2016-17 WSUAA Alumni Leaders

Heather Hales

Heather Hales BA ’91, M.Ed. ’06

President, WSU Alumni Association

Who’s coolest — James West, Charles Ingalls or Miss Kitty?

James West, of course! (Look who I dressed up as.)

If your life were a country-western song, what would the title be?

Either Mammas, Make Sure Your Babies Grow Up to be Wildcats or My Heroes Have Always Been Wildcats.

Would you rather see a John Wayne Western or a Clint Eastwood Western?

Well now, “pilgrim,” there’s nothin’ better than a John Wayne Western.

Most memorable horseback ride.

A pack trip in the Uintah Mountains with my dad and a group of his friends. Right before the trip, he presented me with a beautiful pair of leather chaps that he had made! I still have those chaps and a picture of all of us on our horses.

What’s the best food to eat around a campfire?

S’mores!

As a WSU Alumni Association leader, how will you help make WSUAA the “best in the West” this year?

First off, we rustled up some right fine board and council members — every one a sharpshooter! Second, we planned some rip-roarin’ events for WSUAA members. What’s next is roundin’ up some new members and keepin’ this here grand community connected to great, great, great Weber State!


Steven Carter

Steven Carter BS ’70

President, Emeriti Alumni Council

Who’s coolest — James West, Charles Ingalls or Miss Kitty?

James West was “Mr. Cool.” The big mystery was where he happened to get all those high-tech weapons and gadgets back in the 1800s.
Would you rather see a John Wayne Western or a Clint Eastwood Western? Clint Eastwood is my favorite. He is a more accomplished actor, and he can talk through his teeth.

If you lived in the Old West, would you be a farmer or a cowpoke?

A cowpoke. My grandfather owned a 300-acre ranch, and I grew up riding horses and caring for cattle.

Most memorable horseback ride.

When I was 11, a friend dared me to ride a horse that had not been ridden for several years. I accepted the dare and ended up in the hospital for four days.

What’s the best food to eat around a campfire?

Takeout from almost any restaurant.

As a WSU Alumni Association leader, how will you help make WSUAA the “best in the West” this year?

I’ll continue to find ways to promote excellence and create value for current students, alumni, staff and faculty. I hope to foster loyalty to Weber State and help people make lifelong connections with the university.


Mackenzie Olsen

Mackenzie Olsen BS ’09

President, WSU Young Alumni Council

Who’s coolest — James West, Charles Ingalls or Miss Kitty?

I cheated and asked my father-in-law since I didn’t know who these people were, and he loves Westerns. He said Miss Kitty because she was a woman before her time. (Sounds like someone I would have chosen anyway!)

All-time greatest Western book?

These is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine by Nancy E. Turner. The girl in the book rides horses and shoots a gun, so that qualifies as a Western, right?

Would you rather see a John Wayne Western or a Clint Eastwood Western?

A John Wayne Western because I remember my grandpa having pictures of “The Duke” in his office. That was a great nickname. But in their early years, Clint Eastwood was better looking.

If you lived in the Old West, would you be a farmer or a cowpoke?

A cowpoke (I may or may not have Googled this term) for sure! Riding horses and being in charge seems more my type of thing.

Best food to eat around a campfire?

Mini pies! Wrap biscuit dough around the end of a one-inch dowel and cook it over the fire. Then fill it with apple pie filling and let it cool for a minute or two.

As a WSU Alumni Association leader, how will you help make WSUAA the “best in the West” this year?

Find those pardners lookin’ a little lost or scoutin’ for a rousin’ time, round ’em up and get ’em hitched to our group!


Nick Drysdale

Nick Drysdale AAS ’15

President, WSU Student Alumni Association

Why do you like living in the West?

I love living close to my family. I also enjoy backpacking, hiking, fishing and camping, and there’s no better place to do these activities than in the Rocky Mountains!

Who’s coolest — James West, Charles Ingalls or Miss Kitty?

I’d have to say James West. I was not even a thought during the The Wild Wild West television series, but I did happen to see the movie where Will Smith played James West.

If your life were a country-western song, what would the title be?

Family means a lot to me. My wife and I have shared great times together, and we look forward to building more memories with our new baby boy. For this reason, I love Kenny Chesney’s The Good Stuff. The song has a message about priceless family experiences. I feel it’s a pretty good match to my life (except for the part where the guy goes into a bar after having a fight with his wife).

Describe your most memorable horseback ride.

I’ve only had one horseback-riding experience, and it was in a circle around the corral. I found out that I was extremely allergic to horses when my eyes swelled shut.

What’s the best food to eat around a campfire?

It’s a toss-up between s’mores and hobo (tin foil) dinners.

As a WSU Alumni Association leader, how will you help make WSUAA the “best in the West” this year?

I really want to focus on establishing lasting traditions that will increase the sense of community and belonging at Weber State University. I’ll also help promote an atmosphere of giving back among students that, hopefully, leads to more student philanthropy. Alumni Association Leaders 2015-16