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June - August 2023
1973 | Dave Groves
Retired state worker
Political Ecology
1979 | Janet Nolan
Children's Picture Book Author
I'm excited to announce the release of my next book Get Ready for School, Albert Whitman & Company, 2023.
1982 | Neil Rockwell
Retired Teacher
Just wondering where my old friends have ended up. Class of 1982.
1985 | Consuela Metzger
Book Conservator
After working as a book conservator and book conservation faculty a few places around the country, I have happily settled in Los Angeles for the past 9 years. I work as head of Preservation & Conservation for UCLA Library. I hike and hike and camp and wander the landscape whenever I can, and am always grateful for my Evergreen education!
1988 | Paula Barnett
Semi-Retired
Attended Evergreen from 1985 - 1988. Tides Of Change; Women’s Music student club co-coordinator.
1992 | Jana Harper
Associate Professor of the Practice in the Department of Art, Vanderbilt University
I am a 2023/2024 Smithsonian Artist Research Fellow (SARF) co sponsored by National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) and the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH).
1992 | Janelle Crabb-Cotogna
School Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Janelle graduated with her Masters in Counseling, Professional School Counseling from City University Seattle in June 2023. She is currently working as an LMHCA via telehealth for a small counseling firm and as a school counselor for the Tahoma School District.
Janelle and her husband, Chris, celebrate 31 years of marriage in December and welcome their first grandchild this November. They have six adult children and enjoy spending time together with their many animals on their small farm.
1993 | Geoffrey Wirth
Woodworker
Still making things on Whidbey.
1999 | Darrell Nelson
Detective Sergeant
Class of 1999 - Tacoma Campus
2000 | Kate McPherson
Earned Ph.D.
2000 | Brigitte` Antoinette Ware
Business Owner
Hello, Tacoma Greeners. May you all continue to support each other and future students. May our Creator, bless you too.
2002 | Kimberly Lawson
Longshoreman, coach, counselor, Reiki Master
Just Saying hello to all. Wanted to reach out in case anyone ever wants to get in touch... students enrolled now and alumni from back in 2002. Please reach out, maybe we can have a laugh, a cry, or we could solve world peace... one never knows.
2006, MES 2011 | Liesl Plomski
Washington State Park Ranger
Evergreen gave me so much more than just academic learning. It gave me an appreciation and love for the natural world and the communities that depend on them. The tools I crafted while at Evergreen have made me a better mother, park ranger and person in general. The future is hopeful.
2007 | Emily Stennes
Event Producer & Fundraiser
I began my event planning career while studying at Evergreen more than 15 years ago. My focus was in Arts and Events Management. Upon graduation, I worked at the NW Folklife Festival and Bumbershoot Festival, eventually moving to Portland to be closer to my Greener friends. I’ve had the privilege of producing more than a hundred creative and memorable events that have made a positive impact in the community. While I’ve spent most of my career in the non-profit and DIY arts field, I have recently began working in animal welfare. Since January, I’ve been working as the Director of Special Events and Sponsorships at the Humane Society for S.W. Washington. I recently re-read my summative self evaluation and was reminded of how Evergreen really set me up for success. Proud alumni!
2008 | Elizabeth Martin
Occupational Therapist
I have started my mental health occupational therapy private practice, Holistic Community Therapy in Portland, OR. It is the only one of its kind in the state. To think I almost became a dance and movement therapist.. now I help adults with functional movement to get back to the lives they find meaningful.
2011 | Maya Brodkey
Teacher
Maya Brodkey, '11, was selected as a 2023-204 Fulbright Teacher for Global Classrooms. She is also a 2023 Fund for Teachers Fellow.
2015 | Devin Peterhans
School Counselor
Evergreen allowed me to explore my privilege and identity and make active choices on how I want to show up in the world.
2018 | Jesse Pena
Infrastructure Engineering Analyst
Completed degree Winter 2018. Walked the stage Spring 2018.
2019 | Samantha Norberg
Woodworker at Sasquatch Woodworking
Hi everyone! I graduated in December of 2019 with a BAS. While at Evergreen, I studied Marine Biology and Zoology. Having graduated into the 2020 pandemic, I became a co-owner of a general contracting company with my life partner. This year we decided to close the company and pursue new careers. I am currently looking for my perfect career fit. I am very interested in wildlife preservation and animal behavior.
May - June 2023
1973 | Doug Richards
Old man fly fishing
Selling my fishing camp in Thorne Bay, Alaska this year. This may be my last year. Still got my truck camper. POW Island has been my summer home since 1999. Only missed two years for prostate cancer and moving from NY to Pa. Two handed fly fishing for steelhead and salmon, with my Labrador, watching the eagles and the bears and listening to the river and the sand hill cranes. Spinal Stenosis, getting a cortisone shot to help make the trip.
1980 | Ali Ramezani
Consultant, public policy, consensus building, group facilitation and conflict resolution
B. Sc. graduate with strong commitment to social justice
1980, 1992 | Birdie Davenport
Aquatic Reserves Program Manager
I've been working at Washington Department of Natural Resources for over 30 years, looking forward to retiring fairly soon. It's been an rewarding career, 22 years with the Natural Areas program, some of the most beautiful and unusual native landscapes in the state, more recently managing the state's Aquatic Reserve, incredible waters that shelter diverse underwater plant and animal life. At home, many dear horses have been in my life, all now deceased or returned to their owners following a big accident last year which put me out of commission for quite a while (broke femur/hip.) Focused now on gardening, big time, and healing. Figuring out what's next.
1989 | Cindi Rowan
Landscape Architect
Hi! I am class of 1989, and would like to share a couple of updates. I currently live in Toronto, Ontario and am Studio Director at FORREC, a global Landscape Architecture and design firm. I work on major projects in Canada and around the world, and am the Chair for FORREC’s Sustainable Design Task Force. I recently produced the Spring Issue of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects national publication “Landscapes | Paysages”. Produced in French and English, the issue is titled “Explore” and focuses on innovative works of landscape architecture related to tourism, recreation and visitor experience. I would love to share this with the community.
Landscapes | Paysages - Spring 2023
LinkedIn Post - Landscapes | Paysages
1995 | Karena Montag (Formerly Cox)
MFT + Co-Director
i am a Founding Co-Director of STRONGHOLD. STRONGHOLD works at the intersection of racial and restorative justice to support and co-create accountable communities of belonging. i am also a psychotherapist with a private practice in Berkeley, CA.
1997 | Maureen McCaslin
Retired Social Worker
I graduated from the Tacoma Campus of The Evergreen State College in 1997. Dr. Artee Young was my advisor and Dr. Joy Hardiman was the Director. Since graduating from the School of Social Work at Portland State University, I was employed at Children's Home Society in Seattle, WA until the campus was closed in 2010. Since that time, I have been a volunteer advocate for mothers who have been fighting for custody of their children in US Courts in addition to exposing legal abuse of seniors in Probate Court. My case regarding my mother, Wanda Bell, has been filed in both the International Criminal Courts and the US Supreme Court.
1999 | Amy Turner
Writer
My debut novel, Voyage of the Pleiades, will be published on June 6! It's a fictional account of a female naturalist in Chile during the late 19th century. Keeping my Greener natural history roots alive! I was also nominated for a Heartland Emmy for my writing contribution to a Rocky Mountain PBS documentary on indigenous land reparations in Colorado.
2010 | Paul Goodfellow
Environmental Program Specialist, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Class of 2010; Programs included "America Abroad," "Looking Backward: America in the 20th Century," and "The World Wars." Faculty: Dr. David Marr, Dr. David Hitchens, Dr. Tom Rainey
April – May 2023
2007 | Lauriel Amoroso
Outdoor School Curriculum & Training Specialist
My research was just published by Routledge in an edited collection on the making of Autoethnography. The book is titled: Crafting Autoethnography Processes and Practices of Making Self and Culture (2023), Edited By Jackie Goode, Karen Lumsden, Jan Bradford. My chapter (12) “Walking as Knowing, Healing, and the (Re)making of Self” is based on work I did during my Doctoral dissertation at Portland State University (2021). I hope this book is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in Autoethnographic and Narrative research methods.
2013 | Rachel Morris
Energy Project Manager
Interested in reconnecting with other greeners!
March – April 2023
1973 | Tom Anderson
Mixed Media Artist
I started at Evergreen in 1971 and graduated in June 1973. The first year I was in the Man and Art Program and the second year I had an individual contract in film animation. I co-created the library stairwell mural, KAOS FM radio, the 16mm animation facility and worked as the first graphic design assistant to Connie Hubbard from 71-73. She and I co-created the first Evergreen logo and all the college catalogs and marketing material. I was a member of The Board of Governors from 2011-2018.
1980 | Ali Ramezani
Social Researcher
Left for Iran after graduation. Lived through a revolution and a long war. Taught science in high schools among other occupations. Left for Canada where I have worked as a community mediator/facilitator and public policy analyst. Meanwhile I returned to school to compliment my Bsc in science with a master degree in philosophy and a PhD (ABD) in sociology and political economy.
1983 | Kris Nelson
VP business development, MemPro USA Ltd.
Grateful to become the VP of business development for a nanofiber membrane startup that has developed a process for producing green hydrogen so efficiently that it promises to render fossil fuels too expensive. Thanks to the COVID lockdown, recording and now performing world jazz and songs on mandolin and flutes. Let's connect!
1999 | Tracy Wuster
Professor of Instruction
In 2019, I joined the "Human Dimensions of Organizations" program at the University of Texas at Austin. This interdisciplinary program teaches students to use insights from the liberal arts to solve people-centered problems in organizations. We teach students to develop critical thinking (and feeling), improve their communication skills, to develop cultural competence, to collaborate effectively, and to become creative problem solvers. I put the interdisciplinary skills I developed at Evergreen to work everyday.
I am also the Executive Director of the American Humor Studies Association and published my first book--Mark Twain: American Humorist--in 2016.
2000 | Heather Sin
Nader didn't come but Groening did!
2003 | Janelle Gauthier
Therapist
While at Evergreen I developed a passion for mental health and social justice. I’ve been a psychotherapist for over 15 years specializing in working with parents who have lived through trauma, adversity and attachment difficulties. I’m so excited to be back in the Olympia community as owner/therapist at Flourish and Thrive Therapy.
2012, MES 2017 | Greg Eide
Scientist
As an undergrad I spent 4 quarters with Bret Weinstein. He wasn't my favorite professor, but it was a great experience. The night I was supposed to present my master's thesis, campus was closed because a group of students kidnapped the president of the school and were never disciplined for violating the student handbook, or the laws of the state of Washington. I was fully aware of the issue leading up to this day and I will always remember how poorly the leadership handled this situation. Otherwise I have very fond memories of attending Evergreen, and I recommend the school to any youth interested in a college experience with narrative evaluations.
January – March 2023
1973 | David Hazel
Lawyer
David Hazel is a Mediation and Arbitration lawyer at David Hazel Mediation in Washington State.
1975 | Diane Berger
Writer and Teacher
Diane just published a book, Small Boat, Vast Ocean: My Years in Solitary Buddhist Retreat. The memoir takes readers along on three and a half years of retreat in the Tibetan tradition, which took place in the Pacific NW. The book appeals not only to Buddhists, but those interested in contemplative life or depth psychology. Now settled in Seattle, Diane is enjoying a full life--which includes four grandchildren.
1978 | Michael Huntsberger
Professor Emeritus, Linfield University
Now officially retired from the Journalism & Media Studies department at Linfield University, but still teaching media ethics, law and history at both Linfield and Pacific University. No longer active in radio, but the home office proudly displays treasures from KAOS FM, including the cast photo from Alive in Olympia, several concert posters, and the 1986 R. P. McMurphy award. My heart is forever at Evergreen, in the studios and control rooms, hallways and pathways, and on the waters of Eld Inlet.
1979 | William Grady Ward
Computing, Lexicography
Following my interests in computers at Evergreen, I learned the necessary skills to become an early employee at Apple Computer in Cupertino, CA. After achieving Senior Member of the Technical Staff, Operating Systems at Apple, my experience at Evergreen again gave me the confidence to change work to solo lexicography while committing myself as a husband helping to raise our two children, which in turn helped my wife and partner obtain her professional degrees.
Currently, my Moby Shakespeare, the first free digital complete works that I put into the public domain in the early nineties is estimated to have close to 100000000+ users directly including programs, apps, and derived libraries according to Andrew Murphy,1867 Professor of English, Trinity College Dublin.
Another work, Moby Thesaurus, also free, digital, and placed into the public domain, is part of the core training set for GPT4, the first widely adopted Large Language Model AI.
I credit Evergreen for my direction, skills, and inspiration to seed my work widely to help other developers contribute in turn. Thank you for my life’s work.
1986 | Kurt Batdorf
Communications Consultant
Kurt Batdorf joined the Washington State Department of Transportation in October 2022 as a communications consultant. He's writing about major construction projects in King County and Snohomish County. He still lives in Skagit County in a house he and his wife saved from demolition in 2017 moved by barge from Seattle.
1991 | Kim Wilson
Higher Education Director
Kim just celebrated 25 years at the Labor Education Center of the University of Mass Dartmouth. She credits Evergreen in finding her lifetime home in the labor movement through support for multiple union internships and by learning from great faculty like the late Dan Leahy and recently retired Peter Bohmer.
1993 | Early Ewing Hurley
Developer
CPJ FOREVER.
2005 | Jennifer Dawson-Miller
Race and Social Justice Advisor, Founder of The Work Wonders
Jennifer Dawson-Miller (Miller) is a Race and Social Justice Advisor with the City of Seattle; committed to organizational change in government technology. She obtained a Certification in Applied Neuroscience from the Key Change Institute, and has created an Inclusive Leadership Coaching model to support leaders in reaching their goals to become more inclusive and effective overall.
2006 | Sarah Peace
LPCC, LMHC
My 2 years at Evergreen allowed me to go deep into depth psychology, consciousness studies, somatic psychology, expressive arts therapy. With my programs and evening courses I was ready for graduate work at CIIS. With my MA in Counseling Psychology I worked in California, New Mexico, and Washington. I returned to Olympia and opened my counseling practice there for 5 years. I have recently moved to Los Angeles, where I joined a holistic group therapy practice, Angeles Psychology Group. I provide therapy for California and Washington State adults, specializing in ecotherapy, psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration, Gestalt therapy, and therapy for transgender and all LGBTQIA+ folks.
2011, MPA 2019 | Christine Lawrence
Judicial Assistant
I graduated from Evergreen with a BA in 2011. I entered the non-profit sector and engaged in legal justice work. I then took a deeper dive in legal studies and completed by Paralegal Certificate through the University of Washington in 2012. In 2015, I joined state service and began to find my calling. In 2017, I decided to enter the MPA program at Evergreen. I graduated in 2019. My husband and I welcomed a son in June 2021. I am thankful for the skills and knowledge I gained from both programs. I especially cherish the lifelong friendships and connections I have made.
2012 | Alo Johnston
Marriage and Family Therapist
My first book "Am I Trans Enough?: How to Overcome Your Doubts and Find Your Authentic Self" will be out February 21 through Jessica Kingsley Publishing. There's a section criticizing the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) that was strongly inspired by a paper I wrote at Evergreen through an Individual Learning Contract. Criticizing the DSM always comes full circle.
2012 | Jake Pirkkanen
Associate Director for Research Compliance at Middlebury College
After a 3 year post-doc at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Canada working in a radiation biology laboratory 6,800 feet underground, I have taken a break from research science. In January 2022 began a position as the Associate Director for Research Compliance at Middlebury College in Vermont. This new job involves overseeing research compliance functions involving protection of human subjects, animal use, chemical and laboratory safety, as well as biological and radiation safety for the institution. I love being back home in Vermont and spending a lot more time at the surface of the planet.
2013 | Melkorka Licea
Journalist
I'm currently a senior features writer at Insider (formerly Business Insider) where I cover the culture of wealth and money and how it intersects with crime and injustice. Before that I worked at the New York Post and The NY Daily News where I focused on enterprise news reporting and investigations. I studied media, film, and journalism at Evergreen and worked at the Cooper Point Journal for three years, serving as editor-in-chief my senior year. I moved to New York City after graduating in 2013 and currently reside in Brooklyn.
2014 | Nate Bernitz
Community and Economic Development
Nate Bernitz ‘14 joined the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension as a Community & Economic Development Field Specialist in January 2023.
December - January 2023
1981 | Steven Miller
Retired
Retired from Federal civilian service after 30+ years with the US Department of the Treasury in 2018. Living in Concord, North Carolina but may be making a change in the near future. Have spent the last 17 years (12 married) with my wife Angie and our 3 cats. Had no idea that Evergreen existed until a high school classmate told me and invited me to join her tour. When I set foot on the "Square", I knew I was home. Since graduation, I have enjoyed explaining to people what a "geoduck" is. I will always remember my seminar leader, Craig Carlson, telling my mother "He's interested in everything. If he ever finds his niche, look out." I eventually found it thanks to Evergreen. Looking forward to my next read, family visit, overseas trip or outing with friends. To those I went to school with, I hope your lives have been as wonderful as mine. And to those who followed in our footsteps, let it all hang out!
1982 | Eric Einspruch
Principal
I am the Principal of ELE Consulting, LLC (www.eleconsulting.com), an independent research and evaluation firm based in Oregon. My most recent book, An Introductory Guide to R: Easing the Learning Curve, is published by Guilford Press (2022).
1985 | Milton Riess
Academic Chair and Professor of Film
Currently I am Chair of the Film and Digital Arts Department at Santa Fe Community College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After spending a few decades in Los Angeles working in Television for NBC and other studios, I moved to Santa Fe. I began teaching film production at the local college. Eventually becoming dependent Chair. Evergreen let me gain the skills in filmmaking which I put to use nearly every day.
2016 | Jessica Honiker
Oyster Farmer
I use my Evergreen education every day to help grow oysters and clams in the Puget Sound! I really appreciate all that seminar looking back.
2022 | Jason Biehner
Marketing
Changing the world one mollusk at a time!
November - December 2022
1974 | Mary Hoffman Schroeder
Retired Educator
I am an enthusiastic promoter of Evergreen. As a School Counselor I tried to find the right students to recommend the adventure in learning and self realization. I’ve returned to campus to visit, send my voice out over the radio station, and witness the changes over the past 48 years!
1978 | Jeff Jacoby
Professor & Practitioner of Media Arts
I've been actively creating sonic art and working on other, collaborative art projects along with performing my busy role as Professor of Media Arts at San Francisco State University. Among many duties, I advise and teach at KSFS Radio, our student radio station, and I'm also the Faculty Director of our new M.F.A. in Media Art. I invite you to have a look! Hello to all my old Greener friends! I loved my time at KAOS, midnight on Red Square, the actual top of Mt. St. Helens, walks on the nature trail with Kimmy the Radio Dog, and all the wonderful folks, many of whom I am still in touch with. Cheers!
1982 | Gilmore Crosby
Social Science/Organization Development
My next book, Diversity Without Dogma: A Collaborative Approach to Leading DEI Education and Action, comes out on December 20th! I quote my 1978-79 professors Stephanie Coontz and Peta Henderson in it, and apply the theories and methods of Kurt Lewin to understanding and resisting racism and other forms of prejudice.
1986 | Dee Koester
Executive Management
Founder and Executive Director of WA State Native American Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault-WomenSpirit Coalition since 2002, a Tribal Coalition. Dee is An Elwha Klallam citizen.
1993 | Anthony Kesler
Government Services
I am enjoying my time working as an Adjudicator for the Washington State Employment Security Department.
1994 | Cameron Combs
IT Professional
Cameron Combs, using pen name CK Combs, has short stories included in the Creative Colloquy Volume 8 (2022) and Mud Flat Shorts published by Mud Flat Press. Combs is working on his first full length novel, a YA mystery.
2014 | Katelyn Peters
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) candidate, Sarah Lawrence College
Katelyn Peters, New York, NY, began her second year as an MFA candidate in Poetry at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY. Katelyn has lived in New York City for five years, after moving for an Editor role at DotDash/Meredith in 2017. She has also worked as an editor for the photography magazines Photo District News (PDN), Rangefinder, and PDNedu, in addition to working as a freelance book editor.
2015 | Dedrick McCord
Data Strategist
Dedrick McCord, Atlanta, is a Harvard University Strategic Data Project Fellow. His research focuses on improving equity data strategy in Atlanta Public Schools.
2021 | Kelly Ramirez
Volunteer Director
Studied media and film at Evergreen, now I'm lucky to invite the change I want to see in media by welcoming those less represented to join as volunteers at Olympia's one and only independent art house theater, Capitol Theater home of the Olympia Film Society.
We Want to Hear From You
Share your class notes and be featured in our next newsletter and online.