Class Notes | Spring 2020

1950s

Daniel “Dan” E. Layton AS ’50 began his education at Weber College after years of service in the U.S. Navy. At Weber, Dan won “Mr. Collegiate” and was a member of Excelsior, a social club on campus. He later earned his bachelor’s degree in education at Utah State University, and taught three years of electrical math. He also worked as a substitute teacher in Davis School District for 20 years. A farmer since his youth, Dan owns Dan Layton Farms, where he harvests wheat and alfalfa, and once grew the biggest onions in Davis County. Dan also worked on the railroad for 34 years as a brakeman and conductor. He and his wife, Ann, have seven children — three served missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and two attended WSU. They also have 28 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Dan and Ann live in Layton.
David Jacobs AS ’57, a retired filmmaker, produced and directed films such as The First Vision (1976) and The Mailbox (1977). He also worked as a casting director for films such as Johnny Lingo (1969) and Man’s Search for Happiness (1964). He worked at Brigham Young University for 20 years, including 17 at the BYU Motion Picture Studio and three teaching at the Church College of Hawaii, now BYU Hawaii. David also spent 14 years at Nu Skin International, producing and directing corporate videos. He traveled the world with both institutions, filming in 35 countries. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from BYU, and his doctorate at the University of Utah in theater and cinema directing. He lives in Orem with his wife, Gail Wade Jacobs. They have three children and seven grandchildren. As Weber students, David and his two brothers, Dee Jacobs AS ’50 and Hugh Jacobs CC ’52, were student body officers.

1960s

Judy Jeppson Hurst AS ’62, BS ’64, MS ’86 worked at Weber State for 20 years, including roles as director of Student Activities and Leadership and assistant dean of students at WSU Davis. At WSU, she received a Presidential Outstanding Professional Staff Award and a Crystal Crest Special Award. Her husband, Winslow Hurst BS ’67, earned a MEd from Colorado State University and later returned to WSU, where he served for 36 years as assistant to the dean of students, director of Admissions, director of Admissions & Registration and university registrar. He earned a PhD in educational administration from the University of Utah. Judy and Winslow served as members of WSU’s Emeriti Alumni Council for 15 combined years, with Judy serving as president in 2018–19. Since their retirement, they served a religious mission in New Zealand, spent a year in Qingdao, China, teaching at the Ocean University of China, and served as full-time missionaries in the Utah Ogden Mission. They live in Layton and have seven children and 27 grandchildren.
Janet Johnson AS ’65, BS ’67 married and moved to St. Louis, Mo., after graduation, where she worked for three years at the St. Louis Globe-Democrat as an assistant to the managing editor. She then moved to Seattle, Wash., for four years where she worked for GMAC Auto Insurance before returning to Utah, where she raised three children. Later, she worked as a dental assistant, an office manager, and then in land development for 10 years. She has spent nearly 14 years on a service mission on Temple Square, the last five as an event coordinator. She also spent one year as a service missionary at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii. Janet is currently serving on the WSU Emeriti Alumni Council. She has 11 grandchildren.

1970s

Jay Swenson BS ’71 enjoyed a 20-year career with World Book Encyclopedia, Inc., where he served as a division manager. He managed hiring, training and selling of World Book products and won many company awards, including state champion for the State of Utah. He later worked with Encyclopedia Britannica for 10 years, and was one of the top salespeople in the company in total volumes sold for many years. He retired in 2016 and lives in Stansbury Park.
Allen Hampton BA ’72 received an MBA in corporation finance from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School in 1974, following a religious mission to Frankfurt, Germany. He worked for DuPont Chemical, and later for then-Mobil Oil in Rochester, N.Y., where he was a senior financial analyst. In 1982, he returned to the family business, Hampton’s Superior Dry Cleaning, where he enjoys associating with many friends in the northern Utah community. In 2004, Hampton Cleaners received the Family Violence Prevention Award for the State of Utah for years of donated laundry service to the Weber YCC. Allen married Sharyn Kimball in 1974. They have three daughters and six grandchildren.
Bruce Shepherd BA ’77 became a founding officer for Weber Valley Bank while earning his degree. During his 35-year tenure at the bank, which merged with JP Morgan Chase, he became a senior vice president, and, in 2002, he was the top commercial loan officer in the nation. Bruce is active in community affairs and has served as a city council member, Robert Morris Associates president and Kiwanis Club president. He currently serves on WSU’s Emeriti Alumni Council. Bruce married Sydnee Gale Shepherd AS ’70, and they have six children and 17 grandchildren. After retiring, Sydnee and Bruce served a religious mission in New York City, and were instrumental in the Helping Hands clean-up efforts during Hurricane Sandy and Irene.

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s