Class Notes

Fr. John Fuchs S.J. B'60 is celebrating his 50th year as a Jesuit Priest.

Clare Petrich A’61 retired from the Port of Tacoma Commission in 2020. She currently volunteers with Sister Cities Tacoma and her granddaughter is a sophomore at Whitman.

Allen Orheim B’61 moved from Oregon to Texas and spends the winters in Arizona.

Mark Wuotila B’63 was featured in the Fall/Winter 2021 issue of Jesuits West magazine. The article, A Lifetime of Lessons from a Jesuit Education explores how Mark’s Jesuit education shaped his future and his worldview.

Jim Henderson B’64 was awarded the Tacoma Rotary Club's Lifetime Achievement Award for his over 20 years of participation in local and global service activities, as well as financial support of Rotary in Tacoma and Rotary International. The Club has only awarded their Lifetime Achievement Award three times with the first recipient being another Bellarmine Alum, Charles (Cap) Pearson B'62.

Leon Mahoney B’65 graduated from Seattle University and served 31 years in the US Navy.

Mike Prosser B’67 retired in April 2022.

James Kors B’68 retired last year. He and his wife have spent several months in Boca Raton, Florida helping care for their 7-month-old grandson.

Tom Raquer B’69 retired officially in 2004 from the U.S. Air Force as a Southeast Asia Foreign Area Officer. He spent a good deal of his life in the countries of Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia, with short stays in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and even Brunei. Currently doing free-lance consulting and is now engaged on a research project on China Strategic Influence in Southeast Asia.

Sharon Hodge Spencer SL’69 and her husband are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in June.

Bill Schwarz B’70 is retired and now resides in Las Vegas, NV. 

Thomas Harper B'71 has been happily married for 43 years with two children and three grandchildren. He attended Central Washington University and graduated with a degree in education. Thomas and his wife are enjoying the retired life in a beautiful community called Verrado. 

Joseph Hobson B’71 and his wife Menchilita have four grandchildren Maddox (9), Oliver (7), Jovi (3), and Theo (20 months).

Ann Bowling A’72 and her husband Danny welcomed their 3rd grandchild on October 5th, 2021 a healthy baby boy.

Mark Cavanagh B'72 - A.B., Columbia University 1976, J.D. cum laude, Order of the Coif, Omicron Delta Kappa, Burks Scholar, Washington and Lee University, 1982. He was employed at law firms, including Culp, Dwyer, Guterson, and Grader; Carney, Badley, Smith, and Spellman. And was also employed on construction projects for Brown and Root, Inc., now KBR, Inc., in Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Texas as a journeyman pipefitter for ten projects over seven years. Mark is now retired. 

George Graham Jr. B’72 just celebrated his 47th wedding anniversary. He has two daughters and he has been retired from the Department of Defense since 2009.

Ray Ybarra B'73 lives in Portland, OR.

Janis Shoup Arruda A’74 resides in Tucson, AZ with her husband Patrick. 

Ruthanne Cortez SL’74 is an Army veteran, a San Diego State University alumni, Mom of four children and Nana of seven grandchildren. She is married to Scott Weiss.

Margaret ‘Peg’ Staeheli A’74 recently completed a two-month, 3,000-mile coast to coast bicycle trip from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL.

Michael (Mick) Alsos B’76 retired in April 2022, after 35 years with The Boeing Company.

Greg Gardner B’76 retired in 2021 and is moving to Tennessee in 2023.

Dennis Nelson B’78 moved back to WA in 2021 after 42 years of combined time in the Navy and at the labs in Albuquerque.

Pete Warren B'78 retired from 40 years of service with Caterpillar Marine. 

Ann McIntyre Webster B’78 is married with five children.

Joseph Jagod B'79 joined the Coldwell Banker Bain real estate team with offices in University Place, Tacoma and Capitol Hill, Seattle. 

John Keeley B’79 is a primary care Pediatrician in East Longmeadow, MA.  His youngest of four children, Katherine, is graduating with a Nursing Degree from Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT. John has been married to his wife Denise for 36 years, the couple met as undergraduates at Georgetown University. 

Peter Raquer B’79 has been married to his wife, Ann, for 36 years. They have two children, Hayley and Chase who also graduated from Bellarmine. Peter retired from The Boeing Company and currently works with the State of Arizona as a contract employee. He and Ann enjoy hiking, exploring Arizona, and fine dining.

Bob B'79 and Andrew B'15 Turner, made local history as the first father-son duo to officiate the 2022 WIAA Mat Classic. Read the full article here.

Marco Piccioni B'82 is a Business Development Manager for WebCargo in Barcelona, Spain.

Andy Schmidt B’83 Has two sons graduating in 2022, one from High School and one from College.

Stephanie White Hampton B'84 has been elected to the Board of Governors for the Television Academy, "The People Who Bring You The Emmys". Read more here.

Kathleen Blair B’85 and her husband, Scott now reside in Cedar Park Texas.

Albert Hall B’87 was featured in Forbs Magazine for his company, HallPass Media and how they have expanded the NBA Summer League. Read the full article here.

Jason Moss B’87 is married to Jillian Moss.

Alice Holman Melrose B’88 has been a Naturopathic doctor and Acupuncturist for over twenty years. She graduated from Bastyr University in the Seattle area, and now has a private practice near Park City, Utah.

Jeanette DeBella Bogue B’89 recently moved to Las Vegas for a new job assisting veterans with obtaining their disability benefits. She welcomed a new nephew last year and her daughter moved out of state.

Eileen Uson Wilson B’89 is married and has her BS in Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

Bette Anne Spaulding Curry B’91 is celebrating 22 years in business as a chef.

Laura Luce Kelley B’91 serves on the Endowment Board for St. Joseph School Seattle and the Board of Directors for Bishop Blanchet High School. She lives in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood with her husband and two teenage children. 

Melissa “Missy” Hayward Goode B'92 works at The Learning Lab and lives in Boise, ID.

Brienne Quilici Iverson B'92 got married a few years ago and began working with Kiewit Building Group (Peter Kiewit and Sons) in the Western Operations Department of Building Group and Bridge and Marine. In July, she and her brother, Chad Quilici B'91, took their parents on a trip to Italy to visit family after they all received dual citizenship.

Patrick McNerthney B'92 wrote and published the book, "The Future Will Not Involve Underwear: Humor, Satire, and Outright Lies". His book can be found on Amazon or Bookshop.org, for print copies. 

Heidi Pilarski Pecoraro B'92 completed residency at Cornell and fellowship at OHSU, and became a staff veterinary pathologist at the NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Since January 2022, she has taken on the role of Lab Director as well. She lives in Fargo, ND, just blocks from the Red River and Minnesota state line.

Ben Brooks B’93 became a Lead Digital Analytics Consultant at Infotrust in September, 2021.

Damani Leech B’94 was named President of the Denver Broncos. Read more.

John Fitzpatrick B’95 is an editor on the "Resident Evil" TV series for Netflix after previously working on the TV show "Supernatural" for the CW as an editor and a director. John has been married to Sarah Simek Fitzpatrick B’96 since June of 2008.

Clifton Funkhouser B’96 received the 2020 National Award for Investigative Excellence from The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. This award recognizes his work from 2016 to 2018, when he served as an assistant regional security officer-investigator at the U.S. Consulate in Nogales, Mexico near the southern border of Arizona. He now works as the Assistant Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia. To learn more about Cliff, read the Tacoma News Tribune article here.

Angela Rasmussen B’96 moved to Canada where she is a scientist and professor at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan.

Ezell Willis Jr. B’96 is married and received his MBA from Saint Martin’s University in 2010.

Katie Kloida Wilson B’96 has been hired as the next head coach of the Gonzaga University volleyball program. Katie was formerly the assistant coach at Notre Dame University.

Matthew J. Fish B'97 has been assigned as Pastor of St. Mary's Church in Newport, Maryland. Established in 1674, St. Mary's is the third oldest active parish in the United States. He is also teaching Religion at St. Mary's Ryken High School in Leonardtown, Maryland.

Erik Augustin B’99 is married. 

Patrick Burke B'00 is a Principle Private Banker at BNY Mellon in Seattle.

Julianna Olson Haven B’02 has two kids, 16-year-old, Abigail, and 15-month-old, Khloe. 

Jeffrey Stivers B’00 co-founded a new company - Outlier Journeys, which offers custom worldwide adventure travel trips.

Brittany Anderson B’03 and her husband Patrick, welcomed a little girl, Teagan Fletcher, in September.

Jessica Schreiner Goldberg B’03 has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. She is married and had a baby during the pandemic.

Stephanie Powell B’03 is the Blue Origin Program Manager for New Glenn's first stage.

Sarah Abouhamad Funk B’04 has been married to her husband, Joel, for 10 years. They have 5 children including a set of twins! Sarah double majored in Biochemistry from CWU. She opened a coffee shop called Mud & Char in the suburbs of Chicago where she currently resides with her blessed family. She works from home as a health & wellness blogger, aids her husband at his law firm and takes care of her children.

Stephen Pearson B’04 and his wife Erin welcomed a baby boy, Crew, in March 2023.

In June of 2023, Julia Montgomery Fretias B'04 and her husband welcomed twins David and James into their family. They are happy and healthy and everyone is adjusting perfectly to life as a family of six.

Brittney 'Britt' Harris B'05 released her debut single, "All of Me", on August 19, 2022.The track is produced by her brother, Nathan 'Nate' Harris B'10. You can stream/download “All of Me” on SoundCloud.

Caitlin Chaffee Keely B’05 and her husband, Sean, welcomed their second child, Iann Samuel Keely, who is loved by his big sister Ashley Irene Keely.

William Weisdepp B'05 was married June 3, 2023 at Bellarmine in the St. Aloysius Chapel to wife Mia Wrighti. William is a Sourcing Manager at Meta and lives in Seattle, WA.

Dr. John Gaines B'06 founder of PUSH for Dreams, was honored by Tacoma Mayor, Victoria Woodards when she proclaimed April 19, 2022, as PUSH for Dreams Day in the City of Tacoma.

Shey Marana Yip B’06 got married in 2020.

Jessica Jenkins Burkholder B'07 got married on February 9, 2018 to Ryan Burkholder. The two welcomed their first son, Ethan Burkholder on June 21,2019 and second son Aiden Burkholder June 9, 2021. Currently Jessica works as a Social Worker and dance teacher.

Ilaria Ghattas B’07 married Trenton Erker B’07 on February 12, 2023! They met on Bellarmine orientation day in 2003, and happened to be in the same homeroom too, and now are married 20 years later.

Austin Hoberg B'07 is a realtor with John L Scott in Tacoma.

Marisha Kasjan McDowell B'07 wrote and published her memoir, "Learning to Fly" in March 2021. Prospective readers can find it on Amazon. 

Lauren Myers Troxell B'08 is expecting a baby due October 30, 2022.

Midori Starks White B'09 got married in 2019, graduated from medical school in 2021 and started a general surgery residency at Johns Hopkins 2021.

Lauren Adams B’10 has her undergraduate degree in Natural Sciences: Pre Physical Therapy from Loyola Marymount University; Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy from University of Southern California and is a Board Certified Neurological Specialist.

Leah Barta Brissenden B’10 became the first female co-owner at Bellingham Bay Builders in Bellingham WA in November of 2022. They specialize in custom builds and remodels.

Kate Donahue B'10 graduated from Xavier University with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2014 and from Frontier Nursing University with a Masters of Science in Nursing in 2020. She is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and recently joined Lifestance Health in Gig Harbor, WA where she provides mental health services for both children and adults.

Emily Martin B’10 is a glass artist in Tacoma and currently has a glass rosary, blessed by Fr. Gerry Chapdelaine SJ, on display at the Tacoma Art Museum. The rosary measures 5’6” tall and is part of the exhibition, GATHER: 27 Years of Hilltop Artists.

Kay McMonigal B'11 married Shannon Doherty in September 2021. They both work in the Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences Department at North Carolina State University.

Victoria (Tori) Dunlap B’12 was featured in Bellarmine’s student newspaper, The Lion. Read the full article here.

Jonathan Jensen B'12 is a Level 2 Teacher at the New England Center for Children.

Ryan Lester B’12 is studying for his MBA at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business, he will graduate in 2022.

Dr. McKenzie Hollyoak Merry B'12 was married on August 21st, 2021.

Thomas Ramsey B'12 graduated from Texas A&M Maritime Academy in 2017 and is currently sailing as a Deck Officer on merchant ships. He spends his off time traveling. 

Rianna Roehm B'12 lives in Portland, OR.

Connor Rupert B’12 is a wildland firefighter in the position of Engine Leader for the Department of Natural Resources for the State of Washington.

Cassandra Penrose Southard B’12 and her husband, Chris, welcomed their first child, Axel Southard in Los Angeles, CA on April 27, 2022. 

Grace Reed Waldrip B'12 and her husband Matthew welcomed their first child, Margaret, on January 25th, 2021.

Kiley Adams B'13 was selected as part of Notre Dame's 2022 Domer Dozen. The Domer Dozen honors 12 outstanding graduates ages 32 and younger for their significant contributions and extraordinary dedication to faith, service, learning and work. Click here to learn more about her work ensuring equitable access to outdoor spaces and medical care for persons with disabilities.

Elijah Klein B'14 is married and has a little girl.

Madyson Wanner B’14 graduated from Santa Clara University in 2018 with a BS in biochemistry. She has been working to improve healthcare access since graduation, and is currently completing prerequisites to enter an accelerated nursing program. In June of 2023 she took a new job as an Executive Assistant to the CEO and an Operations Consultant.

Kiara Clark Edwards B'15 graduated from Northwest University, Pastoral Ministries, in 2019 and was married on January 1, 2021.

Lauren Dee B’15 graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in Business Administration; majored in Marketing and minored in Corporate Social Responsibility. She worked as a lender for Caliber Home Loans (2020-2022) and is currently employed at Morgan Stanley on the Smalley-Berman Group studying to become a registered advisor.

Jacob Hillyer B’15 graduated from Northwest Nazarene University with his degree in International Business. He also played soccer for four years (NCAA DIV II) during college.

Austin Hirsh B’15 is the founder of The 2050 Company, a company focused on eliminating food waste by using dried, “imperfect” produce to create smoothie and pasta mixes. Austin was featured in a video article in the Bellarmine Lion, view the article at www.bellarminelion.com.

Wesley Wigboldy B’15 joined the Army in 2020 and is currently attending the Defense Language Institute.

Emily Durr B’16 received a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice/Criminology with a minor in At-Risk Youth from Washington State. She also has a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology and is currently working towards a Master of Arts in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State. In 2021, she moved to the Las Vegas area and began working as a Behavior Analyst in Training. She recently got engaged and is planning a wedding for October 2022.

Megan Sawyer B’16 graduated from Montana State University.

David Vanderwall B’16 graduated from Rhodes College and will begin the MD PhD program at Harvard Medical School in the Fall 2022. David is going to study oncology and is currently working at St. Jude’s Hospital.

Kennedy Cox B'17 graduated from Chico State in May 2021 with a BA in Kinesiology.

Eric Graupensperger B’17 After a year of being in the cast (Swing) of "Tina! - The Tina Turner Musical" on Broadway in New York, Eric has now joined the cast of the National Tour Broadway production of "Tina!" for a year, September 2023 to August 2024. Eric, who goes by his stage name Eric Siegle, had his cast debut with the tour in Seattle at the Paramount Theater on September 12-17, 2023.

2LT Calvin Maher B’17 graduated on October 7th, 2021 from the Army Logistics University Basic Officer Leader Course. He is now stationed at Ft. Carson, CO with the 60th Modular Ammo Ordnance Company supporting the 4th Infantry Division.

Mauricio Martija-Harris B’17 started a new job as Operations and Marketing Officer at Harrow International School in Iwate, Japan.

Aubrey Miller B’17 recently moved to Genesee, Idaho soon after graduating from Central Washington University in March of 2021 with a degree in Sport Management/Digital Marketing. She works at the University of Idaho as a Web Coordinator for the Marketing and Communications Department. She got engaged in January of 2022 to her college sweetheart.

Cooper Pethick B’17 received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.

Madeline Phillips B’17 graduated from Cal Poly in 2021 with a BS in Psychology. She is currently getting her Master’s Degree in Barcelona, Spain.

Jacob Settle B’17 graduated from Patrick Henry College in 2019, married Emma Settle in 2020, and started attending Antonin Scalia Law School in 2021. He worked as the Correspondent to Vice President Pence from 2019-2021, and started working at the House of Representatives in 2021 where he is currently the Press Secretary. 

Eric Siegle (Graupensperger) B'17 graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in Music Theater in May 2021 and moved to New York City in June. He made his Broadway debut in TINA—the Tina Turner Musical in October, 2021 as the Swing for ten roles in the production. Before TINA, he starred in “Babes in Arms” at Forestburgh Playhouse outside of New York City.

Zoey Suarez B'17 completed her Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences at Duke University and began new job as an EMT for Falck NW in Fife.

Chloe Iverson B’18 is a senior at The University of Idaho studying physical education and student teaching in the fall. After student teaching, she will be a full-time missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).

Risa Terry B’18 was awarded a $30,000 Global Grant Scholarship by the Rotary Club to attend Queen's University, Belfast for a MSc in Leadership for Sustainable Development.

Angelo Boitano B’19 is currently finishing up his Junior year at Western Washington University.

Griffin Cox B’19 is attending Carroll College majoring in Social Studies in Secondary Education.

Kaitlyn Ndegwa B’19 is attending Central Washington University and studying to be a social worker.

Payton Schneider B’19 is a junior at Gonzaga studying to get her BSN.

Giuliano “G” Alvarado B’20 received Official Selection status in the Unitaly International Film Festival while competing with the “Nat King Cole & G Alvarado Christmas Duet”. This is his first festival with “gold” status within the filmmaking community.

Chris Hegardt B’20 signed his first professional soccer contract with Charlotte FC! Chris formally played for Georgetown University, making it to the Final Four in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

Makiah Reed B’20 attends Pierce College Fort Steilacoom studying Education.

Rachael Kariuki B’21 is attending University of Portland, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Economics.

Cecilia Mwangi B’21 is attending Pierce College studying Education. She works for the YMCA as an Enrichment Coach.

Adrian Rosales B’21 is currently a Biology Major at Gonzaga. He works on campus in the theater department and is a Residential Assistant.

Many young Alumni and current Bellarmine Lions participated in the Paradise Spuds and Small Frys 2021 Summer Adult/Child Bowling League. Players included: Will Yearian B'24, Zachary Baur B'24, Mikayla Boyd B'23, Jade Sevilla B'22, RJ Lawber B'22, Bria Yank B'22, Alex Schott B'22, Jack Eisnaugle B'21, Izzy Moses B'21, Nathaniel Kott B'21, Levi Baur B'21, Joey Manza B'19, Carter Price B'19, Luke Weller B'19, Sky Jeffery B'19, Joseph Francisco B'19, Quinn Donnelly B'19, James Leggett B'19, Daniel Schott B'19, Maliyah Sek B'19, Luke Bolt B'19, Johnny Sevilla B'18, Josh Hanigan B'18, Jack Donnelly B'18, Jack Martin B'17, Cooper Pethick B'17, Joseph Albers B'16, Henry Emery B'16 and Byron Chow (Bellarmine Staff).

 

Congratulations to Bellarmine Partner DP&C on winning the Washington State Society of CPAs Business of the Year Award in 2021, recognizing their noteworthy support and dedication to the WSCPA and its members. There are three Bellarmine Alumni of their 29 staff members; Jason Kors B’81 CEO/President, Bryce Comfort B’07 Shareholder and Marlayna Geary B’09 Manager.