WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE SPRING 2012 Weber State University News for Alumni & Friends
Weber State University Magazine Vol. 17, No. 1, Spring 2012 Contents editor in chief art director Amy Hendricks Hillary Wallace ’98 Contributing designer writers Emily Caraballo Amy Hendricks photographers Allison Barlow Hess 10 After 10 Years, WSU President Says Farewell Bryan Butterfield ’13 Karin Hurst Ann Millner reflects on her time at Weber State. Robert Casey John Kowalewski Jonathan McBride ’08 Jonathan McBride ’08 Zac Williams ’01 15 Research and the Undergraduate Brice Wallace WSU faculty and students take learning to another level. contributing editors Margie Esquibel 22 Only Online Lynell Gardner WSU alumnus Daniel Hubler discusses relationships, teaching and research.
Comments and questions about Weber State University Magazine may be sent to the editor at the address below or forwarded by phone: 801-626-7359, fax: 801-626-7069 or email: [email protected] postmaster: Send address changes to Weber State University Magazine, Weber State University, 4025 University Circle, Ogden UT 84408-4025. weber state university web weber.edu wsu alumni association web alumni.weber.edu weber state university board of trustees 2011-2012 Alan Hall ’69, Chair Jim C. Beardall, Vice-Chair W. Bryan Bowles Kyle Braithwaite ’12 24 When Harry Met Sally Camille Cain Mary Hall ’85 An alumnus shares a student housing story from Kathryn Lindquist the past while the future — Wildcat Village — goes up. Scott Parson Steven E. Starks ’03 Gen. Kevin Sullivan (ret.) 27 Class Notes We hope you enjoy the Classmates check in. extra content, including videos and slideshows, only available in this digital fomat. Watch for the highlighted links.
On the cover, left to right: WSU chemistry professors Robert Beishline and Edward Walker in the lab; WSU undergraduate researcher Preston Kerr at NCUR 2012; WSU undergraduate researcher Amanda Truong in the DNA Lab Delve into 2012 and uncover all Weber Now the fun things happening at WSU!
WILDCAT TRAVEL HOMECOMING 2012
WSU vs. Eastern Washington, Sept. 22, 2012
weber.edu/ homecoming September 15–23, 2012 Experience village life in England’s Cotswolds. Charming countryside. Rich cultural traditions. Historic landmarks. Starting at $2,995 plus air
For more information, visit alumni.weber.edu/Cotswolds WEBER WATCH wsu news & events
john kowalewski and brice wallace, university communications
running away with a title
In dramatic fashion, the WSU women’s indoor track team won the 2012 Big Sky Track and Field Championship in late February. The Wildcats edged two-time defending champs Sacramento State 132-131 to claim their ninth title in 25 years, and first since 2007. Following the win, head coach Jim Blaisdell was named the Big Sky Women’s Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year. Sarah Callister, Women's MVP of the Big Sky Championship
trailblazer Living the Dream Heather Wokurka ’05, ’11 didn’t just earn her diploma in December. She also became the first graduate of WSU’s new electronics engineering (EE) degree WSU’s Dream Weber program program. Wokurka, whose first degree was in the electronics engineering is expanding to help even more technology program, pursued her latest studies while working full time as students pursue their educations, an electrical test engineer at ATK’s Promontory plant. Designed to meet the needs of local industry, the new EE degree program has attracted more than without worrying about the price 140 students, far exceeding orginal enrollment projections. The program is tag. The Dream Weber program preparing for its accreditation review. Wokurka looks to be the first in a long and steady line of newly minted electronics engineers. provides free tuition and fees to Utah resident students whose annual household income is equal to or less than $27,000 and who are Pell Grant eligible. The increase in qualifying household income and the addition of fees are the result of a $1 million gift from Kem and Carolyn Gardner. Since its inception in 2010, the program has weber.edu/wsumagazine supported 1,445 students. spring 2012 spring | magazine wsu 4 5 The first day of December 2011 was a bad-hair day at WSU, to put it mildly. A blast of arctic air came ripping down the mountains with winds of 40-50 mph and some gusts topping 80 mph. In its aftermath, the Ogden and Davis campuses sustained $1.84 million in damages and toppled trees. Fortunately, there were few injuries. Check out a VIDEO Wizard of Oz- inspired video of the windstorm.
what’s up, doc?
Did you know that Utah is home to the world’s smallest rabbit? Jennifer Schmalz ’11, who graduated with majors in zoology and botany, has spent parts of the past two years studying pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) and their habitat, with her “classroom” being remote, windswept rangeland near Woodruff, Utah. Schmalz first risky business learned of the little creatures, which typically weigh less than a pound, as part of a research project Parents, take heart. Research conducted by funded by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. WSU psychology professors Eric Amsel and Leigh Shaw indicates that teenage risk- taking may not be simply the inevitable
consequence of adolescents’ raging hormones weber.edu/wsumagazine or immature brain development. Instead, the findings reported in theJournal of Research on spring 2012 spring Adolescence suggest that parents and others can | help adolescents anticipate the ramifications and regret that they will experience if they undertake risky activity. Amsel says proactive parenting can help teens learn how to make better decisions. wsu magazine wsu 4 (IDFG) H. Ulmshneider (BLM) and R. Dixon Photo: 5 WEBER WATCH wsu news & events
across the pond
Assistant economics professor Mary Wrenn is trading the Goddard School of Business & Economics for Great Britain — Girton College at the University of Cambridge to be precise. Wrenn was selected for the Joan Robinson Research Fellowship in mobile mentality Heterodox Economics, one of the first of its kind in With smartphones, tablets, e-readers and the world. During her stay laptops, it is difficult to disconnect in today’s world. Against that backdrop, WSU faculty in the United Kingdom, Scott Rogers, Susan Matt and Luke Fernandez she’ll pursue her research taught a course this spring asking “Are agenda and also teach an Machines Making Us Stupid?” The course, funded by the National Endowment for the array of economic courses. Humanities, featured directed readings and explored whether constantly being connected prevented more in-depth, reflective thoughts. As part of the course, William Powers, author of New York Times bestseller Hamlet’s Blackberry, spoke on campus and offered advice on how to balance our digital lives.
making connections
More than 180 youth came to WSU in challenges by having them build January to play with LEGOS® — all LEGO robots to complete specific part of a qualifying competition put tasks. Participants design, build, on by the nonprofit organization test and program the robots; FIRST (For Inspiration and apply math and science concepts; Recognition of Science and research challenges; learn critical- Technology). FIRST stages thinking, team-building and weber.edu/wsumagazine robotic competition programs presentation skills; and compete encouraging students to at tournaments. This was the spring 2012 spring excel in math and science. The first time that WSU has hosted a competitions introduce school- qualifying event. age children to real-world engineering | magazine wsu 6 7 WSU athletic training students had front row seats for assisting in treating some of the most extreme athletic injuries on the planet. A contract between WSU and Winning Medicine International Corp. allowed students to work with athletes competing at Dew Tour stops in Utah. Valerie Herzog, associate athletic training professor PROFESSIONAL and director of the Graduate Athletic COMMUNICATION. Training Program, said that during these four-day competitions, students witnessed injuries that they might not see in 10 years MASTER IT. working with football teams. In addition to helping medical staff treat injuries, the agreement allowed WSU students to weber.edu/mpc conduct research aimed at better diagnosing concussions and other traumas. Such findings 801-626-8924 could eventually lead to better protective weber.edu/wsumagazine equipment. Beyond the Dew Tour, athletic spring 2012 spring training students and graduates work with | athletes in professional baseball, football, ice hockey, soccer and arena football.
wsu magazine wsu Master of Professional Communication 6 7 8
wsu magazine | spring 2012 9 weber.edu/wsumagazine Lindquist Family JoinSymphony Pops Usand Fireworks
Weber State University Sunday, July 15, 2012
Click the icons for extra PICTURES online only content. weber.edu/wsumagazine spring 2012 spring | magazine wsu 8 9 10 AN UNFORGETTABLEA Memabl Deca, PRESIDENT Millner announces plans to step down
Amy Hendricks, University Communications Photos by Zac Williams ’01
Wearing her signature purple suit, Ann Millner stood in front of the Wattis Business Smith Lecture Hall and gazed into a crowd of 200+ Weber State University faculty and staff. They filled every seat, packed onto stairs, and spilled out doorways. She took a deep breath and began, “When I first became president of Weber State, I told everyone I’d like to serve eight to 10 years.” One sentence. That’s all it took. What happened next was a testament to Millner’s leadership and a show of appreciation for her years of dedicated service.
he crowd let out a collective, president — talked about others who audible gasp. Millner looked have made the institution, in her Making a Difference in Tdown for a moment, smiled words, “great, great, great!” and continued: “This October marks , dean of WSU’s Dr. AskedStu de about nts’ universityLive s accomplish- th Yasmen Simonian my 10 year. I’ve asked the Board of Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health ments that have made her proud, Regents to form a search committee Professions, was emotional during Millner laughed and said, “Where do to select a new president for Weber Millner’s announcement. “She’s the I begin?” After all, the university has State University.” epitome of integrity,” Simonian said achieved many milestones in the past Millner didn’t cry during her an- afterward, tearing up. “Anytime Ann 10 years. But the biggest success, in nouncement — “I had to keep telling does anything, she looks at it from her eyes, is the difference that Weber myself, ‘Buck up, Ann,’” she said every direction, even 3-D. It’s very State has made in students’ lives. later, laughing — but there were mo- important for an institution to have a Millner describes Weber State as an ments when her voice broke. Those president like that.” outstanding teaching university that moments came when she spoke of Simonian, a former medical labora- has a sincere dedication to per- faculty, staff, students and alumni. tory sciences professor at WSU and sonalized learning experiences for weber.edu/wsumagazine Quick to give credit to anyone but 2005 Utah Professor of the Year, said students. She is pleased that, today, herself, this time was no different. she’s appreciated Millner’s support. 90 percent of students participate in spring 2012 spring Millner, who has given 30 years to “I was so honored to receive the engaged learning, such as commu- Weber State — 20 as an educator Professor of the Year award and to nity-based learning, undergraduate and administrator and 10 as have won it during Ann’s presidency. research, internships, study abroad or It’s been wonderful serving with her.” capstone courses. | magazine wsu 10 11 Because of these experiences, Weber State students stand out. And Millner is their loudest cheerleader, attending competitions, research presentations, performances and events. “Making a difference in students’ lives is what has driven me every day for the past 10 years,” Millner said, noting that graduation is her favorite event. “To see our students graduate, to see the excitement on their faces, to know that they are now going to go out as alumni and make our commu- nity, our world a better place, that is incredible. It’s awe-inspiring to know weber.edu/wsumagazine the effect they’ll also have on their families and for generations to come.” spring 2012 spring | To hear Alan Hall's VIDEO remarks on Millner's presidency, click here. wsu magazine wsu 10 11 10 AN UNFORGETTABLEA Memabl Deca, PRESIDENT
n 2008, Weber State re- expanded programs for first-genera- has earned tremendous respect from ceived recognition for its tion and disadvantaged students. the governor’s office, the lieuten- ant governor’s office and the Utah community engagement WSU also launched Dream Weber, I an innovative program that helps Legislature. “Every cause needs a through the prestigious Carnegie low-income students earn their col- champion, and there is no bigger classification. The university has lege degrees. champion for Weber State than Ann also lifted the undergraduate Millner. She’s logical. She’s methodi- In the past decade the Ogden campus research program to the national cal. She doesn’t back down when she has renovated and revitalized several knows she’s doing the right thing for stage. WSU students have been facilities to improve educational Weber State. For all those reasons, selected to present research at resources for students, including she is well respected at the Capitol.” the celebrated Posters on the Lampros Hall, Shepherd Union, Hill event in Washington, D.C., Stewart Library and the Swenson Building. The campus also celebrated seven of the past eight years the construction of Elizabeth Hall, WeberEngaging State’s the involvement Community in the (including 2012). And, this the Hurst Center and the first two educational, economic, social and spring the university welcomed buildings of the new Wildcat Village cultural well-being of the community more than 3,000 students and residence hall complex. is another hallmark of the university. faculty mentors from across Even before becoming president, During Millner’s tenure, WSU has the country to campus for the Millner, alongside other key players championed economic development prestigious National Conference from WSU’s leadership team, worked in the region. In 2006, WSU was closely with state and local lawmak- selected to house the Northern Utah on Undergraduate Research. ers to create the Davis campus in Technology Innovation Center for Layton. The first building at Weber the Utah Science, Technology and State University Davis opened in Research (USTAR) initiative. The DuringGrowing Millner’s Weber presidential State tenure, 2003. Funding for a second building center connects the expertise of WSU has seen one of the largest was approved in 2011. faculty with the needs of local busi- nesses, entrepreneurs and agencies enrollment growths in its history, “[The Davis campus] is a ‘close-to- interested in developing and launch- jumping from 18,000 students in home’ educational opportunity for the ing new products. 2002 to 25,000 in 2012. citizens of Davis County,” said state To better serve students, WSU has Sen. Jerry Stevenson, past chair of To support the aerospace and added programs, certificates, associ- WSU’s Board of Trustees. “It's also defense industry of Northern Utah,
ate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a great feather in the cap of Hill Air WSU convened the Aerospace weber.edu/wsumagazine and dramatically expanded students’ Force Base. It's rare to have a base of Cluster Acceleration Project in 2010, and as part of that project created access to higher education through that size and a campus of that size spring 2012 spring WSU Online, hybrid and technology- that close.” the Utah Center for Aeronautical | Innovation & Design (UCAID). The enhanced course work, as well as Millner’s leadership has always center serves the nation’s aviation impressed Stevenson, who said she wsu magazine wsu 12 13 and aerospace industries by conducting contracted applied scientific and engi- neering research for aviation industry partners and their clients. In the past decade, WSU has also expanded cultural offerings and staged artistic events for the community to en- joy, while providing outreach programs, such as Science in the Parks and Arts in the Park, to area youth. Mac Christensen, a former member of WSU’s Board of Trustees, said in addition to the student body, faculty and staff, the community has been one of Millner’s number one concerns. “She’s shown great, great judgment in so many different LEARNING, ACCESS AND COMMUNITY things, and she has a gentle, sweet way that makes everyone want to give 110 percent. We have been blessed to have hese are WSU’s core values, adopted in her as our president at Weber State.” 2011 by the University Planning Council, Tand formally incorporated into the LEARNING ACCESS university’s mission in 2012. “These values are what make Weber State special. In my 10 WSURemembering Provost Michael a LoyaVaughan l hasPresident years as president, I'm proud to say I've seen worked with Millner since her arrival at Weber State in 1982. He knows it’s going them demonstrated often,” Millner explained. COMMUNITY to be hard to replace her. “She’s very pa- tient. She looks at multiple sides of every Weber State: A National Model issue. She has always been willing to do for Dual-Mission Universities whatever needs to be done to accomplish an objective, to succeed in achieving a For more than five decades, Weber State has successfully goal,” he said. pursued a dual mission. One of Vaughan’s favorite memories of One of the hallmarks of a dual-mission university is the edu- Millner isn’t really just one; it’s a memory cational pathway it creates for students, Millner explained. For of all the times she’s talked about the institution in important meetings. example, students can earn certificates or associate’s degrees, “Anybody who could have heard her move into the workplace, and easily re-enroll at Weber State speak about Weber State would be proud. to earn their bachelor’s, even master’s degrees. And they can She is effective, and I believe most people do this under one roof, without physically transferring from a view her as that. She’s been very loyal and community college to a university. has never put herself first.” Now, nearing the end of her presidency, Millner believes WSU And that was evident during the final mo- ments of Millner’s announcement to fac- is poised to be recognized as the national model for dual- ulty and staff. After receiving a two-minute mission universities. standing ovation, she stood silently, and “Due to economic conditions, technology, societal changes then in her usual fashion, pointed back to the crowd as if to say, “These are your and shifting needs, this is the model for the future. What sets weber.edu/wsumagazine accomplishments, not mine.” Weber State apart is we’ve done it for 50 years and done it well. It’s embedded in the fabric of this institution, and we’ve spring 2012 spring knitted that fabric together in such a way that it’s seamless for To learn more about President students and a great value to this state.” Millner, click here. | magazine wsu 12 13
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OGDEN BOOKSTORE | DAVIS BOOKSTORE | ART ELEMENTS | CAMPUS SUPPLIES | ART SERVICES Get your parking validated with any purchase. | magazine wsu 14 15 For undergraduate researchers at Weber State University, an unanswered question can be the start of a tremendous journey ... an adventure that takes students and teachers beyond the classroom. Together, they have studied underwater habitats, phenomena from outer space, DNA, dinosaurs, songbirds, stepfamilies, and much more. Through National Science Foundation grants or the backing of private donors, they have tackled research as far-ranging as coal liquefaction and pharmacy fatigue. The biology of the Great Salt Lake has and continues to be the source of many scholarly studies.
This journey often leads to published papers, prestigious presentations, distinguished graduate programs and outstanding careers. Original research results from students who think critically and creatively for a better understanding and deeper appreciation of their fields of study.
For all of these reasons and more … UndergraduateUndergraduate ResearchResearch is a Pinnacle of Learning at WeberWeber StateState
allison barlow hess, university communications
estooned with banners and filled with years, many on campus have used undergraduate enthusiasm, Weber State University welcomed research to enhance the classroom. Fthe 26th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research, March 29-31. “As I think of Weber State over its 100+ years of history, the underlying theme has been enriching With more than 3,000 students and their faculty students’ lives, helping them make better lives for
mentors from around the country, the conference themselves, their families and their communities,” weber.edu/wsumagazine PICTURES celebrated scholarship; it also underscored WSU’s said Kathleen Lukken, former associate provost, significant commitment to undergraduate research. retired faculty member and proponent for engaged spring 2012 spring learning. “Undergraduate research is another Weber State has always been known as an tool to help students prepare for a fairly chaotic, outstanding teaching university, but over the increasingly complicated world where the answers aren’t clear or simple.” Paul Alan Cox, director of the Institute of
| magazine wsu VIDEO Ethnomedicine in Jackson Hole, Wyo., spoke at 14 NCUR. Click the icon to watch his presentation. 15 From Weber State to Space to the Smithsonian Creative Undergraduate During the satellite program of the 1980s, the Federal Aviation Scholarship Shapes Administration (FAA) asked Weber State to build a satellite that Writers’ Lives could receive signals from FAA radar at airports. The resulting Acclaimed authors Mario Chard and Bret Anthony Johnston Northern Utah Satellite have never met — they live and work on opposite coasts — (NUSAT) launched from the but they share professional gratitude, both crediting WSU’s space shuttle Challenger in National Undergraduate Literature Conference (NULC) for March 1989. It operated for 20 opening their eyes to the possibility of PICTURES months and then deorbited as writing professionally. planned. And that has made all the difference. “To accomplish what the FAA wanted, we In 2011, Chard captured a prestigious had to make something Wallace Stegner Fellowship in that we ejected out of a fiction and poetry from Stanford can,” remembered Bob University. Highly competitive, Twiggs, who oversaw 2,000 individuals apply for the the project as a professor in honor each year. Ten are chosen. An electronics. “NASA had not alumnus of Weber State University allowed this before, so part of and Purdue University, his works the project was not only to develop have been published in Rattle: the satellite but also to develop the launcher Poetry for the 21st Century and system. We liked to tell people that ‘We Third Coast magazine. didn’t realize the complexity, so we went ahead and completed the project.’” Mario Chard Johnston is the creative writing director at Harvard University. He is a National Book Award winner The project brought together faculty, for writers under 35. His debut piece, Corpus Christi: Stories, industry professionals and students. won multiple awards.
The resulting satellite turned out to be a Chard remembers the moment of very significant event in the space program, epiphany that changed his professional bringing a resurgence of interest in life. “I had been writing poetry since launching small versus very large satellites. I was 8. Most of it was awful, maybe The research continued, and a second all of it was, but in that workshop, I satellite called WeberSat was launched in wrote something, and for the first 1990. The Smithsonian National Air and time I could say, ‘This is a poem.’ Space Museum now houses a replica of the NULC allowed me to read and NUSAT in its collection. study with some of the best writers in the country and instilled in me “Helping organizations, such as the FAA, the confidence that I could write businesses and individuals in the community even if I was a small-town kid is common,” said zoology professor John from Morgan, Utah.”
Cavitt, who helped established WSU's Office weber.edu/wsumagazine of Undergraduate Research and is now the Johnston learned about NULC director. “Our students are not just doing lab from a flier hanging on his spring 2012 spring work with limited practical application. We favorite professor’s door have many interested partners who say they at Texas A&M University- are eager for students to work on a project Corpus Christi in 1995. for them, so the students are doing projects Bret Anthony needed by the community.” Johnston
| magazine wsu continued after insert 16 17 With all the findings, awards and successes, what undergraduate research has launched most successfully are the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills required for Weber State students to tackle the complex challenges Johnston submitted two pieces of work for of today and tomorrow. consideration — a literary critique and a short story. Both were accepted. community,” Shea said. “I know this sounds strange, but growing up in South “It’s wonderful. It’s just Texas, the idea of being a writer wasn’t really anything magical.” I knew,” Johnston said. “Once I went to the conference, it felt as if this world of possibility had opened. I had Undergraduates Attract Authors never been around that number of people who cared about language, about story and about poetry in the The fresh perspective and enthusiasm of way everyone there did. I suddenly understood this was undergraduates has attracted many distinguished possible, and I knew it was what I wanted to spend my authors who headline the annual event, including life trying to do.” Norman Mailer, Ray Bradbury, E.L. Doctorow and Larry McMurtry. One-of-a-Kind “We’ve had students research which author is Just completing its 27th year, NULC is the only coming, and then prepare a paper on that author to undergraduate literature conference in the nation. WSU present at the conference, and sometimes the author English professor Mikel Vause launched the conference has attended the session,” NULC co-director Carl because he saw a need for students to gain confidence Porter said. “Undergraduates have a certain naïve researching, writing and presenting their work to peers hutzpah. They think, ‘Well, that author might learn from other institutions. something from me.’ Noted authors seem to love the undergraduates because they come with that naïve He planned to name it the Utah Undergraduate confidence.” Literature Conference and took a stack of homemade, mimeographed fliers to a professional language The confidence is not misplaced. Vause said many association meeting. times he has been startled by the originality of the thinking and writing. He and many other faculty “Immediately someone from Ricks College [in Idaho] members mentor students beforehand to polish asked to participate, so we crossed off the name Utah their work. For Chard, NULC was the confidence and put Western States Undergraduate Literature builder required to apply to graduate school. Conference,” Vause remembered fondly. “Then a professor from Florida asked if her students could “I’ve met with students who come from highly submit. We said, ‘Sure, why not,’ so we crossed out ranked private universities, and I was able to feel Western States, and within an hour it became the secure in my preparation,” Chard said. “A lot of the National Undergraduate Literature Conference.” confidence comes from having to work hard on my own end, and a lot of if comes from luck, but I think About 25 Weber State students attend each year. Another I was very well prepared at Weber State and am very 150 come from institutions around the country. This year, grateful for that experience. “ 71 different schools were represented. NULC accepts approximately 50 percent of its submissions. The National Undergraduate Literature Conference is like opening the jacket of a powerful new “It’s a chance for students to present their wares in a book: Unimaginable adventures await, and it’s an professional setting where they can be asked legitimate experience that makes a difference. questions and have the opportunity to shine in the spotlight for a few minutes,” Vause said. “I find myself on a regular basis trying to figure out ways to give back to the conference,” Johnston said. Mike Shea, chair of the English department at Southern “For as long as I have been teaching, I have sent my Connecticut State University, said his students left students from Harvard. I also have been invited weber.edu/wsumagazine NULC empowered and serious about their work. back to read and teach. I expect that’s the way
spring 2012 spring it will continue for the rest of my life; I will
| “It’s invaluable to a student’s intellectual growth, not send students. It just feels necessary to me.” just as a thinker, but as a person who’s a part of a wsu magazine wsu 16 17 jodi smith at work
Undergraduate Research Propels WSU Alum from
Softball to Somehow Smith struck a balance between athletics, academics and her sometimes noisy roommates; she Surgery maintained a perfect grade point average with an eye toward medical school. When pediatric neurosurgeon and Weber State College alumna Jodi Smith was 8 years old, her dad “When it would get too loud in my apartment, I’d get asked if she wanted to participate in a free-throw in my car and go find a light shining on campus and shooting contest. A born competitor who loved study in my car,” Smith remembered. “That’s when I basketball, Smith did not hesitate. discovered the science department was open until 11 p.m. I then went to the Science Lab to study.” The next week, when she and her dad walked into the National Guard Armory, “You could have heard a Discovering Research pin drop,” she remembered. “It was all boys and their dads. We walked up to the desk, and the organizers In that building, she also found faculty who were got out the rulebook and thumbed through and willing to engage her in their research. In 1982, jodi couldn’t find anywhere girls couldn’t enter.” zoology professor Gloria Wurst invited Smith to smith participate in a senior research project on pituitary at bat Smith made out of free throws and won gland development. the contest. for the “It was amazing just to watch how Gloria could wildcats “And you know what, the think so critically about a problem,” Smith said. “Her next year I went back, and ability to write was also just amazing. I was kind of in they had a contest for awe. She helped teach me those things through our girls,” she said laughing. association in the lab doing undergraduate research, and it changed my life.” Smith was good enough that, at 4 feet 11 inches, Now retired, Wurst said she conducted research she competed in both because she enjoyed it, and introducing high school basketball undergraduates to research was “always a blast.” She and volleyball. also appreciated their labor and fresh perspective. Eventually a softball scholarship to play “Students didn’t know what was supposed to happen left field paid her way because they were not immersed in the research, so through college. In 1979, sometimes they came up with a novel approach and she was recruited by new ideas,” Wurst remembered. many schools, but at “When the students and I would leave the lab Weber State she found a welcoming coach, beautiful late at night all covered in chemicals from the mountains and great opportunities. electrophoresis experiments, none of us was looking particularly bright-eyed and bushy-tailed,” Wurst Softball and Studies recalled. “But, I think it helps students understand faculty members as people, not just talking heads. weber.edu/wsumagazine “Weber State prepared me for life,” Smith said. This is an actual person with a sense of humor — or “Softball wasn’t easy; we spent a lot of time in the perhaps not,” she said laughing. spring 2012 spring gym or traveling. I had to figure out how to get everything done.” | magazine wsu 18 19 The research propelled Smith to apply At the end of a long day of surgery, Smith’s to graduate school. She earned a Ph.D. in athletic training and stamina combine for a anatomy, with an emphasis on nervous final act of kindness. system development. “Even if I’ve operated for 22 hours, I’ll still 2004: take that extra half hour to wash the child’s WSU's Office of Pediatric Neurosurgery hair, comb it, braid it, do whatever I need Undergraduate to do to make the child presentable to the A neurosurgeon recognized her talent and family.” Research was encouraged her also to study medicine. established to She eventually graduated first in her class As a surgeon, Smith helps children provide research at the University of Utah and completed individually; as a researcher, she hopes to advanced training in pediatric neurosurgery at help all children who have epileptic seizures. funding, Children’s Hospital Boston, a Harvard Medical During surgery Smith removes a tiny guidance and School teaching hospital. sample of brain tissue and rushes it to the st a n d a rd s. lab where she and a research assistant study Smith now heads pediatric neurosurgery the tissue at a cellular level to discover why at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana seizures occur and how to prevent them. 2007: University Health and is an assistant professor of neurological surgery at the To meet the extraordinary demands on her Erg o, WSU’s Indiana University School of Medicine. time as an administrator, teacher, surgeon u n d e rg ra d u a t e and researcher, Smith schedules as many as research journal, Smith’s young patients call her “Dr. Jodi.” 15 of her monthly meetings before 7 a.m. They come to her when they have severe began publication. seizures, sometimes up to 1,000 a day, Guiding Young Researchers and medication isn’t working. She helps 2011: children with spina bifida or who have And yet she opened her schedule recently suffered a stroke or whose skulls have fused for a two-day job shadow with WSU senior $12.5 million in prematurely, constraining brain development. Amanda Truong. A zoology major, Truong funded research has done groundbreaking genetics research “I don’t really have a life. I basically spend all and external on brine flies. She wants to follow in Smith’s my time at the hospital,” Smith said. “These academic footsteps. projects was kids are my kids. I cry with their families. I available for laugh with their families. I go to graduations. “Job shadowing Jodi was awesome,” Truong u n d e rg ra d u a t e I send graduation presents. I know that when exclaimed. “The first day she removed a brain a family hands a child to me, they’ve given tumor from a 15-year-old boy. The surgery students and me their most-valued possession in this was about nine hours long. Jodi stood up the faculty. The whole world, and I never take that lightly.” entire time. She did not take a break at all, money comes and I got to watch the whole thing.” from federal, During the visit, Truong witnessed the same state and private attributes at play that Smith displayed in sources and that free-throw contest from childhood: a has doubled steady hand, confident performance and a since 2004. positive attitude. Her abilities still amaze and inspire.
“She is so great. I love her so much,” Truong said. “Jodi is just a cheery person who loves weber.edu/wsumagazine her patients and her profession. She is definitely my idol, and I want a career just spring 2012 spring
| like hers.”
amanda truong
wsu magazine wsu & jodi smith 18 19 Lee got distracted. The column got understand the principles they could Chemistry hot — quite hot, a lot hotter than it make unknown discoveries.” should have,” Seager recalled. “When bonds unite that happened, I said, ‘Well, I don’t They shared their findings in a want to build another column right number of presentations and papers generations now. Go ahead and inject a few published in works such as The of faculty samples through it.’” Journal of Organic Chemistry. Stone did, and it worked. They One of the students on Beishline’s and students separated DMSO from water and in team was Edward Walker, who after 1970 co-authored a paper published burning coal all day, went home so In the summer of 1954, three in the Journal of Chromatographic stinky his wife made him leave his undergraduate chemistry students Science. clothes outside. He still brims with helped move the Weber College excitement remembering the fun chemistry department from the Turns out unlocking the secret of they had on the research and with the school’s original downtown location DMSO wasn’t the greatest discovery brilliant professor who could offer to the current campus. At the time, no made that day. The more significant such an unexpected variety of help. one had an inkling of the long-lasting revelation was the potential for bonds that would be discovered knowledge and success when faculty “Bob would teach class, but he’d in that department — and not just and students collaborate in research. come right back to the lab to show between chemicals. The excitement was contagious. us how to do things. At that time, many instruments weren’t available It seemed destiny that one of those As chairman of the chemistry commercially, so he’d help us make young men, Spencer Seager, would department, Seager hired a number them,” Walker said. “He was quite the continue his chemistry education of other enthusiastic, inquisitive glass blower and machinist, and he and in 1961 return to Weber State as teachers who engaged in research with would bend glass to various shapes. a professor. He remembers the early students. Robert Beishline was one. If we needed something to connect days when teachers and students ran A to B, he’d make it at his shop at between their classes and the lab to National Science home. I had no idea you could be so conduct experiments. personally involved in a project. He Foundation loved everything he did.” One of the first big purchases for the lab was a gas chromatograph, an In 1974, Beishline received a $50,000 instrument that measures the content National Science Foundation grant Cranberry Research that he renewed several times. With of various components in a sample. Walker wanted to continue learning the money and a question about coal Seager and his student Lee Stone in the Weber State lab, so he earned liquefaction, or turning coal into decided to put it to use analyzing his Ph.D. and returned as a professor fuel, he gathered a team of students dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). They had who then gathered his own team to put samples through the gas to insert DMSO through long lengths of undergraduate researchers for chromatograph. of copper pipe, which they rigged various projects, including a study from refrigeration tubing. After approximately 18 months of of cranberries in the early 1990s. They set out to discover the chemical “To get enough length we had guys testing, the substance they were compound effective in preventing get on the fourth floor of the Science seeking finally emerged. Beishline, urinary tract infections. Lab to run the tubing out the window now retired, remembers with fondness the moment of success. to the first floor,” Seager reminisced. “I didn’t realize how young Dr. Walker was,” recalled former student Jennifer As with many experiments, success “I couldn’t have done it without Nielsen. “At that time, I thought he finally came after long hours, many my students; it was simply too was an old guy,” she laughed. trials and a little luck. time consuming,” Beishline said. “The project allowed the students “He really wasn’t, and he spring 2012 spring “It was serendipitous. We were to see that if they had a plan and was having so much fun. | heating our column, and somehow the educational background to What I loved about him and the chemistry professors wsu magazine wsu 20 Cranberry Team in the early ’90s Left to right: Rich Mickelsen, Charlie Thompson, Jennifer Nielsen Mickelsen, Shawn Hogge, Clayton Ericson
process a certain way, which takes a huge amount of resources and effort,’” Rich recalled. “I told him, ‘I’m doing it the way at Weber State was they went way “The lab was just like your we pioneered, and it works,’ and asked, beyond their duty to help us learn.” stereotypical ‘Nutty Professor’ ‘Why don’t we write a paper on it?’” lab. It literally looked like that. Students and teachers together in Walker still listens to his students the department have conducted We had all different kinds of and helps them investigate scientific groundbreaking research on many glassware. Things were brewing, questions. Now his young researchers subjects, including polymers, gold- and hotplates were bubbling.” can perform a lab test in one plating and copper analytics. Like the afternoon that would have taken cranberry research team, many have The research eventually produced six Walker all summer long when worked together night and day to run patents and a new family: Jennifer he was an undergraduate. What thousands of tests. and Rich married and now run their remains unchanged, however, own lab, RJ Analytical in Plain City, are the human bonds forged “We were testing tablets, so the Utah. They primarily focus on testing during research. They remain capsules in the machines were herbal supplements. When they get a as strong as they were 50+ years swooshing up and down, and new idea or get stuck on an idea, they ago when the Department of breaking into pieces,” said Rich contact their former professors. Chemistry found its new home. Mickelsen, another student on the cranberry project. “I called Ed the other day and said, ‘Everybody in industry conducts one
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Daniel hubler
paul schvaneveldt
aniel Hubler is a Weber State University alumnus who loves to people-watch, and as an undergraduate researcher, all the way Dthrough his doctoral program at Oklahoma State University, he has documented his observations with a scientist’s precision. weber.edu/wsumagazine Hubler uses cameras, computers, and skin-temperature, heart and respira-
spring 2012 spring tory monitors to examine the conversations of couples involved in roman- tic relationships. The data allows him to study communication patterns, marital satisfaction and the couple’s willingness to learn and change. | magazine wsu 22 23 As a student in the Department of Child and research university where mostly graduate stu- Family Studies at Weber State in 2006, Hubler dents would work one-on-one with professors,” planned to be a therapist, but then he heard Schvaneveldt said. “It provides our students Paul Schvaneveldt, an associate professor in opportunities that give them a leg up in their the department, present research findings about profession or graduate school.” relationships at the Families Alive conference. Hubler was fascinated by the possibility of using That certainly proved to be true for Hubler whose numbers to predict relationship correlations and research and publication record were so strong, strength. he was accepted quickly into every graduate program he applied to: Ohio State University, “I began to catch the research bug,” Hubler said. University of Maryland, Texas Tech University, He sought out Schvaneveldt and requested the Oregon State University and Oklahoma State chance to conduct undergraduate research as an University. He selected Oklahoma State and educational and résumé-building opportunity. picked the research methodology track – heavy with numbers and data. The more he learned, the “It was a joy to work with Daniel because he less satisfied he became with merely accepting was so eager to learn,” Schvaneveldt said. textbook answers. “Undergraduate research is not for everyone, but for those like “As a critical consumer of Daniel who want to do it, it pro- "My experiences information, I have learned to vides a really deep and invalu- question trends,” Hubler said. able learning experience.” as a researcher and “Now I ask, ‘Where are those a reporter taught trends coming from? What Asking questions for science kind of methodology do they came easily; as a double major me there was use?’ I wonder how people in family studies and journal- more to education base conclusions on such ism, Hubler was also a reporter limited information. It has asking questions for WSU’s stu- than memorizing really changed my paradigm dent newspaper, The Signpost. and regurgitating and has been fun to think about. Now I know how to ask “My experiences as a researcher information ... " my own questions, conduct re- and a reporter taught me there search and propose solutions.” was more to education than memorizing and regurgitating information on As a student, Hubler co-authored four publica- an exam, getting an A and then taking the next tions on relationships between parents, peers class,” Hubler recalled during a phone conver- and couples that have been submitted for review, sation from his lab in Oklahoma. “Learning is and he has presented at a dozen professional about developing skills, finding your passion and conferences around the country. then following that path.” The newly minted Ph.D. soon will begin his His undergraduate research with Schvaneveldt professional dream. He was hired to teach in led to a joint paper and presentation, titled “Mate WSU’s Department of Child and Family Studies Selection in Bolivia: Comparison of Rural and beginning fall semester 2012. He wants to help Urban Practices,” at the National Council on other Wildcats gain intellectual confidence from Family Relations (NCFR) in Minneapolis in asking and answering original questions. 2006. “My challenge is to get students to think criti- Schvaneveldt has mentored dozens of students cally. This brings out the ability to say, ‘Hey, I in undergraduate research over the years, result- have a view on this, and I am okay talking about weber.edu/wsumagazine ing in 28 papers and presentations, four of which this view, and I’m OK challenging this view as garnered national awards from NCFR. well,’” Hubler said. “I love helping people reach spring 2012 spring
| those ‘aha’ moments where they can discover and “I think undergraduate research provides a think about new things. Teaching and research unique niche that students don’t get at a major are where that happens.” wsu magazine wsu 22 23 TheThe BigBig HandsomeHandsome FootballFootball PlayerPlayer thethe BeautifulBeautiful LittleLittle
Alumnus Harry Diavatis shares the serendipitousRedheadedRedheaded story of how he met GirlGirl his wife, Sally Stringham, 46 years ago in Weber State’s Wasatch Hall.
t was late February 1965 when I accepted a The first couple of girls who came down weren’t football scholarship from the Weber State my type, so I looked the other way as they peered IWildcats and moved from the San Francisco Bay around to see who might have rung their doorbells. area to Ogden. A few minutes later my patience was rewarded as the cutest little redheaded girl appeared and said, “Did The following year — 1966 — I was hanging around you ring my doorbell?” I replied in the affirmative Ogden in anticipation of the start of the football and introduced myself. season. It was a very hot July day, and I was quite bored. Just for kicks, I drove up to the Wasatch Her name was Sally, and she was an 18-year-old dormitory, which housed dozens of young coeds. freshman enrolled in summer session. After a A bank of doorbells, which rang in all the various minute or two of preliminary “chit-chat,” I asked
spring 2012 spring rooms, was prominently displayed on the wall, so if she wanted to go out for a Coke and check out with the attitude of “nothing ventured, nothing my new wheels, a beautiful 1962 Galaxie 500XL gained” and the haughtiness of youth, I pushed all convertible that my father helped me buy a few the buttons, one after the other. weeks earlier. She sadly replied that she couldn’t | magazine wsu 24 WSUAA It's About Community
alumni.weber.edu/ membership
possibly because she was “going with favorite story growing up was “The someone.” I had to think fast, so I said, Big Handsome Football Player and “Hey, that’s okay. I’ll just be your big the Silly Little Redheaded Girl.” Of brother.” She bought that line, and we course, when Sally told it the title drove out to a drive-in on Riverdale changed to “… the Beautiful Little Road for a Coke. Redheaded Girl.” In truth, I’d have to agree with her on that. And you know I created many more excuses to see what? Forty-six years later she’s just her in the ensuing days, and a couple as beautiful. of weeks later she broke up with her boyfriend. We were married in We’ll never forget Weber State and August 1968 and have three children our serendipitous meeting on that and 10 grandchildren. Our children’s glorious summer day.
While the brick and Standing in place of the Catch the fall 2012 edition mortar of LaSal, dorms is WSU’s new of Weber State University Wasatch and Stansbury Wildcat Village, which Magazine to see how today’s halls may be gone — will eventually feature students live — think Food on with Promontory Tower three buildings. Hall One Demand — and make memories soon to join them — the was constructed in 2011. in Wildcat Village. You’ll also find memories of what Hall Two, or Stewart even more alumni stories about happened within those Wasatch Hall, will be the old dorms and the college- dorm walls, like Harry ready for students to day antics that went on inside and Sally’s story, will move into this fall. Hall (and sometimes outside) them. live forever. Three will follow.
To share your housing story, visit weber.edu/wsumagazine. A Fondpril Fools’ Day Farewell dinner is one of my family’s favorite traditions. Each year we invite un- Asuspecting friends to a meal where nothing is ordinary. Unusual eating utensils and delicious, but un- recognizable, foods present engaging challenges that provide new perspectives on routine daily activities.
Like those who come to our dinner, I didn’t know quite what to expect when I arrived at Weber State Univer- sity in April 2001. I knew WSU was recognized nation- ally and that the campus was beautiful. I was surprised to learn what an extraordinary experience Weber State students have, how wonderful the faculty are, and how many different opportunities a WSU degree provides.
Graduates often tell me how well prepared they find themselves in the workplace and at graduate school. They leave WSU ready to compete with those who attended better known and much more expensive schools. Many students tell me they didn’t recognize their own potential until someone at Weber State helped them understand what they could accomplish.
Stories about WSU students’ classroom experiences inspired me to quickly enroll, and I continue to take courses whenever I can. It is a privilege to learn from amazing faculty who not only share their intellect but also their concern for others and the world we live in. WSU offers more than 200 majors and programs, 11 master’s degrees and hundreds of online classes to all who seek engaging challenges and new perspectives. Whether you’re considering starting classes, finishing a degree or just learning something new, WSU wel- comes you.
As I retire from my job as executive director of WSU Alumni Relations, my plan is to follow the example of so many remarkable alumni volunteers and dedicate my time and resources to helping others. And when I’m not running rivers, I’ll be taking more classes at Weber class notes class State! Thank you for | 11 wonderful years. spring 2012 spring wsu magazine | magazine wsu 26 CLASS NOTES ALUMNI UPDATES
auto repair business. He and For more than 30 years, Rob- 30s 50s his wife, Kathleen Toombs ert C. Van Dyke ’58 was an ’58, have been married for educator and administrator in After graduating from Harvard Frank M. Anderson ’52 served more than 50 years. Kathleen many areas of education for Business School in 1940, in the U.S. Army near the front retired from nursing in 2000 the deaf in the United States, Robert L. “Bob” Wangsgard lines of the Korean Demilita- after working for the original teaching classes at Columbia ’36 established an accounting rized Zone. He was a member Thomas D. Dee Medical Hos- University and the University and income tax preparation of his family’s orchestra and pital, McKay-Dee Hospital Cen- of Utah. He also taught classes practice in Ogden. In 1948, he also performed in Ogden and ter, and in a hospital in Oregon. in Canada and Mexico. In became manager of Stimson Salt Lake City with the Milton They currently live in North addition, Robert was a profes- Markets, eventually assuming & Morganaires Barbershop Ogden, Utah, and have four sional ski instructor and also full ownership and retiring Quartet. Frank worked as children and 15 grandchildren. worked with the Snowbasin in 2004. Bob has served as a mechanic and a service Ski Patrol. He and his wife, director and board chairman manager for many automobile Allan L. Foxley ’58, ’65 retired Sharon Adams ’58, have been of Associated Food Stores agencies. After 22 years, he re- after 30 years with the Utah married for 50 years. Sharon and its financial subsidiary tired from Hill Air Force Base Department of Workforce taught school in Ogden and Merchants Inc. He has been a where he maintained heavy Services. He and his wife of Salt Lake City for 30 years. 56-year member of the Ogden diesel vehicles. He has six chil- more than 50 years, Lorraine, Kiwanis Club, also serving as dren, 25 grandchildren and 21 enjoy spending time at the president, and the Ogden great-grandchildren, with one cabin they built with their son Executive Association. 60s He and his wife of 72 LM Donna Sparks Burdett years, Patricia, have Thanks to ’60 served as student four children, eight body secretary grandchildren, while attending 19 great-grand- CAREER Weber College. children and She worked as two great-great- S, HIF T , office manager for grandchildren. Burdett Dental PC. I found the She serves on the Treehouse Museum perfect job! Board and is pres- 40s ident-elect of the An artist and WSU Emeriti Alumni designer, Marjorie Council. Donna has Andelin Crittenden also served on the Og- ’42 worked for more den City Planning Com- more on the way. Frank and his in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. than 30 years at Klenke Floral, mission, Ogden City Council wife, Lois, recently celebrated They also have fun watching eventually becoming chief and WSU Alumni Board of Di- his 80th birthday. their grandsons play football. rectors. She and her husband, wedding designer and Christ- The Foxleys live in Layton, LM Wm. Michael ’60, have four mas display artist. She enjoys JR Tribe ’56 worked with Utah, and have four children children and 10 grandchildren. visual and performing arts Junius R. Tribe Co. selling real and nine grandchildren. Mike is a retired dentist and and regularly attends ballets, estate and insurance. He and has served as president of the operas and plays. She has at- his wife of 50 years, Lynda, LM Lee J. Malan ’58 served as Weber District Dental Society tended the Utah Shakespeare created Julyn Enterprises, a student body president during and as president of the WSU Festival every season for the company that managed and his time at Weber College. He Alumni Association. He serves past 39 years. She and her hus- maintained rental units in earned his Doctor of Medi- on the Ogden Union Station band, Don, have five children. Ogden. The Tribes live in cine at the University of Utah Foundation Board of Directors Marjorie recently celebrated Ogden and have five children, and in 1974 opened his own st and is a member of the Emeriti her 91 birthday. 10 grandchildren and two practice, Image Refinement Alumni Council. great-grandchildren. Surgery in Ogden. Lee and his
wife, Becky, have 13 children, alumni.weber.edu Keith A. Anderson ’65 retired J. LaRon Zundel ’56 retired 42 grandchildren, and three after teaching in the Weber in 2001 after spending the great-grandchildren. School District for 34 years. He majority of his career in the and his wife, Janice, have been
LM Lifetime Member of the Alumni Assocation AM Annual Member of the Alumni Association 27 28
wsu magazine | spring 2012 | class notes AM AM LM LM CLASS NOTES CLASS Utah. Kaye graduated from dren and live inWest Haven, five children and 17 grandchil- W.husband, Roger ’58 William P. Miller. Kaye and her of former Weber President youngest offive daughters ’67 Cox Miller Kaye seven grandchildren. and have five children and years, Sandra, live inOgden service. He and his wife of50 before retiring with27years of Farr &Sons as plant manager He also worked for Asael the Weber StateBookstore. and was assistant manager for worked for Morton-Thiokol ’67 D. Callister Robert Alumni Council. He is president ofthe Emeriti and Weber school districts. cords programs for the Ogden produced several studentre- ment company in1989 that started asoftware develop- in 2001as asupervisor. Ed Ogden School District, retiring technology specialist for the schools. In1991, he became a Ben Lomond and Ogden high on toteach choral musicat duction ofCarmen and went College’s first large-scale pro- performed alead role inWeber graduated from WSU. Ed three children, all ofwhom husband, Edward ’67 as past president. She and her WSU Emeriti Alumni Council officer. Carol serves on the records manager/membership America First Credit Union as 32 years, she retired from activities vice president. After tending Weber, serving as and government while at- involved instudentactivities ’65 Freestone Cope Carol They live inTaylor, Utah. and one great-grandchild. four children, 17 grandchildren married for 50years and have AM LM Annual Member of the Alumni Association Lifetime Member ofthe Alumni Assocation is the , have , have
was was LM LM Suzanne Cornia ’62 Cornia wife, Suzanne View District. Deeand his Award ofMerit inthe Island 2001 received the District in various capacities and in in scouting for several years officer. He has been involved as acase manager/parole before retirement, Deeserved Roy, Utah. The last few years Juvenile DetentionCenter in than 30years, mostly atthe Youth Corrections for more the Utah StateDivision of ’67 Phillips Dee Emeriti Alumni Council. is the secretary for the WSU as secretary for the PTA. She School Foundation and served sion, Junior League, Ogden Planning and Zoning Commis- has beenamember ofthe business as aloan officer. She years inthe home mortgage for 10years. She worked for 12 and broker, apositionshe held real estateschool as arealtor and bothcurrently serve on while attending Weber State
worked for ALUMNIUPDATES , met AM Emeriti Alumni Council. for 10years. She serves onthe Diabetic &Endocrine Clinic also anurse practitioner inthe Hospital Center. Billeewas in nursing atMcKay-Dee and enjoyed a20-year career at Weber Statefor five years professor and taught nursing Utah. She was anassistant nurse liaison for the stateof She serves as the Red Cross teer disaster health nurse. active as aRed Cross volun - ing in2000but has remained retired from acareer innurs- ’68 Wright Petersen Billee ated from Weber State. children, all ofwhom gradu- in 1997. The Phillips have three WSU Department ofNursing ing Alumnus Award from the and the Outstanding Nurs- Courage toCare Award in1988 She received the YWMCA ing for 45 years innursing. Suzanne retired afterwork- the Emeriti Alumni Council. FREE for dues-paying WSU AlumniAssociation parents’ laps.Otherridesandactivitiesrequire aSingle-Day Passport July 21,2012 A-Beach atnocharge. They may ridethecarousel andtrain ontheir Children 2years oldandyounger may enter theparkandLagoon-
No charge for children 2years oldandyounger members &oneguest, or$5/plate. Single-Day Passport (all ages, includesrides,Lagoon-A-Beach, For tickets passports/lunch visit: Pioneer Village anddailyentertainment) Backyard Barbecue Lunch and 40great-grandchildren. six children, 32 grandchildren and St.George, Utah. She has her time between Syracuse church positions. Donna splits and served inmany civic and She has traveled extensively ing atLayton HighSchool. years ofteaching and counsel- businesses and retired after21 trustee. She worked for many ment District, serving as a the MuttonHollow Improve- was instrumental increating ’72 Parker-Dahl M. Donna 70s six grandchildren. wife, Dixie, have two sons and and H&RBlockCo. He and his the Internal Revenue Service manager. He also worked for W.R. WhiteCo. as accounting Fort Myer. He retired from District ofWashington at Colorado and withthe Military ’68 Jr. Trewet “Bud” M. Howard alumni.weber.edu/Lagoon served inthe U.S. Army in Regularly $44.95 or individualridetickets. |10a.m.-11 p.m. : $33.95
learning in the dental hygiene We want you to help make Weber State curriculum. Her students University Magazine even better. provide oral care education, Take 15 minutes and visit weber.edu/magazinesurveyAM to dental screenings and direct tell us what you like and what you don’t like about dental hygiene treatment to your alumni magazine. We have new iPads to give thousands of local residents, away to two survey participants. To enter the drawing, particularly children and be sure to enter your name and your current, working under-served populations. Her email address in the comment box of Question 18. teaching role includes student Respond by July 31, 2012, for your chance supervision of dental hygiene to win an iPad. treatment for veterans at the Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs For a full list of contest rules, visit weber.edu/magazinesurvey. Medical Center Dental Clinic. She has worked to influence state legislation to permit AM Michael G. Malaska ’76 is a over patrol. He teaches criminal Memorial Hospital in Burley, dental hygienists to serve in Weber State Athletics Hall of justice and law enforcement Idaho. Later she worked at settings such as Head Start Fame golfer. He was awarded for two high schools in Tooele, McKay-Dee Hospital Center programs and elderly commu- the 2011 PGA National Teach- Utah. He was awarded the as a medical social worker for nity programs. She received er of the Year Award. His 38 Tooele Citizen of the Year 11 years. Jo Ann serves on the WSU’s John A. Lindquist years of playing in PGA Tours award in 2002 for his work with Emeriti Alumni Council and Award in 2010. and Champions Tours, and his drug education and enforce- the North Ogden City CERT teaching expertise, have been ment. He and his wife, Sharmae, Council. She lives in Ogden After graduating from Weber State, Diana Burdett Talbot featured on the Golf Chan- have four children. AM with her husband, Charles L. nel. He has appeared as cover ’61, who worked as a chemist ’85 attended Brigham Young stories in Golf Magazine, Golf LM John F. Guipre ’78, ’96 retired for the Utah-Idaho Sugar Co. University where she received Digest and PGA of America. from Pioneer Concrete and and later Amalgamated Sugar. her bachelor’s degree in nurs- He has also been featured in a Fuel Inc. in 2010. He is enjoy- He retired after 28 years of ser- ing. She worked at McKay-Dee number of other publications ing retirement with his wife, vice. They have three children Hospital Center in Ogden and and DVDs. Mike and his wife, LM Sandy, in Helena, Mont. They and 10 grandchildren. in the pediatric intensive care Charlene, live in Mesa, Ariz. are the parents of four chil- unit at St. Joseph Hospital in They have two daughters, Jen- dren, four grandchildren and Omaha, Neb. She is married nifer and Ashley. one great-grandchild. to Bryon J. Talbot ’89, who 80s received his Doctor of Dental After 25 years of service, LM Jo Ann Nielson Schmalz ’79 Surgery from Creighton Uni- AM Stephanie Bossenberger ’81 is Steven J. Swartzfager ’77, ’10 worked for Intermountain versity in 1993. Bryon’s dental retired from the Tooele City Po- Healthcare for more than chair of the Weber State dental practice is located in Ogden, lice Department as lieutenant 23 years as a social worker, hygiene department. Dur- where the couple lives with community liaison and activ- ing the last decade, she has their four children. ity director for the Cassia enhanced community service- alumni.weber.edu For more information, visit alumni.weber.edu/membership ROW XX SEAT 28
*O er is good for regular-season games only and excludes premium games.
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wsu magazine | spring 2012 | class notes LM CLASS NOTES CLASS Todd C. Liston ’86 Todd Liston C. University. He is afellow inthe Science degree from Ohio State facial Surgery and aMaster of certificate inOral and Maxillo- ing program and obtained a year specialty residency train- Virginia. He completed afour- University/Medical College of from Virginia Commonwealth his DoctorofDental Surgery AM LM Annual Member of the Alumni Association Lifetime Member ofthe Alumni Assocation ORDER YOURS TODAY! YOURS ORDER — A.N. Alumnus — A.N. book the I’veis been waiting for.” “Compelling …Fascinating …This Call Call 1-800-877-6554 received ciation. He is the senior partner Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Asso- Association and American Surgeons, American Dental tion ofOral and Maxillofacial of the International Associa cial Surgeons, and amember Board ofOral and Maxillofa diplomat ofthe American and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Association ofOral
ALUMNIUPDATES - - AM AM AM AM automation solutions and manufactures custom lean Systems, which designs and project manager atSetpoint is a ’95 Aardema C. Shane are the parents oftwo children. Ogden School District. They at Wasatch Elementary inthe who is asecond-grade teacher ’92 Dilworth Kae to Janice for Ogden City. He is married 1997 and works as anattorney Brigham Young University in received alaw degree from ’93 Burdett Gregory Wm. reside inFarr West, Utah. and three grandsons. They all ofwhom attended WSU, Campbells have three children, Emeriti Alumni Council. The giene Clinic.She serves onthe as manager ofthe Dental Hy the university after23 years Weber Stateand retired from Jim's wife, Gail,attended St. Paul Lutheran Church. Presently, he is employed at tion Systems department. in the Management Informa Science Corp. and Ogden City was employed withComputer after 23 years ofservice and retired from the U.S. AirForce ’92 W.James Campbell 90s S., and their four children. Utah, withher husband, John She lives inFruit Heights, ing, drawing and gardening. are swimming, skiing, exercis- School District. Her hobbies teacher inthe Davis County Cards. She is asubstitute business called Ma Ch artist and has agreeting card ’88 Johnson Cox Chérie parents ofthree children. Kara, live inOgden and are of Utah LLC. Todd and his wife, at Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons érie is an
, - - AM Shawna have sixchildren. in Bountiful, Utah. Roger and South Davis Recreation Center instructor working atthe is acertified fitness and yoga Aerobics Association, Shawna of the American Fitness and for track and field.A member State Athletics Hall ofFame was inducted intothe Weber ’95 Halford to Shawna of directors. Roger is married on the organization’s board Association and is presently tion Financial Management Utah chapter ofthe Construc- He is apast president ofthe CFO ofInterwest Associates. he has beenpresident and company. For the past 12years, an income tax preparation is owner ofAllPoints Tax LLC, certified public accountant and is a ’97 W. ’95, II Roger Cox parents offour children. and his wife, Jennifer, are the Washington Terrace, Utah. He ing inhis dental practice in Adoption Agency and work- of the board ofthe Wasatch presently serving as chairman Dental School in2005.He is from Creighton University dental school and graduated complete required courses for Daniel returned toWSU to licensed clinical social worker. Services and in1999 became a two years atWeber Human sity ofUtah. He worked for social work from the Univer received his master’s degree in activities for Weber Stateand as board chairman ofcampus ’95 Burdett S. Daniel in North Ogden, Utah. He and his wife, Melissa, live ence inavariety ofindustries. of industrial chemical experi- Shane has more than 17 years manufacturing equipment. served who , who - LEAVE YOUR MARK! Jody Cox Lyons ’95 worked for eight years at LDS Hospital by donating $500 or more to the WSU with the trauma team, eight years at McKay-Dee Hospital Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. Center in surgery and the emergency room, and four years at the Snowbasin Clinic. She is employed at the Ogden Clinic Grandview location. Visit alumni.weber.edu or call 801-626-7535 Jody is a member of the Utah Society of Radiologic Tech- nologists, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and American Society of Radiologic Technologists and is a member of Davis County Search and Rescue. She and her husband, Matt, have three children. 00s LM Brandon Checketts ’01 is owner of BookScouter.com, a company he started in 2007. He lives in Athens, Ga., with his wife, Kelly, and their four children.
Brett A. Dagley ’01, ’02 was certified public accountant tions Group. He practices in to Utah and started his busi- named principal at Schmitt, and a member of the American the areas of estate planning, ness seven years ago. He and Griffiths, Smith & Co. in Institute of Certified Public probate, and estate and trust his wife, Adrienne, reside in Ogden, where he has worked Accountants and Utah As- administration. He is president Cottonwood Heights, Utah, for 12 years. He specializes in sociation of Certified Public of the WSU Young Alumni with their son, Taz. He is a business and individual tax Accountants. He and his wife, Council. Paul and his wife, member of the WSU Student and estate planning. Brett and Traci, have four children. Christina Mitchell ’04, have Affairs Advancement Council. his wife, Stephanie, reside three sons. in Kaysville, Utah, with their After graduating cum laude Jeffrey J. Callahan ’06 three daughters. Brett enjoys from WSU with a degree in Dee R. Hansen ’02 served recently used his degree in boating, camping and playing AM accounting, Paul K. Bachman as student body president of business administration and racquetball. ’02 attended the University WSU in 1999-2000 and again marketing to start his own of Wyoming College of Law in 2000-01 while earning a business, Safari-Supply, which LM Brad P. Olsen ’01, ’02 is an and graduated in 2005 with bachelor’s degree in business distributes outdoor, hunting audit senior manager for Tan- his Doctor of Jurisprudence. administration and technical and fishing equipment. He ner LLC and has more than 10 He then went on to complete a sales. He is the owner of The resides in Clearfield, Utah, years of experience in public Master of Laws in Taxation at DRH Company, a commercial with his wife, Mary, and their accounting. He serves clients the University of Florida Fred- real estate development and two children. in a variety of industries, ric G. Levin College of Law. brokerage company in Salt including manufacturing, dis- He is an associate attorney Lake City. After graduation, Adam D. Stonehocker ’07 is tribution, oil and gas, financial with the law firm of Van Cott, Dee attended Johns Hopkins a sales coach on MarketStar’s services, and software develop- Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy, University, where he earned Google Team in Ogden, a alumni.weber.edu ment. Brad also has extensive and is a member of Van Cott’s his Master of Real Estate and position he has held for the experience with ERISA and Tax, Estate & Benefit Planning worked in Washington, D.C., past year. Previously, he was Department of Labor rules and Group and Business Organiza- for nine months. He returned a national sales manager for regulations. He is a licensed Hammaka Hammocks and
31 32 wsu magazine | spring 2012 | class notes CLASS NOTES CLASS Nikolas. Nikolas. Lake City withher husband, for three years. She lives inSalt School, where she has taught at North Ogden Elementary ’09 Wright Pawlowich Anna Williams. is areal estateagent for Keller ’09 Hollopeter Ann Jodi Ogden, Utah, withhis wife, the Web. Adam lives inSouth operations manager for Claim Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Customize Your Apparel Through WSU Campus Stores … is asixth-grade teacher
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43 annual LYNELL L. H. Aldous GARDNER, Dixon Awards Executive Director of 43 Alumni Relations When Lynell Gardner’s husband handed her a news- Dawn M. Gatherum, professor of botany, and paper notice for an alumni director Lynell L. Gardner, executive director of Alumni position at Weber State University, she hoped she would get Relations, are the recipients of the WSU Alumni an interview. “But I never anticipated getting Association’s 2012 H. Aldous Dixon Awards. the job,” Gardner recalls. That was 11 years ago, and Gardner not only got the job, she used her unique blend of spunk, intelligence, ingenuity and humor to forge an administra- DAWN M. GATHERUM, Professor of Botany tive style that was challenging to replace when she retired in April. What better name than Dawn for a profes- Gardner put her wealth of experience to sor who, for 41 years, has illuminated the in- good use at Weber State. She cultivated quisitive minds of students at Weber State? Dawn affinity partnerships with businesses to Gatherum planned to become a veterinarian, but boost WSU Alumni Association (WSUAA) a negative experience with college chemistry assets. “With operating income from a dif- courses sent him searching for a new major. “I ferent source,” says Gardner, “we could use went into botany only to find I needed those same membership dues to increase the num- courses,” he says, “so I buckled down and finished ber of scholarships we provide.” She also chemistry.” campaigned for the Alumni Association Weber State hired Gatherum as a lab manager and technician in 1971, president to play a role at commencement but he soon discovered his passion for teaching. “I filled in for faculty ceremonies and lobbied to lengthen the when they went on sabbatical,” recalls Gatherum, “and I just had a blast.” WSUAA president’s term of office. She With an eye toward a full-time teaching position, Gatherum left Weber worked with campus departments to pro- State temporarily to work on his Ph.D. He completed his course work in a vide more services to alumni and served her single year. colleagues as chair of WSU’s Professional Gatherum is a tireless promoter of hands-on learning, organizing Staff Advisory Committee. countless field trips to Utah, Oregon and Mexico. “It’s exciting to watch During Gardner’s tenure, WSUAA created students recognize plants they’ve only seen in slides,” says Gatherum. a donor recognition path at the Lindquist Under his direction, WSU’s Botany Club grows and sells greenhouse Alumni Center, resurrected lost campus plants to fund a student scholarship. Gatherum has directed the pres- traditions like the ringing of the Victory tigious Ritchey Science and Engineering Fair of Utah for 12 years. The Bell, and established new ones such as regional competition draws hundreds of junior and senior high school the Wildcat Alumni Band. The Alumni scientists to campus. Association also enhanced the WSU Salutes Gatherum, who has served on numerous campus committees, will event and started a campus-wide recycling retire in June. program. alumni.weber.edu
Named in memory of the former Weber College president, the H. Aldous Dixon Awards have been presented annually since 1970 to honor faculty and staff who have demonstrated careers of excellence and have gone beyond the call of duty to support students. Dixon served as president of Weber College from 1919 to 1920 and again from 1937 to 1953.
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Team Honors
The year: 1959. The event: the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championship game in Hutchinson, Kan. The teams: Weber College and Bethany Lutheran Junior College from Minnesota. The final score: 57-47 Weber College. The reaction: Sheer excitement.
Fast forward 53 years. The event: the Weber State University Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony. The inductees: the entire 1959 Weber College men’s basketball team. The reaction: Sheer excitement, with twinges of nostalgia.
Allen “Stretch” Holmes, the former 6-foot-3-inch stand-out forward, perhaps described the win and the team the best: “That game, well, I can’t remember a greater experience in my life. We were more than a team; we were a family. I recently told my son that to be a champion, you have to have teammates who enjoy each other, who are willing to share and willing to understand.”
Stretch recalled one instance, in particular, where friendship helped him earn 40 points in a game. “I was close to 40. Gary Gardner had the ball from a breakaway. He got to the goal, stopped, and waited for me to get there so I could get the points to get me to 40. Now that’s friendship,” he said chuckling.
The induction ceremony, which includes vintage video from the 1959 championship game, can be viewed by VIDEO clicking the video icon.