Class Notes | Fall 2022

• 1950s

  • Niles W. Herrod AS ’59 is a retired oral/maxillofacial surgeon. He earned his doctorate of dentistry at Northwestern University. He practiced in San Diego, California, for five years before moving to Provo, Utah, where he practiced from 1972–2007. He received the Navy Commendation Medal for surgeries performed at the First Marine Division Hospital in Vietnam from 1967–1968. He has served multiple callings with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including stake president and patriarch. He and his wife, Janet Edmunds Herrod, live in Provo, Utah.

  • W. Dirk Raat AS ’59 graduated from Weber College and went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in 1961 and doctorate degree in 1967 from the University of Utah, where he majored in history and minored in American studies. Upon graduation, he taught Latin American and Mexican history at several universities, including State University of New York at Fredonia and Arizona State University. He recently published his ninth book titled Lost Worlds of 1863: Relocation and Removal of American Indians in the Central Rockies and Greater Southwest. Of special interest to Utahns are excerpts in the book about the Southern Paiute, Northern Ute and Cache Valley Shoshone peoples, as well as a chapter on the Bear River Massacre. Dirk has served as a docent for the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. He lives in Surprise, Arizona, with his wife, Gerry. They have two children and three grandchildren.

  •  

  •  
• 1960s

  • Charles Schmalz AS ’61 is a third-generation Wildcat who attended Weber College from 1959–1961. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Utah. In 1965, he began working for Utah-Idaho Sugar Company. Charles began working for the Amalgamated Sugar Company in 1977, first in Ogden and later in Idaho as a chemist and assistant superintendent. After 11 years in Idaho, he returned to Ogden and continued with Amalgamated until retiring in 2005. Charles is an avid historian of the sugar industry in Utah and Idaho. He and his late wife, Jo Ann Nielson Schmalz AS ’61, BS ’79, met in 1959 while attending Weber. Jo Ann studied gerontology and became a social worker. During their time in Idaho, she worked in a hospital nursing home. After returning to Utah, she continued as a social worker at McKay-Dee Hospital, retiring in 2002. Jo Ann served on the Emeriti Alumni Council for the WSU Alumni Association.

  • Fred Stettler AS ’67 served in the United States Air Force for 37 years, in active duty for six years and in the reserves for 31 years. He was activated during Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm and the 9/11 attacks. He also worked in the pharmaceutical industry with Organon for many years. After his pharmaceutical experience, he went on to a successful 25-year career in medical equipment sales. Fred volunteers his time as a teacher’s assistant with the Renaissance Academy, a residential school that works to change students’ quality of life and help them fulfill their potential. He currently serves on the WSU Alumni Association Emeriti Alumni Council. He has taken on duties and been active in his church throughout his life. He and his wife of 55 years, Linda, have six children, 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

  •  

  •  
• 1970s

  • David Trujillo BS ’70 is retired after a successful 40-year career with Weber State University. From 1973–2014, David worked to establish many of the student support services, including, but not limited to, Veterans Upward Bound, Supplemental Instruction and Disability Services. He came to WSU as a student-athlete, with a four-year track and field scholarship. He was twice named Most Valuable Track Athlete. He is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including Layton City Hometown Hero, Utah High School Activities Association Super Fan Award, the H. Aldous Dixon Award, recognition for outstanding service to the TRiO programs, the Art Quinn Memorial Award and the Toni Weight Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to his career at WSU, David was a Layton City recreation coach and started the women’s and girls’ softball programs. He coached Davis County junior high school basketball at Central Davis, North Davis and Fairfield junior high schools. He is a Central Davis Junior High School Hall of Fame inductee. He and his wife, Neweleen Barnes Trujillo AS ’70, met while they were attending Weber. She graduated from the nursing program and worked for Davis Hospital and Medical Center for 35 years. She is a recipient of the Miss Holstein Award of Utah. They have five sons, 22 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

  • Linda Carver BS ’77 began her career in special education. After a few years of teaching, she became principal of Canyon View School. She earned a master’s degree in secondary education and an administrative/supervisory endorsement from Utah State University. She was later appointed Weber School District director of student services and retired as the assistant superintendent. She received the Principal of the Year Award and Excellence in School Management award. She has been a presenter at several educational conferences and authored various articles relating to education. She is currently the chair of the Board of Directors for America First Credit Union. She received the Distinguished Director Award from CUES, a national organization for credit union leaders. She is a founding trustee of Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering & Science (NUAMES). She has served on a variety of other boards throughout the community and as chairperson of the Weber Morgan Children’s Justice Center. She was recognized in Utah Business as one of “30 Women to Watch.” She is married to David Carver BS ’74, who worked independently in the financial services industry for 30 years. They have traveled to over 100 countries, and have three children and 11 grandchildren.

  •  

  •  
• 1980s

  • Leland “Lee’’ Burkett BS ’83 served in the U.S. Air Force from 1959–1982. During his 23 years as active-duty military, he spent 18 years stationed abroad in countries including Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Germany and England. He was a jet fighter mechanic and later supervisor. Lee attended Weber State while stationed at Hill Air Force Base, where he was the chief of maintenance of combat air rescue helicopters. After retiring from the military, he worked for the Northrop Corp, now known as Northrop Grumman, supporting the Federal Aviation Administration. After retiring from that chapter of his career, Lee began working for H&R Block where he learned the tax industry. He later started his own tax consultation business, named Lee the Tax Man. He recently sold his business and now considers himself officially retired.

  • Michael Beach BS ’88 has been appointed to serve as vice president of finance and administration for Park University. In his role, he oversees the financial, accounting and administrative operations of the university. He is also responsible for oversight of the Office of Human Resources, Office of Information Technology Services and Office of Facilities. Before joining Park University, he served as vice president of finance, chief financial officer and treasurer at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Beach also served as assistant vice president for finance and treasurer at Southern Utah University. He earned Master of Business Administration and Master of Accountancy degrees from SUU, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Weber State University. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri.

  • Monica Schwenk AA ’89, BA ’92, MPC ’13 serves as the vice president for student services at Ogden-Weber Technical College, where she began working in 1995. Prior to her vice president position, she served as the college’s Custom Fit Training and Roy Campus Business Link manager. She successfully cultivated business relationships with hundreds of companies in providing industry-driven training. Her leadership has been recognized by the college, including awards for Outstanding Employee of the Year and Outstanding Organizational Leadership. She is an active member of the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce. She has chaired Leadership Northern Utah Academy, the executive board of the Women in Business Committee, and the Women Empowered Conference. She also is a member of the Board of Trustees for McKay-Dee Hospital. The chamber has recognized Monica with the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award.

  
  
  •  
• 1990s

  • Brian Wiser BA ’92 is a producer of books, films, games and events. Best-known for the Firefly documentary Done The Impossible, he was an extra in Serenity, and brought the Firefly cast aboard his Browncoat Cruise convention. He has raised money for many charities. Brian is an Apple consultant, historian and archivist, designing and editing retro computer books at Call-A.P.P.L.E., an online group for Apple users. Books he has designed include The WOZPAK, Nibble Viewpoints, and Cyber Jack. Along with speaking about his adventures at conventions, he has interviewed and worked with many luminaries such as Adam Baldwin, Ron Glass and Steve Wozniak. Recently, Brian completed a book about the monks and charitable endeavors of the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity in Huntsville, Utah

  • Paula Livingston BS ’96 is the dean of instruction and occupational education at Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, Arizona. In this role, she oversees both academic and occupational programs including, but not limited to, STEM programs, nursing and business. She has volunteered with organizations such as the March of Dimes; Natalie’s House, a project of Arizonans for the Protection of Exploited Children and Adults; and West Valley Mavericks Foundation. Through her work, she is connected with many community organizations to enhance workforce and economic development, including the Westmarc West Valley Workforce Pipeline Project. In 2015, she received her master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University, and she is currently working on her doctorate in community college/higher education Leadership from NAU.

  • Jenn Rapp BA ’96 is a musical theatre director and choreographer living and working out of New York City. Jenn has worked on Broadway, London’s West End and the Sydney Opera House of Australia. She was recently a creative producer on America’s Got Talent Las Vegas Live at Luxor Hotel & Casino. She is the current creative director for DCappella, Disney’s a cappella group that tours both in the U.S. and Japan.

  • Jolene Zito AS ’97, BS ’00, MED ’13 is retired from Weber School District after teaching theater at Orion Junior High School for 10 years. She is a longtime member of the Drama Club of Ogden. She has served on numerous arts boards throughout the community. She currently serves on WSU’s Arts & Humanities Advisory Council, Roy City Arts Council and the Ogden Musical Theatre Board. Jolene has served on the RAMP committee for Weber County the past six years. She and her husband, Chad Zito, are lifelong residents of Roy, Utah.

  • Patrick Feeney BA ’98 is the Southeastern United States regional manager for Kenan Advantage Group Specialty Products, which is one of the largest bulk transporters of chemicals and specialty products in North America. Patrick also serves on the Florida Freight Advisory Committee for the Florida Department of Transportation. He and his wife live in Lakeland, Florida.

  • Kase Johnstun BA ’99 lives and writes in Ogden, Utah. He was named the 2021 Ogden Mayor’s Awards in the Arts recipient for the literary arts. He earned a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and Literature from Kansas State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Pacific University. His work has been published widely by literary journals and trade magazines. He was literary chair for the Ogden City Arts Advisory Committee from 2014–2018, and named to the Standard-Examiner’s 40 under 40 list. He is the founder of the Ogden Pub Runners group. Kase hosts a literary podcast called LITerally, where he interviews authors about all things publishing and writing. He teaches for the Creative Nonfiction Foundation, the creative writing graduate program for Southern New Hampshire University, Barton Community College and Weber State University.

  •  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
• 2000s

  • Stuart Carver BS ’02 was born and raised in Ogden. He served the community as an adult probation and parole officer with the Department of Corrections for 20 years. Before retiring from law enforcement in 2016, his  role was to ensure that conditions imposed upon release were upheld and communicated to the State of Utah State Courts and the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole. He currently works as a transportation technician with the Utah Department of Transportation. He and his three children live in Ogden.

  • Stacy Probasco BS ’02, AS ’07 is a physician assistant at Tanner Clinic in Layton, Utah, where she practices physical medicine and rehabilitation focused on neck and back pain. Prior to earning her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Utah in 2016, she worked as a registered nurse at Mt. Ogden Surgical Center in South Ogden and at McKay-Dee Hospital. While earning her nursing degree from WSU, she was the activities director for residents at Washington Terrace Health Services (now Washington Terrace Care and Rehabilitation Center). She received the C. Hilman Castle scholarship for clinical excellence while attending the U of U. Her husband, Stuart Probasco BS ’00 has worked for Autoliv North America Inc. for the past 22 years. He began his career as an intern for the company in manufacturing engineering. He is now the director of Industrial Engineering and Launch for the Autoliv American plants, which include locations in Brazil, Mexico, Canada and the United States. In his role, he is responsible for launching new production assembly lines, which produce airbags, steering wheels and seat belts, and implementing a higher level of automation with these new launches. Stacy and Stuart love living in Ogden and are proud Weber State alumni.

  • Tamara Davies BS ’04 is a senior manager of internal communications at Pluralsight, where she has worked for the last five years. Prior to Pluralsight, she worked at O.C. Tanner, KSL-TV, FranklinCovey and Western Governors University. She earned a master’s degree in communication from Westminster College in 2015. Her husband, Derek Davies BS ’04, MPA ’05 leads Petzl’s North American finance and accounting teams as their finance director. Tamara and Derek live in Centerville, Utah, with their son, and two dogs.

  • MaryKay DeCaria Hall BFA ’05 teaches digital photography and art foundations at Fremont High School in Plain City, Utah. She is the yearbook advisor and teaches WSU concurrent enrollment course Art 1010. She has been an educator with Weber School District for 17 years. MaryKay completed her master’s degree in secondary education from Utah State University in 2011. During the summers, she has volunteered with Weber School District summer extended learning camps, which teach art and photography skills for elementary, junior high and high school students. She also chaperones students at an annual yearbook camp led by Jostens. She and her two sons live in North Ogden.

  • Julie Dexter Hernandez BS ’06 is an application support analyst with Haemonetics Corporation, which develops medical technology products and services that improve the quality and effectiveness of healthcare. In her role, she supports many hospitals and labs throughout the United States and Canada with technical support for software applications. Prior to her role at Haemonetics, she worked as a traveling clinical laboratory scientist for 10 years. She lived primarily in east coast locations, such as New York City, Boston and Rhode Island. She currently lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband and their two daughters.

  • Khalil Gatlin AS ’08 served 24 years of active military duty before retiring as a master sergeant with the United States Air Force. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Phoenix. He earned his doctorate in business administration from California Southern University in 2020, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He is a member of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and an adjunct professor at Park University. After leaving his home in Brooklyn, New York, as a young man, Weber State served as a foundation of his success where personal accountability helped him develop both academically and personally to become an added value asset in society.

  • Shannon Musgrave BA ’08 has joined the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama as the director of marketing and communications. Prior to her role at Carnegie Mellon, she spent three years as communications director for the Allegheny Regional Asset District in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Shannon has worked as the associate artistic director for the Salt Lake Acting Company in Salt Lake City. She earned her Master of Arts in Arts Management from American University in Washington, D.C. Shannon currently serves on the advisory boards of WQED educational public media and the National New Play Network. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

  • Morgan Voet AA ’08, BA ’09, MA ’13 is an assistant director for the First Year Experience Program at Weber State University, where she helps incoming students make a successful transition into the university community. She also teaches the Peer Mentor section of FYE, which develops leadership skills in students. Her husband, Steffen Voet BS ’16, is an electrical engineer at Hill Air Force Base. They live in Ogden Valley and have young twin children.

  •  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
• 2010s

  • Teresa Martinez BS ’10, MHA ’14, played for the WSU women’s soccer team as an undergraduate student. Upon graduation, she began working for the university in the Multicultural Student Center. She went on to complete a master’s degree while working for Diversity and Inclusive Programs at Weber. She is currently the student engagement coordinator in the Center for Community Engaged Learning. In her role with CCEL, she co-coordinates the Engaged Learning Series, where she has brought notable speakers to campus, including Bill Nye. Additionally, she supports students as a First Year Experience and Wildcat Scholars instructor. Teresa is currently working on a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education, Culture, and Society at the University of Utah.

  • Kevin Taylor BS ’12 currently works for Layton Construction Company in preconstruction estimating and development. Since graduating, he has worked for many notable construction companies such as Kier Construction and Ivory Homes. He works with clients to plan, develop and construct multifamily apartment units, which has become his specialty. He has worked with clients on projects with as few as 100 units, and up to 2,000 units at a project he is currently, working on in the Boise, Idaho, area.

  • Fanya Lin BA ’13 is a top prizewinner of the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition, Concours International de Piano France-Amériques, New York International Piano Competition, and Seattle International Piano Competition. Fanya earned her doctorate degree at the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree at The Juilliard School and a bachelor’s degree at Weber State University. In fall 2019, Fanya joined the University of Arizona as assistant professor of practice in piano. She teaches applied piano lessons, chamber music and a Yoga for Musicians course. She has recently returned from Poland where she performed and recorded her first concerto album with the Lublin Philharmonic.

  • Chris Livingston BS ’13 began working as a senior network engineer at the University of Utah after graduating from WSU. In this position, he manages the Tonaquint and Enterprise data centers located in Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah, which provide centralized data for the university and the university hospitals. Prior to returning to Weber State in 2010 to pursue his bachelor’s degree, Chris worked as a technical support representative for AOL and later managed email marketing campaigns for Second City Enterprises in Chicago. Chris is an avid runner and has completed both the Skyline Mountain Marathon and the Skyline Mountain 50K in Eden, Utah.

  • Caitlyn Johnston BS ’18 is a radio talk producer for KSL NewsRadio where she regularly produces content to share with listeners. She is the producer of the Dave & Dujanovic morning show. She is also a social media manager for the VidSummit company. VidSummit is an event that takes place each year in Los Angeles that brings content creators together to share strategy. She has met many influential people through VidSummit and KSL, opportunities that were built upon her experience at Weber State University.

  
  
  
  
  
   
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
• 2020s

  • Jonah Williams BS ’20 is an American football defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams. He signed with the National Football League after graduating from Weber State in 2020. While playing for WSU, he was named the 2019–20 Weber State Male Athlete of the Year and a Big Sky Conference Scholar-Athlete. He also earned Big Sky Academic All-Conference honors four times and was named to the Hampshire Honor Society by the National Football Foundation as a senior. Jonah won his first Super Bowl ring when the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. He recently volunteered for the D1 Valley summer youth football camp in Idaho. Jonah is married to Kennedy Williams, who played three seasons with the WSU volleyball team. They reside with their son in Vineyard, Utah, and Los Angeles, California.

Submit Your Bio to Class Notes