Woods Briefs

Woods Briefs Fall 2022

News and notes about William Woods students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Updated continuously throughout the semester.

William Woods Students, Faculty, and Staff

Noah Gledhill ’23 of the Show-Me GOLD program, attended Accelerated Officer Candidate School (AOCS) during June and July of 2022 at Fort Meade, South Dakota, where he graduated after successfully completing the intense, 3-phase leadership training. Captain Joshua Wiltfong of the GOLD program served as a Platoon Trainer at AOCS at Fort Meade from July 2-16, training candidates from the Missouri Army National Guard’s Show-Me GOLD programs at Northwest Missouri St., Missouri Southern St., the College of the Ozark and Southeast Missouri St., in addition to WWU.

Sarah Track took the opportunity to be the Marc of Charm Display Team Manager – Breyerfest Lexington, Kentucky. She prepped, coached, and traveled with William Woods students and horses to participate in the 2022 Marc of Charm Display Team demonstration at the 2022 Breyerfest in Lexington, Kentucky. Sarah was also the 2022 World Cup Competition Horse Manager in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. She worked as horse manager for 50 horses (including 4 William Woods University owned) used in the USEF International Saddle Seat World Cup competition between South Africa and the United States in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

Nina McKee Earned Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Maryville University.

Francesco Giuseffi was published; Teacher resilience and the lessons of Great Expectations. And Natality, the past, and the pearl diver: Exploring Hannah Arendt’s educational teaching. Dr. Giuseffi also presented; Finding Solutions to Real-world Student-teacher Challenges Through Nelsonian Socratic Dialogues.

Krista Frohling‘s art was featured in the Lindenwood BiAnnual Art Exhibition in St. Charles, MO as well as the Small Work Big Art Show in Chesterfield, MO.

Liz Haben was the coach of the 2022 Color Breed Congress, National Pinto Horse Show, class and NSBA Champion in the Open Solid Ranch Riding. Also, an article, written by Allie Layos in the August 2022 journal of The Morgan Horse, included an interview with Liz Haben about Sheradins Kaleidoscope, a Morgan Pinto owned by faculty member Laura Ward, winning the Open Pleasure/Saddle Type Highpoint Champion at the 2021 Color Breed Congress, National Pinto Horse Show, with Associate Professor Liz Haben. 

Valerie Wedel was a juror at the “Nibble” exhibition for the Columbia Art League. Her video installation called “Resurrection” was featured at the Faculty Art Exhibition at William Woods University, in Fulton, MO.

Jennie Petterson was a Co-Coordinator of the 2023 Missouri 4-H Horse Judging Contest and the 2023 Northeast District FFA Horse Judging Contest. She was also the 2023 Missouri 4-H Hippology Volunteers/Officials Coordinator, and a judge for both the 2023 FFA State Proficiency Award (Equine Science) and the 2023 FFA State Proficiency Award (Equine Entrepreneurship).

Zachary Dowdle was published in the Washington Post “Perspective | In Targeting the New College, Desantis May Have Overplayed His Hand.”

William Woods Alumni

Parker Hampton ’21 successfully graduated from the Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Benning, Georgia on July 24, 2022. A graduate of the WWU Show-Me GOLD program, Hampton is now assigned to the 1-138th Bravo Company as a Platoon Leader.

Ann (Hinds) Barker ’52 reports she is thrilled to report she made it to age 90!  She so loved The Woods, graduating in 1952!

Jerry (Koontz) Ballard ’57  reports she is doing well and welcomed her fourth great grandchild this spring!  Her daughter, Kelly Ballard ‘84 moved back to the KC area last December. Jerry now has both of her girls close by.  Life has been good and William Woods has been an important part of her life.

Sondra Brown ’57 has been living at Tallgrass Creek in Overland Park, Kansas, a senior living community by Erickson for the past seven years. She has family in Durham, NC and Olathe, KS who she enjoys visiting.

Elaine (Palmer) Dunlap ’59 currently resides in San Antonio, Texas where she plays Bingo and her sons and four grandchildren live nearby. She recently finished serving as Vice President of her Residents Council. 

Sue (Query) Sommer ’61 is now retired and lives in Oro Valley, Arizona. Sue has great memories of her 2 years at Bartley Hall at WWC, and would love to hear from any classmates out there.

Ann Bruce D’Hondt ’61 is settled into a continuing care community of fellow seniors in Collierville, TN, and is happy to report her health is excellent. 

Sally Jadlow ’62 is the author of 13 books available at Amazon.com, and is also a blog author 

(sallyjadlow.com/blog). 

Coylee Fischer ’63 and her husband, Art, celebrated 57 years of marriage in June. They are blessed with two wonderful children and the ability to travel throughout the US and also Canada, Europe, the Far East, Australia, New Zealand and more. They now live in Dallas where they have made lots of new friends and are grateful to have family nearby. 

Mary Ann (Ober) Wallace ’65 and her husband, Derek, are blessed with their combined family; 5 children, 5 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. They are particularly grateful for Derek’s continued good health following a Stem Cell Transplant from AML Leukemia. They participated in Be the Match & Project 44, and are thankful for stem cell donors! Derek was featured this year with his testimony through IU Health Foundation.

Mary Lou (DeFratus) Heltzel ’66 retired from teaching and from serving as choir director for her church. She currently serves as pianist at the church and administrator of the Arbuckle Historical Society in Sulphur, OK. She is the grandmother of three girls and one boy, all approaching their teens. She reports she has lost touch with her WWC friends, but has many fond memories of the campus and singing and touring with The Ceciliennes madrigal group. Her mother, aunt, and Godmother all graduated from WWC.

Josena Fisher Arquieta ’66 is stepping down after 28 years at J D Metals, LLC and her daughter and grandson are taking over. She is thrilled to have time to pursue her art work which includes painting and figure drawing. Her watercolor painting received 2nd place in the July Watercolor Art Society-Houston show. She is currently painting pictures of some of the old homes in her neighborhood in Houston in order to preserve a historical account.

Pamella Ulrich Christensen ’68 wrote a book called “The Gift of God’s Word,” which is available at 

Amazon.com. 

Lynn (Gary) Kenworthy ’70 sold her insurance practice to her partner a year ago, and now she is enjoying more traveling. A notable trip she took was with National Geographic on a private jet around the world.

Penelope “Penny” (Ulrich) Stickney ’71 is now retired after 32 years of teaching high school and college. She and her husband Phillip are celebrating 50 years of marriage with their four children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren. Penny’s retirement plan is to reacquaint with friends and explore family history.

Barbara (Markovitz) Thompson ’72, Kris (Swanson) Gentemann’72 and Gwen (Erickson) Mersky’72 and their husbands spent an outstanding weekend in Traverse City, Mich. at the beautiful, welcoming lake home of Robbie Appel Rabanus and her husband Joe. Barbara reports, “we shopped, we laughed, we cried and did an awful lot of hugging. We have a unique and special friendship.” They hope to repeat this great reunion. Barbara and Kris live in St. Louis, and Gwen lives in Minneapolis.

Shirley (Anderson) Gaither’72 reports that their farm (FVFhorses.com) has expanded again. They own a 100-acre training and breeding farm in Bahama, NC, and just expanded to Ocala, Florida with 25 acres just 4 miles from World Equestrian Center.  Her daughter Laura Gaither Ulrich is a professional trainer and daughter Christina Gaither Webb is an amateur rider. Both have grand prix horses and show hunters and jumpers! They also have a farm in Southern Pines where they like to fox hunt.

Marilyn Heger ’73 retired from Providence Health Care in Spokane, WA, and moved to Arizona where she works part-time at the local hospital, but has far more time to enjoy life. Marilyn has two sons, three grandchildren and a wonderful husband.

Stephanie Heiwig Godke ’73 continues to teach culinary arts on KWQC TV 6, an NBC affiliate, for over 19 years, and she is also the Chef at Mississippi River Distillery in LeClaire, IA. Her husband, James, sold his business, and bought the family farm.

Linda Mills ’73 is the founder and owner of Mills Floral Company, INC, a woman-owned wholesale/import business of home décor specializing in floral items in Duluth, GA (millsfloral.com). Her daughters, Amy Haler and Becky Scott, both work to help to manage the company.  They have a showroom at the Atlanta Gift Mart and exhibit at the Dallas Gift Show.

Jane Horvath ’74 retired as a professional Director Choreographer (SDC), and as a middle school teacher. She has two beautiful grandchildren Elizabeth and Jeffery who are her pride and joy!  13 years ago, Jane was diagnosed with MS, and enjoys supporting a wonderful MS organization in St. Louis. On July 22, she had an article published in Ladue News about MS Bright Spots of Hope.  Jane is a legacy, following her mother to the Woods and has never regretted it!  Jane and husband Jeff reside in St. Albans.

Cindy Dietrich Logan ’74 enjoyed a surprise birthday party for her and her husband, Walter Logan, in June hosted by her children. Many guests from both William Woods and Westminster College were present. In July, Cindy was the spotlight artist at the Alliance Gallery in Hannibal where others came.

Kristin Koppen ’75 held a 50-year reunion with some of her Centennial Hall suitemates (freshmen in 1971) and Alpha Chi Omega sisters in Pensacola, FL.

Nancy Canestrari Williams ’76, Patty Roe ’76, and Laurie Letsinger Schenck ’76  have taken advantage of retirement and Zoom accessibility to meet with each other virtually on a regular basis. The threesome, all former residents in Allen Hall, have corresponded over the years by letters and email, but videoconferencing has provided a fresh way to stay in touch, despite being hundreds of miles apart.

Sandra Cole ’77 retired at the end of 2021 after enjoying working full-time at Piedmont Equine Practice in The Plains, VA. She had a knee replacement which improved her mobility and way of life! She reports she is happily living her best life with lots of free time yet staying involved with people she enjoys. She is planning another reunion with some of her WWC Nichols House dorm mates.

Beth (Isabel) Lullman ’78 of Alpha Chi Omega, passed away on September 22, 2021. Married to Alan (WC) for 42 years, mother of three and grandmother to three granddaughters. Beth was a lifetime equestrian.

Diane Grindol‘s (class of 1980) artwork was accepted into the Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation gallery, and her work is on display at 425 Cannery Row in Monterey, CA. Diane also teaches art (specifically drawing and watercolor) at Pacific Grove Adult School. Diane recently met up with Westminster College friend Greg Walters ‘78, and they visited Quebec, Canada.

Patricia (Woods) Seifert ’80 retired after 40 years of teaching at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City. Mrs. Seifert has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with minors in Secondary Education and Philosophy from WWU, as well as a Master of Education in Secondary School Teaching from Lincoln University. Among her many contributions to the school, she served as Helias Catholic’s English Department chairperson from 1991-2022.  

Laura Scott ’81 retired after forty years in education. She and her husband built a barn home on a bluff overlooking the Little Niangua River near the Lake of the Ozarks.

Sally Chambliss ’81 moved to Phoenix, AZ in November 2021. She and her husband are both retired, and have 3 grandchildren ages 3, 7 and 10. They are enjoying traveling a bit, golfing, exercising, biking and hiking.

Kathy (Bensch) Bates ’82 is looking forward to retiring after 36 years as a small animal veterinarian.  She says she is ready to devote more time and energy to her next career as an oil painter!  She does pet portraits and landscapes. (kathybatesfineart.com).

Kathleen Kunkler ’82 was married on November 11, 2021 and the wedding was featured in a NY Times article.

Karyn (Smagacz) Gramling ’83 continues her work in the nonprofit sector as a member of the Advisory Board for Salvation Army Silicon Valley.  In 2018, she founded the Women’s Auxiliary and serves as President, spearheading two annual charity events and multiple projects to assist underserved families in the community. Karyn was recognized by the national organization for her achievements as a recipient of one of three Exceptional Service Awards.

Kelly Ballard ’84 is retired and residing in Leawood, KS. She is enjoying being near family, especially mother Jerry Koontz Ballard ‘57 and sister Kim Ballard Mawhiney ‘82. 

Laura (Hill) Steinbeck ’85 retired in March 2022 after 37 years in higher education financing. Laura worked 14 years at WWU in Admissions and Financial Aid, then finished her career with 23 years at Sallie Mae as an Assistant Region Head/Director for the Midwest region. Laura received the Lifetime Membership Award from the Missouri Association of Financial Aid Personnel in recognition of her retirement & service to the association.

Jill (Thompson) Miller ’86 recently completed the Cannabusiness Studies Program at Sullivan University and earned the President’s Award for Academic Achievement. Jill and her husband, Ken (Westminster ‘87), live in Lexington, Kentucky.

Lisa (Owsley) Freeman ’86 and Philip Freeman (WC 1986) are so excited to welcome their first granddaughter, Pearl Lynn Thompson, and their third grandson, Ridge McCoy Freeman both born in November 2021! 

Pam Miner ’86 was named Vice President of Collections at Andrew Jackson’s Presidential Home in Nashville, TN.  Her primary role will be to oversee the collections, archaeology, reference services and exhibitions.

Elizabeth (Fuselier) Ellis ’87 joined The Compliance Team as an Accreditation Advisor in June. The Compliance Team is a nationally recognized healthcare accreditation organization. She continues to serve on The National Association of Rural Health Clinics on their Public Health Policy Committee and as Adjunct Faculty for Texas A&M University School of Nursing.

Maryalice (Kubesch) Williams ’87 graduated from Research College of Nursing & Rockhurst University with a BSN in October of 2016 and is currently practicing as an RN with Kansas City Hospice.

Karen (Johnson) Fallstrom ’87 was promoted to a Legal Services Consultant with UnitedHealth Group Incorporated’s Subsidiary Corporate Governance team, where she has been a Sr. Legal Services Specialist since July 2015 in the Minnetonka, Minnesota corporate office.

Melinda (Smith) Stewart ’88 married John Magura III on July 23, 2022. The ceremony was held at their home near Olympia, Washington. The bride’s sons, Erik Stewart (WWU 2019-2021) and Justin Stewart, walked her down the aisle.

Kimberly (Nunemaker) Powell ’91 is the new President of the Missouri Art Education Association (MAEA), a non-profit visual art education organization dedicated to the professional development of visual art education and creating meaningful art experiences for all across the state of Missouri. Kim accepted the President’s gavel at the 2022 MAEA Spring Conference held April 7-9 at the St. Louis Renaissance Airport Hotel in St. Louis MO. The Missouri Art Education Association is an affiliate of the National Art Education Association.

Natalie Turner ’94 of Chesterfield, passed away on February 6, 2022, after a long illness. A member of the Alpha Phi Sorority during her time at The Woods, she worked as an elementary school teacher before she was forced to stop due to health reasons.

Holly Connaker ’95 joined COMPASS, a Fortune 500 company, as the first female founding real estate agent in Minnesota. COMPASS is an innovative residential real estate firm utilizing the smartest tools built by the brightest minds across engineering, design, and strategy. 

Bonnie (Foran) Carr ’96 was promoted to Commercial & Industrial Team Lead, Customer Success at Hitachi Energy in Jefferson City.  Her team of five is responsible for customer satisfaction in Distribution Transformers used in the Oil & Gas, Renewables (Solar & Wind) and Data Center Market. 

Janese (Cox) Shepard ’96, CGMA has been named Oklahoma Society of CPA’s (OSCPA) Chair for the 2022-2023 membership year.  Jan is a partner with Gray, Blodgett & Company, PLLC in Norman, OK.

Alethea “Lea” Dzurick ’96 was appointed the new Transportation Director for Fulton Public Schools.

Christi Tennyson ’97 is now serving as a Development Officer at Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services. Christi works with individuals and churches throughout the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, Mid-Missouri, Northern Missouri, the East Coast, Washington, and Oregon. In her free time, Christi enjoys tackling the seemingly endless projects that come with her new-to-her century old home in historic St. Charles with help from her son Chase (a junior at WWU) and daughter Cassie.

Amber (Terry) McGuire ’98 volunteered this summer for a week at the Louisiana Deaf Camp through Liberty Deaf Church. She continues to work as an interpreter for Austin Community College.  Her oldest son graduated from the university in May. 

Amy S. Miller’98 was awarded an Artist Support Grant by the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis for 2022-23. She was also featured in an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Her work has been shown in several galleries and art fairs in the St. Louis Region.

Jessica (Maher) Kinkelaar ’00 is Ranch Manager at the Little Raven Ranch in Colorado.

Tyler Wilcox-Moore ’01 donated a jumper horse named Gracie to the WWU Equestrian program.

Kimberly (Peters) O’Connor ’02 was a five-time Champion at the 2022 Pinto World Championship Horse Show in Tulsa riding her Tennessee Walking horse named, I’m Bristol Fashion.

Jon Carenza ’02 accepted a new position at Atlanta as a Technical Lead, Front End.

Maggie (Stolzberg) Iribarren ’03 is the Co-Founder of Motion Filmworks in Charleston, SC. She, and her husband Dorian, produce Brand Films for organizations and corporations focusing mostly on storytelling.

Kylee Weber ’04 moved to Wright City to be a Library Media Specialist in Warren County R-3 School.

Emily Stockwell ’04 graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Southwest Baptist University in July 2022. She is in her 14th year as an educator and is currently teaching High School Language Arts at Marquette High School in Chesterfield, MO.

Nathan Reid, (’05 & MEd ’07), owner of Reid & Associates, LLC, has been named a Hall of Fame Agent by American Family Insurance. Reid earned Hall of Fame status for outstanding sales of American Family products over a period of 10 consecutive years. Nathan Reid’s, Reid & Associates, LLC Insurance Agency is located at 1026 Palisades Boulevard in Osage Beach, MO. 

Heather Roberts ’05 and her husband Nathan Dewhirst welcomed Caitlin Kailani Dewhirst on March 28th 2022.

Frank Giuseffi ’06, EdD, presented a paper entitled, “Setting the World Right: Exploring Hannah Arendt’s Educational Teaching” at the Annual Critical Questions in Education Conference held in Charleston, South Carolina. Topics included natality, the role of the teacher, and the influence of the imagination and the past in learning experiences. Dr. Giuseffi was also the editor for the book entitled Enhancing Teaching and Learning with Socratic Educational Strategies published in February of 2022.  IGI Global, Hershey, PA.

Shaun Speers ’07 was ordained a ruling elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Fulton on July 24, 2022. Shaun will serve as the property committee chair until 2025. Shaun also serves on the worship committee at the church. Shaun serves on the Events Committee of the Brick District Playhouse, the non-profit dedicated to the restoration and use of the historic theatre in downtown Fulton.

Nicolette Ahrens ’08 had twin girls (Charlette and Felicity) and is the owner and manager of All Four Feet Equine in Berthoud, CO. Nicolette focuses on Riding Instruction, Training and Trail Riding.

Michael A. French ’08 and his wife, Bobbi Hauptmann, moved to the Washington DC area in 2016 for the advancement of Bobbi’s career. Michael was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in June of 2020, but he didn’t let anything slow his entrepreneurial spirit down, as he has launched several highly successful ventures since his move to Virginia.

Megan Bornhauser married Jay Jones (Indiana University) in Steamboat Springs, CO in July 2022 with several William Woods Chi-Omegas in attendance.

Jimmie Bullard ’09  was appointed as the executive principal over two schools for the KCPS district, Benjamin Banneker and Longfellow.

Jenna Zahner Pace ’09 is married and now resides in Webster, TX.

Bill Bott ’09 was named the “2022 Government Thought Leader of the Year” by the American Business Awards after a culmination of about 3 years of work in child welfare where Bill and his team have worked with four states to reduce the time to investigate a child abuse allegation by more than 50% and reduced open caseloads in that area by 75-80%.

Philip Guidry ’10, head Cross Country and Track and Field coach at Westgate High School in New Iberia, Louisiana, coached his team to its second consecutive Class 4A state track title on May 10, 2022. 

Heather (Oetjen) Willems ’11 and husband Matt Willems welcomed their third child to the family on February 24th, 2022. Everett joined big sister Hazel (3) and big brother Arthur (1), and they live on a hobby farm in Jordan, Minnesota.

Riley (Groves) Williams ’12 married Ike Williams on April 26 in Cancun, Mexico. She finished her Ed.D. at WWU and began working as an Administrative Untern in the Fort Zumwalt School District, after ten years of teaching. 

Katy Dury ’13 became engaged February 27, 2022 while vacationing in the Bahamas. Her fiancé proposed on horseback on the beach! The wedding will be late April of 2023! 

Kathy Daniel ’13 accepted a new position as Mid Buchanan Director of Special Services. She resides in Gower, MO.

Pepper Grimm ’13 and her husband have moved from Missouri to New Jersey! She is teaching 4th Grade at Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School in Allentown, PA. Husband, Todd, is now COO of Black Buffalo 3D, a company that builds large scale 3D construction printers.

Kayla Jo Pulliam ’13 married Victor Hugo Mendoza in New Orleans, LA on October 27th, 2021. Fellow Owls served as members of the bridal party including Drew Arnett (‘13), Maridith McCune-Metcalf (‘15) and Melissa Chatto (‘15).

Ilana (Archuleta) Holland (‘13, MBA ‘15) and her husband Jordan Holland welcomed Ada Bennett Holland into the world on April 5, 2022. Ada joins big sister, Sloane (3 years). Ilana came home to The Woods in Septemer 2022 as Director of Marketing.

MacKenzie (Bowden) Knierim ’14 opened her third business, a children’s clothing brand called To the Moon (tothemoonchildrens.com). She owns a children’s boutique, Rosebuds Baby & Kids (rosebudsbaby.com). As well as The Southern Rose in Columbia (southernrosemonograms.com).

Alejandra Martinez ’14 accepted a management position at Host Healthcare as a Team Lead Senior Recruiter, and now resides in Encinitas, CA.

Dillon Snyder ’15 welcomed his 2nd child, Sydney Rose Snyder, in July 2022, and he and his wife celebrated 5 years of marriage.

Lilly Davis ’15 recently completed a yearlong Certification in Health Care Interpreting through RIT. This is in addition to her National Interpreter Certification in 2020 and EIPA (Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment) in 2017. 

Andraquay Quinnine ’16 works in San Francisco, CA as an Employment Training Coordinator and is working on strengthening his knee, after recocering from knee surgery, to be able travel overseas for a basketball position in the future.

Michael Nader ’16 passed his National Interpreter Certification (NIC).

Carley (Atkinson) Shively ’16 passed her National Interpreter Certification (NIC).

Preston Wolfe ’17 completed his PhD in Veterinary Pathobiology from The University of Missouri and has taken a job at Arthrex. 

Mikyla Kerr ’17 works for Sorenson Interpreting where she is able to interpret for a broad range of concerts such as Coachella, Rolling Loud, and Pride, to name a few. She plans to interpret on cruise ships and at different music events. Mikyla expresses gratitude for the professors she had at WWU. She also passed her National Interpreter Certification (NIC).

Jordan Ross Hunter ’17 was elected as Region 2 Ambassador to the NJCAA EDI Council, talked on several podcasts, and traveled to several states and countries around the world, all while continuing his online business called Ross Enterprises as well as his individual basketball skill developement company. He is also proud to report that he recruited and signed the most ethnically diverse basketball team in North Arkansas College history.

Izayah Donnelly ’17, M.Ed, RAA, became a Registered Athletic Administrator through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) after finishing his Master of Education – Athletic Administration in 2020. He took a position as an Executive Assistant for the Missouri State High School Activities Association where he assists in the sports of basketball, soccer, and softball. In his position, he corresponds with all Missouri high school athletic directors about rule changes and any updated information that is needed for the state championship series. He also oversees and administers operations for all three state championships. He married Danielle Donelly in August of 2020. 

Baylie Borman Pezold ’18 and husband Michael welcomed a little boy named Langston Pezold on September 3rd, 2021.

Jessie Trapp recently accepted a new job as an IT Specialist at the Imo’s Pizza corporate office.

Kristen (Holt) Very ’18 received her MBA in January 2022, and now works for Boeing. Her son was born February 10, 2022.

Lisa Sandford ’18 moved back to Missouri and accepted a position as a veterinary assistant at the Equine Hospital at the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center, caring for hospitalized horses. She also joined the Board of Directors of Happy Days Dog & Cat Rescue 501(c)(3) in Livonia, MI.

Elizabeth Eaton ’18 passed the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Certification (BEI).

Anna Walton ’19, ITP, was hired as a staff interpreter at RIT/NTID.

Sebastian Krull ’19 started his career as an Administrative Assistant with Vocational Rehabilitation in Columbia MO, where he is helping people with disabilities find employment. Additionally, Sebastian assists with staff training in the Jefferson City office and will be partnering with them to host a LEAD event at WWU sometime in the 2022-2023 school year.

Nina McKee ’19 began teaching full-time at William Woods in January 2022 as Instructor of Cybersecurity.

Caitlin (Cook) Franklin ’20 was accepted and began studies into MU’s veterinary program, and was married in May of 202l.

Karyna Sagalai ’20 and her husband, Justin, started their very first business called Smoothie Cards last August (getsmoothiecards.com), and raised funds through a crowdfunding platform and even launched on Amazon! They are currently looking for opportunities to get into retail shops very soon. This summer they were invited for an interview with an influential YouTuber and successful entrepreneur named Travis Marziani. 

Laura (Tyler) Foster ’20, EdD, was married in Maui on June 25, 2022.

Parker Hampton ’21 graduated from the Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Benning, Georgia on July 24, 2022. A graduate of the WWU Show-Me GOLD program, Hampton is now assigned to the 1-138th Bravo Company as a Platoon Leader.

Jay T. Rowat ’21 earned the State of Iowa interpreting license and since then he has had the opportunity to interpret for various groups of Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Hearing people at churches, PRIDE events, summer camps, schools, and possibly a cruise ship next year. Jay resides in Des Moines, IA.

Catherine Huff ’21 is now a licensed and certified ASL interpreter in Missouri and Illinois. Since graduating, she has started her own interpreting business from home, Inspired Interpreting Services, LLC, and welcomed her first granddaughter into the world.

Grace Korhammer ’22 was hired by Missouri Department of Conservation as part of the resource and monitoring crew for Missouri’s wadeable streams. She travelled all over the state sampling streams and analyzing fish habitats! Grace resides in Columbia MO.

Kristina A. Jackson ’22 has been working as HIM supervisor at a local hospital, and has begun WWU’s online MHA program.

Madison L. Crosswhite ’22 is currently working for Carboline, the global leader in the painting coating and fireproofing industries, as an intern in the Marketing department. She helps the creative lead with graphic design and other creative work within the company.  Madison lives in St. Louis.

Artie Anchondo ’22 passed the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Certification (BEI).

Sierra (Starwalt) Mahoney’22 passed the Board for Evaluation of Interpreters Certification (BEI).