Class Notes 1990-99

1990

Rick Adleman, BBA '90
Director of Alumni Relations for Mesa State College. Married to Staci (Ferguson) from the class of 1988 and father of daughter Kaitlin.

Todd Greco BA '90,
Left KREX-TV as evening anchor for a public relations position in Denver with the Colorado Lottery.

Shannon Worster BA '90,
A former reporter for KJCT-TV in Grand Junction, is now working with the Tillman M. Bishop Campus.

1991

Brian R. Joe '91
San Pedrs, CA
Degee: BS, Accounting-Public
Other Colleges: Pepperdine University
Other Degree : MBA
Occupation : Accounting Analyst
Employer : Nissan North America, Inc.
Professional Achievement : CPA certificate, MBA
Travel and Hobbies : Bible studies, fellowship groups, serving at church

1992

Balach Aziz BA '92
Lives in Quetta, Pakistan where he is Assistant District Administrative Officer at Barshore for the Government of Pakistan. He placed 13th in the province in his civil service exams. He and his wife, who just completed her high school, have a nine month old son. While in the beautiful USA he traveled a lot including, Washington DC, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Casey Cass BA '92,
Formerly a photojournalist at the Glenwood Post in Glenwood Springs, is now a photographer in the public relations department at the University of Colorado.

Monica Ely BA '92,
Received her law degree from University of Arizona and is now an attorney.

Kristi Foos BA '92,
Who had epilepsy, died of a seizure in 1997 after leaving KREX-TV.

Angela Weese Hafey, A.S. Travel and Rec. '89; BSN '92
Angie graduated from Fruita Monument High School in 1987, choosing then to continue her education in the Grand Valley. Most of her professional career has been in Critical Care at St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver, and she also spent some time working at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Hartford, CT. Angie is still employed on a part-time basis at St. Joe's and is also a consultant for PartyLite Co. She and her husband, Rick, are raising three children in Arvada: Alexandra, 5 years old; Tyler, 4; and Jessica, 2 ½. In addition to her career and family responsibilities she manages to find time for involvement in community affairs. She currently enjoys memberships on the parish council and the school board of St. Joan of Arc Parish. Angie feels that MSC's excellent nursing program has helped her do the best job possible as a critical care nurse.

Bobbi Sale BA '92
Special Events Director for Town of Olathe, Colorado and Executive Director - Olathe Sweet Corn Festival

Judith Thomas BA & BSN '89 & '92
After graduating from Mesa State and a short stint in the telemetry unit at St. Mary’s, I’ve worked as an RN in ICU/CCU in Indiana, a CCU in Charlotte, North Carolina, and later a site director at an outpatient chronic pain center. I’m presently working for Carolina’s Health Care System in the clinical care management department as a Medicare compliant documentation specialist. Husband, Mark and I are enjoying a new hobby – garden railroading.

1993

Gail (Dollahite) Casey '93
graduated with a BBA in Marketing and Management then continued on to University of Colorado - Denver to earn a Masters in Public Administration. Gail married fellow MSC Alumnus Jeff Casey. They have a daughter Madison Shea and live in Broomfield, Colorado.

Billie M. Castle BBA '93,
Is a graduate of Willamette School of Law and is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She has been practicing law at the firm of Baird B. Brown, P.C. for four years. She is now a partner and the firm's name has been changed to Brown and Castle, P.C. She works in all aspects of elder law, and specializes in long-term/Medicaid issues and disability planning.

Bradley Kamby BA ‘93
Lives in Littleton, Colorado

Judy Miller BA '93,
Is a freelance writer in Grand Junction.

Jill J. Mountain, BS '93
Upon graduation Jill coordinated the Young Parents Program at The Resource Center for six years, and was an excellent role model for dozens of young mothers in our community. In 1999 she returned home to the Chicago area where she worked three years at the Divine Word International Conference and Retreat Center. She recently returned to the Grand Valley to accept a position as Faith Formation Director for Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Jill raised three children in Palisade: John of San Francisco, Katie of Colorado Springs, and Kristie who is attending San Diego University. She has a grandson, Jordan. Jill feels truly blessed to be back in this beautiful valley.

Kay Stack BA '93,
Is editor of the special sections at The Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction.

Brian Willie BA '93,
Is a television photojournalist for KUSA News in Denver, Colorado. He captured the video of former Denver Nuggets Head Coach Dan issel yelling racial slurs at a fan that in turn lead to his departure from the Nuggets. He has traveled to many parts of the country as a news photojournalist, including the 2000 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Previously he worked at KNKV-TV in Phoenix, Arizona and other stations in Salt Lake and Colorado Springs. He started his career at KJCT in Grand Junction, Colorado. He has won two Rocky Mountain Region Emmy's, Colorado Broadcasters Spot News award, Utah Broadcasters Investigative award and numerous National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) regional awards. Brian is married to Mollie and they have a three year old son named Tyler. He enjoys mountain biking, ice hockey and golfing with his son.

Dr. Wesley E. Sheader '89-'93,
Earned his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1996, and received Board Certification in Chiropractic Pediatrics. Besides membership in the ICA Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics he also belongs to the Colorado Chiropractic Association. He is actively involved in the community, has lectured on the safety and efficacy of chiropractic care for children, has been published in the Chiropractic Journal of Australia regarding a pilot study on the effects of chiropractic on attention span, regarding colic and breast-feeding with infants. He is married to alumna Dorthy Sheader.

Dorthy Sheader '93,
Received a Masters in Special Education from Western Illinois University in 1996. She teaches special education students at Rocky Mountain Elementary in Clifton, Colorado. She is married to alumnus Dr. Wesley Sheader.

Gary Thompson '93,
Is a Veterinarian and lives in Maumee, Ohio.

1994

Larissa Bailey, BS '93, BA '94
After graduating Mesa State College Larissa completed a Master of Biomathmatics in 1998 and in 2002 received her Ph. D. in Zoology from North Carolina State University. During her graduate studies she worked in Peru and Costa Rica. She conducted a pilot study using infrared cameras to access nocturnal activities of mammals.

Michele Foster BA '94,
Started her own successful public relations firm in Grand Junction, and recently moved to Denver.

Richard Garigen, BBA Economics 94
works as an Area Account Manager for Colorado Printing. He is past-president of Mesa State College Alumni Board. Rich enjoys world travel. Still single, Rich lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Travis J. McCorkle BA '94
Now living in Portales, New Mexico and working as Head Coach for the Eastern New Mexico University's soccer team & HPE Instr. He received his MA in Education (Sports Admin.) from the University of Northern Colorado. He is married to Luann Smith. "We love to travel...especially Mexico and Las Vegas. Luann loves to play tennis (now if only they had some in NM - Ha Ha)"

Julie Mullen AAS & BBA '92 & ‘94
Financial consultant for A.G. Edwards & Sons in Grand Junction, Colorado

Dr. Erick Ridout BS '94
attended the University of Colorado School of medicine and is currently finishing his residency in Pediatrics at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. He will complete a fellowship in Neonatology at the University of Colorado after his residency in Hawaii. He is married and has two children.

Valarie Sukovaty BA '94.
Is a reporter for KTUL-TV in Tulsa, OK.

1995

Angela Allen '95,
Owns Premier Property Management in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Jim Daly BA '95,
Is the news producer for KREX-TV in Grand Junction.

Lynda Louise Engelbrecht BS Accounting '95,
Is Controller for Champion Feeders in Canyon, Texas.

Shane Henry BA '95,
Graduated in December of 2001 with a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado - Denver. At commencement he was recognized and given the honor of being chosen by his professors as the Outstanding Student in his master's degree program. Shane currently resides in Denver where he is employed as the Assistant Director for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Formerly Shane worked for Senator Allard and Club 20.

Carmen M (Jackson) Maness BA '95
Received her Masters in School Counseling from Adams State College and now works as a school counselor for Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 Schools. Before beginning work on her Masters she worked for the Mesa County Health Department and the Motezuma County Department of Social Services. She is married to Steve Maness and has a fourteen year old son, Colin, and a three year old daughter, Delaney. She and her husband love to road bike, mountain bike and travel. Summer of 2004 they will be vacationing in France to celebrate her graduation from Adams State College. She appreciates the quality of education she received from Mesa State and recommends it to those making a decision about where to attend college.

Mike Parisi BA '95,
Is working for Sports News Network in Denver.

Ian Plummer BBA '95
Lives in Westminster, Colorado and is a Store Manager at Rent-A-Center.

Aaron Porter BA '95,
Is the area reporter in Montrose for the the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.

Emily Williams Patterson BA '95,
Is the sports and outdoors editor for a daily newspaper in Sulphur, LA.

Ian M. Plummer, BBA '95
Lives in Westminster, Colorado and is a Store Manager at Rent-A-Center.

Christopher Smith, attended 1993-96
Gary Smith Productions (Audio and Multmedia), of GJ just completed a project for Nickelodeon. Christopher Smith created a graphics package as well as an animated open for a 60 second, behind the scenes look at the creation of " Jonah a VeggieTales Movie", a Big Idea's production. Additionally Gary Smith (and Adjunct Professor of Music at Mesa State College) was contracted by Nickelodeon producer Katie Fitzpatrick, a graduate of Mesa State College 1997, to create an original music score for the same project.
The promos will start airing on Nick Jr. starting Sept 23rd and the Movie debuts on Oct 4, 2002.
Christopher Smith Attended Mesa State College for four years before transferring to Columbia College in Chicago."

Sheryl "Sherry" W. Verdiek, BS '95
Sherry is a substitute teacher for School District 51 in Mesa County and owns her own environmental education business called Soaring Eagle Interpretive Services. In addition to her degree from Mesa State College she holds a BA from Virginia Wesleyan College in history and political science and is certified as both a Project Wild Facilitator and Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. While working with Colorado State Parks she planned the opening of Connected Lakes State Park. She has a 21-year-old son, Steve who is in the Army stationed in Korea. Her daughter April is a freshman at Mesa, majoring in Theater.

Alice (Hawkins) Ziegler '95
earned a Bachelor's Degree in Counseling Psychology and was active in Psi Chi and Alpha Pi Honor Societies during her years at Mesa State College. She is currently the production manager for Olympic Mortgage Corporation, and is expecting her first child.

1996

Selena (Ortiz) Blom '96
College sweethearts Christopher and Selena were wed in summer of 2003. Selena works at the CSU Cooperative Extension in Grand Junction, Colorado and received the Educator of the Year Award in 2002 and the Team Award in 1999. She loves traveling the world, golfing and volunteering.

William D. Boden, BSN Nursing '96
is the Disaster Preparedness Officer for the United States Public Health Service. He lives in Littleton, Colorado.

Jeri Beth Creager, BA '96
She attended LCCC, NMSU and the University of Denver in addition to Mesa State. Jeri earned a M.A. in marketing/PR. Started copywriting and marketing company, Get It Write, in 2002, after working several years in marketing for an educational publishing company. Engaged to marry Travis Stevens (Mesa Alum) Sept. 2003.

Rick S. Garrick, BS '96
Also attended Los Angeles Valley College. Is employed as Asst. Parks & Recreation Dir. for the Town of Parker, Colorado. Is a Member of NRPA and CPRA Certified Aquatics Facility Operator. Family includes wife Kristin, son Danny and daughter Jewel

Jim Gaynor BA '96,
Is a production assistant for M-TV in New York City.

Dan Marries BA '96
Dan is a news anchor/reporter for KOLD-TV (CBS) in Tucson, Arizona. Hwill be on assignment in Vietnam spring of 2004 for two weeks. He's going to cover a group that takes veterans and their families back to Vietnam to heal emotional scars left behind.
awards : 1st Place "Live Reporting"-- Arizona Broadcaster's Assoc.
1st Place "Enterprise News"- Arizona Broadcaster's Assoc.
"Best TV Media Coverage"-- Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assoc.
family : Divorced (close friends) with 5 year old son.
travel and hobbies : Recently travelled to the Carribean with a stop in Jamaica. I collect coins and love learning about the old west history.

Camri McCormick BA '96
Currently the Coordinator, Corporate Communications for WCEU-TV Channel 15 in Daytona Beach, Florida. In addition to her public relations duties, she recently produced and hosted a 30 minute interview with actor Peter Wingfield (Highlander/Catwoman), which will air in August 2004. She is also in pre-production for Home Creations, an arts and crafts series she created and produces. This is the series' second season and will beginning airing in September 2004.

Diana Moravek Kasselhut BA '96,
Following graduation, Diane Kasselhut (Moravek) worked at the Daily Sentinel for a year, and owned a writing, editing and graphic design business, Write Connections, for eight years in Grand Junction. She received a Master of Arts in Educational Technology from the University of Northern Colorado and is now Special Projects Manager for The Learning House, Inc. in Louisville, Kentucky. Her son, Brian, graduated from Mesa State in 2006, and her son, Chris, is currently a freshman at Mesa.

John David Mourino BA '96,
Is with Direct TV in Denver.

John Shaffer BA '96,
Shaffer resigned as media relations director for the Orange Bowl in summer 2000 to accept the Sports Information Director position at Loyola Maramount University, a NCAA Division I school.

Christopher Smith, Attended '93-'96
He transferred to Columbia College in Chicago and created a graphics package as well as an animated opening for a 60 seconds behind the scenes look at the creation of "Jonah a VeggieTales Movie

Jennifer Tracy BA '96,
Is communications coordinator for Partners Health System in Berlin, WI. She is engaged to marry Troy Matthew Kurczek on June 9, 2001.

Teri Warner BA '96,
Is in advertising at the Glenwood Post daily newspaper in Glenwood Springs, CO.

1997

Leila Booshehri BA '97,
Is public relations director for the city of Pittsburgh, KS.

Tara DeWitt BA '97,
Now works as a Client Relations Manager for PhilanthroCorp in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prior to that she was in the public relations department at Cheyenne Mt. Zoo in Colorado Springs, CO.

Katie Fitzpatrick BA '97,
Is a production assistant for MTV in New York City.

Bill Gaynor BA '97,
Is a computer & communications assistant for MTV in New York City.

Jeff Kirtland BA '97,
Is the public relations representative for School District 51 in Mesa County. Previously he held the same position at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction. Prior to that he worked in marketing for KEKB.

Brad McCloud BA '97,
Is now working in advertising and marketing with KJCT-TV after previously working with KEXO/KQIL/KQIX/KKNN in Grand Junction.

Patrick S. O'Shaughnessy BA '97,
Continued his education at City University in New York and the University of Minnesota earning a MA and LL.B. His awards include national honors society, economics, national honors political science, national honor geography, all from Minnesota State University-Mankato..

Cody Patterson BA '97,
Is with military intelligence gathering in Europe for the US Army.

Mike Wiggins BA '97,
Has left the Glenwood Post to take a reporting positions with The Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction.

Ashley Elaine York '97,
Is a professional singer recording a CD due out in spring 2002 and planning to tour in late 2002.

1998

Jennifer Barton BA '98,
Is working in production with KKCO-TV in Grand Junction.

Bill Craig BA '98,
Now living in Mount Vernon, WA, (near Seattle) and married Glory Funk in 2002. Previously with the Glenwood Post and the Rocky Mount (Daily) Telegram in Nashville, NC.

Randy Hampton, Social Sciences '98
After ten years as a radio News Director, Randy returned to Mesa State to serve as Director of Media Relations until 2003. He is currentley Program Director for KNZZ Radio in Grand Junction, Colorado. Randy is married (Jet Hampton, History '98) and has a son (Derek Hampton, Undecided '14).

Jeremy Madera '98
received a BS in computer science. He played baseball for MSC. Jeremy works as a software developer. He lives in Evans, Colorado with his wife Stacy and their baby daughter Ryan Elizabeth.

1999

Frank Bellavia, BBA '99
Lives in Arlington, Virginia and works as Legislative Assistant for Rep. Neil Abercrombie, HI-D.

Chad E. Dickey, BS '99
Now living in Tustin, California, he works for Waterstone Environmental. He worked for the two years prior with Earth Tech in the Unexploded Ordnance Department on contracts associated with military bases.

Matthew C. Garhart, BS '99
He is currently a graduate student at Colorado State University working on his Masters of Science degree in Systematic Entomology. "I have the wonderful opportunity to be working with Dr. Paul Opler, a world renowned Lepidopterist at Colorado State." His masters' research is focusing on the phylogeny of the riding's satry butterfly. He has also received an assistantship to survey the macro moths of Oklahoma to determine potential threatened or endangered species on the Fort Sill army training facility. Wife, Kimberly, is a Mesa State College graduate with a geology degree. They have two children, Andrew 8, and Kamri 18 months.

Richard Jackson, BA Human Performance and Wellness
Bemidji, MN
Wife Lori have new daughter Kaylee Elizabeth Jackson. Pictures available at www.richandlori.com

Kristine McKitrick, BA '99
Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego has awarded a juris doctor degree to Kristine McKitrick, a graduate of Mesa State College. McKitrick is one of 190 graduates who recently (August, 2004) received their degrees at Thomas Jefferson School of Law’s 32nd annual commencement at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. Justice Carlos R. Moreno of the California Supreme Court delivered the commencement address. She is now among the nearly 5,000 graduates to have earned a law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. The school, located in the historic Old Town section of San Diego, is accredited by the American Bar Association, the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Patricia Polizzo '99,
Lives in New Jersey and works as a case manager for the nonprofit agency, The Angel Connection helping families and children with AIDS. Prior to moving to New Jersey she worked two years with the Western Colorado AIDS Project. She is also heading the program "Orphan Angels" which helps parents with AIDS find homes for their children. She is involved with the AIDS Vaccine Ride from Montreal to Maine, volunteers for the Red Cross Disaster Team and the National Organization of Victims Assistance.

Rhonda J. (Hutto) Witt, AAS '99
She is living in Grand Junction with her husband Daniel. They have a son, Daniel Jr. and a daughter Rebecca. Rebecca and her husband James Hawk are expecting Rhonda's first grandchild in November of 2002. Rhonda was given a Certificate of Appreciation from the VA Medical Center and has just launched a career as an independent beauty consultant for Mary Kay.