Class Notes 2023
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1960s
Franklin Tainter l 1964
Montana
As a young man who grew up in Minnesota/Iowa, my attendance at the U of M was the second most significant decision I ever made. The first was my Peace Corps experience in Chile. Through my career I have many times had to draw upon my education in forestry at Missoula. I have worked with many others who lacked that experience and I have had to work hard to fill in their discrepancies. It was a great experience and I am really glad I had the experience. Clancy Gordon, pathologist in the Botany Dept., incited my interest in forestry pathology and that became my career. I worked at the University of Arkansas and Clemson University and retired 20 years ago. I am proud that I advised several dozen graduate students, obtained a number of grants, and authored or co-authored over 150 scientific publications, a major textbook in forest pathology, and several children's coloring books. A very useful liberal arts course I remember was in "Industrial Psychology". Today, wherever I go, I see people not being very efficient with their time or work input. I miss my life at Missoula from those days. The camaraderie I experienced was valuable and heart-warming. That was when I lived in Elrod Hall. I don't mean for this note to be a commercial, but a great summary of my life experience is in a novel I wrote, "Eyes tu? - A History of Lonquimay."
Karen Larson Gookin l 1969
Washington
In November 2023 Karen published a poetry chapbook, titled “The Hills Around Are Dust and Light: Montana Poems”, with The Poetry Box small press in Portland, OR. Karen lives in Ellensburg, WA, with her husband Larry (BA in Music, 1970). Both are emerita professors at Central Washington University, where Karen taught for 30 years in the CWU English Department and Larry was Director of Bands for 34 years in the Music Department.
1970s
Philip Navin l 1973
Washington
After graduation in 1973, 30 years in the U.S. Army retiring as a Colonel,12 years at the Centers for Disease Control as Director, Division of Emergency Operations, a dream retirement trip to London and British Isles cruise. GO GRIZ!
John Kafentzis l 1975
Washington
John Kafentzis retired at the end of the year after teaching Journalism and advising the student newspaper for 16 years at Gonzaga University. Last May Kafentzis retired from The Spokesman-Review where he had worked full and part-time for 47 years in a variety of positions from police reporter to news editor to design editor.
Jack Mattingly l 1975
Montana
I retired in June 2022. I taught in Chinook, Montana schools for 34 years and for the last 20 years served as a United Methodist pastor. I am continuing to live in Chinook where I have been involved with the Lions club since 1977.
James Gossard l 1976
Maryland
Gossard, of Goshawk Productions LLC, has won a prestigious Award of Merit Special Mention from the IndieFEST Film Awards. The award for Documentary Feature was given for James Gossard’s authentic and immersive-artistic documentary, "Divine Instinct," which explores the psychological world and art of sculptor and mixed-media artist Gary Spinosa.
Garry South l 1976
California
Garry South has published a book containing all 85 of the opinion pieces he has had published in national, state and local publications since moving to California in 1991.
Steve Corrick l 1977
Texas
Steve and his wife, Paula Strong, (from Missoula), have been Co-Directors of the Houston Transcendental Meditation Center since 2016 and have taught TM to over 2000 people in that time.
Gordon MacDonald l 1977
California
Doug MacDonald 1978--After 45 years as a CPA with three different firms in the Missoula area, Doug has retired from private practice. He has participated in the past three Montana Senior Olympics in the Track & Field events winning a total of 7 Gold medals in 2021, 2022, and most recently in 2023. Doug won gold in his age category in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter sprints in 2023. He owns the Montana Senior Olympic records in both the 50- and 100-meter sprints.
1980s
Brian Lannan l 1982
North Carolina
I am now Director of Major Project Controls at Quanta Infrastructure Solutions Group, a recognized leader in Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC), Design-Build, and Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) services for electrical infrastructure, wastewater and specialty projects.
Susan Lee l 1982
Montana
Susan Lee recently retired from the University of Providence after working as a librarian there for 38 years.
John Johnson l 1982
Washington
John was inducted into the La Center Athletic Hall of Fame. During his time as the head volleyball coach the Wildcats won the school’s first ever state title sandwiched between two third-place finishes. He also led the softball team to multiple state appearances, coached basketball and was the Athletic Director for 10 years. John and Colleen have now both retired from careers in education after serving for 40 years each.
Heidi Zielinski l 1985
Montana
I have been an artist about 15 years and I show and sell my art quilts in galleries and juried shows across the country. Last year I was invited to Golden, CO to film segments for four episodes of Quilting Arts on PBS and one of those topics was featured in an article in Quilting Arts magazine. You can see my work at The Artist’s Shop in Missoula, MT.
1990s
Harold Jessup l 1990
Alaska
Retired after working with Teck Alaska (Red Dog mine) for 27 years and 7 months.
Damian Charette l 1993
Texas
Damian is a member of the Crow tribe and raised in eastern Montana. He received a degree in Art with a minor in Art History at the University of Montana. He taught art in Behavioral Health. He is a Master printmaker and muralist. He incorporates aspects of Native American imagery, stories, and contemporary life into his work in an effort to dispel stereotypes of Indian people. He has been featured in the "Artists of Montana" catalog as well as other publications featuring Native American Artists around the country. His artwork has also been featured in one-man shows and exhibits throughout the country and abroad.
Stephen Roth l 1996
Maryland
I was recently promoted to serve as the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Maryland in College Park. Go Griz and Go Terps!
Matthew Berard l 1997
Massachusetts
The Bulfinch Group is pleased to announce that 1997 UM graduate, Matthew Berard, has been named a Leaders Club qualifier for the 18th year by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian). Leaders Club is one of the highest honors annually awarded by Guardian to financial professionals who demonstrate outstanding service and dedication to their clients.
Gillian Glaes l 1997
Montana
In May of 2023, Dr. Gillian Glaes became Director of the Franke Global Leadership Initiative (GLI), a 12-credit certificate that promote global awareness, empathetic leadership, and interdisciplinary and experiential learning. The certificate is an open-enrollment certificate that welcomes all majors on campus with over 400 students currently participating in the program. As a global scholar, Gillian is so excited to take the reins of a program that she has taught for since 2017.
2000s
Arthur Dick "Dickie" Bishop l 2003
New Mexico
Arthur Dick "Dickie" Bishop (Journalism '03) oversees communications for the director of Los Alamos National Laboratory and members of the lab’s executive leadership team. Los Alamos is one of the world's largest and most advanced scientific institutions. As the senior most national laboratory in the country, its strategic plan reflects U.S. priorities spanning nuclear security, intelligence, defense, space research, emergency response, nonproliferation, counterterrorism, energy security, emerging threats, and environmental management. Bishop and his wife Mary Moon (History, Women's & Gender Studies '08) live with their kids and dogs in the Pecos Wilderness outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The couple recently participated as extras in the Hollywood blockbuster “Oppenheimer,” which chronicles the life and times of Los Alamos’ first director J. Robert Oppenheimer.
Larry Mansch l 2006
Montana
Larry D. Mansch, M.Ed '06, has published his sixth book. “Hometown: Growing Up and Playing Ball in Slayton,
Minnesota.”
Wesley Smith l 2007
California
Wesley has been promoted to senior toxicologist He is serving as chief of the Fish, Ecotoxicology, and Water section at the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment for the California EPA. As part of this role, Wes oversees fish consumption advisory development, harmful algal boom response, and seas food assessment following oil spills. Wes lives in Sacramento with his family and enjoys riding his bike and fishing in the various water bodies in California.
2010s
Amber Henning l 2010, 2013
Montana
Amber Henning, BA 2010/JD 2013, along with other alumni: Aubrey Hiller-Rearden and Kaylee Osentowski formed the non-profit Great Falls Theatre Company in Great Falls, Montana in 2021. The Company recently held their first production of Rodger and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" in July 2023. The Great Falls Theatre Company is dedicated to providing quality arts opportunities to the community with an emphasis of mentoring young artists for success. More information can be found at: www.greatfallstheatre.com.
Kal Munis l 2013
Utah
Kal Munis ('13) married Zoe Nemerever (proud Griz-by-marriage) on July 22, 2023 in Missoula. The reception was held at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Friends and family could not stop remarking on the beauty and radiant energy of UM's campus.
Mike Perry l 2013
Montana
Mike Perry was named the Montana Superintendent of the Year for 22-23.
James Zaksek l 2013
Montana
James, recently hired by the State of Montana again after nine years, is currently the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Indian Affairs, Misty Kuhl, at the State Capitol in Helena. He assists the Office of Indian Affairs with public and constituent requests for the Governor's Office, community engagement, telecommunication with the sovereign tribal nations of Montana, and administrative work. He also assists the Lieutenant Governor with projects associated with all 150+ Montana Boards throughout the state of Montana. He is in the 'heart of the action' of state government and enjoys the work!
Sara Thane Milam l 2014
Tennessee
Sara Thane Milam, LCSW opened a mental health therapy private practice called Steadfast Living Therapy, LLC. Sara is an EMDR Certified Therapist (EMDRIA) and specializes in treating adults who have experienced trauma and loss. Although her practice is based in Nashville, TN, Sara enjoys the opportunity to continue to serve Montana-based clients by offering telehealth counseling.
Annie T. Oakes l 2014
Washington
Annie T. Oakes (PhD, Anthropology – Cultural Heritage Studies, 2014) was one of 15 winners of the 2023 Faculty of the Year Award out of more than 3,000 instructors at the University of Phoenix. A UOP faculty member since 2005, Oakes teaches entry-level writing courses to help adult students become familiar with best practices in the online platform and build writing skills and confidence. She is also a GED coach at North Idaho College and an online tutor for anthropology students in the U.S. and abroad.
Chase Ellinger l 2015
Washington, D.C.
Chase Ellinger was sworn in as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer on September 11, 2023, and he will begin his first assignment as a U.S. diplomat in Dakar, Senegal, in the summer of 2024. Chase's goal of joining the U.S. Foreign Service was born out of discussions with Davidson Honors College faculty during his undergraduate studies at UM. Thanks for the support over the years!
Katt Greaser (McClaine) l 2017
Katt was recently recognized with the Melissa Hines Backstage Award at Seattle's Gregory Awards for theatre. This award is given to an individual who has worked tirelessly "behind the scenes" in support of the regional theatre community. Katt was recognized for her work creating COVID protocols that allowed her theatre to reopen and continue to make live theatre.
2020s
Mira Smith l 2021
Minnesota
I am excited to share that I accepted a job at the Mayo Clinic about eight months after graduation. I have now been working here for over a year. I am a Clinical Lab Technologist and work with a biochemistry technique called mass spectrometry to give patients and families answers and hope. The opportunities provided to me at UM allowed me to qualify for and find success in this role! I am preparing to apply to graduate school and being at Mayo has opened many doors for me.
Cole Aragon l 2022
Montana
I recently got my Montana real estate license to put my communication degree to work. I’m officially a fourth-generation real estate agent in my family. I signed with EXIT Realty Missoula and am enthusiastic about starting this career in Montana. I look forward to meeting more wonderful people through this profession, especially other local Grizzly alumni. It was a struggle getting the license, but with the Grizzly foundation, quitting wasn’t an option.
Noah Durnell l 2022
Montana
Currently employed as Assistant Director of Development for the Davidson Honors College and University Scholarships with the University of Montana Foundation.