C lios

Comments

His tory Alumni Newsletter
1986

I

Edited

by

Jean Morton

June 26, 1986
Dear History Alumnus:
Summer has arrived and the halls of the Faculty Office Building are
relatively quiet except for the four professors and their students who
are spending their summer at the university.
I am finishing up administrative odds and ends that remain from my
first year as department chairman and will be off to Europe on Sunday
for a vacation and at the end of the summer some research in twentieth
century Austrian history. Dr. Burton, whom you have known as Depart­
ment Head, has returned to full-time teaching. Profs. Barnes and
Cotkin will be on leave this coming academic year and we feel most
fortunate to have appointed two outstanding historians to replace
them. Dr. Sarah Elbert holds the Ph.D degree in American History from
Cornell University and is taking a leave of absence from her position
at the State University of New York at Binghamton to teach for us and
familiarize herself with western aspects of one of her areas of
specialization, the history of the family in American agriculture.
Dr. Kenneth Scherzer received his Ph.D. from Harvard in 1982 and has
been a visiting assistant professor at Colgate University and Whitman
College. Dr. Scherzer's specialty is urban history and he has well­
developed skills in quantitative methods. Dr. Scherzer will conduct
periodic seminars for the history faculty on the application of the
micro-computer to teaching and research in history.
If you have been gone from the department for more than a year, you
would undoubtedly be suprised to find three green-on-black glowing screens
in the main office. We acquired an ATT 6300 in the fall, which Jean
Morton, our clerical assistant, uses almost exclusively in her work
preparing materials for the instructional program. Once the ATT was
on line, it became clear that we needed at least one additional
computer, since Edna Bosch, the departmental secretary, and I also
wanted to use it for administrative purposes. In December the
department allocated $1,200 from discretionary funds donated by alumni
and friends of the department for the purchase of a Compaq portable
computer. We received an additional $800 from the School of
Communicative Arts and Humanities to make this purchase possible.
Finally, just last month, the School received 17 Monarch computers;
one of these was allocated to the Department of History and it is on
this machine that I am presently writing this letter to you. In the
near future, we hope to be able to obtain another portable computer so
as to give faculty members a reasonable opportunity of access when
they want to do some writing in their offices. Another short-term
goal is to add hard disk drives to our ATT and Monarch. All three of
our computers are IBM compatible which gives us considerable
flexibility among the machines. We are slowly retiring our old IBM
Selectric typewriters on which the exams that you loved to hate were
prepared and are replacing them with electronic typewriters that can
be used as printers with all the computers.
All of our new technology, of course, costs money. When you are
approached this fall through the Annual Giving Program, we would
appreciate it greati y if you would designate a gift for the

department. Every contribution helps, and the acquisition of our new
Compaq portable computer is concrete evidence of the support which
gifts make possible.
On the following pages, you will find news about faculty and friends
from your Cal Poly years. We hope you enjoy reading the news. If you
didn't find time to respond this year, let us know what is going on in
your life in time for next year's news letter.

Sincerely,

~~~
Chairman

"I -understand the revisionists are hot on your trail, Projeuor Bar ne s!"

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ALUMNI NEWS
1969

Nancy Umbeck

My husband is a professor at Purdue University. Our children are Sara,
age 11 and Ryan, age 5. I keep busy with family activities and women's
ministry at our church.
1970

Diane Lenning

I received M.A. Secondary Education from Cal State University, Long
Beach in 1976. I taught 5 years of high school music, social studies
and traffic safety (driver training in public high schools) and 10
years private instruction of piano/violin. Presently I am conservator
for estates appointed by court, dealing with attorneys, real estate,
hospitals, courts, etc. I also am working with abandoned women in
local shelters and pro-life issues dealing with unwed mothers and
placement of infants.
My most notorious victory has been my recent (5 year) battle with a
disease called systemic lupus erethymatosis (SLE) "Lupus" for short.
We have 2 children (both adopted): Jeff, 15 years- received
(U.S.A.N.) United States achievement award for trumpet (music) and
scholastic achievement. Tanya, 11 years - plays flute and is in 6th
grade.
My husband is a Certified Public Accountant and owns his own business.
I have worked in the accounting business with him as office manager
for 3 years.
Travels:
Hawaii - including Kuwaii and the renowned fern grotto and "Grand"
Canyon
Florida - including Disneyworld, Kennedy Space Center and for those
"I Dream of Genie" fans, Cocoa Beach. On to Southern states including
Thomas Jefferson Davis' Home in Mississippi, and New Orleans "Bourbon
Street."
We have also traveled to Yellowstone, Mt. Rushmore, Niagara Falls, New
York City, Washington D.C., St. Louis, Grand Canyon, Indian Cliff
Dwellings, Estes Park, Colorado (river rafting) etc. etc.
I have written a book of poetry with group bible studies. Also I have
begun a book, of which I hope to publish next year. The book deals
with how I have coped with a debilitating disease and continued on.
I have hopes of writing music also, but don't see publishing of music
for 2-3 years.

1971

Diane Forbes Peacock

Spent years 1972-84 accompanying National Park Service husband to
various posts. Have had numerous adventures - bears in the backyard,
scorpions in my salad bowl, linen closets, etc., temperatures to 129
and winter snowfalls of 8-12 feet that stayed on the ground for months
at a time.
In 1984 we decided to embark on the most challenging adventure of all.
We bought our own home in "civilization" - a small town in western
Nevada of 935 people- and it's only 115 miles to the grocery store!!
My husband commutes to Death Valley National Monument and I work as a
librarian assistant in the local school/community library. I am also
co-leader for Girl Scouts, do story time (at the library) raise
chickens and garden. We have 3 children - a 12 year old daughter and
8 year old daughter and son.
1972

Thomas M. Duggan

Since 1980, I have been a partner in the Bakersfield law firm of
Klein, Wegis and Duggan, which consists of 13 attorneys and
specializes in civil litigation. Currently, I am the lead attorney in
the Stringfellow toxic disposal site litigation wherein I represent
5,000 people who live in Glen Avon, which is a suburb of the City of
Riverside. In addition, I am representing injured individuals in
several other toxic cases here in California.
In addition to my law practice, I am the Secretary-Treasurer of the
Kern County Bar Association and have been on the Board of Directors
for the past three years. The Board of Governors of the State Bar
have also in the past appointed me to the Legal Services Trust Fund
Commission, and beginning this year, I am the Vice-Chairman of the
newly created State Bar's seven-member Client Security Trust Fund
Commission, which is set up to compensate individuals who have been
defrauded by attorneys. Next year I will be the Chairman of that
commission.
On a personal note, I am married to Debra Schollard (Speech, 1974) and
we have two daughters, Katie, age six, and Laura, age seven months.
1972

Jane Fiori

Since my Cal Poly days, I have completed an MA in German and Central
European History at San Diego State University (1978).
I also worked for 10 years at John F. Kennedy University in the San
Francisco Bay Area. For the first seven years I was Director of
Admissions. During the last three I was Dean of Student Services.
I returned to school last fall and am working on a Ph.D. in Education
Policy, Planning and Administration at the University of Maryland,
College Park. I have a research assistantship with a new center just
established by the Department of Education called the National Center

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for Postsecondary Governance and Finance. I am enjoying living so
close to all of the cultural and political activities in Washington,
D.C.
1972

Shaune Montross

Shaune lives in San Bruno, California.
1973

Ann Benjamin-Matney

Since 1973, I have gotten my Masters in Library Science at San Jose
State University. Currently, I am a high school librarian in Ohio.
This past summer though, I was the recipient of a National Endowment
for the Humanities Grant. I studied the Grimm Brothers, their folk
tales and implications, at Wayne State University in Detroit.
Although not a Lewis and Clark odyssey, several years ago I took a
trip down a tributary of the Amazon in Peru. We were deserted by the
guides and left to find our own way out of the jungle. One sad entry
starts, "We ran out of crackers today," which meant that there was
only jam and coffee left for food . It was lots of fun.
1973

1973

Gary Gionnette

B.A. History - Cal Poly 1973
M.A. History - San Diego State University 1976
Community College Teaching Credential, issued 1976.
Member Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society, Cal Poly Chapter.
Married 15 years to Marian (Baake) Gionnette (whom I met at Cal Poly);
we have five children between the ages of 2 months and 13 years. I
have been employed by Safeway Stores, Inc. since graduation from Cal
Poly. My current position is director of produce operations for the
Washington D.C. division of Safeway Stores, overseeing produce
operations for 166 stores which includes responsibility for total
procurement and marketing of all the produce in this division. This
includes total profit and loss responsibilities of the operation.
Since my transfer to the East Coast three years ago from Southern
California, one of my major hobbies is sightseeing and visiting the
historical sites here.
1973

Catherine Pucheu Karcher

I have 2 children, John age 3 years and Christy age 2 years.
I work part-time teaching kindergym; member of Board of Trustees at
both Playgroup Association for Christy and John's nursery school.

Kathryn Bushman Taylor

Married Robert Noel Taylor on February 16, 1974.
1974
Worked in a travel agency and then taught nursery school in Santa
Monica, CA. until February, 1977 when I enrolled at Cal State
Northridge in the Communicative Disorders Graduate School program.
Received M.A. January, 1982 in Communicative Disorders .
I worked for Los Angeles Unified School District as a classroom
teacher for students with speech and language handicaps at the junior
high level from September, 1980 to February, 1986.

Sally Craiw

I have been an elementary school teacher in Oxnard, CA since
graduation. I am currently starting a program to receive a masters
and credential in special education and a resource credential. I
have been married to Wayne for ten years. We have two girls, a 6-year
old and a 1-year old. My husband who also attended Cal Poly is now
Vice-President of Hilford Moving and Storage, Allied Van Lines in
Ventura. We love to ride horses, fish and other outdoor activities.

I received state licensure as a Speech Pathologist in April, 1986.

1974

Currently I'm on child care leave to care for my daughter, Kathrine
Colleen (Kacy) born January 25, 1985 and working part time as a speech
pathologist for home health care agencies.

I am still a probation officer. In Nov. 1985, I transferred from
Santa ~aria back to Lompoc and have more time to spend with my two
horses. I am leaving for a week long trail ride tomorrow- so that's
it folks; I need to get packed!

We traveled to Europe in July/August, 1984 and found that I hadn't
forgotten all the history information I learned while at Poly! Thanks
for a good background in history which enabled me to really enjoy all
the sights I saw!

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1974

Marith J. Levers

Glenn R. Lindsey

B.A. History - Cal Poly 1974
M.A. Education/Counseling - Cal Poly 1975
I'm currently employed by the State of Montana State Auditor's office
and am running for Montana House of Representatives as a legislative
candidate. I am involved in political (conservative) issues.
I have been married 18 years and have a 14-year old son.

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I have been instrumental in starting a non-denominational charismatic
church in Helena, Montana.
1974

Randall Spoeneman

B.A. History - Cal Poly 1974
Teaching Credential received in 1975
I have taught for 10 years, including 2 years at youth services, 6
years for San Luis Coastal (2 years history, 4 years special
education). I was the varsity baseball coach for four years at San
Luis Senior High. I am now teaching at Arroyo Grande High School,
this being my second year. I teach world geography and U.S. History.
I helped tutor the Arroyo Grande academic decathalon team in social
science this year. I am also an assistant J.V. football coach and
assistant golf coach at A.G.H.S. I am a native of San Luis Obispo as
is my wife and have never moved from the area.
1974

Suzanne Archer Hodgdon

The research skills I acquired as a History major at Cal Poly
broadened into a career in Information Research and Retrieval for
various companies in the San Francisco Bay Area over the last ten
years. I have analyzed and evaluated appropriate information dealing
in the arts, the law, investment banking, and medicine. My last
position was with Sohio (Standard Oil of Ohio) Petroleum Company, in
San Francisco where I was involved as a Technical Records Assistant
dealing with oil production in the Prudho~e Bay fields in Alaska. It
was at Sohio that I met my husband, Richard L. Hodgdon. We were
married in my hometown of Oakland, California, January 1985 and
promptly moved to my husband's home town of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
I am presently not working, using my career skills only in a volunteer
capacity at the local library. We are expecting our first child in
July, 1986.
1975

Corinne Adriene (Warren) Tampas

B.A. History 1975
Graduated from San Francisco State University in 1978 with a degree of
Master of Business Administration.
Became licensed general building contractor in 1980. Built several
homes and developed small subdivision.
Received Instructor Credential to teach at the California Community
College level in the area of business and industrial management in
1981.
Entered Golden Gate University, School of Law in 1982 -- Graduated in
December 1985 with a J.D./M.S. (Tax), i.e., joint degree in law and
master of science in tax.
Currently studying for the California bar exam which will be given in
July of 1986.
Recently married (March 15, 1986) to Christian W. Tampas. Chris
received a post-graduate degree from Cal Poly in O.H. in 1980.
Currently he is a building contractor in Santa Maria, California.

Joycelynn Wilcoxson

Joycelynn lives in Visalia.
1975

1975

Shaunna Sullivan

I'm practicing law locally with law firm of George & Collins with
offices in San Luis and Los Osos.

Hobbies -- studied French in the Southwest region of France for two
summers (1980 and 1982) -- my husband and I enjoy traveling,
especially to Germany where he was born and to Central America where
I was born.
1976

Jess Hagnia

I am now a high school counselor at Barstow High School.
I was also employed by Santa Maria Joint Union High School District,
in Santa Maria. I was a high school counselor at Santa Haria High
School.
This summer I will be employed with the Barstow district.
the Manpower Summer Youth Employment Program Director.

I will .b e

Cal Poly has prepared me to enter the field of education, and to do an
excellent job.
Barstow is a nice place to live.
weather is nice and warm!
1976

The people are very nice, and the

Deborah Palmer

I just completed law school at the University of Oregon, earning my J.S.
(Thanks Dr. Hallman for encouraging me~)
I will be in Reno, Nevada this summer preparing for the Nevada bar
exam. I will work as a judicial clerk for a year in Minden, Nevada for
the Lake Tahoe District Court. I also plan to take the California bar
in February. It looks like the Eastern Sierras are home.

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I have an eight month old daughter with lots of curly brown hair and big
blue eyes. She is crawling and very talkative. She's already been to law
school many times! Prior to law school, I spent eight years at
Hearst Castle, from extern to full time guide. I was extensively
involved with the union there.
1977

Glenda (Brown) Highland

After obtaining a teaching credential in 1979, I did extensive
substitute teaching (several long-term positions for entire semesters)
for the Atascadero School District - mostly at the high school. Due
to a pregnancy and a move in 1982, I've been unemployed. I'm now a
mother of two - Jim born in 1983 and Joanne born in February of this
year. I'll be staying at home "teaching" for at least 3 more years- .
which will also give my husband time to become more established in his
career with Fish and Game. (We live at a fish hatchery and really
enjoy it here.)
1977

Susanne J. Redalje

Brian Lincoln Hill

Graduated law school, 1984.
1979

Awaiting first time bar results.

Cathy Allee

After graduation from Poly, I worked for TRW-Vidar in SLO, for about 2
years, both as an electronics assembler, then a payroll clerk. I then
returned to graduate school at the University of Denver, Colorado,
received my Main Librarianship and Information Management in August
of 1981, with a concentration in children's work.
Returning to California, I took temporary work with a visitors and
convention bureau in Ventura, while looking for a position. Began my
first professional position as a children's librarian with the Kern
County Library Syst·em, in Bakersfield. After 2 years there, I
accepted a position with the Santa Barbara Public Library, Goleta
branch, and moved back to the coast. I spent 2 years there.
Recently, I have accepted a position with the Santa Maria Public
Library as their children's librarian, and have happily returned to
the central coast, with a move to Arroyo Grande.
My traveling always seems to be trips to Hawaii, where I can totally
relax.

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Amy D. Pike

I graduated from law school in June, 1985. I presently work in the
legal department of San Diego Gas & Electric Company where I have
worked as a law clerk the last three years. (I worked full-time
attending law school at night.) Due to this rigorous schedule, my
travels and activities have been very limited, but I have loved my
work and now intend to take advantage of more free time ( i ncluding a
visit to Cal Poly)!
I want to thank Professor Krieger for the opportunity he gave me to
work at Hearst Castle. That exposure to the public, and those years
of experience at public speaking have helped me personally in a
million ways and opened doors for me professionally along the way. I
was always grateful that he believed in me and recognized some ability
(although hidden by extreme shyness) those many years ago. That
experience produced the greatest metamorphosis and confidence for the
hard work that lay ahead - THANK YOU!
1979

I just accepted a new position at the University of Washington as
Head, Chemistry-Pharmacy Library.
1978

1979

Leigh A. Moylan

I have been working as a media broker with The Holt Corporation since
January, 1983 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. I became the first woman in
the broadcasting industry to complete a radio station sale in 1984 and
have sold many properties since. For obvious reasons, I have become
the "west coast expert" in our office, and I make it a point to list
as many properties on the west coast as possible! (Last spring I sold
KBOQ-FM in Monterey/Carmel, and I am close to completing another sale
of an FH station in Monterey this spring,)
I bought a house two years ago in Bethlehem which I share with my 3
cats, one of which moved out from California with me - Simeon, named
for my great memories of working at Hearst Castle as a tour guide
after I graduated from Poly.
I have remained active with my sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, and was very
recently appointed the Province Collegiate Director of Pennsylvania.
I am very excited about this appointment and look forward to working
with the six college chapters I will oversee.
I have also been honored with the "Outstanding Young Woman of America"
award for the years 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985.
I am quite happy living in Pennsylvania. I live at the foot of the
Pocono Mountains, and we are less than 2 hours from New York City a·nd
under an hour from Philadelphia. The biggest problem I have is trying
to maintain any kind of tan during the cold winter months of
Pennsylvania!
I am in the phone book so if any former classmates ever find
themselves out in this neck of the woods, feel free to give me a call
·as I am always a little homesick for my friends on the west coast!

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1980

1980

Jill Blackburn

I am currently working for IBM Corporation in Monterey, CA. I am the
Executive Secretary to the marketing manager in NMD. In 1982 I spent 1
year studying French at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. In January
1986 I will be going back to school to finish my MBA.
1980

Kristin King Morana

I'm working part-time
building I work in is
San Pedro Square. It
built before the 1906
McEnry.)

as a secretary for Biagini Properties, Inc. (The
"historical." It is located downtown San Jose in
is the old Farmers Union Building - supposedly
earthquake. It is owned by San Jose Mayor Tom

I was married on February 8, 1986 to a 1977 electronical engineering
Cal Poly graduate, Horace Morana. We met in Saratoga, CA.
Through Horace I have met a neat group of Cal Poly grads (in
engineering) who were very active in Poly Phase. We meet often for
parties etc. and our special event is a camping trip at Big Sur ­
Memorial Weekend. This year I believe is the 14th anniversary to Big
Sur.
I'm still very close to my roommate from school - Janet Neill - she
graduated in dairy science, lives in Merced and works for Landmark
Genetics. We see each other often.
Finally, my Dad, Omer King is a Cal Poly graduate - his major was soil
science. He will celebrate his 30 year graduation anniversary in
December 1986.
Well that's about it -Cal Poly has always been special to me. We
visit SLO every once in awhile. I was also born in SLO shortly after
my Dad graduated.
1980

David McKenzie

I own my hardware business with my family. I have married a beautiful
woman and have one boy named Ian. I am also very glad I attended Cal
Poly and would do it again.
1980

William T. Miller

Presently enrolled in Cal State Long Beach Business School. I have
been employed by National Cinema Supply Corporation since graduation,
and am now the branch manager of the Santa Ana, California office.

Barbara Silver

Immediately after graduation, I attended law school at U.C. Hastings
College of the Law in San Francisco. I graduated in 1983 and drove
around the U.S. for 4 months. I then practiced for two years in the
Bay Area in the field of civil litigation until May 1986. I am
leaving ·May 21, 1986 for a six-month vacation to Europe. I will be
traveling primarily in France, Italy, Greece, England and the USSR. I
plan to return in late November and will practice law in San Francico
or New England.
1981

Caryl (Feldpouch) Rombough

Graduation. Five unbelievable years ago. It seems like yesterday.
What fun. What an experience. What a celebration after years of
studying and hard work.
Life since graduation has not been exactly uneventful. Not really
wanting to move out of the area after graduation, and the fact that I
did not go for a teaching certificate, I really limited myself to job
opportunities. After having had one job that shall remain a memory, I
have been happily employed as a secretary for a major insurance
company since April of 1984. As secretary, it is my job to help in
any way I can, new clients, prospective clients and established
clients with their insurance needs. As a multi-lines company, it is
my responsibility to have a working knowledge of all that the company
has to offer the public. A great challenge, but one that I really
enjoy. Shortly after graduation, March 6, 1982, to be exact, I
married a great guy that I met while attending Cal Poly - but not a
fellow student. No. Strange as it may sound, our paths had been
crossing for some twelve years before we actually met. But when we
met, well, that is "history." Small joke!
My husband and I are very involved in the American Legion and American
Legion Auxiliary (respectively) in our local area. I have been our
Unit Secretary for two years in a row and am just now finishing my
second year as president. I consider these two accomplishments a
major personal feat and can attribute this to the curriculum that I
was required to take while a student at Cal Poly. Support courses
such as speech and logic, philosophy and theory, those which you may
at first consider useless, are so essential in giving the student the
well-rounded education that Cal Poly does so very well.
Though I may never make a million dollars annual gross income, there
is no amount of money in this world that can take away the ever so
rich and rewarding education which I received at Cal Poly. To Cal
Poly, my professors and my classmates •.• Thank you so much.
1981

Cpt. Mark R. Henry

I'm in the signal corps stationed with the 2nd armored division near
Bremen, West Germany. ­

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1982
1981

Marcia A. McGee

It took 20 years between my Associate Degree and Bachelor's Degree .
But now things seem to happen in a quicker succession.
I am currently the Chair of the Democratic Central Committee of San
Luis Obispo County and enjoy meeting all the involved folks of this
and other counties, along with the political candidates.
I recently began working with the San Luis Obispo County Employees
Association which is the union for county employees. Great job, great
people and a real learning experience.

Sabrina Harmon

Yes, I'm still in SLO! I have received my certificate in Legal
Assistantship from UCSB Extension and am employed as a legal assistant
with a SLO insurance defense law firm.
1982

David Juchau

M.A. History (U.M.) - 1984
currently attending graduate school, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Just now finishing my reading and preparation for the General Exam
(orals and written) - will probably take them in December '85 or
January '86.

Mike (my husband) and I just returned from a Hawaiian vacation.
1982
1981

Henry A. Zevely

After my last class at Cal Poly I spent two years in Paris studying
rhetoric with Professor Schwob at Paris III at l'Institut de
Linguistique et Phonetique de la Nouvelle Sorbonne.
Most of 1984 I spent at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor at the
Rackham Arthritis Research Unit, where I wrote a guide to Paris, using
"text edit" on the Michigan terminal system. I hope to expand on it,
adding personal anecdotes making it more appealing to an American
student tourist, who has a few months to spend in that fascinating
city.
I now live in Palm Desert where I have a new rheumatologic practice.

Blake Miller

Employment - Teach 7th and 8th grade social studies at Judkins Jr.
High; Department Head of Social Studies - teach 1 period of boys P.E.
- basketball coach
Travel - went to Maui and Oahu in summer of '85
Graduate School - slowly working on a M.A. in School Administration
Fun stuff - played in 3 basketball leagues - run - bicycle and work out on
Nautalis religiously.
1982

Brian Miller

Subsequent to graduation, returned to Cal Poly and earned a teaching
credential, Social Studies. Spent four months in Washington D.C.
1982

Matt Gargiulo

It looks as if the History Club (Cal Poly Historical Society) has come
a long way in 3 short years. I would like to think that is in part
because of the groundwork we accomplished three years ago rather than
in spite of it.
I am currently teaching and coaching at Washington Union High School
just outside of Fresno, CA.
I am about half through my master's
although it has been put on hold for over a year now. I'm
contemplating going back to school full-time but nothing is for
certain. All things considered I had a wonderful experience at Cal
Poly and feel very well prepared for graduate school. I would like to
thank the department for emphasizing written expression and analysis
as these are the skills that have primarily been required for success
on the graduate level. Please give a special hello to Dr. Mayo, Dr.
Barnes, and Dr. Cotkin. I feel that through you I have been prepared
well for any avenue I may wish to pursue.
Hello to Sabrina Harmon and Blake Hiller!

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Returned to California and am currently employed as a social studies
teacher at San Luis Obispo High School, in my first year.
For the umpteenth time, I am back at Poly as of summer '86 to work
towards a credential in math. I've found (though I always knew) that
math teachers are much more in demand than social studies teachers.
Plus, the logic of math counterbalances the theory of history, keeping
me on my toes!
Thanks for keeping me abreast of happenings in the History Department!
1982

Jennifer L. (nee Stofer) Church

After graduation, I traveled alone in Europe for 4 months, then
attended the Sorbonne in Paris for a semester. I returned to
California and took a job with an investment management firm in L.A.
in June, 1983. I bought a townhouse in the San Fernando Valley in
March, 1984. In late 1984 I was introduced by a friend on the East
Coast to a Santa Maria native-turned-naval aviator, and in May 1985 we

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I'll be moving in July as I've lived in Pasadena for a year, my
roommate is moving down to San Diego soon, so I feel it is time for me
to move on. I'm really getting excited about finding a new place and
decorating it.

were married in Naples, Italy. We honeymooned in Venice and in
Yugoslavia, and I returned to L.A. Hy husband, Casey, joined me here
in December 1985. I still work for the same firm, where I am a
securities trader. Hy husband is still in the Navy, stationed in L.A.
doing officer recruiting. We have just bought a new (35-year old)
house.

Well that is it for me. Anything exciting going on at Cal Poly? I am
anxious to see the newsletter to see what everyone else is up tal

1983

1984

David Olson

William F. Helms (Bill)

I am currently employed as tour guide at the Hearst-San Simeon State
Historical Monument. I find the work fulfilling and the atmosphere
enchanting. Not only a place to share historical events but a visual
display of the art created over centuries ago.

William graduated from the Army Officers Basic course, Fort Benning,
Georgia. He completed Airborne training at Fort Benning, now assigned
to the 23rd Infantry in Korea, with the rank of First Lieutenant.

·I have also continued as an applied artist working mainly in wood. I
create figures in the round that vary in size from small to large. I
find inspiration for my works in the surrounding "Garden of Eden" that
is the Central Coast. I can also say that the many and varied art
pieces in the "Castle" collections have had some effect on me. I have
worked there for three years now and see new things on every tour.

1985

I feel fortunate to be doing the two things I care so much for yet
making a living at the same time. I am happy here and this June will
make 10 years in Morro Bay. I have an interest in teaching and may do
graduate work in the future. In my spare time I like to play tennis,
bicycle and go for motorcycle trips around the county. Hy idea of
getting away is a backpacking excursion into the Sierras or a week of
skiing at Tahoe.

Nancy Keith Kelly

What have I been doing since graduation? What a fine question ••• let
me think back that far ••• Let's see ••• over the summer, I worked as a
guide at San Simeon, along with other CPSU persons and had a terrific
time!!!
In September, I moved up to the Bay Area, and lived with some friends
in Saratoga, while I was in hot pursuit of a job!!! Around the middle
of October, I landed a temporary position at Apple Computer, which has
since become permanent. I am working in the Public Relations
department, and am really enjoying it. Mostly, I work with Product
Publicity and the Editorial Loan Program. The working world is a bit
different from that of academia, but, there are some advantages, like
being able to afford food!

There it is in a nutshell and thank you.
1983

Marie (Wassel) LaForge

I graduated from UCLA graduate program in U.S. History December 1985,
(masters). I have been accepted into the Ph.D. program at UCLA but I
am taking a break now. Since January 1986 I have been teaching full­
time at Coast Christian School (private school). I teach junior and
senior high - U.S. History and World History. I love it. Next year I
hope to work at a community college.
Personal life: My qusband (Mark) and I are still very happily married
and just bought our first (small) house.
1984

Sharon Carroll

I just started a new position at Horgan Stanley in May. I transferred
from the Mergers and Acquisition department to Mortgage Finance.
Instead of working for analysts, I now get to do the actual thinking
work. It was a set up. It was very hard for me to leave my old
position because I loved the two guys that I worked with a lot. But
the new job should be better for me in the long run.

15

It is a bit funny, being a history major in the computer industry •••
but I have a common answer for all those people that ask the age old
question, "What are you going to do with a history degree?" I merely
reply that I went to college for an education, not just to study one
mere subject. I also happen to be a firm believer in the liberal
arts ••• I guess that it is genetic, seeing that I come from an entire
family of liberal arts majors!!
I have also found out that it is not entirely what you already know
once you graduate from school; it is what your capacity is to learn
once you are on the job.
Besides work, I have been keeping fairly busy, I have a new home that
I am constantly working on, plus once the summer gets here, I can get
more involved with my bicycle touring club. Even though I am out of
school, I'm still doing a bit of reading .•• old habits of being a
History major die hard, I guess. Any good suggestions from any
professors?
That's about it for me ••• it would be great to hear from anyone else up
here in the Bay Area!!

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---FACULTY NEW
S -1986

Rick Crawford

I am waiting acceptance to the Poly credential program and hope to be
teaching one year from this fall.

**********************************************************************
The following three people didn't graduate from Cal Poly, but filled
out questionnaires and returned them to me (how nice!). They sound
like interesting people, so I decided to share their co.mments with
you!
Stephen N. Russell
I graduated from Sierra College with a Liberal Arts AA. Am now
employed at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center as a Postal
Distribution clerk working part-time permanent. I'm a full-time
trekker (as in Star Trek). I'm single and 31 years old, and did attend
Cal Poly from September 1979 to June 1981. My major was history but
if I were to return to Poly I would seek my major in Marketing/Bus.
Admin./International Trade. I'm seeking to become a member of the
Foreign Service working as Commercial Attache. I plan to take the
test this fall. I'm fascinated by high tech, trade, the defense
industry, exotic cars or replicas, like to travel, au natural sunning,
exotic cuisine, investing, maybe buy some franchises, involved in
buyouts, the military mystique, would like to live in or around Carmel
or in or around Irvine-Newport Beach area in Orange County. I love
diversity especially in skills for anyone's job or career. I favor
SDI and defense buildup. I know solutions can be found to the
homeless issue facing us. As you can see I'm not very history minded.
I require challenges, boldness in this life to be a success overall!
Rick Kennedy
I did not graduate from Cal Poly, but spent two wonderfully happy
years studying history there from 1976-78. I am this year completing
a Ph.D. in American cultural history at UC Santa Barbara. Looking
back, I would like to tell my professors at Cal Poly that their small
classes and smaller department prepared me well and that I remember
them better than most of the huge factory-style classes I encountered
in the UC system. As a teaching assistant, I have often been asked by
students why I left .Cal Poly to finish up at UCSB; many of them are
hoping to transfer from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo.
Zachary Widdes
I am involved in general contracting and developing in the Van Nuys
area. I am married and have 2 children. My interests are water skiing,
surfing, snow skiing, bicycling, roller skating.

17

­

TIM BARNES is continuing his research on loyalism during the American
Revolution. He will be on sabbatical leave during t~e winter and
spring quarters 1987 to conduct research in various British archives
to permit him to co-autho~ a joint project intended to answer the
still unanswered question of how revolutionary was the American
Revolution. Specifically, his research focuses on Loyalist-held
garrison towns.
LLOYD BEECHER conducted research on the interaction of the strategic
requirements of U.S. military planners with civilian, political and
economic objectives in sub-Saharan Africa, 1937-1958. As an outgrowth
of his highly popular course on the Vietnam War, Dr. Beecher has
become involved in developing Vietnam War veterans centers and will be
involved in the coming years with a program to develop knowledge among
secondary teachers in the tri-counties area about the Vietnam War.
ROBERT BURTON has devoted the bulk of his time to preparation of the
new general education course on the modern world and to pre­
publication reviews of texts in world civilization. He is actively
involved in the study of Chinese in anticipation of a Fulbright
exchange lectureship in the Peoples Republic of China.
GEORGE COTKIN is actively involved in research and writing on William
James. He will complete his manuscript on James during his sabbatical
for the year 1986-1987. He has published an article on James this
past year. Most recently, he lectured on the photographer Robert
Frank at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

DON GRINDE continues to be active in his research on native Americans.
He is the author of an article "Yamassee Family Ecology" soon to be
published in an anthology by the University of Utah Press. He has
received a summer research grant of $4,000 for work on the political
theory of the Iroquois in Washington and New York City and has
recently been recognized for his scholarly work by election to Who's
Who in American Indians.
BARBARA HALLMAN is the author of the recently published and favorably
reviewed Italian Cardinals, Reform, and the Church as Property, 1492­
1563 published by the University of California Press. She is
pres;ntly engaged in research for an article "Cardinals as Family."
DON HENSEL has been active in research into the theory and application
of simulation gaming. He recently presented a paper on this subject
at a meeting of the National University Continuing Education
Association and will present another paper on the "Teaching of the
Pullman Strike" through gaming at the Pacific Coast Branch of the
American Historical Association in August, 1986. In conjunction with
his course on American warfare, Dr. Hensel made travel-study visits to
battlefields of the Second World War in Europe and battlefields of the
Mexican War in San Diego County. He is an applicant for funding

18

through the CSU Academic Improvement Programs to further develop
simulation-gaming for courses in American history.
DAN KRIEGER spent spring quarter in London, England as a faculty
member with the London Study Program, sponsored by the School of
Liberal Arts. He is actively involved with the San Luis Obispo County
Historical Society and several other community organizations.
BARTON OLSEN is working on developing the format for a book in which
Houghton-Mifflin is interested on the Trans-Mississippi West. Dr.
Olsen is also a director of the local branch of a Salt Lake City
historical/geneological research library.
MAX RIEDLSPERGER is continuing research on the Austrian Legion
terrorist activities from Nazi Germany against the Austrian Republic
in the period 1933-38 and has recently received an invitation to co­
author several chapters in a proposed published symposium "Austrian
Nazism after 1938." He plans to do the necessary research and write
while on leave during the academic year 1988-89. He has devoted much
time to the writing and editing of materials for use in the new
general education course on the modern world supported by a grant from
the Department of Education for the internationalizing of the
curriculum at Cal Poly. Riedlsperger has also reviewed a number of
manuscripts on world history for publishers and is a member of the
Task Force on International Aspects of Education in the CSU.
ROBERT ROSENBERG is on the Faculty Early Retirement Program and
teaches half time for two quarters.
JOHN SNETSINGER is a regular reviewer for publications in Diplomatic
History and has attended a number of important national professional
meetings recently.
QUINTARD TAYLOR is continuing his research of the Seattle black
community which has generated four published articles and an article
"The Forging of a Black CoDIIIIunity: Seattle's Central District,"
currently under consideration for publication by the Pacific
Historical Review. He is presently applying for a Fulbright
Fellowship to teach Afro-American history at the University of Ibadan,
Ibadan, Nigeria, for the year 1987-1988.

19

• • • FROM THE FILES OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY • • •
This year has been filled with fun activities for Historical Society
members. To begin with, during fall quarter we held an informal talk
about the London Study Program which is sponsored by the School of
Liberal Arts. Several professors and students told our group about
how fun, exciting and educational their quarter in London was. In
October we held a dance featuring "Secret Service" as a fund raiser.
With a few dollars to spend, we took a trip to the Monterey Aquarium.
Winter quarter was a busy quarter as the Society held another fund
raiser, this time the showing of a film, "The Battleship Potempkin."
Dr. Riedlsperger, our Department Chairman, gave a short talk on
the period of time the film portrayed, along with a bit of the film's
history. The next couple of months we planned our display and food
booth for Poly Royal. Our display was on the Prohibition era in San
Luis Obispo for which we received third place in the School of Liberal
Arts competition. We sold popsicles from the food booth and were
happy to have made a small profit!
To conclude a great year, we had a very enjoyable end of the year
faculty-student potluck. Such notables as Dr. Riedlsperger,
Dr. Barnes and Dr. Snetsinger attended and made the whole occasion very
special. We hope that our successors will continue excellent faculty­
student relations and have more functions such as the potluck.
B~• ond • hoppy yoorl

~ul Cooper~

Cal Poly Historical Society, 1985-86

~~
David Eckstrom, Secretary/Treasurer
Cal Poly Historical Society, 1985-86

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