THE MAGAZINE OF THE NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Learning for the Future Julie Gess-Newsome and NAUTeach are shaping the teachers of tomorrow SPRING 2008 Box Offi ce Draw James Byrkit, ’91, brainstorms in Technicolor p. 7 In Vino Vivacity Master sommelier Richard Betts, ’96, glories in the grape p. 14 ALSO: The results of the NAU Nth Degree contest—meet the families with the most alumni. p. 16 FFdPNSP08_01_cover.indddPNSP08_01_cover.indd 1 33/6/08/6/08 110:18:230:18:23 AAMM FEATURES From Thumbnails to World’s End 7James Ward Byrkit, ’91, a storyboard artist, writer and director, sails through Pirates of the Caribbean and beyond. Granting a Brilliant 10 Future The NAUTeach program trains the best science and math teachers of tomorrow. In Vino Vivacity 14 A full-bodied, mildly nutty chat with master sommelier Richard Betts, ’96. DEPARTMENTS Thoughts To the Nth Degree 3 and much more. Links President Haeger shares his thoughts on the ‘quiet crisis’ 4 threatening higher education. Journeys Meet the Palmers, winners of the NAU Nth Degree 16 alumni contest, and a host of others. Connections Linking up with 18 current and future Lumberjacks. 22 Memoirs They will be missed. ▲ Red Rock Crossing —Photograph by Elias Butler, ’98 Cover Photo Julie Gess-Newsome is the director of NAU’s Center for Science Teaching and Learning.—Photograph by In this Issue Michael Mertz 2 Spring 2008 I naualumni.com FFdPNSP08_02_toc.indddPNSP08_02_toc.indd 2 33/6/08/6/08 110:22:230:22:23 AAMM ThoughtsNAU SPRING 2008 PINE Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, PUBLISHER, Susan Schroeder you need one.—Jane Howard MANAGING EDITOR, Krista Perkins, ’98 [email protected] EDITOR, Anne Walden [email protected] ather than scripting the usual spring let- NAU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ter, we’d like to share some thoughts with PRESIDENT you—our alumni and friends. As you may Clifford E. (Kip) Alexander III, ’94, Flagstaff R remember, we sponsored a fall contest, NAU Nth VICE PRESIDENT Barbara McCloud, ’78, Phoenix Degree, asking our alumni to share their family IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Sam Leyvas, ’97, Phoenix trees, detailing who in their family has attended TREASURER NAU. Over the years we have been asked: Who is the Wayne L. Connelley, ’76, Phoenix SECRETARY/PARLIAMENTARIAN oldest living alum? Who was the youngest to gradu- Ira Greenspan, ’71, Phoenix ate? The oldest alumni couple? While we still can’t Marc Atonna, ’95, Tempe LaTrice Brewster, ’92, Denver, Colo. answer some of these questions, you’ve answered John Clark, ’77 & ’80, Oracle a vital one for us. We are so impressed by the re- Joy Gaeraths, ’98 & ’05, Chandler sponses we received from you. While we knew we Heidi Harvey, ’72, Tonto Basin José E. Herrera, ’96 & ’01, Gilbert had plenty of generational alumni, we were in no Debra Himes, ’75, Gilbert way prepared for the outpouring of caring response. Yvette Martin, ’92, Phoenix Our humble Lumberjack “hats off” to you! Dick Nothstein, ’59 & ’63, Palmerton, Pa. Kimberly Ott, ’82, Flagstaff In this issue, we announce another exciting uni- Veronica Perez, ’94, Phoenix versity initiative, NAUTeach (pg. 10). From sunny, Marvin Peterson, ’61 & ’70, Redding, Calif. phantasmagorical Hollywood we bring you NAU’s Paul J. Peterson, ’00, Phoenix Colleen Ragland, ’68 & ’71, Somerton own James Ward Byrkit (pg. 7). Meet NAU’s most Doug Rutan, ’71, Somerton enthusiastic advocate for wine, master sommelier Seen here on the lawn of Old Main, Dan Slayton, ’78, Flagstaff Richard Betts (pg. 14). In Journeys (pg. 16) we bring the fully restored and revitalized David Will, ’61 & ’64, Prescott you the impressive results of the NAU Nth Degree NAU Logging Wheels were on cam- EX OFFICIO pus and ready to resume their iconic NAU PRESIDENT, contest. And, as always, join us in celebrating your status in time for Homecoming. Dr. John D. Haeger fellow alums’ successes in Connections (pg. 18), and INTERIM VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT, Susan Schroeder remember those we have lost in Memoirs (pg. 22). And please make sure you check out the NAU ATHLETICS DIRECTOR, Jim Fallis Links section immediately following this page, where you’ll fi nd information and opportuni- LIFETIME MEMBER, Dr. Joseph C. Rolle, ’41 LIFETIME MEMBER, Robert E. Crozier Jr., ’53 & ’71 ties about how to get involved with your alma mater. STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT, Tom Wahl About our inability to answer some of your tough statistical questions: please watch for NAU OFFICE OF more contests and opportunities in both the PINE magazine and online at naualumni.com. ALUMNI RELATIONS We are YOUR alumni relations offi ce; we are here to serve YOU, our alumni. Help us by par- DIRECTOR, Neil Goodell, ’76 & ’96 ticipating and letting us know what you want. We’ll do our best to keep you in the know. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, Krista Perkins, ’98 COMMUNICATIONS, On behalf of your entire alumni relations staff, Anne Walden VOLUNTEER AND STUDENT PROGRAMS, Beth Bourget, ’02 Krista Perkins, ’98 REUNIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR, Beth Martin Managing Editor ADMINISTRATIVE ASSOCIATE, Judith Burk EVENTS COORDINATOR, Toni Fox REUNION AND EVENTS COORDINATOR, Erin Bertelsen, ’01 Anne Walden NAME AND ADDRESS CHANGES PUBLISHING CONSULTANTS Editor To submit address and name/marital status EDITOR, Leigh Flayton ART DIRECTOR, Kay Morrow changes, call the NAU Office of Alumni Relations PREP SPECIALIST, Julie S. Fong toll-free at 888-628-2586 (888-NAU-ALUM), PRODUCTION MANAGER, Laura Marlowe V.P./CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Beth Tomkiw Correction: In the winter issue of PINE or email [email protected]. ACCOUNT SUPERVISOR, Robyn LaMont, ’96 Faces, we misstated two titles. Aaron MCMURRY CEO, Chris McMurry, ’87 Fried, ’05 B.S., is Head Athletic Trainer Send your letters to the editor to: PINE is published twice annually by McMurry, at Glendale Community College and 1010 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85014. For more PINE information about custom publishing, call McMurry at Katharine Rager, ’87 B.S., is Box 6034 888-626-8779. All editorial content © 2008 NAU Alumni Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6034 Association. All rights reserved. Production Coordinator for Everybody Or email [email protected] Vol. 9, No. 2. Hates Chris. naualumni.com I Spring 2008 3 FFdPNSP08_03_Thoughts.indddPNSP08_03_Thoughts.indd 3 33/11/08/11/08 44:09:40:09:40 PPMM NAULinks NAUAA Dwight Defeat ‘quiet crisis’ through support of Patterson (1934) Alumnus of the Year Award Higher Education John Campbell, here was a time and Science Initiative, ’64 B.S., ’69 M.S. when all you had ExxonMobil and the Helios Tto do to achieve Education Foundation has John Campbell’s nomi- success was graduate from the potential to more than nation speaks of him as high school and enter double the number of math “a pebble in a pond changing the workforce. and science teachers NAU is That’s no longer true in currently producing. the world one ripple at a time.” our 21st-century economy. As However, we cannot at- His dynamic influence began at a result, our country is facing tain our goal for NAU or for NAU, where he was president a quiet crisis in which our di- the U.S. educational system of Sigma Chi Omega frater- minishing educational status without a massive commit- nity, a member of Chain Gang, threatens America’s global ment from the public. Homecoming King and a Gold economic standing and even I’m challenging you to our standard of living. help me give this quiet crisis Axe Award recipient. America’s college a loud voice. During 32 years as a teacher completion rates are 15th in Gov. Janet Napolitano in Phoenix, John’s talent and the world out of 24 countries. and the state Legislature Dr. John D. Haeger goodwill permeated the lives Arizona college completion NAU President have been solid partners in of students, parents and peer rates are 46th in the nation. our efforts to make educa- educators. He has served as a In Arizona, out of every 100 ninth-graders, only tion affordable and accessible to all Arizona nine go on to complete a bachelor’s degree. residents. Yet we cannot rely solely on govern- fair and enthusiastic umpire, We call it a quiet crisis because most Ameri- ment support and student tuition. coach and Boy Scout scout- cans don’t even realize there is a problem. I urge you to take some time to visit the master; a skilled negotiator for With that in mind, my message to you is Solutions through Higher Education website the Phoenix Union Classroom simple yet critical: To remain a world leader, at highereducationsolution.com and watch a Teachers’ Association; and America must signifi cantly improve its competi- video that truly brings the message home. There president and champion of tiveness—and higher education is the solution. are also links that will explain how you can help. Some positive steps must be noted. Northern As alumni, you have learned through your senior issues for the Arizona Arizona University is poised to attract and re- successes the value of higher education. Now Education Association (AEA)- tain qualifi ed teachers who will draw students it’s time to teach the rest of the nation how Retired Association. He also into the seriously underrepresented fi elds of higher education is the solution for our future. participates in the AEA’s science and math. Intergenerational Mentoring As you will read in this issue of PINE maga- John D. Haeger Program. Whether mentoring zine, a major grant funded by the National Math President young teachers or volunteer- ing as a “cuddler” of sick and premature infants, his compas- sionate volunteerism has often NAUAA Joe and Marie Rolle (1941/1950) Spirit of NAU Award served as an answered prayer.