August 1, 2008
Deaths
Hubert Preston "Herb" Beckers, who attended Carroll in 1937-38, died at his home in Kalispell on July 24, 2008. After Carroll, he graduated from Montana State University with a major in agriculture and a minor in economics. A WWII veteran, he later worked as a soil conservationist with the United States Department of Agriculture in Thompson Falls, Hot Springs, and Chinook, Mont., and as a district conservationist in Miles City. He retired from the USDA as the area conservationist in Billings in 1975, and he and his wife returned to Kalispell, Mont. For more on his life, read: http://www.dailyinterlake.com/.
Dean Lyman Mawdsley, a Carroll Navy V-12 Program veteran and generous supporter of the college, died on July 9, 2008, in Hillsborough, Calif. He participated in the Navy's V-12 program at Carroll College in 1944-45 (see the story about the V-12s in the spring 2007 Carroll Magazine) and received his medical training in general surgery at the University of California at Berkeley and San Francisco. He served in the Army Medical Corps in Alaska during the Korean War. In 1959, he joined his father as a partner in the San Mateo Medical Clinic. A caring and skilled physician, Dean authored four books and bibliographies and served as president of the San Mateo County Historical Society, sheriff of the San Francisco Corral of Westerners International, and on the board of the J. Porter Shaw Maritime Library. He was a member of the California Academy of Medicine, the San Mateo County Medical Society and other organizations.
Donald M. Hrella, who attended Carroll in 1948-50, died on June 30, 2008, in Vancouver, Wash. He graduated from Creighton University Dental School in 1956 and entered the Army as a first lieutenant serving in the MASH Unit as a dentist in Korea. Don was promoted to captain and upon his return stateside he opened a dental practice in Salem, Ore., which he ran for 35 years.
Robert Reid "Bob" Chesterfield, class of 1960, of Helena and Yuma, Ariz., died July 6, 2008, at home in Helena. Bob volunteered for service in the Navy in March 1945 and served in the Philippines with the Seabees. After graduating from Carroll with a nursing degree, he worked at the Bozeman hospital for two years while attending Montana State University. He graduated in 1962 with a degree in fish and wildlife management, then went to work as a warden with the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department. He worked statewide, was promoted to warden sergeant and warden captain and retired from Fish, Wildlife and Parks in 1988. For more on his life, read: http://www.legacy.com/.
In the News
Dick Pedersen (left), class of 1974, began work as director of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in June. Prior to moving to Oregon, he worked for 18 years for the Montana DEQ in water, land, and Superfund issues, followed by three years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more on his high-viz job at Oregon DEQ, read: http://www.portlandtribune.com/.
Four candidates are in the running for superintendent of Anaconda schools, including Joe Mehrens, class of 1981 and the assistant principal at Anaconda High School. He holds a master's degree from the University of Montana-Northern and an administrative endorsement from the University of Montana.
Joseph J. Foy, class of 1999, has recently published a book through the University Press of Kentucky entitled "Homer Simpson Goes to Washington: American Politics through Popular Culture." The book, released on July 15, 2008, is an edited volume that uses various elements in popular culture (film, television, music, literature, etc.) to explore and analyze concepts in American politics and government. In his book, Foy has assembled a multidisciplinary team of scholars with backgrounds in political science, philosophy, law, cultural studies, and music. The essays tackle common assumptions about government and explain fundamental concepts such as civil rights, democracy, and ethics.
August "Gus" and Jen (Tzenis) Stein, class of 2003 and 2002 respectively, welcomed new baby Kaylin (photo right) on November 17, 2007. The family lives in Seattle, Wash., where Gus is in his ophthalmology residency after graduating from University of Washington Medical School.
Water & Environmental Technologies in Butte, Mont., has hired Jenny Klaja, class of 2006, as an office manager and marketing specialist.
Sinan Guler, class of 2007, is a member of the Turkish national men's basketball team, which failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympics but recently played the United States men's Olympic team in Macau, China. During the exhibition game, Sinan was on the floor and on international television for six minutes, after which Team USA took the winner's circle with a score of 114-82. Sinan was recently signed by Turkish powerhouse, Efes Pilsen for the 2008-09 season and was honored by being selected to the national team. At Carroll, Sinan played for the Saints men's basketball squad for two seasons (2004-05 and 2005-06), and helped the squad to league and post-season Frontier championships and two trips to the NAIA National Tournament. During those years, Carroll men's basketball saw its highest finishes in school history, one Final Four appearance and another Elite Eight finish. In the process, Sinan earned a pair of All-Frontier Conference honors, the league defensive MVP award and an honorable mention NAIA All-America spot his senior season. Since graduating from Carroll, he returned to his hometown of Istanbul, Turkey, and played for a variety of Turkish teams. For more, read: http://www.carroll.edu/.
Page Kelly, class of 2007, has started a new business as an Herbalife International Distributor, which specializes in nutritional supplements and weight loss products. Check out her website: http://www.bigskynutrition.com/.
Nick Milodragovich (left), class of 2008, has joined the Water/Wastewater Department of Morrison-Maierle in Helena as an engineer intern. He is a recent graduate of Carroll's civil engineering program.
