The Interviews

In this WWUAA Remember When video, the Rigbys reflect on their years at the school, how they approached teaching, and the challenges of pioneering WWU's drama program. Find out what Donnie says she taught Don and how Don had an unexpected reunion with a former student.

Jim Nestler, Professor of Biology, works underwater sometimes, and that's just the way he likes it. Diving for a living? You bet. And he never tires of the wonder that the study of biology provides in any realm.
His one piece of advice? Find what energizes you—what brings you joy—and follow that wherever it takes you.

After finishing high school at just 17 and her undergraduate courses by the age of 20, Dr. Julie Scott went on to earn a Masters in Journalism, an M.B.A in Management and Marketing, and eventually a Doctorate in Leadership and Policy Studies. In this interview, she reflects on her time spent at WWU—then Walla Walla College—as both a student and later as Associate Professor of Business. Her advice to us all? Be open to change.

Like so many, Jon Cole found community to be at the heart of WWU—and so much of that occurred outside of the classroom, as well. Whether entertaining students with his wife Karen or participating in real-world projects with them, Jon was at home at the intersection of learning and connecting.

In this interview, Jim Klein (’70) reminisces about his time spent serving as an Associate Professor in the Computer Science program—a program he co-developed—at WWU. Listen to find out how he feels about the impact of smartphones on society, and why he believes the human mind is still the greatest computer.

Betty Duncan has helped so many students find a path that's right for them. See why she says that listening is one of the things she's learned from them along the way.

Step back into the 60's with Donald Blake as he reminisces on his experience as the first black professor on the WWU campus, his love for biology, and his journey as a person of faith and science.

This avid baseball fan and historian is hanging up the cleats to continue his research after a long career at Walla Walla University. Hear him tie it all together as he touches on ancient history, his philosophy of teaching, and why he won’t allow cellphones in his classes.

Carlton Cross moved with his family across the country when he was just a boy, to Walla Walla, WA, sight unseen. When they arrived the city of College Place paled in comparison to New York. And yet he never left. Find out why.

Cliff Sorensen's grandfather thought eight grades of school was plenty for him, which probably explains why he never even imagined he'd go to college, let alone become the president of one. Find out why he says he owes everything to WWU and revisit some unexpected moments during his years as leader—like an unexpected meeting with Queen Elizabeth and the burning of an iconic WWU building.

Find out why the National Institute of Mental Health took an interest in Joe Galusha’s sea gull research, what he learned from his Nobel Prize-winning professor at Oxford University, and why seagulls are the most elegant of all creatures.

Helen Thompson Zolber's vision has left its mark in both the English department she built and in the alumni association. In this Remember When video series sponsored by the WWU Alumni Association, you'll see how and why she turned her passion into a lasting legacy.

Lee talks about why bravery makes a better teacher, the joy of seeing a student cross the finish line. Will what he'd like to say to former students surprise you?

Find out why Professor Greg Dodds was terrified of teaching, which Biblical commandment he says was written just for historians. and why it's important to take both faith and academic inquiry seriously.

For decades, the WWU campus entered the Sabbath with the voice of Loren Dickinson broadcasting his weekly message over the radio station. In this WWU Alumni Association Remember When video, he talks about the impact a teacher can have, the importance of civility, and why paying attention matters.

In this Remember When series video, Terrie Aamodt reflects on happy accidents in her career, turning points in the history of the university, the importance of following the truth where it leads—and the day she realized that WWU wasn't in a rain forest.

Mel Lang revisits highlights from four decades at WWU in this Remember When video series sponsored by the WWU Alumni Association. Will his best decision ever surprise you?

Tom Thompson knew he didn't want to be a dentist—but teaching had never crossed his mind. In this Remember When video series sponsored by the WWU Alumni Association, step into Tom's path to the classroom, years at WWU, and his unforgettable last day of teaching.

In this Remember When video series sponsored by the WWU Alumni Association, Alden Thompson reflects on his years at WWU and his hopes for his former students. Find out what he'd have said if the burning bush had appeared to him.

Bev Beem decided early on that she wanted to make Walla Walla University her home. In this Remember When video sponsored by the WWU Alumni Association, you'll find out why—and see how her faith converges with her work as an English professor.

In this WWU Alumni Association Remember When video, you'll see Walt Meske's deeply compassionate view of dealing with human struggles and find out what's behind his broad connections to students—many of whom say he was instrumental in changing the course of their life.

In this Remember When video series sponsored by the WWU Alumni Association, you'll learn some interesting connections between Sylvia Nosworthy and early Adventist leaders. You'll also find out why she thinks humor is an important part of teaching.

Kraig Scott says that music has the power to connect humans to the divine like nothing else can. In this WWU Alumni Association Remember When video, you'll see why he believes that learning to listen is a vital part of music education. And you won't want to miss the moving choral piece bonus soundtrack at the end.

Take a visit down memory lane with Ken Wiggins as part of the Remember When video series sponsored by the WWU Alumni Association, as he reflects on his years at WWU and his love for both students and for mathematics.

Although he never planned to be a teacher, Gordon found the relationships built with students—sometimes in unexpected places, like a school-sponsored backpacking trip—deeply rewarding. In this Remember When video, find out what he'd tell you about WWU today.