WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Summer 2000

Class Notes

John Ramirez

By Friday

Ask John Ramirez ’93 how he came to work for the Sedgwick County Juvenile Corrections Facility and the answer you’ll get is not that he had a lifelong interest in community service or because he had been a troubled kid himself.

No, the answer is simpler than that: “I needed the job,” he explains during a late afternoon telephone interview, which had been difficult to arrange because of Ramirez’s hyper-busy schedule.

He began his community-service career as a youth-care worker and has since graduated to the position of alternative services coordinator. He says that among his primary duties as coordinator is “acting as a liaison between the county and the community.” He’s also in charge of ensuring that there is room for the juveniles who most need to be placed in the correctional facility.

Ramirez adds a more practical answer to the question of what his job entails: “I make sure things get done by Friday.”

Although he downplays the importance of his job, it’s easy to hear the empathy in his voice when he talks about the children he works with each day. In a profession that remains long on demands and short on rewards, he notes, “The worst part of this job is seeing kids who have poor rapport with their families.” 

As Ramirez talks about his duties, it’s clear that he is dedicated to his job and the children he serves — and that his work is much more than “a job.”

— Jedd Beaudoin


Donald Wilhelm

Shocker Abroad

Getting in touch with Donald C. Wilhelm ’74 requires delicate maneuvering.

An international businessman with extensive travel and other complicated scheduling demands, Wilhelm recently became vice president of Airspace Management Systems at Northrop Grumman, one of the largest aerospace manufacturers. In 1998 he joined the company’s Electronic Sensors & Systems Sector and is now in charge of the sector’s dealings in air defense and air traffic control.

Wilhelm, who attended WSU on the GI Bill, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in three years. “I enjoyed my time at WSU, but it went by quickly,” he says. “I spent a lot of time with my professors, and I played a lot of chess and other games that challenged the intellect.”

After college, he joined the U.S. Army as an intern and relocated to St. Louis. He quickly moved up the chain of command and was soon responsible for buying Blackhawk helicopters for the army.

Returning to the private sector in the late 1970s, he began his business career with Ford Aerospace Corporation and later Loral Corporation Holdings. Among the highlights of his work was traveling to Gorky, Russia, to evaluate Scorpio, the car manufacturer, for Ford. “Gorky,” he notes, “was an exciting place to be during the Cold War.”

Wilhelm, who was leaving for Korea the day after being interviewed for this story, has spent more than 30 years in the aerospace industry and has traveled to more than 100 countries.

— Matthew Eck


DeWitt Clinton

Useful Endeavors

DeWitt Clinton ’72 — teacher, poet, Vietnam veteran and community activist — says he always wanted to do something useful.

He arrived at WSU as an English graduate student. “I didn’t want to be a beach bum,” he says. “I didn’t want to drift. I left Vietnam in January 1970 and came to Wichita State in January 1970.” The transition, he notes, was not easy. “I remember taking exams on Milton’s Paradise Lost and hearing planes roaring over the building — that brought back memories of the war.”

At WSU he was awarded a teaching assistantship, and in the wider community one of his activities was helping found a community newspaper. After taking a doctorate at Bowling Green and a teaching position at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Clinton settled with his wife in Milwaukee and, predictably enough, took an interest in community affairs. He became active in the First Avenue Club, an organization that strives to help people with chronic mental illness. One of the club’s treatment techniques is employing creative writing as a coping tool.

Another event that built upon his interest in community, he says, was his conversion to Judaism: “I wanted to do more than work and relax and work again. I started asking a lot of larger questions. I’ve become a Rabbinic aide and sometimes speak to the congregation. It’s a change from grading papers and lecturing. That’s for sure.” He pauses and adds,“There are some similarities.”

They are both, after all, in his words, “useful endeavors.”

— Jedd Beaudoin


Comings, goings, appointments, retirements, honors, accolades and other personal alumni news. Former students are designated by fs. Members of the Wichita State University Alumni Association are identified by an asterisk (*). Membership dues help support alumni publications as well as other programs and services. 

D. Cramer Reed ’37, BIO, has been named to the board of Project HOPE+E. He resides in Wichita.*

Betty Deshler ’46, PSYCH, a retired Western Michigan University associate professor, resides in Green Valley, Ariz.*

Beverly (Vanzant) Burton fs ’53 received the International Presidents Elite Award from Coldwell Banker Dinning-Beard. She also received one of the company’s Top 10 awards for the state of Kansas. She now lives in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Russell W. “Russ” Watson ’53, ADM, received the 1999 Brewer Trophy for contributions made to the advancement of aviation education. A retired Cessna employee, he lives in Wichita.

Norton E. Warner ’55, ECON, and his wife, Diana (Herbert) Warner ’57, MUS C, ’58 M MUS C, are the president and vice president of Warner Enterprises Inc. and Warner Concepts Inc. They live in Lincoln, Neb.

William H. Wentz Jr. ’55, MCH E, ’61 M AEROS E, executive director emeritus of the National Institute for Aviation Research, consulted on the development of several exhibits for Exploration Place, Wichita, which opened in April. Most of the exhibits with which he worked related to his technical specialty of aerodynamics. The exhibit he was most directly involved with features not airplanes, but bees, butterflies and dragonflies. He lives in Valley Center, Kan.*

Warren H. Laughlin ’56, BUS, has joined the staff at the new location of Prairie State Bank in Goddard, Kan. He lives in Wichita.*

Philip R. “Phil” Brubaker ’58, AEROS E, has retired as senior sales officer for Scientific Sales Associates, Albuquerque, N.M. He resides in Albuquerque.*

Larry N. Blick ’60, POL SCI, ’67 M POL SCI, has been awarded the Jay T. Bell Professional Award by the Missouri City Management Association for his professional accomplishments and strong record of ethical conduct. He is the city manager for the City of Independence, Mo., where he also resides.

Judith K. (Bolinger) Claar ’61, MUS ED, is an executive secretary with First National Bank in Cimarron, Kan., where she also resides.*

Bernard E. Nichols ’61, ECON, has been awarded Paine Webber’s Chairman’s Award, the firm’s highest honor. Nichols is a senior vice president of investments and partner with his son Kevin in Paine Webber’s Wichita office. He lives in Wichita.*

Cecil W. Schneider ’62, AEROS E, has completed a term as president of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He resides in Marietta, Ga.*

Judith (Stewart) Keister fs ’63 is an administrative coordinator for Symbol Technologies in San Jose, Calif, where she lives.

Gary D. Carson ’64, ART S, ’67 M ART S, had a viewing of his paintings, “The Art of Gary Carson,” held at the Coutts Museum of Art in El Dorado, Kan. He resides in Wichita.

Lawrence S. “Larry” Paul ’64, MGT, of Indian Hills Hardware, Wichita, has been named a member of The Western Association’s 2000/2001 Equipment Council. He lives in Wichita.

Dale E. Wiggins ’64, SEC ED, ’70 M BUS ADM, president of Triad Associates, Wichita, has been elected to serve a three-year term on the board of directors for Wichita Habitat for Humanity. He lives in Wichita.*

Rev. Larry R. Harvey ’65, HIST, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in McPherson, Kan., has been named superintendent of the Winfield District of the Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church. He lives in McPherson, Kan.

Bryce J. Luty ’65, INST, retired director of jazz studies and trumpet at Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson, Kan., was recently honored as the Kansas Educator of the Year. He resides in Hutchinson.

The Rev. Jo Ann (Tomlin) Smith fs ’65 serves as rector of the Episcopal Church of the Covenant in Junction City, Kan. She and her husband, Robert  ’65, POL SCI, live in Junction City.

David A. “Dave” Stalker ’65, ACCT of Northwestern Mutual Life, Wichita, has qualified for membership in the Million Dollar Roundtable. He lives in Wichita.*

Dwight D. Keen ’66, ADM, ’68 M ECON, ’68 M ADM, an attorney and co-owner and operations manage of Keen Oil Co. in Winfield, Kan., has been appointed by Kansas Gov. Bill Graves to the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals. Keen lives in Winfield.

Robert Semonisck ’66, M EAD, chair and professor of the Department of Occupational Safety and Health at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, has been elected a Fellow by the American Society of Safety Engineers. This is the highest honor awarded by the society. Semonisck resides in Durant, Okla.

Richard A. Stedry ’67, MUS ED, ’72 M EAS, ’74 S EAD, serves as the deputy superintendent of the Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso, Texas, where he lives.*

Carolyn (White) Bridges ’68, EL ED, ’74 M EAD, has retired from the Wichita School District after 32 years of service. As an administrator with the district, she served as principal at all educational levels, including Wichita High School South and most recently Pleasant Valley Middle School. This summer, she is teaching two classes at Kansas Newman University. While she currently lives in Wichita, she plans to move to Orlando, Fla.*

Linda S. (Cade) Chance fs ’68 has been hired as an accountant and information system analyst for the United Way of the Plains. She resides in Wichita.

E. George Fahnestock ’69, ADM, who owns and operates Fahnestock Heating and Air Conditioning Inc., Wichita, has been appointed by Kansas Gov. Bill Graves to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Board of Trustees of Abilene. He lives in Wichita.*

Barbara J. Gandy ’69, EL ED, who taught fifth-grade social studies at Wheatland Elementary, Valley Center, Kan., has retired from teaching after 27 years with the Valley Center school district. She lives in Wichita.

Cheryl S. (Chapman) Herbert ’69, MUS ED, an elementary vocal music teacher, has been chosen as one of the outstanding music educators of the year 2000 for the Shawnee Mission School District. She lives in Overland Park, Kan.

Robert J. Albers ’70, M EAS, who previously served the Silver Lake, Kan., school district, has been named superintendent of the Circle school district, Towanda, Kan.

Robert G. Knight ’70, POL SCI, mayor of Wichita, is the first Kansas elected official to be named president of the National League of Cities, the chief political lobbying arm for U.S. cities. He lives in Wichita.

Dennis R. Ballinger ’71, SEC ED, ’75 M SPG, is the vice president of Western National Insurance Co., Minneapolis, Minn. He lives in Prior Lake, Minn.*

David L. Dahl ’71, ADM, ’74 M ADM, of Johnson & Kennedy Attorneys, Wichita, has been named to the board of Project HOPE+E. He resides in Wichita.

Lyndon S. Drew ’71, POL SCI, a former adjunct lecturer at Newman University, is the new director of the Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent Program. He lives in Wichita.

Paul E. Evans ’71, ADM, ’75 M AJ, has been appointed city administrator of the City of Horton, Kan., where he lives.

Glenna K. Hackerott ’71, SEC ED, has retired from Russell High School, Russell, Kan., after 29 years of teaching. She began her career in education in 1971 at Gorham High School, where she taught until 1981. She resides in Russell.

Jerald “Jerry” Ligon ’71, SEC ED, ’75 M SOC, is professor and chair of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program at National-Louis University in St. Louis, Mo. He lives in Fenton, Mo.*

Kathleen “Kathie” (Davis) Ligon, ’71, SOC WK, is a social worker with Catholic Services: Villa Maria in St. Louis, Mo. She resides in Fenton, Mo.*

Marcia (Spurrier) Ryel ’71, EL ED, is vice president of operations for Spurrier Chemical, Wichita. She lives in Wichita.*

Betty L. (Tisdale) Washington ’71, EL ED, ’84 M EL ED, is a teacher for Wichita Public Schools. She also co-owns Geno’s Bar B-Q in Kechi, Kan., where she lives.*

K. David Crone ’72, ACCT is president of AllStar Business Solutions, Littleton, Colo. He resides in Littleton.*

Gary L. Fugit fs ’72, of Fugit and Associates Inc., Wichita, was named “Number One Commercial Sales Associate” for 1999 in Kansas, by Caldwell Banker Commercial. He lives in Andover, Kan.

Teri G. (Dixon) Harpool ’72, MUS ED, ’76 M EL MUS, has been hired as office manager of the law firm of Wallace, Saunders, Austin, Brown & Enochs, Wichita. She lives in Sedgwick, Kan.

Rosemary A. Kirby ’72, M SEC ED, is retiring this July as president of Wichita Area Technical College, a position she has held since 1989. She has been employed in Wichita public schools for 31 years. She lives in Garden Plain, Kan.

Richard J. Powell ’72, ACCT, has joined Merrill Lynch, Wichita, as a financial consultant. He lives in Wichita.

Valerie J. Stucky ’72, PSYCH, has been presented the Space Flight Awareness Award by NASA for her work directing NASA’s only recruitment project for college students. She lives in Fairfax, Va.*

Robert L. Burns ’73, CERT AJ, ’88 AA SCS, ’89 AJ, is the commander of training for the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department. He lives in Maize, Kan.

Marvlyn B. Soeken ’73, M CDS, has been awarded the usd 405, Lyons, Kan., Teacher of the Year Award for elementary school. She began her teaching career in 1973 as a speech/language pathologist and has taught first and second grade since 1989. She resides in Lyons.

Glenn E. “Ed” Bridwell ’74, ADM, an agent with Farm Bureau Financial Services, Wichita, has earned membership in the company’s 1999 Two & One-Half Million Dollar Club. He lives in Wichita.

Winston C. Brooks ’74, EL ED ’77 M EL ED, ’80 SP EL ED, with USD 259, has been named to the board of Project HOPE+E. He resides in Wichita.

Stephen K. Crane ’74, AJ, has retired from the Kansas Highway Patrol after 26 years of service and accepted a position with the Southeast Kansas Regional School Service Center as a transportation compliance specialist. He lives in Fort Scott, Kan.

Kathleen A. Kuchar ’74, MFA ART, a professor at Fort Hays State University, presented her artwork at the 102nd Midwest Art Exhibition at the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery, Lindsborg, Kan. She lives in Hays, Kan.

Patricia J. “Patsy” (Barker) Selby ’74, ENG LIT, ’80 ACCT, has been named director of finance and administration for the WSU Board of Trustees and Endowment Association. She lives in Wichita.*

Thomas D. Brown Jr. ’75, ADM, who was promoted to colonel in 1998, is the executive director of the Corporate Installations Defense Logistics Agency with the U.S. Air Force. He lives in Lake Ridge, Va.

Patricia M. (Connelly) Ligenzowski ’75, COM SCI, has been promoted to vice president of operations at Hillcrest Bank, Wichita. She resides in Wichita.

Douglas S. Pringle fs ’75, an attorney and senior vice president at Commerce Bank, Wichita, has been named to the board of directors and will serve as secretary of the Central Kansas Planned Giving Roundtable. He lives in Wichita.

Eddie L. Slaughter ’75, ACCT has been named Manager of Shared Services–Accounts Payable at Raytheon Aircraft Co., Wichita. He lives in Wichita.*

Dora M. Timmerman fs ’75, a community leader and art advocate, has been named to the Wichita Greyhound Charities board of directors. She resides in Wichita.

Jeanne (Riedel) Vance ’75, MUS ED, ’77 M INST, ’98 M EAD, is the assistant principal of Wichita Heights High School. She resides in Wichita.*

Stephen D. Bohrer ’76, SP EAD, is assistant superintendent for business services with Dodge City High School, Dodge City, Kan. He formerly served as superintendent of the Burden, Kan., school district.

Patrice D. (Adrian) Clevenger ’76, MATH, ’94 M P ACCT, is director of finance and support services for Catholic Charities Inc., Wichita. She lives in Wichita.

Michael E. Nelson ’76, EL ED, managing partner and investment manager for Cornerstone Finance/New England Securities, Wichita, has been recognized by New England Securities for achievement in investments sales and branch productivity and growth. He resides in Wichita.

Donald J. Ryel fs ’76, is senior vice president of Spurrier Chemical of Wichita. He lives in Wichita.*

Gene E. Washington ’76, ART ED, is co-owner of Geno’s Bar B-Q in Kechi, Kan., where he resides.*

Connie L. Hiatt ’77, DH, is a registered dental hygienist with Dr. Freddie Ramos in Independence, Kan. She lives in Independence.*

John C. Philbrick ’77, ACCT, ’82 M BUS ADM, is the property management director for the City of Wichita, where he also resides.

Sharon L. (Kline) Bailey ’78, NURS, has been elected to membership in the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She resides in Centerville, Kan.

Margaret A. (Thielen) Christensen ’78, GEN S, is director of the Graduate Center at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, where she lives.*

William C. Cohen fs ’78, has been named chairman of the board for Insurance Management Associates Inc., Wichita. He resides in Wichita.

Eloise J. Melton ’78, PSYCH, ’84, M ISEP, is a teacher with USD 259. She lives in Wichita.*

Mark A. Clark ’79, M CH M, recently performed in the two-person musical “Chuck and Fanny” at Emporia State University. The co-writer of the original score, Clark serves as music director for the Chapel Hill Fellowship, Newman University and the Crown Uptown Dinner Theater, all in Wichita. He lives in Valley Center, Kan.

Robert D. Hinckley ’79, ACCT, has merged his accounting practice into PDA Business Services, Wichita. He lives in Wichita.*

David S. Richman ’79, BIO, has been named an advisory director for Central Bank and Trust Co. in Hutchinson, Kan., where he lives.

Virginia (Proschan) Smoliar ’79, MUS P, is an art director with Jampole Communications Inc. She also plays oboe with the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet Orchestra. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Susan G. (Kratz) Wagle ’79, EL ED, a Kansas state representative, has plans to run for a Kansas Senate seat. She resides in Wichita.

David H. Burger ’80, CHEM, ’82 MED T, ’88 ACCT, of Kennedy and Coe, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, Wichita, he is in charge of the firm’s manufacturing group. He lives in Wichita.

Carolyn M. (Fitzpatrick) Harrison ’80, M NURS, has been appointed to the position of director of education for Kansas Home Ethics Inc., Wichita. She will be responsible for program planning activities, including continuing education classes for nurses, physicians, lawyers, clergy and social workers. She resides in Wichita.

J. Harvey Koehn ’80, M SCI ED, teaches at Andover High School in Andover, Kan. He lives in Andover.

J. Michael “Mike” Lamb ’80, SOC, of the WSU Foundation, formerly the WSU Endowment Association, has been named to the Central Kansas Planned Giving Roundtable board of directors. He lives in Hesston, Kan.

Ming-Yang Martin Lin ’80, EE, graduated with honors from Rutgers University in 1999 and works as managing director, China, for Rockwell Collins Inc. He resides in Wilton, Conn.

Bret A. Plumer ’80, POL SCI, is the vice-president of sales and operations with Crane National Vendors, Bridgeton, Mo. He lives in Ballwin, Mo.*

Donald L. Pitts  ’80, GEN S, has joined the law firm of Shughart Thomson & Kilroy in Kansas City, Mo. Pitts brings with him to the firm more than 15 years of experience in environmental law, construction litigation, water resources law and oil and gas law.

Raymond H. Relph ’80, BUS, ’82 ACCT, is a shareholder of Mitchell Richards PA, Wichita. He lives in Wichita.

F. Louise Brinegar ’81, AJ, ’81 AS LEGAL, has joined Shane J. Prill’s office of Raymond James Financial Services, Wichita, as office manager. She resides in Wichita.*

Janetta S. Graber ’81, ART S, of Linsco/Private Ledger, has been named to the company’s Chairman’s/Patriot’s Club for achievements in client service. She lives in Wichita.

Kelly A. McGrew ’81, FIN, is senior vice president of investments for Salomon Smith Barney in Colorado Springs, Colo. He lives in Monument, Colo.*

Leslie G. Rudd ’81, GEN S, has established an entrepreneurial fund, the Rudd Family Entrepreneurial Fund, which provides students with the opportunity to earn seed capital up to $250,000 to begin new ventures. Any WSU student, regardless of major, may participate. He lives in Napa, Calif.*

Carol R. Swenson ’81, M PE, who retired this summer from a 32-year career in public education, has been named director of annual giving and sports information at McPherson College, McPherson, Kan., where she resides.

Jeffrey D. Herzet ’82, BUS, vice president with Fidelity Bank, Wichita, has been elected to the board of Wichita Habitat for Humanity. He lives in Wichita.

Glenda L. (Boone) Jones ’82, PE, ’94 M EAS, has been named principal of Augusta Middle School, Augusta, Kan. She previously served as principal of Rose Hill Middle School, Rose Hill, Kan.

Bruce W. Krase ’82, M SEC ED, will be the new principal of the Whitewater Elementary/Middle School, Whitewater, Kan. Previously, he taught middle and high school mathematics in Hesston, Kan.

Gwendolyn (Fuller) Mukes-Baker ’82, M ED PSYCH, of Alcott Academy, Wichita, has been presented an Excellence in Public Service Award. She resides in Valley Center, Kan.

Dedee D. (Decker) Smith ’82, RE, ’87 M BUS ADM, is chief financial officer of the Augusta Medical Complex in Augusta, Kan. She resides in Wichita.

Bruce R. Buhr ’83, M BIO, has been elected to the board of directors of Wichita Clinic. He lives in Wichita.

Kimberly “Kim” (Goldsmith) McGrew ’83, FIN, is a registered associate with Salomon Smith Barney in Colorado Springs, Colo. She lives in Monument, Colo.*

Roberta G. “Robbie” (Phillips) Thomas ’83, M EP, a K-5 extended learning teacher in the Andover Public Schools, has been honored as a 2000 Kansas Master Teacher. She lives in Wichita.

Ron G. Trimmell ’83, JOURN, is a creative team leader at Associated Advertising, Wichita. He lives in Andover, Kan.

Julie A. Schmidt ’84, MUS P/MUS C, has been performing the role of “Carlotta” with the National Touring Company of Phantom of the Opera since 1995. She lives in New York, N.Y.

Sabrina S. Standifer ’84, MKT, works for the law firm of Hinkle, Elkouri, Wichita. She resides in Peck, Kan.

Norman D. Williams ’84, AA AJ, ’86 AJ, a 24-year veteran of the Wichita Police Department, was recently named the city’s first full-time black police chief. He lives in Wichita.

Elizabeth “Liz” (Brasted) Challinor ’85, RE, has been promoted to business analyst for MCI WorldCom. She and her husband, Martin, formerly of Berkeley, England, relocated to Phoenix, Ariz., from Colorado, Springs, Colo.

Larry D. Dissmore ’85, M MUS P, is director of the Evangel College Concert Orchestra. He resides in Springfield, Mo.

John L. Rolfe ’85, FIN, vice president for economic development with the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce, has been named to the board of Project HOPE+E. He resides in Wichita.*

Jill E. (Black) Shock ’85, AA RT, ’88 RT, is a registered respiratory therapist with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs in Wichita, where she lives.*

Tracy S. Cassil ’86, ACCT, has been promoted to senior vice president of international finance with Cessna Finance Corp, Wichita. He resides in Newton, Kan.

Mohammed M. Hadiji ’86, EE, ’88 M EE, has been promoted to senior associate by Professional Engineering Consultants PA, Lawrence, Kan. He lives in Lawrence.

Dan L. Manson ’86, FIN, has been selected by the Commerce Bank board of directors as the marketing officer for the bank’s bankcard merchant services. He resides in Wichita.

Jim L. Sachs ’86, MKT, ’89 PHYS ED, has been promoted to computer ticket administrator with Select-a-Seat. He resides in Wichita.*

Joseph J. Danler ’87, BUS, of Re/Max Realty Center, Wichita, received the Re/Max International 100 Percent Club award. He lives in Wichita.

Wanda “Carlene” (King) Hill ’87, M BUS ADM, is an economic development consultant. She lives in Wichita.*

Mary L. Koehn ’87, NURS, ’90 M NURS, is a clinical educator/instructor at Wichita State University. She lives in Andover, Kan.*

John M. Trowbridge ’87, ACCT, is a CPA with Andover CPAs. He lives in Andover, Kan.*

Hossein Amirani ’88, CHEM, a physician, has joined the staff at Galichia Medical Group PA, Wichita. He lives in Wichita.

Carolyn L. Britton ’88, JOURN, is the business development manager for Results Direct Marketing Inc., Wichita. She lives in Wichita.

Norma J. (Riley) Cox ’88, GEN S, a recruiter for Snelling Search, Denton, Texas, has earned national recruiting honors by receiving the 1999 President’s Award. She resides in Denton.

Leslie A. Duram ’88, INT S, has been elected chairwoman of the Contemporary Agriculture and Rural Land Use specialty group of the Association of American Geographers. An assistant professor of geography at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, she lives in Carbondale.

Patrick B. Hughes ’88, SP/COMM, has become a shareholder with the law firm of Adams & Jones, Chartered, Wichita. He lives Leon, Kan.

Belinda E. (Decker) Venters ’88, JOURN, is the public relations coordinator for Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Sedgwick County. She lives in Wichita.

Brian W. Weide ’88, PERS, has been promoted to vice president of bank treasury and technology services for UMB Bank NA, Kansas City, Kan. He resides in Shawnee Mission, Kan.

Collette K. (Foster) Marks ’89, EL ED, ’96 M EL ED teaches at Faris Elementary School in Hutchinson, Kan., where she lives.

Lee Ann Bachand ’90, ED PSYCH, an elementary teacher in Haysville, Kan., was named in Who’s Who of American Teachers 1999. She lives in Haysville.

Kevin Dreiling ’90, MGT, is director of real estate for the Restaurant Management Company of Wichita. He lives in Wichita.*

Larry A. Felix ’90, M HS, has been named chief executive officer at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa, Kan.

Pamela J. “Pam” Hufferd fs ’90, is marketing director for New England Financial Group, Wichita. She lives in Wichita.

Gayle L. May ’90, EE, has earned her medical degree in family practice from Baylor College of Medicine. She lives in Houston, Texas.

David J. Osio ’90, SOC WK, is director of Immigration and Refugee Services for Catholic Charities, Wichita. He lives in Wichita.

Shannon K. (Barton) Stuckert ’90, EL ED, has been nominated for the Educator of the Year award on the elementary level in Hutchinson, Kan., where she also lives.

George P. Sugars ’90, M PUB ADM, Reno County engineer and director of public works, is serving as president of the National Association of County Engineers. He lives in Hutchinson, Kan.

Cindy M. (Gietzen) Wolf ’90, EE, is the author of On the Safe Side, a child-proofing manual for parents and day-care center managers. She lives in Kechi, Kan.

Gregory A. Cox ’91, CS, is deputy director of the Sedgwick County Division of Information and Operations. He lives in Wichita.

Michael P. Gagne ’91, M GEO, is a geologist with Integrated Solutions, Wichita. He resides in Wichita.

Diane K. Gossen ’91, SOC WK, has joined Associates in Psychological and Family Services, Wichita. She lives in Wichita.

Bryan C. King ’91, AA RT, ’97 NURS, of Wichita, plans to graduate from nurse anesthesia school at Texas Wesleyan in December 2000.

Scott P. Nicholson ’91, GERON, has been named chief executive for Via Christi Hope, a health-care program for frail elderly under Via Christi Senior Services. He lives in Wichita.

Tim M. Seachris ’91, PE/SP BUS, a sales representative with Omnimedix, Little Rock, Ark., has been awarded many performance awards in customer service training and sales training, including the 1996 Ring Club Honor. He lives in Benton, Ark.

Joan M. Bowen fs ’92, has joined Blaylock and Cleous Chartered, Wichita, and will continue her emphasis in the areas of probability, estate planning, tax and business law. She resides in Wichita.

KaLyn (Muncy) Nethercot ’92, M BUS ADM, is vice president of consulting services for Right Management Consultants, Wichita. She lives in Wichita.

Peggy M. Ridge ’92, SOC WK, a social worker, freelance writer and advocate for the mentally ill, is the author of two forthcoming books, Going to Heaven on a Bus and Am I My Brother’s Keeper? She lives in Wichita.

Kristin A. Sandwell ’92, M EL ED, has been selected to be included in a biographical directory published by Marquis Who’s Who, a leading biographical reference publisher. She teaches for USD 259 as a gifted facilitator, and she resides in Wichita.

Kiyokazu Akasaka ’93, BIO, is a physical therapist at the Saitama Medical School in Kawagoe, Japan He lives in Sendai, Japan.*

Toyia A. (Pribbenow) Bulla ’93, M ACCT, has passed Intuit’s QuickBooks Certification Course and has become a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. She is vice president and consultant with Allen, Gibbs and Houlik LC Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, Wichita. She lives in Mount Hope, Kan.

Janice P. Crowley ’93, M SCI ED, an upper school chemistry teacher at The Independent School, Wichita, has been presented the Phyllis Johnson Patrick Distinguished High School Chemistry Teacher award from Kansas State University. She resides in Wichita.

Deborah L. (Barnum) Donovan ’93, AA LEGAL, is assistant vice president, retail banking at Intrust Bank, Wichita. She resides in Wichita.

Chad E. Green ’93, ACCT, has been promoted to controller of Chance Coach, Wichita. He lives in Wichita.*

Jesma R. (Swearingen) Hopper ’93, ACCT, ’99 M P ACCT, has joined the accounting staff of PDA Business Services. She lives in Wichita.

David A. Linscheid ’93, M COMM, is director of alumni relations at Bethel College in Newton, Kan., where he resides.

Michelle R. Phillips ’93, EL ED, teaches for Wichita Public Schools. She lives in Wichita.*

Dana L. (Higginbotham) Reid ’93, PSYCH, a sales associate, received the Cooperative Spirit Award from her colleagues at Re/Max Realty Center, Wichita.

Jodi J. (Jacobs) Sutton ’93, ACCT, is operations officer, operations and technology for Emprise Bank, Wichita. She lives in Wichita.

Rhonda K. (Mead) Wenke-Spillman ’93, NURSE, a nurse for Wichita’s Horace Mann Bilingual Magnet high school, has been chosen for lifetime membership in International Who’s Who of Professionals. She also works part time at Wesley Medical Center as a cardiac/diabetes nurse. She lives in Wichita.

Judith K. “Judy” Worrell ’93, FIN, has been promoted from treasurer and director of human resources to vice president of Berry Companies Inc., Wichita. She resides in Wichita.*

Cheryl D. Brandewiede ’94, EL ED, has been a first grade teacher since 1997. She teaches at Moundridge Elementary School, Moundridge, Kan., and she lives in Hesston, Kan.

Tim P. Brecheisen fs ’94, has been promoted to sales manager of Donrey Outdoor Advertising in Wichita, where he lives.

Edward H. “Eddy” Clausen ’94, M CDS, is an audiologist with Midwest Hearing Aids, Wichita. He lives in Wichita.

Eric Eggel ’94, EE, ’98 M EE, is a network consulting engineer. He lives in San Jose, Calif.*

Daniel J. Mihelic ’94, M BUS ADM, is a Merrill Lynch financial consultant, Wichita, where he resides.

Luther N. Ottaway ’94, MATH, is a corporate banking associate with US Bank in Minneapolis, Minn. He lives in Minnetonka, Minn.*

Janis W. (Wilkey) Whitfield ’94, M EAD/S, has joined the board of directors for Mirror Inc. She has worked in the Newton school district for 26 years, and she resides in Newton, Kan.

James D. “Doug” Anderson ’95, ACCT, has been promoted to audit supervisor at Baird Kurtz & Dobson. He lives in Wichita.*

Ronald C. Canaday ’95, ACCT, is manager of plant accounting at Farmland Foods Inc. He lives in Denison, Iowa.

Robert B. Clarke ’95, I BUS, has joined AXA Advisors LLC as a financial associate in Wichita’s district office. He lives in Topeka, Kan.

Teresa D. Dody ’95, M MUS P, is the 1999 winner of the Opera Columbus Competition and is the third place winner of the Meistersinger International Opera Competition, which was held in Graz, Austria. She lives in Astoria, N.Y.

Kenneth R. Engle ’95, EE, works for Boeing Rotorcraft as an MEP Software Integration and Test Engineer. He lives in Phoenixville, Pa.*

Shawn M. Hannagan ’95, PE, is the regional manager for Advanced Exercise Equipment, Shawnee Mission, Kan. He lives in Kansas City, Mo.*

Heather L. Hogan ’95, COMM, has joined the State Bank of Colwich, Wichita, as marketing director and officer. She lives in Wichita.

Robert L. Niles ’95, MKT, of UMB Bank, has been promoted to corporate services officer, focusing on selling and marketing Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP) services. He lives in Kansas City, Mo.

Michelle A. (McClure) Smith ’95, ACCT, is an audit supervisor at Baird Kurtz & Dobson, Wichita. She lives in Valley Center, Kan.

Shawna R. Thompson ’95, ACCT, has joined the outsourcing services department of Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants. She lives in Wichita.

Tiffany D. (Brown) Blaske ’96, ADM, is the human resources assistant director at Butler County Community College, El Dorado, Kan.  She lives in Wichita.

Tiffany C. (Morris) Cunningham ’96, ANTHRO, is a member of Everlasting Life Ministries. She received her ordination to preach March 26. She lives in Tulsa, Okla.

Tracey A. (Garrity) Dreiling fs ’96, is vice president of Bank of America of Wichita. She lives in Andover, Kan.*

Colleen S. (Scott) Garcia ’96, SEC ED, teaches Spanish at The Independent School, Wichita. She lives in Wichita.

LaTisha R. Garner ’96, ACCT, has joined Grant Thornton LLP, Wichita, as a senior in the assurance services department. She lives in Wichita.

Greg M. Koontz ’96, AV MGT, is a pilot for Vanguard Airlines in Kansas City, Mo. He resides in Council Bluffs, Iowa.*

Melinda L. (Johnson) Lambert ’96, COMM, has joined Towanda Printing Inc., Towanda, Kan., as a customer service and inside sales representative. She lives in Colwich, Kan.

Mary A. Nelson fs ’96, is one of nine WSU faculty and staff recognized for exemplary service to the university at the Shocker Pride Picinic, which was held May 2. She works in the Special Collections section of WSU’s Ablah Library, and she lives in Wichita.

Michelle A. Schoon ’96, M CI, biology instructor and Natural Science Department chair at Cowley County Community College, has been honored as the second Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence and Student Learning at the college. She lives in Winfield, Kan.

Mark D. Smith ’96, BUS ADM, is a manager with Enron North America, Houston, Texas. He resides in Richmond, Texas.*

Tonya Smith ’96, ACCT, ’97 M PA ACCT, is a Certified Public Accountant with Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP in Dallas, Texas. She lives in Dallas.*

David Synstegard ’96, ACCT, ’96 M ACCT, is a senior associate for Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Dallas, Texas. He resides in Arlington, Texas.*

Jennifer Wegerer ’96, JOURN, is a senior project manager in the Interactive Division of Time Inc. She lives in North Bergen, N.J.*

Sally Fiscus ’97, AA, is one of nine WSU faculty and staff members recognized for exemplary service to the university at the Shocker Pride Picnic, held May 2. She lives in Wichita.*

Scott L. Hinderliter ’97, I BUS, is business development manager of Client Growth Resources, Wichita. He lives in Wichita.

Chaney M. Kimball ’97, ART GD, has joined the graphic design firm of Gardner Design, Wichita, as a web designer. He lives in Wellington, Kan.

Bradley J. Wiesen fs ’97, president of Roof Mechanics Inc., Wichita, has completed a one-week course on roofing systems of the future at the University of Wisconsin. He lives in Wichita.

Holly Woodburn ’97, CDS, ’99 M CDS, is a speech language therapist for Wichita Public Schools. She resides in Wichita.*

Bryan T. Yourdon ’97, ENTRE, manages content development, conducts research and develops business partnerships for ChoiceContent.com. He lives in Andover, Kan.

Dana D. (Hill) Adams ’98, FIN, works for Intrust Bank and has been promoted to bankcard merchant officer. She lives in Wichita.

Debi A. Chadwick fs ’98, recently published her second book, Blatherskites: The Frazier/Gibson Murders and is at work on another novel. She resides in El Dorado, Kan.

Erin D. (Trask) Davis ’98, COMM, has been promoted to the management team of Check Center, Wichita. She lives in Wichita.

Gary A. Kraus ’98, EAD, has been named principal for Pike Valley High School in Fredonia, Kan. where he lives.

Christine L. Leddon ’98, AA, ’99 BUS ADM, is an accounting assistant with J.P. Weigand & Sons, Inc. in Wichita, where she lives.*

Colin B. McKenney ’98, M PUB ADM, has been selected as director of the Sedgwick County Community Development Disability Organization. He lives in Valley Center, Kan.

Susan J. Alamo ’99, ACCT, has joined the accounting staff of PDA Business Services, Wichita. She lives in Derby, Kan.

Kenneth Clausing ’99, LEGAL, ’99 POL SCI, is a legal assistant/secretary with the Butler Country Attorney's Office in El Dorado, Kan., where he lives. 

Kathleen A. Kennedy-Smith ’99, M MUS ED, was named Distinguished Diocesan Teacher by the Catholic School Office of the Diocese of Wichita. She is the first music teacher to receive the award. She lives in Wichita.*

Julie Melvin ’99, HSOP, is an administrator in training with Medicalodge North in Kansas City, Kan., where she lives.*

Sara L. Thompson ’99, FLD MJR/BIO, is an emergency medical technician with Aspen Emergency Services in Snowmass Village, Colo., where she lives.*

Malinda Tredway ’99, SOC WK, is a social worker with the state of Kansas. She lives in Wichita.*

Paul M. Winger ’99, FIN, is a self-employed real estate manager in Haysville, Kan., where he lives.*

Harold G. White ’99, MCH E, is an engineer with Lockheed Martin Space Operations in Houston, Texas, where he lives.*

Tina M. Zahn ’99, ACCT, has joined the accounting staff of PDA Business Services, Wichita. She lives in Wichita.* 


CLASS NOTES

Class Notes

Comings, goings, appointments, retirements, honors, accolades and other personal alumni news.