News, by Graduating Year
Alumni Connections
1930-1939
Margaret Morse (n35) celebrated her 107th birthday Aug. 25 with a party at Friendsview Retirement Community in Newberg. Adjacent to Friendsview is the 12-acre athletic field that bears her name, bestowed in a 1989 dedication ceremony after she and late husband Curtis Morse (G33) donated $40,000 to renovate the baseball, softball and soccer field complex. In 2000 the Morses were inducted into the ºÚÁÏÍø Sports Hall of Fame for their longtime support of Bruin athletics.
Hazel (Williams) George (G38), now ºÚÁÏÍø’s oldest graduate, turned 100 on April 24. She celebrated with a party at Heritage Place in Soldotna, Alaska, where she lives near her daughter, Roberta (George) Tuning (n66). Born in Idaho and raised on a chicken farm, George went on to teach first grade for 20 years. Her classmate, Mary (Gearin) Green (n38), a resident of St. Paul, Oregon, celebrated her 100th birthday on June 22.
1940-1949
Roger Minthorne (G47), after 65 years of service, has retired from the board of directors of Twin Rocks Friends Camp in Rockaway, Oregon. His service to the 120-acre camp included a decade as board chair and 25 years as boys’ camp director. The university’s 1982 Alumnus of the Year has served on the ºÚÁÏÍø Board of Trustees since 1974, including five as chair, and is now an honorary trustee. The art gallery in the Hoover Academic Building is named for him and his wife, Mildred (Haworth) Minthorne (G46).
Helen (Antrim) Cadd (G49) has written her second book, Inconvenient Adventures, published in August by Xulon Press with the goal of inspiring and motivating readers by her personal life story. She and her late husband, Dick Cadd (G49), who died in 2005, spent 35 years as teaching missionaries in the Philippines, with many years at Faith Academy. Now living in Newberg, Helen describes her life as she accompanied Dick through his career with the Four Flats Quartet, which later became the World Vision Quartet, and recalls their own music performances. She previously wrote two other books with her husband. Together they were recognized as Alumni of the Year in 2000.
1950-1959
Pete Snow (n56), founder of ºÚÁÏÍø’s art department and a 22-year faculty member until his retirement, continues in his signature craft of shaping and firing clay pots, now in his sixth decade. He was one of 35 local artists featured in the 24th annual Art Harvest Studio Tour in Yamhill County in September. His career and work, now focused on sculptures and wheel-thrown pots, were featured in an article in the Aug. 10 issue of the Newberg Graphic.
1960-69
Ronda (Brown) Vanderbush (n62) continues her work with Faith Mountain Ministries, which she and her husband founded in the late 1970s. The ministry features extensive evangelistic speaking and lecturing, a newsletter, and a radio broadcast heard across the Midwest. They traveled together for 36 years before his death in 2013. Her son now carries on the ministry and broadcasting while she continues to help with secretarial duties from her home near Orlando, Florida. Her book, The Miraculous Journey of Henry Vanderbush, was released last November.
Pete McHugh (G67) and Debbie (Stewart) McHugh (n69) were honored by the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association for organizing the nation’s best fundraiser in its class in 2015: a party Dec. 7 at the Scappoose (Oregon) Senior Center on Pete’s 70th birthday. It raised more than $10,000. CMT is a neuromuscular disorder with more than 2 million afflicted, including their 11-year-old granddaughter Lucy, daughter of Brittany (McHugh) Gardner (G96) and Jason Gardner (G97). Debbie is chair of the Portland-area CMT support group.
Nancy (Forsythe) Thomas (G67) authored Close to the Ground: A Collection of Poems, published in July by Barclay Press. In four sections she illustrates the grace of God hidden in the ordinariness of life. She and Harold Thomas (G69) were honored as Alumni of the Year in 2007. They spent decades in Bolivia as missionaries with the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends, working with the Aymara from 1972 to 1989. They also taught at both the Bible school and seminary levels. From 1999 until recently, they served as founders and co-directors of the Center for Intercultural Studies, a master’s degree missiological program at Bolivian Evangelical University in Santa Cruz, California.
Lowell Graves (G68) is now a health coach with Take Shape for Life in Lincoln, California, after leaving a position as gambling counselor for four years with Balanced Perspectives Counseling Inc. Previously, he served as a chaplain for eight years with American Baptist Churches USA.
1970-79
Peggy (Stands) Fowler (G73) in April was named the second winner of the Portland Business Journal’s Joan Austin Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor that recognizes her as “One of the most respected business operators who ever led a Portland enterprise” and “One of the state’s most powerful executives.” She was CEO of Portland General Electric from 2000 to 2009 before stepping down after 35 total years with the company. Last year she was one of four recipients of Oregon History Makers medals, awarded by the Oregon Historical Society to individuals who have positively shaped the history, culture and landscape of Oregon.
Peggy (Swaim) Hanson (G74) is one of the primary liaisons between her alma mater and nearby Friendsview Retirement Community. In her role as community life director she facilitates activities and events for residents, including a Fox and Friendsview program that connects ºÚÁÏÍø students with their nearby older neighbors.
Deanne (Field) Van Vranken (G76) is Northwest district credit manager with Ferguson Enterprises in Portland. In her second year in the position, she is responsible for 14 associates and accounts receivable in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska, with a value of nearly $54 million. With the company for 22 years, she moved up from her previous position as credit manager for the Portland area – a job she held for three years.
Mark Kelley (G77, MA85) is on a one-year assignment as interim president of New Hope Christian College in Eugene, Oregon, where he has served as academic dean for three years. He joined the college in 2011 and has taught, served a year as registrar, and chaired a self-study process for national accreditation with the Association for Biblical Higher Education. The college board is searching for a permanent president, and Kelley plans to move back to the dean’s office next spring. Before moving to Eugene, he served for three years in the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends as a pastor of three churches in
Washington.
Molly (Coyner) Cozens (G78) and Paul Cozens (G78), after decades in his hometown of Seattle, in the spring relocated to Southern California where they are hosts for the 50-acre, 500-camper Idyllwild Christian Camp and Conference Center in the San Jacinto Mountains. After a career that included positions with IT for Safeway, as systems specialist for Eddie Bauer, in technical support with Car-Part.com, and ending with appliance sales at a local store, he now helps on the facilities crew, leads nature walks, teaches campers astronomy and supervises archery. She was previously employed by noted leprosy and eye doctor Dr. Margaret Brand until 2014.
Nancy (Svendson) Moon (G78) has moved further north in Central Oregon, this fall becoming superintendent/principal of Mitchell School in Wheeler County. The only school in the district has 70 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Last year she was the new principal at Henry L. Slater Elementary School in Burns, Oregon, after serving in Alaska for four years as a school administrator.
Neil Robbins (G78) in March began a new career: owner of Mt. Hood Cab and Shuttle, serving the Gresham and East Multnomah County (Oregon) area. He’s also worked as owner of NGR Enterprises, a real estate firm, for two years. Previously, he spent nearly 18 years as a realtor and broker. That follows 28 years with Youth for Christ, starting as a campus life director in Portland for nine years and as executive director in Central Oregon for nearly 14 years.
Deborah Greenidge (G79) is in her fourth decade as a music and worship pastor, since 2013 serving as worship pastor at Tigard (Oregon) Covenant Church. She previously was creative arts pastor at Highland Christian Center in Portland for one year after 20 years as worship and arts pastor at Turning Point Christian Center in Vancouver, Washington, and six years as music minister at New Hope Community Church in Portland, starting in 1985. She has also taught music, directed high school and collegiate choirs, recorded and produced CDs, led weekend retreats and seminars, and cowrote Undaunted: the Daring Journey of Faithfulness.
1980-89
Doug Linscott (G80) is in South Africa as an independent missionary with Ethembeni (Zulu for “Place of Hope”) in Mpophomeni. It is an HIV/AIDS ministry established in 2000 by the Howick Community Church as a social outreach program, now with more than 100 missionaries, staff, consultants and volunteers. He and his wife started in South Africa with Acts of Mercy in 2010, then transitioned to World Evangelism for Christ and now work through World Outreach Ministries.
Jeff Loe (G80) is executive director of finance and operations for the Sunnyside (Washington) School District, supervising a budget of more than $90 million that serves 6,600 students and 750 certified and classified employees. He joined the district in 2010 after serving for four years as business manager and interim superintendent with the Grand Coulee (Washington) School District.
Edward Woods (G81) is director of the Mid-Willamette Education Consortium, part of Chemeketa Community College, headquartered in Salem, Oregon. He’s been director the last two years after seven years as regional coordinator for a consortium that promotes career technical education and extended learning opportunities and includes two community colleges and 29 high schools in Marion, Polk, Yamhill and Lincoln counties.
Keith Pearson (n82) gained attention this May throughout England and in Oregon when he pedaled his recumbent Inspired Cycle Engineering trike more than 1,600 miles from his home in Widnes near Liverpool to the Shetland Islands in Scotland and back. It was a fundraising effort that resulted in 2,837 euros ($3,200) for the Alzheimer’s Society in England. He is a member of the ºÚÁÏÍø Sports Hall of Fame, honored for his strength in middle distance races with the 1980 track team.
Ric Drury (G83) at the beginning of the year established his own business, Graphic Art for all Things Printed, in Portland, after retiring early from his corporate communications production position with Pendleton Woolen Mills, where he worked 28 years.
Retha McCutchen (GFES83) in July began a one-year term as interim superintendent of the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Church. She has been a member of the Yearly Meeting since 1974 and has served as a pastor, associate pastor and associate superintendent. Her previous experience includes working as general secretary of Indiana-based Friends United Meeting and director of Ramallah Friends Schools in the West Bank in the Middle East.
Bryce Fendall (G84) is vice president REO (real estate owned) with Statebridge Company, headquartered in Denver, providing special loan services for the mortgage industry. In the position since 2014, he resides in McPherson, Kansas, and conducts business in Denver, Portland and Kansas.
1990-99
Jennifer (Hooper) Barker (G91, MA09) is an employee relations business partner with Intel in Hillsboro, Oregon. She started the position in June 2015, providing coaching to managers and employees on various issues. She says the position is the culmination of a background that includes a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Multnomah Biblical Seminary, work with local churches and the urban ministry, a ºÚÁÏÍø degree in clinical counseling, working with Washington County (Oregon) Mental Health, and experience in a private practice providing mental health counseling.
Pam Manion (G91) in May became senior project manager/senior analyst with Resource Data Inc. in Portland, a custom software, geographic information system and IT consulting firm. She moved from a position as a project manager and business analyst with the Salem, Oregon, website design firm Galaxux Inc. Previously, she was with Oregon Health Authority for nearly four years as a project consultant guiding the development of a web-based contract management system.
Ronnie (Philpot) Meisenheimer (G91, MAT04) is a physical education specialist at Keizer (Oregon) Elementary School, the largest elementary school in the Salem-Keizer School District with 660 students. She has been at the school for 11 years and also has served as a mentor teacher to new teachers in the district and as a supervising teacher to college students in teacher preparation programs for physical education.
David Wilson (G92) in April became key account manager for Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals in Portland, moving from senior institutional consultant after a year and a half. He started with the company in 2010 as senior institutional specialist. Previously, he was with Eli Lilly and Company for just over six years as a hospital account specialist after seven years as a regional director for Northwest Basketball Camps.
Eldred Brown (G93) in June earned a Distinguished Toastmaster Award, the highest honor for a member of Toastmasters International. To receive the award a member must complete several projects in both the communication and leadership tracks, a process that takes several years. He is a software development engineer in his third year with Beyondsoft in Vancouver, Washington, part of a global IT consulting, solutions and services provider.
Jerrie Lyda (G93) is an independent financial adviser who has his own firm, Lyda Financial, a four-person office in Newberg established in 2006 that focuses on estate, financial and wealth planning, and utilizes the Dave Ramsey SmartVestor Pro program. Previously, he was with Country Insurance and Financial Services for two years.
David Thomas (G93) and Debby (Harney) Thomas (G94) are back in Newberg after concluding a 20-year assignment in Rwanda as missionaries involved in holistic community development with Evangelical Friends Mission. He is continuing with the EFM organization as a full-time missionary, and will continue serving the Rwanda effort with two visits a year in addition to mentoring/coaching visits to two other fields in Northern India and Ecuador. This fall she is visiting assistant professor of management at ºÚÁÏÍø. She has been with the university since 2014, teaching adult degree program and business classes and serving as an academic advisor for the Doctor of Ministry in Leadership in the Emerging Culture program.
Tammy (Petersen) Prouty (n94) is a partner, for more than 14 years, with Sound Financial Planning Inc. in Mt. Vernon, becoming a certified financial planner in 2007.
Jason Williams (G93) is pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Started as a new church plant 15 years ago, the congregation changed locations eight times before moving this May to an available church building. Before leaving to plant the church he was with Normandy (Tennessee) First Baptist Church for a short time after five years as a youth and music minister with Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church. During that time he attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, receiving an MDiv from the Billy Graham School of Mission.
Carl Anderson (G94, MBA11), after 21 years with Tilikum Center for Retreats and Outdoor Ministries, has joined his alma mater as a certified arborist and university carpenter. At Tilikum he was the property manager, overseeing all aspects of maintenance and improvements for the 93-acre camp northwest of Newberg. Since 2002 he also has been an adjunct faculty member at ºÚÁÏÍø, specializing in outdoor ministries classes.
Collin Mitts (G94) is owner/president of CM Quality Insulation in Kalispell, Montana, started in 2004, and is active as a Young Life volunteer.
Pete Rusaw (G94) is the teaching pastor at Wapato Valley Church in Gaston, Oregon. He was one of the original planters of the church in 1999, along with his wife, Amy (Richards) Rusaw (G94). This fall she joined the ºÚÁÏÍø staff as a custodian after being a stay-at-home mom and working for the last year with CCI Greenheart of Chicago as a local coordinator, recruiting placements for foreign exchange students. He also has taught mathematics at Forest Grove (Oregon) High School and as an adjunct professor in mathematics at ºÚÁÏÍø. They live in Cornelius, Oregon.
Jeff Boyer (G95) is an award-winning regional sales manager with School Specialty Inc., based in Bend, Oregon, where he manages account managers covering eight Northwest states. Last year (and in 2012) he received regional sales manager awards. He is now in his 12th year with a company that is the industry’s largest provider of educational products and services, ranging from basic school supplies and furniture to curriculum-based solutions.
Donell Campbell (ADP95) has been promoted to associate professor II at Biola University, where she is assistant director of nursing. She joined the faculty in 2012 after more than 30 years in nursing and the previous three years on the nursing faculty at the University of Great Falls in Montana. She was with Providence Health and Services in Oregon for 26 years, the last five as an educator with Providence Newberg Medical Center.
Jennifer (Streger) Estrada (G95) is now a publishing proposal specialist with Northwest Evaluation Association in Portland, after being senior test publishing associate. The association offers assessments, professional development courses and reporting to help educators have accurate and comprehensive data to provide optimal learning paths for students. Previously, she was a computer specialist at Horizon Christian Schools in Tualatin, Oregon.
Robin (Horine) Henderson (PsyD96) in January became chief behavioral health officer and vice president of strategic integration for Providence Medical Group in Portland. She left her role as vice president of strategic integration at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, Oregon, where she had been since 2001. She is now responsible for the strategic direction, operations and integration of behavioral health services across the health system and through primary care, in addition to overseeing the development and implementation of Providence’s strategic plan.
Liz (Hunt) Hoffman (G96), inspired by her ºÚÁÏÍø Juniors Abroad study trip in 1995 that included a stop in Prague, is now heading to the Czech Republic. After eight years in Alaska, she and her husband have been appointed as missionaries and are raising funds for a two-year assignment with TEAM (The Evangelical Alliance Mission) in or near Prague. Their goal is to leave next April after a two-week “vision trip” this November to narrow the focus of their ministry.
Patrick Johnson (G96) in April became the newest member of the Newberg City Council. He was appointed to fill the open seat (a volunteer position) created by the departure of another ºÚÁÏÍø alumnus, Tony Rourke (G95), who resigned to take a position as vice president of underwriting for FirstCare Health Plans in Austin, Texas. Johnson moved to Newberg four years ago and previously served on the city’s budget and planning committees. In his day job he is a promotions and winner specialist with the Oregon State Lottery in Salem, Oregon, in that role for two and a half years. Previously, he has been a writer and reporter for several Oregon newspapers and organizations.
Eric Tuin (G96) has established his own business, 2N Civil, LLC, a full-service civil engineering design and consulting firm in Englewood, Colorado. He started the company in 2007, purchasing the Denver-area office of High Country Engineering. Prior to the purchase he had worked for the company for 10 years, serving as vice president for engineering and as engineering division manager and project manager.
Carla Williams (n96) is with Adair Homes Inc. as branch administrator for its Lincoln City, Oregon, site. She joined the company, the Pacific Northwest’s largest custom home builder, in 2007 after 12 years at ºÚÁÏÍø, including four as an administrative assistant in graduate admissions and five as marketing coordinator in the marketing communications office. Her position with the 12-site firm includes project managing all aspects of the local construction process.
Linda (Pinkerton) Dallof (G98) returned to her alma mater in August to become an administrative assistant in ºÚÁÏÍø’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She left the university and her position as administrative assistant for Health and Counseling Services in 2001 to become a full-time mom and, for the last eight years, teach piano lessons. Her husband, Todd Dallof (G96), is a network engineering technician with Comcast Cable, in his seventh year in that position, responsible for trouble shooting and installing Edge devices for Comcast networks. He started with the company in 1997.
Jamie Ridley-Klucken (G98) has been named 2016 Distinguished Young Pharmacist of the Year for Virginia, receiving the award from the Virginia Pharmacists Association. She was cited as “a great role model to students (who) emphasizes the importance of giving back to the pharmacy profession.” Earlier, in March, she was named interim director of student affairs at Shenandoah University in Auburn, Virginia, where she is assistant professor of clinical sciences with the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy.
Aaron Marshall (G98) received two honors in 2016. In the spring he garnered “40 Under 40 Class of 2015” recognition from Pacific Coast Business Times as part of “a new generation of dynamic leaders” who are reshaping the local economy. And, in March, the California Department of Education and California Association of Museums awarded him the 2016 Superintendent’s Award: Excellence in Museum Education. It recognizes the outstanding achievements in programs serving K-12 students. He is director of education for the Santa Barbara Zoo, in that role since 2013, and also is a consultant and coach with the Wellgroup, offering leadership development.
Carmen (Guerricagoitia) McLean (G98) has been nominated by President Obama to serve on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, one of three nominated on Sept. 27. Her nomination must be approved by the U.S. Senate. She has been a partner at the Washington, D.C, office of Jones Day since 2011, where she represents multinational companies in matters relating to contract, copyright, tort and antitrust disputes. She started at Jones Day as an associate in 2001 and currently serves as co-chair of its diversity committee and as the pro bono and public service partner for the firm’s capital office. In 2012 she received the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award from the District of Columbia Bar.
Sharon (Davis) Ramirez (n98) is chaplain with The Elizabeth Hospice, the oldest and largest hospice provider in the San Diego area. The palliative care center serves nearly 500 patients each day and offers comprehensive counseling and grief support though its Center for Compassionate Care. She has been with the hospice center for three years following six years as a spiritual counselor with San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine.
Josie (Smith) Weiss (G98) in February began a new position as membership director of the Seattle Yacht Club, responsible for recruiting, vetting, orientation, records management, communications, in-house and social media marketing, and community outreach and networking. She moved from a position of nearly five years as banquet and event manager for Craft Brew Alliance at Redhook Brewery in Woodinville, Washington.
Thomas Kolodge (G99) is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Mountainview Oral Surgery and Dental Implants, with offices in McMinnville and Newberg. A biology major at ºÚÁÏÍø, he attended New York University School of Dentistry, then continued on to complete medical school and residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Sheila Lumley (MBA99) is a new product initiative specialist with Ultra Clean Technology in Portland, in that position for just over five years after three years as a miniature rifle optic commodity specialist with Leupold & Stevens in Portland.
Nancy Newton (G99) is in her 17th year as an administrator with Clackamas (Oregon) County, currently in her seventh year as deputy county administrator after previously serving seven years as assistant to the county administrator. She began as deputy director of the county’s Office for Children and Families in 2000. Her position involves relationships with county commissioners, capital projects, human services, public safety and technology programs.
Salvador Zamudio (G99, MBA11) is founder and president of Applied Growth Transitions Inc., a professional training and coaching firm headquartered in Salem, Oregon. The company provides instructions, in a bilingual and bicultural format, for the development of management and supervisory personnel as well as technical training in the areas of safety as well as Department of Transportation and OSHA compliance. Starting as a field worker, Zamudio eventually rose to executive positions with larger national firms, including Color Spot Nurseries and Hines Horticulture.
2000-09
Micah (Lehman) Kavedzic (G00) and her family live in a small town in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where she is the training coordinator with Operation Mobilization, helping prepare new workers in their ministry and in the process of learning and adapting to their host. Operation Mobilization is a Christian evangelism organization with more than 3,000 young people living and sharing in more than 110 countries.
Christian Klaue (MEd00) in July received a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Northcentral University in Arizona. He is principal, since 2013, of Campbell River (British Columbia) Christian School, with 167 kindergarten through high school students. Previously, he was principal of Maranatha Christian School in Williams Lake, British Columbia, for 12 years and principal of Rose of Sharon Academy in Langley, British Columbia, for 10 years.
Britton Lacy (G00) in September was appointed product manager for the professional turf sector of Barenbrug USA at its headquarters in Tangent, Oregon. He is responsible for technical and sales support for the firm’s network of turf distributors. He also is involved in research and development to bring new products to the U.S. turf market. Previously, he worked for Tri-City Country Club in Kennewick, Washington, as general manager and golf course superintendent.
Robin Rogers (G01) in July was promoted to senior instructor at the American English Institute at the University of Oregon, where she began as an adjunct instructor in 2006. Teaching English as a second language to international students, she has helped the department grow from 100 students to more than 850. She first taught English for three years at ºÚÁÏÍø’s sister school, Shengte Christian College in Taiwan, then returned to the United States to earn a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Seattle Pacific University in 2006.
Aaron Wright (G01) is senior scientist in the Integrative Omics Group in the Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a part of Battelle, in Richland, Washington. His research group is a leader in microbial activity-based protein profiling, with research efforts extending from human health to bioenergy and microbial community structure. He also is an adjunct professor in the Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering and the School of Molecular Biosciences at Washington State University.
Cindy (Lewis) Colyer (G02, MAT04) and Jeremy Colyer (MAT04) this fall started a new school in Woodburn, Oregon: Las Manitas Bilingual Preschool. She will speak to the class only in Spanish while he instructs in English. The couple has traveled extensively in South America to hone their language skills. He was a math teacher for 10 years in the Gervais (Oregon) School District before moving last year to Woodburn High School in its wellness, business and sports school. She taught second grade at Lincoln Elementary School in Woodburn, in its dual language immersion program, before becoming a stay-at-home mom for four boys.
Kristin (Granlund) Farber (n02) and her husband own and operate Farber Swim School in Beaverton, Oregon. Established in 2010, it grew to more than 400 swimmers and now has opened a satellite site at the Portland Athletic Club. She manages the business side of the operation and is program coordinator after a background with Oregon State University’s recreation department, KidSpirit youth programs, Willamette Valley Girls on the Run, the Mittleman Jewish Community Center and the Tualatin Hills (Oregon) Park and Recreation District.
John Knox (MAT02) had his newest book published in the summer: Sacro-Egoism: The Rise of Religious Individualism in the West. Using McMinnville, Oregon, as a case study, it discusses the relationship between secularization, participation in religious practices and belief, and the emergence of radical individualized expressions of faith in the West. He is an online instructor of apologetics in Liberty University’s School of Divinity and a scholar-in-residence at the Biblical Studies Center in Boise, near his home in Nampa, Idaho.
Tracy (Elisara) Sailors (G02) is global planning-release manager with Nike in Beaverton, Oregon, in the position for a year after five years as lead purchasing and inventory planning analyst for emerging territories, working with nine territories. Previously, she was in the supply chain field handling logistics, demand planning, customs and distribution. She now works with Nike tech teams overseeing the release and testing strategy for upcoming deployments.
Keri Ingraham (G03) in July began as the new director of Prestonwood Christian Academy’s virtual academy in Plano, Texas, after earning a doctor of education degree in Christian education leadership from Regent University in May. She has been in Christian education for 13 years, most recently as head of school at Brooklake Christian School in Federal Way, Washington.
Ben Weinert (G03) has become a licensed childcare administrator, working with Heartlight Ministries, a Christian therapeutic year-around residential program for troubled teens in Hallsville, Texas. He joined the ministry in 2003 and spent two years with the house staff and as house director before moving into his current role as residential and program director.
Rebekah (Harvey) Westmark (G03) is youth services librarian for the Coos Bay (Oregon) Public Library, in that role for three years after receiving a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Wayne State University in 2013. She provides services, programs and collection development for children up to age 18. Her husband, Adam Westmark (G04), is self-employed, operating a construction company.
Rebecca Phipps (MA05) is a licensed professional counselor in her own practice in Aubrey, Texas. After receiving her degree she worked for Catholic Charities of Oregon for 12 years and through a federal grant created and managed “Between Us,” a relationship counseling program serving individuals, couples, families and churches at no cost.
Michelle Forbes (G05) is a history teacher at Gyeonggi Suwon International School in South Korea. She teaches in the International Baccalaureate World School and the Middle Years Program, a faculty member since 2012.
Elizabeth (Mehl) Greene (G05) in June published Lady Midrash: Poems Reclaiming the Voices of Biblical Women, released by Resource Publications, an imprint of Wipf and Stock. A writer and composer working in several creative writing and musical genres, she lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and is a visiting researcher at the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding at Georgetown University. She has a doctorate from the University of Maryland, where she has taught. She has also taught at Howard Payne University.
Stephanie Lilley (G05) in May received an MBA from Colorado State University and in July transitioned to a new position, becoming a senior accountant with Agrium/CPS in Loveland, Colorado, one of the world’s largest providers of agricultural nutrients and fertilizer. She previously was an accountant for several organizations, including an airline consolidator, an association management company and government agencies.
Jesse Merz (MAT05), an actor, director, producer and writer, is now a theatre arts instructor at Butte College in Oroville, California. As an actor he has appeared off-Broadway and in regional theatre, summer stock, feature films and radio in 120 cities in 34 states nationwide. He has also directed more than 50 theatrical productions. His career includes more than 19 years as a professional actor with Actors’ Equity Association and more than 20 years with the Columbia Gorge School of Theatre and Columbia Gorge Repertory Theatre as artistic director and master teacher of acting.
Andrew Paine (G05) is an assistant professor of business and management and assistant men’s soccer coach at Hope International University in Fullerton, California, from which he received a master’s degree in business administration in 2011. He previously was head coach of the women’s soccer team from 2011 to 2013 while an adjunct professor, following five and a half years as an assistant women’s soccer coach at ºÚÁÏÍø. He was also a CPA for Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Kevin Parker (MBA05) has announced his plans to leave his position in the Washington State Legislature, ending four terms and eight years as a representative from the 6th District, the Spokane/Cheney area. He plans to spend more time with his three children. He owns six Dutch Bros. coffee shops in the Spokane area, with nearly 80 employees. He also has served as an adjunct professor with both Gonzaga and Whitworth universities.
Christina (Maguire) Schiedler (G05, MAT06) began in June as a math teacher at Hawthorn Academy, a free charter public school in West Jordan, Utah. Previously, she spent two years at the American International School of Utah, where she taught math with the Utah Christian Home School Association Co-op in Draper. She also taught as an adjunct mathematics professor at Western Wyoming Community College for a year.
Theresa Scott (G05, MBA07) is an account manager with Avnet Electronics, working in its Southwest Portland sales office. She has been in the position for five years, living in Newberg. Avnet is a global distributor of electronic components, IT solutions, embedded technology and services.
Heidi (Janosek) Tornberg (n05) has made some changes to her chiropractic clinic in Newberg, including a new name, a new location and a second practitioner. She established her practice in 2009 as Janosek Chiropractic, but with her marriage and name change it is now called Kismet Chiropractic and has moved to a new office building that allows for an additional chiropractor. She received her professional degree in 2007 from the University of Western States in Portland.
Jeff Cook (MA06) is back in Oregon, starting in August as assistant pastor at Gateway Presbyterian Church in The Dalles. He was in Oregon previously from 2002 to 2010 when he was associate pastor at Canby Alliance Church for nearly five years. He then established Edgewater Counseling Services before leaving to become assistant professor in the marriage and family program at Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga. In addition to pastoral ministry at a variety of locations since 1994, he most recently worked as assistant professor and clinical director with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Saurra (Oleson) Heide (G06, MEd09) this fall shifted her position at ºÚÁÏÍø to become assistant professor of education. For the last three years she was associate director of clinical practices in the School of Education. Previously, she worked in the Greater Albany (Oregon) School District, teaching second- through fourth-grade classes her last six years. She also is currently enrolled in ºÚÁÏÍø’s Doctor of Education program.
James Holtzclaw (ADP07) is a member of the Idaho House of Representatives. A Republican, he represents District 20 (in the Meridian area of Ada County), elected in 2012 and reelected in 2014. He is an associate broker with Re/Max Elite in Boise, starting in 2009, and has owned Holtzclaw Property Management since 2003.
Travis Lund (G06) is an assistant professor at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he primarily teaches chemistry courses for nurses and allied health science students. He is in his third year after completing a year of postdoctoral research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earning a PhD in biochemistry in 2013 at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Jeffrey Anderson (MA01, PsyD07) is staff psychologist with Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, in the position since 2013. He moved from a position as therapist with Providence Health Systems in Portland, a post he had held since 1999.
Joshua Bunce (MDiv07) is on the faculty of Barclay College in Haviland, Kansas, teaching Bible and ministry classes and chairing the youth ministry department. He began in 2009 after serving as associate pastor at Netarts (Oregon) Friends Church while attending the seminary.
Shawn Marie Fox (G07) is in her third year as a nurse practitioner with the Yakima Valley (Washington) Farm Workers Clinic. She earned a master’s degree in nursing (certified as both a family nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife) from Emory University in 2014 after receiving her bachelor’s degree from the university in 2012. She also served with the U.S. Peace Corps for more than three years as a health/water and sanitation volunteer.
Jessica (Rosenbohm) McMullan (G07) has been promoted to staff embedded software engineer with A-dec in Newberg, starting in March after being a senior embedded software engineer the previous four years and a software engineer from 2008 to 2010. In her role she develops control systems for dental equipment and works to integrate the technology of ancillary devices into the core dental equipment.
Yvette Sablan (G07) in May was named special assistant for the Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation Program for the United States Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands. She was appointed by Gov. Ralph Torres to fill the newly created position, established to coordinate a program developed in collaboration with a newly installed NMI drug court to serve individuals who choose to participate in a treatment program. She previously worked for the Marion County (Oregon) Health Department and with the county district attorney’s office for victim assistance, serving as a special assistant for the office’s drug abuse and rehabilitation program.
Ryan Sticka (G07), after serving in the Beaverton (Oregon) and Amity (Oregon) school districts as a school counselor for the last five years, is now vice principal at Faulconer-Chapman School in the Sheridan (Oregon) School District. He and Stephanie (DeGraff) Sticka (G08) live in Newberg, where she is a stay-at-home mom after being a medical-surgical registered nurse for five years at Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville, Oregon, and later at Providence Health & Services in Newberg.
Daniel Bennett (G08) this fall started a new position at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where he is assistant professor of political science, responsible for reinvigorating the major. He moved from Eastern Kentucky University, where he was assistant professor of government for two years after one year as a lecturer at the University of Washington. He earned a PhD in political science and government from Southern Illinois University in 2013.
Rebekah Cline (MA05, PsyD08) has been accepted as part of Pioneers, an evangelical missions agency, and is in the fundraising stage to begin work with Cornerstone Counseling Foundation in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with the goal of starting next spring. Currently she is in Tacoma, Washington, self-employed/contracted with the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, providing assessments for its assistance programs. Previously, from 2011 to 2013, she worked for Allenmore Psychological Associates in Tacoma, Washington.
Tim Larrance (MBA08) in April became vice president of sales and marketing for Cascade Brewing Company in Portland. This followed nearly six years with William Grant & Sons as district manager, then area manager for five states.
Kaitlin Nirschl (G08) in 2014 received a doctorate in psychology with a concentration in neuropsychology from the American School of Professional Psychology in Washington, D.C. She is now is in her second year with the Veterans Administration Healthcare System in Mountain Home, Tennessee, where she is an inpatient clinical psychologist. She also has been responsible for the development of the therapeutic program in the acute inpatient psychiatry unit.
Brian Snider (G08) is on the ºÚÁÏÍø campus full time as assistant professor of computer science after serving a year as an adjunct professor while also working as a chief engineer for BioSpeech in Portland. Currently a PhD candidate in computer science and engineering at Oregon Health & Science University, he earlier was a data warehouse architect for ºÚÁÏÍø in 2015.
Ashley (Stallman) Sonoff (08) and Kevin Sonoff (08) are both in government positions in the Portland area. In June she earned a master of public administration degree from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington, and is now a local government management fellow with four Portland metro area governments. Previously, she was in the private sector working as an operations specialist and global buyer at Columbia Sportswear. In August, he started as public affairs officer with the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon, in Portland. Previously, he was in the Presidential Management Fellowship program as an emergency management program specialist with FEMA, with positions with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
James Thompson (G08) has established his own firm, Thompson Law Office, in Olympia, Washington, providing DUI and criminal defense services. He previously was an associate with Chapman Law Office for a year after a year and a half as an associate with Nehring Law, both in Williston, North Dakota. He received his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2013.
Andrea Fletcher (G09) in June became emergency medicine residency coordinator at Baylor College of Medicine. She moved from a similar position as residency coordinator at Baylor for one year following nearly four years as residency coordinator and EMS Fellowship coordinator at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. She coordinates continuing medical education events, working with residency leadership in evaluations of the residents and faculty.
Mat Hollen (G09, MDiv15) and Rebecca (Couch) Hollen (G09, MAT10) are living in Salem, Oregon, where in November she was one of 10 Salem educators awarded a 2015 Crystal Apple Award for excellence in teaching. She is a choir teacher at Walker Middle School after starting her teaching career at Claggett Creek Middle School, both in the Salem-Keizer School District. He is one of two pastors at Evangelical Covenant Church-St. Thomas Covenant Church in Salem, serving there for six years after working with Young Life for five years.
Jana (Lee) Kelsay (G09) is regional administrator with Young Life in the Northern Oregon/Sourthwest Washington Region. In that role since July 2013, she previously was office manager with Little Explorers Preschool and Kindergarten for three years.
Chad Kmiecik (MA09) this fall stepped up to become the new middle school principal with Nampa (Idaho) Christian Schools, shifting from his previous roles as teacher, dean of students and technology coordinator. He earned an educational specialist degree from Northwest Nazarene University in 2015. Prior to joining the school a year ago he was with the Nampa School District for seven years.
Tony Thompson (ADP09) is an investigator with the Canyon County (Idaho) Prosecutors Office, working in the special victims unit on child abuse and sex crimes. He also deals with compliance issues for registered sex offenders in addition to online child pornography file sharing and child enticement cases. Previously, until 2011, he was with the Caldwell (Idaho) Police Department for 20 years as a patrol officer in its D.A.R.E. office, school resource officer, juvenile detective sergeant and street crimes unit sergeant.
2010-16
Jordan Beanblossom (G10) has been promoted to employee communications specialist with A-dec in Newberg, moving in November from a position as HR coordinator, for which he edited the company’s internal quarterly magazine and newsletter. He now works with global strategic communications in addition to planning corporate and special events. He started with the dental equipment company in 2011.
Chelsea Grissom (G11) began this fall as a third- and fourth-grade special day classes teacher with the Bellevue Union School District in Santa Rosa, California, after two years as a mild/moderate education specialist with the Glenn County Office of Education in Willows, California.
Rachel Henley (G10) this spring completed a master of arts degree in education, emphasizing teaching the culturally and linguistically diverse, with Regis University in Denver. She is in her fifth year as a kindergarten teacher with Escuela de Guadalupe, a 180-student dual-language (Spanish and English) Catholic school in Denver. Previously she was a literacy teacher and tutor for a nonprofit.
Justin Howard (G10) is a software engineer with Machinima in Burbank, California, in his second year. The company, a global YouTube network mostly focused on gaming, originated in 2000 as a hub for its namesake, machinima – videos that use and manipulate video-game technology to create animation. He also enjoys working on open-source projects on the side.
Joshua Johnsen (MA10) is in his third year as church life coordinator with First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Grants Pass, Oregon, coordinating ministries such as Sunday school, hospitality, special events and worship arts. He previously was a skills coach with Kairos Northwest, a mental health-related residential treatment facility in Grants Pass.
Ryan Marchbanks (G10) is now a captain in the United States Marine Corps, promoted in June. He is an AH-1W Super Cobra pilot, based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. He began as an officer candidate in July 2009 and became an officer in 2011. He became a naval aviator in 2014 and advanced to pilot in April 2015. He and Bethanie (Ann) Marchbanks (G11) live in Kailua, Hawaii.
Bryan Martz (G10, MBA12) is a global brand digital producer with Nike in Beaverton, Oregon. Previously he was with Billups, an out-of-home media specialist agency based in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Bo Sanders (GFES10) this fall is back at ºÚÁÏÍø Evangelical Seminary as visiting professor of theology. An ordained minister of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, for the last five years he has served as minister of children, youth and families at Westwood (California) United Methodist Church and also was co-pastor of Loft LA, a venture using an interactive and immersive model of music, media and conversation to impact the unchurched population of West Los Angeles.
Genevieve Wymer (G10) is a medical social worker, working on a pediatric floor and with the hemophilia treatment center at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu. She started in August 2015 after completing a master’s degree in social work at Hawaii Pacific University.
David Green (G11) in August joined the ºÚÁÏÍø marketing communications office as video producer following four years with his own company, David Green Media, as a photographer and videographer for companies that included Nike, Apple and H&H Outfitters. He also spent nine years as a training and retail sales specialist with Apple in Tigard, Oregon, and from 2014 until this year as a high school youth pastor at Portland Christian Center.
Melissa Kelley (G11) is back in Oregon after finishing graduate studies in molecular and cellular biology at the University of Wyoming, earning a PhD. She is now assistant professor of biology at Western Oregon University in Monmouth.
Justin McCorkle (G11), a nuclear submarine officer with the U.S. Navy, is currently attending the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, working toward a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He joined the Navy two years before his ºÚÁÏÍø graduation and received his commission at Officer Candidate School a few months later. He has served as a junior officer on a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, the USS North Dakota, and is a qualified engineering officer of the watch and officer of the deck.
Jessi-Ann Michaelson (G11) in August graduated from Vanderbilt University with a master’s degree in nursing, specializing in adult gerontological acute care and cardiovascular nursing. In October, she joined Saint Thomas Heart in Nashville, Tennessee, as inpatient heart failure nurse practitioner. As part of her duties she assesses and evaluates end-stage heart failure patients for advanced therapy options including ventricular assist device implantation and heart transplantation.
John O’Keefe (DMin11) is author of his fourth book, The Naked Jesus: A Journey Out of Christianity and Into Christ. He is the lead pastor, in his second year, at CrossBridge Christian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Paige (Copenhaver) Parry (G11) is back on the ºÚÁÏÍø campus, now teaching in the same classrooms where she earned her degree in biology. She is assistant professor of biology after four years at the University of Wyoming, where she recently earned a PhD from the school’s program in ecology, with research focusing on quantifying the factors and mechanisms that determine patterns of plant species composition, particularly in forest communities.
Teresa Brisbin (MA12) in May relocated her business, Whale Eagle Counseling, to Newberg. Formerly a licensed practical nurse, she says her observations led her to believe patients often were not receiving enough help to deal with the psychological effects of being ill or having family disruptions. Now she offers those counseling services. Involved with the National Alliance on Mental Illness for 15 years, she teaches the organization’s Family-to-Family program.
Ashley Brown (G12) is a registered nurse, in her second year with St. Luke’s Health System in Boise, Idaho, working as a telemetry nurse for patients requiring heart monitoring. She also is a volunteer with Genesis World Mission, helping in a clinic to provide basic assessment and education to patients unable to otherwise obtain health care. After earning a ºÚÁÏÍø biology degree, she completed a nursing degree in 2014 at Creighton University, where she was named Nursing Student of the Year.
Lynn Cowdrey (MEd12) has a new assignment in addition to his full-time position as principal of South Wasco County (Oregon) High School. This fall he is also the new girls’ basketball coach. He began at the 126-student Maupin, Oregon, school a year ago following more than 20 years as teacher, coach and athletic director at Alsea (Oregon) High School. This year is his first time coaching since the 2011-12 season.
Matthew Domes (G12) is in his fourth year as domestic customer service representative for A-dec, a dental equipment and furniture manufacturing company in Newberg. He gained attention in July for a newspaper article about his side business, NW Tops. Using computer numeric-control-automated milling machines in his garage, he produces designer spinning tops, attracting buyers from as far away as Australia, Malaysia and Europe.
Amanda (Grandon) Fink (G12) is a pediatric cardiac sonographer with Northwest Congenital Heart Care in Tacoma, Washington. The clinic provides diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for infants, children and young adults with congenital or acquired heart disease. She is a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer and started her position in November.
Muxing Zhu (G12) is now back in Shenzhen, GuangDong, China, where she is vice president of Shenzen JiaYuan WenHua ChuanBo, a company she helped found to focus on early childhood education. Her duties include general operations for the 10-person firm and giving lectures. The company’s curriculum is designed for kindergarten teachers, students and their families so that education is more systematic. It includes an app for parents to easily track what their children are learning and how to help them at home.
Christopher Benjamin (G13) is now choir director for both Henley High School and Henley Middle School in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He began this year after completing a master’s degree in education at Concordia University in May, leaving behind positions as a tenor with the Portland Symphonic Choir the last five years and as music director for Christian Youth Theater in Portland the last two years.
Jeff Brown (MDiv13) is a clinical chaplain at Larned (Kansas) State Hospital, the largest psychiatric facility in the state. Now in his third year, he oversees areas for those who are incarcerated while waiting trial; those who are voluntarily committed and/or are waiting for evaluations; and those in the sexual treatment program who have served their time and are preparing to go back into society.
Emily-Grace Cropper-Russel (G13) in April became a gift and database specialist in the advancement office of ºÚÁÏÍø. Most recently she worked for Youth Outreach as a job development specialist and as a site director for YouthWorks, a Christian missions ministry for teenagers.
Grace Muange-Kambumba (G13) is a registered nurse and in April began as a medical telemetry nurse at Emanuel Medical Center in Portland. This follows two and a half years at Albertina Kerr in Portland, a center providing programs and services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges.
Tiffany (Daggett) Patton (G13) is marketing events coordinator with Planar Systems, a digital display manufacturing company in Beaverton, Oregon, moving from a position as transaction specialist.
Christina Polowicz (G13) in September became a public relations account manager with Pinckney Hugo Group, a marketing communications firm in Syracuse, New York. She previously was a communications specialist at Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica, New York, and an assistant account executive at FleishmanHillard in New York City. She has a master’s degree in public relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Jordan Reed (G13) and Nathalie (Hort) Reed (G14) live in Beaverton, Oregon, where he is with Enterprise Rent-A-Car as a management trainee and also a social media contractor with Christian Business Men’s Connection. She is a pediatric registered nurse, in her second year with Nursingale, a nonprofit providing in-home skilled pediatric nursing care for medically fragile children and young adults in the Portland area.
LeAnn (Veenendaal) Bowers (G14) and Levi Bowers (G15) are living in Eugene, Oregon, where she is a toxicology lab technician/operator with Nepenthe Laboratory Services, a clinical medical testing service. He is a freelance writer with Merchant Maverick, a comparison website that reviews and rates merchant services providers, after starting with The Center for Autism and Related Disorders in Eugene as a behavior therapist.
David Brandon (MAT14) is a career technical education teacher with the Jewell School in Seaside, Oregon. He teaches computer-aided design, welding, wood shop, metal shop, agriculture and forestry to sixth- through 12th-graders at the 165-student school. In his third year of teaching, he previously was a supervisory residence adviser for five years at the Tongue Point Job Corps Center in Astoria, Oregon
Hayley Delle (G14) is the only one to have filed for an open seat on the Newberg City Council and was elected in November, taking office at age 23. She is manager of the recently opened Social Goods Market and Newberg Wine Lockers business, which features organic and locally sourced products. Previously, she was a marketing manager and graphic designer at Loen Nursery in Sherwood, Oregon.
Devon Hanbey (G14) is senior engineer with Barghausen Consulting Engineers in Kent, Washington. The firm offers civil engineering, land surveying, land use planning and related services.
Tyler Magill (G14) is a structural engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, living in Portland. He previously was a volunteer structural engineering intern with Engineering Ministries International.
Andrew Olson (G14) in August became development coordinator for Compass Health in Everett, Washington, a private nonprofit organization providing mental health and chemical dependency services in four counties. In addition to individuals it also provides consultation, training and educational services to other providers, law enforcement and correctional facilities.
Randall Rene (G14) is planning and design manager with Comcast Cable in Portland. It’s his fifth year in that position but he has been with the company since 2001, starting as headend technician for five years, then headend supervisor for six years. He now oversees the planning and design of cable communication systems, including assisting in the construction process. He is a current MBA student at ºÚÁÏÍø.
Shelbye Renfro (G14) is back in Rwanda, Africa, using her degree in international studies as field director with Word Made Flesh. She saw the needs of the country during her senior year at ºÚÁÏÍø when she spent a semester in Kigali. Rwanda was torn apart in 1994 when more than 1 million people were killed in an attempt to wipe out the Tutsi population. Word Made Flesh is working specifically with women and children in some of the poorer neighborhoods.
Zach Schultz (G14) is a field service engineer with Tokyo Electron in Wilsonville, Oregon, an electronics and semiconductor company that supplies equipment to fabricate integrated circuits, flat panel displays and photovoltaic cells. He moved from a position at Genentech in San Francisco, where he was an inspection technician.
LaTosha (Clem) Akana (G15) in September began a one-year commitment with AmeriCorps, serving at the Yreka (California) Resource Center as a family support aide. Her clients have needs ranging from food assistance to parenting classes.
Kyle Dreibelbis (G15), using his degree in mechanical engineering, started immediately with Instrument Sales and Service Inc. in Portland, where he is a mechanical engineer for the firm, one of the largest factory-authorized remanufacturers of automotive electronic components in North America. In his spare time he continues his running career, finishing third in this July’s Oregon Marathon.
Sean Eberhardt (G16) has joined MassMutual Oregon as a financial professional, one of 50 associates at the life insurance company based in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Breijanna (Ney) Engelman (G15) and Sam Engelman (G15) are living in Atlanta, where she just completed her first year as a logistics planner at WestRock Company in Duluth, Georgia, a corrugated packaging company. He is an analyst with the Meridian Wealth Management team for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.
Alana Espineli (G15) runs her own business, Alana Espineli Graphic Design, in Bellevue, Washington, working with clients on posters, identity design brochures, magazine ads and resumes. She worked previously with the communications consulting firm Carpool Agency and with World Vision.
Jammie Hoberg (DPT15) has joined PT Solutions in Eugene, Oregon, as a physical therapist, returning to where she previously worked before completing her studies. She is one of five staff members at the private outpatient clinic that specializes in orthopedic and biomechanical treatment.
Diana Koba (G15) is back on the ºÚÁÏÍø campus, starting this fall as an enrollment specialist in the registrar’s office after three years with Kohl’s department store in Sherwood, Oregon.
Elizabeth Luras (G15) in March was named Oregon Woman Veteran of the Year by the Oregon Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The award recognizes those who exemplify service as a veteran and as an outstanding member of the Oregon community. She is an Army military intelligence veteran, recognized for her advocacy work, testifying before Congress on military sexual trauma, and working with the White House to improve veteran services. She also hosts a radio program, Soldier Talk Radio, and is director of operations for That Others May Live Foundation, headquartered in Las Vegas.
Jordan Nelson (G15) has joined ºÚÁÏÍø’s financial aid department as a loan specialist after a year as a writer and editor for Merchant Maverick, a California-based firm specializing in online reviews of point-of-sale software and merchant accounts. While a student she was a consultant in the Academic Resource Center for two years.
Brenda Pedersen (G15) in December became a human services case manager for the Oregon Department of Human Services Aging and People with Disabilities division, based in Salem, Oregon. She previously worked for a nonprofit hospice in Prineville, Oregon, where she was the bereavement and volunteer services coordinator.
Lizzy Riese (G15) is back on the ºÚÁÏÍø campus as a part-time coordinator and recruiter for the university’s elementary education adult degree program, starting in September. She also is working part time as an innkeeper at Hillside Inn in Newberg, after previously working as an academic records specialist in the registrar’s office at Linfield College for a year.
Mica Sandoval (MBA15) has two careers at two Oregon higher education institutions: Oregon Health & Science University and Portland State University. At OHSU she is with the department of psychiatry as an administrative assistant, starting in May. She also is head women’s lacrosse coach for PSU, named a year ago to coach the school in its inaugural season in the Northwest Women’s Lacrosse League.
Keithen Schwahn (G15) is middle school pastor (manager) with Westside: A Jesus Church in Tigard, Oregon, after serving as a ministry apprentice at Countryside Community Church in Portland.
Brett Vernon (G15) has been hired as the full-time physical education teacher for C.S. Lewis Academy in Newberg, and also has been named the private Christian school’s new soccer coach. This expands his role from serving part time as head boys’ basketball coach last year, when he guided the Watchmen to the Casco League tournament title in his first season.
Jacob Vahlenkamp (G15) in October started as a library assistant on a half-time basis in ºÚÁÏÍø’s Murdock Learning Resource Center, where he was a work-study student for four years.
Peter Vogelezang (G15) is an M1 electrical build support engineer with Jacobs Technology in Allen Park, Michigan.
Jaynani Cababat (G16) is the new clearinghouse coordinator for Love INC in Newberg. The nonprofit organization helps connect families in need with local churches and service agencies who can help. It now involves 43 churches and 154 service agencies in eight Yamhill County cities.
Andy Comfort (G16) is in the process of heading to Masatepe, Nicaragua, in conjunction with International Teams, a nondenominational evangelical ministry with teams working worldwide. He is currently raising funds to cover expenses, with the goal of leaving next summer. He is hoping to help in projects such as building preschools, running small businesses, starting a chicken farm for eggs, and teaching English in a nation ranked second-poorest in the Western Hemisphere.
Emily (Jackson) Gigoux (G16) has remained on the ºÚÁÏÍø campus, joining the university’s advancement office as advancement events coordinator. While a student she worked as a photographer in the marketing communications department and also as a student employee for the alumni and parent relations office.
Shealtiel Hart (G16) is now a fourth-grade teacher at Broadwater Elementary School in Billings, Montana, after student teaching at Faith Academy International School in the Philippines.
Aliyah Jackson (G16) has been hired as a music teacher at Deep Creek-Damascus School where she teaches music at the K-8 school, part of the Gresham-Barlow (Oregon) School District.
Olivia Longenbaugh (G16) is now a fifth-grade teacher at the 680-student Auburn Elementary School, part of the Salem-Keizer (Oregon) School District, after student teaching at Dundee (Oregon) Elementary.
Bryan Neufeld (G16) and Keiko (Fujii) Neufeld (G16) are living in Boise, Idaho, where he is a firmware engineer with Hewlett-Packard and she is a software development engineer with Clearwater Analytics and also owner of Sakura Photography, specializing in portraits and showpiece images.
Sydney Thiessen (G16) has started her career as fine and performing arts coordinator and theatrical technical director for Reynolds High School in Troutdale, Oregon. She is one of eight on the arts and communication staff for Oregon’s second-largest high school (2,822 students).
Bruin Notes
- Three Inducted Into Alumni Hall of Fame
- Engineering Innovation Center Unveiled
- A First: Women’s Golf Ranked No. 1
- ºÚÁÏÍø Sports Hall of Fame
- The Harmony Tree: A Story of Healing and Community
- In Print
- ºÚÁÏÍø Ranked Among ‘America’s Best Colleges’ for 29th Year
- Record Enrollment Tops 4,000
- A New Name: Portland Seminary
- University to Add Swim Team in 2018
- Mayor Declares ‘Year of ºÚÁÏÍø’