Olga Beth (Betty Anderson) -50- and Russell Speer -50- will celebrate their 60th anniversary on June 12, 2008. They have attended the Nazarene Churches in Seattle, Medford, Yakima, Marysville, and now attend College Church in Nampa. Russell retired from banking, and Beth from teaching. They have traveled to Australia, New Aeland, Tahiti, Alaska, Cnada, The Bahamas, Europe (Paris, London, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Sclotland, and many more). They are presently singing in “The Grace Note Choir” at College Church. This is a Choir of adults (55 & over). They sing at many Rest Homes and churches. A special treat is a trip of about 1,000 miles at least once a year. Beth and Russell have two children, two grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, and all are Christians. They have much to praise and thank God for.
Jack Wright -60- was invited to participate recently in a creation vs. evolution symposium at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Jack debated from the Intelligent Design position against four evolutionists.
Craig Laughlin -83- has relocated from Lead Pastor at Southwood Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri to Senior Pastor of Marysville Church of the Nazarene in Washington.
Julie van Beek -89- was named GNAC Coach-of-the-Year for 2008. Julie completed her 3rd year as head Women’s Basketball Coach for Seattle Pacific University holding an overall win/loss record of 71-15.
Jeff Carr -87- has been appointed by the mayor of Los Angeles as the director of gang reduction and youth development programs. He previously served as the executive director for the Bresee Foundation for 17 years, and most recently was the chief operating officer for Sojourners/Call to Renewal based in Washington, D.C.
John Kirkemo -97- has accepted a Senior Civilian level position within the US Air Force's Atlas V Launch Vehicle Program in El Segundo, CA. Atlas V rockets provide essential launch capabilities for both military and commercial satellites. John currently resides in Redondo Beach, Calif. and is engaged to be married this summer.
Isaac (Ike) Swanson -94- has been recognized as a 2008 Global as well as Regional Solution Achievement Award (SAA) winner for his participation on the Genetic Submssion for the Prasugrel NDA, one of 15 IT projects selected at Lilly in North America for recognition. The team members participated in the submission of genetic data as part of a New Drug Application (NDA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The SAA is the main platform for annual peer recognition of global information technology at Eli Lilly and Company.
Angie Wharfield -97- has been selected as Holt International Children's Services Director of Social Services for Eastern Europe. Angie received her M.S., in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas, and License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW). She has worked for Holt in the Portland, Oregon Office, and as a Child and Family Specialist for Cascadia Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team in Portland.
Hollie (Larson) Lindner -02- has been appointed by the Alumni Association Board of Directors to represent NNU’s graduate program and non-traditional alumni on the Board. Hollie recently completed her MBA at NNU and serves as NNU’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations.
Julie Walburn O’Connor -03- has completed a masters degree in education from Colorado University. Julie lives with husband Brett in Parker, Colorado teaches at a private elementary school in Denver.
Andy Peters -06- has been accepted by Pacific Northwest University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Yakima, Washington, as part of its inaugural class of 75 from 2,000 applicants.
Brandon Hill -01- is a graphic designer at Nazarene Publishing House. He was recently recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Artists in Kansas City with the awarding of the Institute’s coveted A4 Award for 2007. The A4 Award is for outstanding art developed locally in Kansas City. The winning entries were selected from a pool of over 600 entries. Brandon's winning entry was for Rendezvous: A Sacred Encounter with God, Beacon Hill Press.
Ben Stecker -05 – is living in Washington DC where he is currently employed by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state as a Congressional Aide.
Shaun McMikle -04 MBA – has taken a position as Technical Training and Implementation Manager for OSI Pharmaceuticals, providing support for IT training and Business Process Implementation needs at the company’s locations in Colorado, New York, New Jersey and Oxford, England.