the Regional InterperChurch in the board Treatment Center for Sexual Abuse in Ogden. She is completing her master of divinity degree at the Salt Lake Seminary. Susan Fairbanks 93, a professor at the University of Nebraska, is continuing research she began while at WSU, track- ing possible breeding problems with Antelope Island’s bighorn sheep population. She is working with the Utah Northern Division of Wildlife to determine whether inbreeding will prove destructive to the herd. Alan C. Burns °94 has been named processing archivist for special collections of the Clemson University Libraries in South Carolina. He previously was employed by Western General Dairies in Ogden and has lived in the Midwest and southeast since 1994 while attending Indiana University and Purdue University. Coaching a Team of One Recently featured in the Chicago Times, Steve Hardison ’81, has made a career out of building leaders. As an executive coach, he is frank about his fees. His clients, including presidents, CEOs, professional athletes, and building contractors, commit to a year of weekly coaching sessions with him at the rate of $1,500 an hour — paid in advance. Working with his clientele on their view of the world, he uses “a little bit of psychology and business savvy, and a whole lot of communication,” to help them realize they are “teams of one within themselves.” paid for straight-forward insight. “If they’re being wimps,” he said, “I help them discover how to get to where they really want to go.” Hardison found inspiration in his former communication professor, Jay Clegg, recently deceased. nicate. George, Utah, as an associate attorney, first place in a national extemporaneous speaking contest. Randy Minson °95 and his wife, Tonya, have purchased Post & Print in Kaysville, Utah. They have expanded the shipping/printing business to include bulk mailing and photo developing. Jennifer A. King °96 is a features editor at The Spectrum, a daily newspaper in St. George, Utah. Her duties there have included reporting, copy editing and page design. Tom Mckay ’96 has joined the Logan City Fire/Ambulance Department as a firefighter and paramedic. dared Anderson °97 is a commercial loan officer at the Bank of Utah in Ogden. He graduated from WSU with a degree in business administration management. Shannon S. Nielson °97 has been promoted to in-store sales manager for First Security Bank in Logan, Utah. Jennifer Pack °97 has been appointed to the management training program at the Bank of Utah’s main branch in Ogden. She graduated from WSU with a degree in business administration management. Graciela Alejandre-Aparicio °98, formerly a Title I and Migrant Education student, is teaching in a bilingual fourth-grade classroom at Dee Elementary in Ogden. She is a graduate of the Teacher Assistant Path to Teaching (TAPT) program in “He never brought a book to class,” Hardison recalls. “He used interaction with the students and taught them how to commu- Bryan L. Olson °94 has joined the firm of Gallian, Westfall, Wilcox, & Wright in St. bringing to the firm a background in taxation, estate planning and general commercial transactions. Olson earned his master’s degree in accounting at WSU. He gets I owe a great deal of who I am today to Clegg.” Another reminder of WSU Other WSU professors, he continues, helped him to win lives with Hardison in Mesa, Arizona. LDS Institute at Arizona State University. His wife, Amy Hardison ’80, teaches at the Together they are raising four children, who will be lucky enough to get Hardison’s advice pro bono. WSU’s College of Education and plans to pursue her master’s degree in bilingual education. Carolyn Bell °98 is the operations coordinator for Destination Cinema Inc., of Ogden. The company produces and distributes large-format films and owns large-format theaters. — Heather Voigt ’99 Tell Us Your Story What’s new in your life? Have you landed a new job? Hada recent wedding? Added to your family? Traveled to Timbuktu? Keep your fellow alumni posted by contributing your news to Vista’s “Alumni Updates.” Call Alumni Relations at ravel with WSU Alumni to the Greek Islands! Travel to Athens and tour the Greek islands with the Alumni College in Greece, a 10-day travel and learning opportunity, November 2-11, 1999. Journey to a land steeped in history and mythology with this exciting life-long learning program developed exclusively for our alumni. Your home for seven wonderful evenings is the island of Poros, surrounded by blue Mediterranean water, golden sandy beaches and 801-626-7535. Or fax to friendly Greek people. 801-626-6563. Or send an e-mail around the islands in a traditional Greek fishing boat. Explore bright message to jkilcup @ weber.edu. Mailing address: WSU Alumni Relations * 3701 University Circle Ogden, UT 84408-3701 Immerse yourself in Greek island culture. Cruise winding alleyways and waterfront shops and cafés. In addition, you'll enjoy a wonderful overnight stay in historic Athens. The all-inclusive value price for this program is just $2,295 per person. Space is limited, so reserve your space no later than August I. For a detailed brochure, call Alumni Relations at 801-626-7535. VISTA Spring 1999 15 Permit No. 151 SLC, UE U.S. POSTAGE Non-profit Org. I, was sentiment, not glamour and glitz, that first lured Mario Pellegrini 59 to Hollywood. “I wanted to tell stories — the stories of real people, places, events and emotions,” said the 66-year-old moviemaker and WSU alumnus. “This was a dream that began when I was a boy during my first trips to a small Staten Island theater to see films like /t’s a Wonderful Life, La Dolce Vita and The Ballad of a Soldier.” Frame by frame, Pellegrini has built a successful career capturing life — with all its trials, tribulations, wonders and mysteries — on the big screen. He has written, produced and/or directed 35 motion pictures, including The Righteous Christians, A Place For Us — Melisa Holmes, Media Relations 3701 University Circle Alumni Relations Pellegrini, who lives with his wife, Nina, in Montara, California, says his eight years in Ogden left an indelible impression. “If you see my films you will see the same family values, love, character and honest ordinary people that make the Intermountain West unique,” he said. “In my work, I try to find that touch of life — vita — that is universal in communicating the great drama we can all identify with, sitting in the darkness, looking up at the big screen.” Ogden, Utah 84408-3701 nominations. From Mickey Rooney to Jack Lemmon to Sylvester Stallone, he has worked with a long list of stars. He also has written for and directed five U.S. presidents in a series of annual simulcasts from the White House. Pellegrini is perhaps best known for more than 1,000 warm and fuzzy public-service announcements. As the creator of the National Football League’s ‘Great Moments” series, he takes players out of uniform and puts human faces on our athletic idols. The series, now in its 26th year, reaches 113 million viewers during the NFL season and carries the distinction of having the highest recall in television. “The spots are often more memorable than the games in which they aired,” he said. Now president of VITA Productions Inc., an independent television and film company, Pellegrini has come full circle — joining a new era in foreign feature films. He currently is guiding four Italian movies through the pre-production process. ‘Hollywood has decided that sex, violence, special effects and blowing up everything including the universe are big business. But no mega budget or studio hype can replace heart-warming, personal stories,” he said. “After decades of making movies for other people, I’m now making movies about real people.” WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY and Is Someone There, which earned Academy Award