Greg Schieferstein is now a communication manager for the State of Washington in Olympia after 34 years in television news. Greg works for the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, writing, producing pictures, videos, graphics, and social media. In addition, he supports educational and organizational outreach across the state. He also earned his certification from the FAA as a commercial drone pilot. Greg and his wife, Barbara Andrews, are glad to return to the Northwest.

Amy Swanson was promoted to CEO of WCP Solutions, a Washington-based wholesale distributor with 14 locations across six states.

Gayle Ann Scheele passed away in West Seattle on Feb. 24, 2023. She graduated from PLU with a degree in business administration. In 1995, she was awarded an MBA from Bellevue City University. She was an accountant with commercial and residential property management companies in Seattle and Bellevue. Her love of travel took her to several countries. She was an avid sports fan and prolific reader. Gayle is survived by her mother, Marjean (Lawhead) Scheele ’62, father, Gerald Scheele ’60, and brother, Mark Scheele. Her Aunt Beatrice Scheele ’58 and Uncle Ted Scheele ’57 preceded her in death.

David Chun’s son, Marley, graduated from Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii, and entered PLU in the fall of 2024. “Go Lutes!”

Paul Griffith Swanson was born Feb. 28, 1955, and died Sept. 13, 2023. He was raised in Magnolia with his two sisters, Jean and Marji. He attended Queen Anne High School. After spending years in business, Paul began teaching middle school science, which turned out to be a rewarding job. A dedicated scout, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and later served as a Cub Scout den leader and Troop 406 Scoutmaster. Paul is survived by sons Kevin Swanson and Matthew Swanson, step-daughter Ashley Human, and six grandchildren (Caleb, Paige, Grace, Teagan, Blake, and Hawkens).

Julia (Weisenborn) Scott received her post-masters Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Washington State University Vancouver in May 2024 and was awarded the Outstanding DNP Student award. With over 46 years in nursing, Julia has worked in medical-surgical services, labor and delivery, school nursing, and nurse delegation. She’s currently a clinical instructor in the nursing program at Clark College in Vancouver, Wash. Julia also retired from the Air Force Reserves with the rank of colonel in 2014 after 29 and a half years of service as a flight nurse and nurse administrator. Julia and her husband, Curtis, live in Vancouver.

Deanna (Thorp) Nowadnick recently released her fourth book and first children’s book, Grandma, You Found Me!. Deanna manages an investment advisory firm on Mercer Island, Wash., when not writing. She’s active in her church, volunteering and serving on the leadership team. Deanna lives in Monroe, Wash., with her husband, Kurt ’76. She’s the mother of two adult sons and the grandmother of four—her inspiration for additional books.

Wendy (Enger) Gibson and Helen Pohlig were together in Florence, Italy, in October 2023. Wendy lives in Florence and studies classical portraiture in a three-year art program. Helen has retired from teaching contract law seminars and traveled for two weeks in Italy.

Thomas “Tom” Edward Fenn passed away on May 1, 2024, at age 78, after a courageous battle with cancer. Tom was a proud PLU graduate, earning his bachelor’s in 1968 and master’s in business administration in 1984. He was an accomplished athlete in swimming and rowing, even taking turns in the wooden shell made famous by the novel The Boys in the Boat. After PLU, Tom had a successful career as an insurance executive. Passionate about athletics, he completed marathons and triathlons, including Ironman Hawaii and the World’s Toughest Triathlon. He was a devoted family man to his children, Brian and Karin, and grandchildren, Graham, Odin, and Aneva.

James Reece passed away on March 7, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. He was born on Nov. 24, 1944, in Palo Alto, Calif. As an undergraduate at PLU, he studied abroad in Germany at the University of Heidelberg, where he recognized his passion for German language and literature. He graduated magna cum laude from PLU with a bachelor’s degree in German. After PLU, he earned a master’s degree and a doctorate from the University of Oregon alongside lifelong friend Gerald Fetz ’66. In 1970, Reece relocated to Moscow, where he spent 38 years teaching German language and literature at the University of Idaho.

Theodore “Ted” John Vigeland (born April 13, 1943) passed away on Jan. 31, 2024. Ted graduated from the University of Oregon Medical School, completing his internship and orthopedic residency. In medical school, he married his high school sweetheart, Julie Shiffer Vigeland, and they were married for 58 years. Over the years, they visited 67 countries. Ted relished his work in Peru and Ecuador with a local medical team. After years of private practice, he joined the medical staff at Oregon Health Sciences University, where he served as associate professor and later at the Veterans Hospital. He and Julie had two children and six grandchildren.

Lou Blaesi passed away on Sept. 4, 2023. He was a devoted husband to Karen, a loving father to Matt and Chris, and a proud grandfather to Andrew, McKenzie, Tyler, Ben, and Jack. He played football at PLU for four years, from 1958 to 1961. He was a teacher and coach in the Federal Way School District and was inducted into the Federal Way Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010 for his 28-year teaching and coaching career. He remained active at his Lake Chelan and Palm Desert homes in his retirement. Lou had a passion for the outdoors and hard work.

Neil Eastvold passed away on Sept. 19, 2023. He earned his business degree at PLU, but equally important, it’s where he met the love of his life. After graduation, he spent his tenured career working in sales and later as an engineer at various cement companies in Seattle. He had a full life with many adventures, but his favorites were the ones with his family. Neil is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janice (Campion) Eastvold ’59; children Lynn, David, and Bryan; grandchildren Kelsey Smith ’11, Shelby, and Tyler; and one great-grandchild.

Don and Alta (Prestbye) Gaarder graduated from “PLC” in 1955 and married in 1956. At PLC, Alta was in the Homecoming Royalty during her junior year. She taught 3rd and 1st grades for over 30 years and participated in parish activities. Don, a three-sport letterman, was student body vice president during his senior year. After over 30 years in Lutheran ministry, he sold insurance and volunteered with Sanford Health. He served on the Augustana University Board of Regents and was inducted into its Honorary Alumni Association in 2023. Don and Alta turned 90 in 2023 and celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary. Alta passed away on June 27, 2024. Don resides in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Grace (Foege) Holmes passed away on Feb. 8, 2023, in Lenexa, Kan. She was the first woman to graduate from PLU to be accepted to the University of Washington Medical School and one of two women in her class who graduated with M.D. degrees in 1957. Grace married Fred Holmes, a fellow medical school classmate, in 1955. She had an interesting career serving on faculties at Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, interspersed with medical mission work in Malaysia from 1959 to 1963, and in Tanzania from 1970 to 1972, in addition to publishing medical papers, writing several books, and caring for six children (five adopted and one biological).

Frank E. Witt passed away on May 16, 2023, at age 94. He attended PLU after serving in the Army in WWII. Frank’s teaching career began in the Steilacoom School District. He transferred to the new University Place School District and Tacoma Community College, retiring in 1990. He volunteered to teach horticulture at the women’s prison in Purdy. He did this well into his 90s. He received his master’s from Washington State University in 1966, and was also a Master Gardener. He’s survived by his wife of 74 years, Gloria (Christenson) Witt ’66, and his children Virginia ’75, Chris ’78, and Margaret ’86, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.