UNDERGRADUATE ALUMNI

Tony Adams
Mr. Adams is currently the President and CEO of DiscoverTheOutdoors.com, as well as its founder. Click here to see his full cv.

Daniel Allred, BA (2007), Russian Minor
Mr. Allred is currently working with the College of Eastern Utah and the Utah State University Education Center in Price, UT, as a transfer advisor. His duties include formulating documentation to help students navigate between the schools, advising full-time for CEU and teaching a College Success Skills class. He has just sent in his application to the Kansas State Graduate School where he looks forward to starting a MS in Academic Advising in August. He is also preparing to co-present at the upcoming UAOA (Utah Advising and Orientation Association) conference on Perry's theories about student development. While his studies have taken a turn toward behavioral science, he still enjoys helping students gain an appreciation for history and the humanities.

Joseph N. Anderson, BA cum laude (2007), British & Commonwealth Studies Minor
Mr. Anderson went on to earn an MS in Library Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania (2009). While in grad school, he wrote a history of the failed attempts to form a county-wide library system in Cache County and a survey of white actors who have played the role of Othello. Two months before graduation, he was hired in his dream job as the librarian over the adult non-fiction and reference collections at Logan Library. His continued interests include Anglo-Saxon England and the life of Irish politician Michael Collins. Mr. Anderson, his wife Amy (BS Sociology 2009) and their children reside in Logan.

Bryon Andreasen, BA magna cum laude (1980)
Mr. Andreasen earned a J. D. from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in 19th Century American History from the University of Illinois. He is a Research Historian at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum in Springfield, Illinois, where his duties include researching and writing rotating exhibitions, assisting the Illinois State Historian on various projects and conferences, being consultant to the "Looking for Lincoln" Heritage Coalition as administrator for the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, and editing the Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association - the leading academic journal in the field of Lincoln Studies.

Teri A. Brown, BS cum laude (1997)
Teri was awarded the Bullen Prize for Best Undergraduate paper of the year in 1997. In that same year, she also received a BS in English, magna cum laude, earned Honors in English and was nominated a Top Senior in English. Having graduated from USU with an MS in English, summa cum laude, in 1999, Terri is currently as Associate Instructor for the University Writing Program at the University of Utah and an Adjunct English Instructor at Weber State University.

Raymond O. Cantu (1982)
Mr. Cantu was accepted to the University of Minnesota Law School. He graduated from law school in 1986 and went into private practice. In 1995 he joined the City of Minneapolis as a prosecutor in the criminal division where he is to date. Mr. Cantu specializes in prosecution of livability crimes and chronic offenders.

Greg Carr, BS (1982)
Mr. Carr received a Masters in public policy from Harvard in 1986. That same year he co-founded Boston Technology, an international telecommunications firm, and served as its chair until 1998. From 1996-1998 he was chair of Prodigy, a global Internet service provider. He also co-founded Africa Online in 1996 and served as its chair until 1998. That year Mr. Carr resigned from his for-profit boards and devoted himself to humanitarian activities. In 1999 he formed the Carr Foundation dedicated to human rights, the environment and the arts. Around that time he co-founded the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University. Through research and teaching, the Carr Center seeks to make human rights principles central to the formulation of good public policy in the United States and throughout the world. Carr has been active in philanthropic activities in his home state of Idaho. Joining family and friends, he co-founded the Museum of Idaho in 2000, a cultural and natural history museum in Idaho Falls that is the largest institution of its kind in the state. In December of 2007 Carr signed a twenty-year agreement with the government of Mozambique to restore and co-manage the country's flagship national park, Gorongosa. He sits on the boards of Internews and the Gorongosa Restoration Project (http://www.gorongosa.net/news-events/all).

Julie Ann Cordero (Grosshans) (2006)
Ms. Cordero is currently an eighth-grade US History Teacher at Dixie Middle School in St. George in the Washing County School District. She is also working on her MS through Southern Utah University. She teaches sixth-grade World history and seventh-grade Utah Studies.

Michelle Cottrell-Williams, BS (2004), Business Minor
After graduating from USU, Ms. Cottrell-Williams traveled to Moscow, Russia, to serve as an English teacher at a private school there. Upon returning to the United States, she moved to the Washington D.C. area and soon began pursuing a MEd in Secondary Education at The George Washington University. She now teaches Modern World History to ninth-grade students in Arlington, VA.

Richard F. Daines
Mr. Daines received an MD from Cornell in 1978, specialized in Internal Medicine in 1981, subspecialized in and practiced Critical Care Medicine and became Chief Medical Officer of St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, NY, until 2000. He then was appointed Medical Director and CEO of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York until 2007, when he became Commissioner of Health for New York State, his current position. He is married to Linda Skidmore, a music major graduate of USU and a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs.

Steve Davis (1986)
Mr. Davis is currently the Director of Alumni and Community Connections at BYU-Idaho. Since graduating from USU in 1986, he has been employed at Ricks College, now BYU-Idaho. Mr. Davis has worked in Admissions, fundraising as the Director of Annual Giving, and for the last nine years in Alumni Relations. In 1991, he earned his Masters of Education in Occupational Training from Idaho State University.

Cindy Durtschi
Ms. Durtschi completed a Masters in Economics from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, then a Master's in Accountancy from the University of Arizona, as well as a PhD in Business at the University of Arizona. Ms. Durtschi currently teaches Accounting at DePaul University in Chicago.

Jared Farmer, BA (1996)
Prof. Farmer went on to earn an MA at the University of Montana, and a PhD from Stanford University (2005). Following a post-doctoral fellowship at The Huntington-USC Institute of California and the West, he is currently Assistant Professor of History at SUNY-Stony Brook. He is also the author of two books: Glen Canyon Dammed: Inventing Lake Powell and the Canyon Country (The University of Arizona Press, 1999), and On Zion's Mount: Mormons, Indians, and the American Landscape (Harvard University Press, 2008) for which Prof. Farmer won the 2009 Francis Parkman Prize from the Society for American Historians, an award given annually for the best nonfiction book on an American theme published the previous year. Click here to read more about Prof. Farmer's achievement.

Kimberlee Fitzgerald, BA (1997), Italian Minor; MA (1999)
Ms. Fitzgerald works for the US Secret Service, a division of the Department of the Treasury. Her job entails protecting either high-ranking US government officials, their wives and families or visiting foreign dignitaries. Ms. Fitzgerald’s duties brought her to the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics where she was assigned to safeguard Lynne Cheney, the wife of Vice President Dick Cheney.

Robert B. Funk, BA magna cum laude (1988), dual major with Pre-Law, Minors in Accounting, Philosophy and Japanese
After graduating from USU, Robert then went to Cornell Law School where he was the Lead Note Editor of the Cornell International Law Journal and published an article in that journal about the Japanese Constitution. He graduated from Law School in 1992 and took a job in Logan, Utah with Olson & Hoggan, P.C. where he has practiced law ever since. Robert is now a shareholder in the firm and specialized in business and real estate transactional work.

Jan Gillespie Francisco, BA magna cum laude (2005), Russian Minor, certificate in Secondary Education
After graduating from USU, Ms. Francisco spent a year working in the Western SARE office on campus and then moved to San Antonio, Texas, where her husband (Ben Francisco, BA in Art, 2006) attends medical school.

Jeanne Hansen Sneddon, BS (1976)
Ms. Sneddon is currently teaching ninth-grade world history at Carthage High School in Carthage, Missouri. She married Dale Sneddon, also a USU alumnus, with whom she has six children. She graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a BS in Education in 1994 and Pittsburg State University with a MS in Education in 2001.

Leslie Hadfield
Ms. Hadfield is currently a PhD candidate in History at Michigan State University. Click here to see her full cv.

Lenaye Howard, BA Summa Cum Laude (2008), Mathematics Minor
Ms. Howard has published an article in the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography based on her Honor's Thesis. Click here to see the details of her published article.

Marci Hubbard Groesbeck, BA (1985), Political Science Minor
After graduating from USU, Marci traveled to the University of Cambridge, where she received the Master of Philosophy (M.PHIL) degree in Latin American Studies. During her 18 years as a teacher, Marci has been the advisor of the National Honor Society and served on the Executive Board of the West Valley teacher's union. Click here for USU Alumni Spotlight.

Marion Hyde
After graduating from USU with a degree in History, Prof. Hyde applied for graduate school in the Art Department at USU. He completed an MFA degree and for three years taught art at Box Elder High School in Brigham City, UT. He then joined the art faculty at USU where he taught for thirty-five years, twelve of which he was the head of the Art Department. Prof. Hyde retired from USU in 2002 and now does art work on a daily basis. He also plays the guitar, reads the history of the US and studies art history.

Zachary R. Jones, BA (2006)
After completing his BA in History at USU, Mr. Jones obtained a Master's in Comparative History from the College of William & Mary in Virginia in January 2008. In 2009 Mr. Jones obtained a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Archives and Records Administration from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. As of 2010, he was the director of the Sealaska Heritage Institute's Special Collections library and archive, located at Juneau, Alaska. At that time, Mr. Jones was also teaching history part time as an Adjunct Instructor of History at the University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau.

Matthew Kirby, (2003)
Upon graduation from USU Matthew went on to earn M.S and Ed.S degrees in school psychology. Matthew is also a writer, something he has done since he was a kid. He continues to write short stories but his passion is for middle grade and young adult novels. He lives in Utah with his wife where he works as a school psychologist for a large district. Click here for his website.

Kelly M. Langdorf, BA magna cum laude (1981), German Minor
Upon graduation from USU Kelly was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He is still on active duty having attained the rank of Colonel and is currently serving as the Senior Defense Official, Defense and Army Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa. During his early years as an officer he served with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 10th Special Forces Group. Kelly is now a US Army Foreign Area Officer with an area of specialization in Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to South Africa, Kelly has served tours in Embassies in Angola, Portugal, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Nigeria, as well has worked as a Regional Director in the Pentagon in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs.

David Rich Lewis, BS (1979)
After graduating from USU (BS History 1979), Prof. Lewis went on to earn an MA from the University of Toronto, and an MA and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  He returned to join the faculty at USU in 1988 and is currently a Professor of History and Editor of the Western Historical Quarterly (http://www.usu.edu/whq/index.htm).

Jeffrey Lee Laurence, BS (1988), Anthropology Minor
After graduating from USU, Mr. Laurence went on to earn a JD from Brigham Young University in 1991. Since then, he has resided in Seattle, Washington, and is Senior Counsel and Government Affairs at Symetra Financial.

Paige Lewis, BA (1991); MA (1994)
Ms. Lewis is currently the Director of Government Relations for the Colorado Chapter of The Nature Conservancy where she has additional responsibility for leading a Forest Health and Fire Initiative. Her work also includes serving as the Executive Director of the Governor's Forest Health Advisory Council. In her day-to-day job, she interacts with elected officials, land management agencies, private landowners and a number of interest groups to facilitate long-term stewardship of Colorado's natural environment.

Jim Loveland, BA magna cum laude (1989), Anthropology Minor
Mr. Loveland is a Foreign Service Officer.

Molly McCaughin (2007)
Ms. McCaughin is currently working for AuPairCare, a cultural exchange company which connects host families with au pairs. As a post-graduation present she was treated to a trip to both Georgia and South Carolina where she did some historical sightseeing pertaining to the Civil War and slavery. Ms. McCaughin's thesis on antebellum slavery which she wrote under the supervision of Dr. McInerney gave her a huge appreciation for this opportunity.

James P. McClure, BA (1974); dual major with Political Science, Anthropology Minor
Mr. McClure received his PhD from the University of Michigan in 1983. He is currently a Senior Associate Editor of Papers of Thomas Jefferson at Princeton University. He is also co-editor, with Peg A. Lamphier and Erika M. Kreger, of "Spur Up Your Pegasus": Family Letters of Salmon, Kate, and Nettie Chase, 1844-1873 (Kent, Ohio, 2009).

James L. Mercer, BS (1977); commissioned in USAF (June 1977)
Capt. Mercer served as an Imagery Intelligence Officer for four years before becoming a pilot. He flew B-52's as co-pilot, aircraft commander, and instructor pilot. He served as Director of Reconnaissance and Space Systems for US Central Command during the first Gulf War. Capt. Mercer also earned an MA in Industrial Psychology from Louisiana Tech in 1985 and retired from the Air Force in 1998 as a Lt. Colonel. Presently he is a Captain for Delta Air Lines.

Barry Miller (1979), Economics Minor
After graduation from USU in 1979 with a major in History and a minor in Economics, Mr. Miller attended and graduated from Pepperdine University School Law in 1982.  In addition to the private practice of law, he has served as president of the California-based Milgro Nursery, Inc., a national supplier of flowers to the mass markets throughout the United States.

Jaron Nelson (2009), dual major with Physical Education
Mr. Nelson is currently fulfilling an internship position in Church History for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Salt Lake City.

Merietta Oviatt (2006)
Ms. Oviatt completed her Master's Degree in Viola Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2009 and has begun her Doctor of Musical Arts Studies at UNLV where her studies focus on the history of viola pedagogy and the changing roles of the viola. While working on her Master's, she was a research assistant for the music history text book Rock 'n Roll: Its Origins and Innovators. Ms. Oviatt completed her second CD Merietta Oviatt: That Old Time Gospel (available for purchase at CD Baby as well as itunes), and is planning a third with her professional ensemble "Fire and Ice Trio" (www.fireandicetrio.com). Currently, she is the assistant to the Director of Orchestras at UNLV and serves as Principal Violist for the UNLV Symphony Orchesta. Also a registered Suzuki violin and viola instructor, she enjoys teaching a small studio of private students, as well as performing in Las Vegas and throughout the United States. Ms. Oviatt will be returning to Utah in March to perform with the Fire and Ice Trio in Salt Lake and Vernal and hopes to expand that concert tour. For more information regarding the concert tour, please visit her personal web site (www.merietta.com) or the Fire and Ice Trio web site (see above).

Leon B. Perkes, Mathematics Minor
After graduating from USU, Mr. Perkes went on to teach at Blackfoot High School. He received his Master's Degree from Idaho State University in Teaching Secondary Students in Math and Science and retired in 1993.

Britt Petersen, BA (2003), dual major with French
In the spring of 2010, Ms. Petersen will receive her PhD from Northwestern University in European History, with an emphasis on the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Fred Peterson (1998)
A passionate and loyal Aggie, Mr. Peterson is currently in a Senior Sales position with Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, a company he has been with for four years. He is the leader of the highest performing territory west of the Mississippi.

Kathleen Pitcher Tobey
Ms. Tobey is executive director of the Regence Caring Foundation for Children, a non-profit organization which provides free dental care to low-income, uninsured children in Utah and Idaho. After earning her bachelor's and master's degrees from USU in American history, she joined the staff of the United States Judiciary Committee under the leadership of Senator Orrin Hatch. She returned from Washington, D.C. to work in Governor Mike Leavitt's Special Projects Office. As executive director, Ms. Tobey fundraised and directed the Governor's major political events. She served as Leavitt's Deputy Campaign Director during his successful 2000 re-election bid. During the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, she managed the Governor's VIP social events, including the opening reception hosted by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and attended by President and Mrs. Bush. Ms. Tobey currently serves on the Board of Directors for Voices for Utah Children, the leading child advocacy organization in Utah, and is an active member of the United Way of Greater Salt Lake's Community Change Council and the Utah Oral Health Coalition. She is a committed and passionate member of the child advocacy community, lobbying decision makers about the health care needs of low-income children and families. She is also active in the local arts community, an interest ignited by her appointment to the Utah Arts Council Board of Directors in 2002 where she served as board vice chair and committee chair for arts education. Ms. Tobey is also a graduate of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce's "Leadership Utah" program and was featured in Utah Business magazine as a "Rising Stars: 40 Under 40" recipient in 2006.

Travis Rowley
After completing his undergraduate requirements which included the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at USU in 1998, Mr. Rowley was commissioned into the United States Air Force. In Jan. 2000, he completed the Air Force's undergraduate pilot training and subsequently qualified in the C-5, the Air Force's premier strategic airlift aircraft.  Since then he has been actively flying the C-5 while stationed at Travis Air Force Base (AFB) in California, Altus AFB in Oklahoma, and Lackland AFB in Texas. Mr. Rowley has participated in missions across the globe, including Operations Northern and Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Currently he is attending a Professional Military Education course (Air Command and Staff College) at Maxwell AFB in Alabama. Upon completion in June 2010, he will earn a Master's Degree in Military Science.

Richard L. Saunders, BS (1987), MS (1989)
Mr. Saunders completed a library degree at BYU and received professional certification as an archivist in 1992. He worked for the University of Utah and Montana State University-Bozeman libraries before making a short career detour into the publishing industry. In 2000, he returned to academic librarianship and works at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He continues to pursue history with Printing in Deseret: Mormons, Politics, Economy, and Utah's Incunabula (University of Utah Press, 2001), an updated edition of Isabel Randall's classic A Lady's Ranch Life in Montana(University of Oklahoma Press, 2004), and an edited collection of Dale L. Morgan's historical work in Shoshonean People and the Overland Trail (USU Press, 2006). He holds a PhD in History with an emphasis in post-1945 US history from the University of Memphis.

Diana Suddreth (1981), Mathematics Minor
After graduating for USU, Ms. Suddreth taught history in Las Vegas for one year and then taught mathematics in middle and high schools in Utah and California. She received the Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2000 and was Nationally Board Certified in 2002. She has been the mathematics curriculum specialist for the Utah State Office of Education since 2006.

Jenna Howick Tilt, BA (1998)
Ms. Tilt is working on her PhD at the University of Washington where her husband, Bryan Tilt, has just completed his PhD in Anthropology.

.Andrea Varga, BS cum laude (1996), dual major with Theatre Arts
Prof. Varga received an MFA in Theatre Design from Florida State University in 1999, then moved to New York City where she started work in a Broadway costume shop. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts at SUNY New Paltz. Click here to see her web site.

 

Last updated on 13-Dec-2010