WWU Alumni Association Board
Board Meetings:
- July 16
- September 17
- November 19
- January 21
- March 18
- May 20
Meetings are held online at 5:00 p.m. via Teams or Zoom, unless announced otherwise. To attend the meeting as an observer, email your request to wallawallauniversityalumni@gmail.com.
The next regularly scheduled business meeting:
Homecoming Weekend 2025
Alumni Association Business Meeting
Friday, April 25, 2025, 12:30 pm
Fine Arts Center Auditorium, Walla Walla University
Meeting will also be streamed live at wallawalla.edu/homecoming
1. Welcome and opening prayer
2. Approval of meeting minutes
3. Treasurer’s report
4. President’s report
5. Alumni of the Year awards
6. Discussion of proposed constitutional changes
7. Vote on amending constitution
8. WWU Alumni Relations update
9. Announcement of voting results
10. Singing of WWU school song
11. Closing prayer
The WWU Alumni Association is currently an independent 501c3 charitable organization. What does this mean?
The WWU Alumni Association is currently a separate legal entity from WWU. It exists to support the university and its alumni, and it manages alumni endowments of more than $3 million. The WWUAA Board uses the income from the endowments to fund student scholarships, operate and care for Havstad Alumni Center, and for other various projects. Because of its independent status, however, the WWUAA Board does not have direct access to any personal information of WWU alumni, including contact information. This makes it difficult for the WWUAA Board, as structured, to fulfill many of the mandates outlined in the alumni association constitution, including:
- Monitoring and responding to alumni opinion.
- Building an active and influential volunteer base.
- Establishing alumni chapters.
How do other university alumni organizations function?
Many universities no longer have a separate alumni association. Instead, universities have internal structures built into their operations, with alums serving on advisory committees. Members offer advice and counsel on matters of policy and planning within the university, particularly regarding alumni engagement. They provide high-level advice on the approaches that deepen alumni participation and philanthropy and offer strategies on leveraging alumni connections to create strong career paths for students.
Can the WWU Alumni Association simply disband its organization and move over to WWU?
One complication we have, compared to other universities, is our duty to manage the restricted alumni endowments. Donors who established these funds intended that they remain separate from WWU and under the control of the alumni organization. Morally and legally, we must honor that intent in any reorganization.
Why amend the WWU Alumni Association Constitution to become the WWU Alumni Foundation?
Identifying the organization as a foundation more accurately reflects the work currently being done by the WWUAA Board. By definition, a foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides grants and support to charitable organizations. The WWU Alumni Foundation Board will continue to steward the endowments in support of WWU, as the association has always done.
What other changes are reflected in the new WWU Alumni Foundation Constitution?
- Reduction in the size of the board from 13 members to no more than nine members. The WWU Alumni Association currently has five officers—a Board Chair, President-Elect, President, Secretary, and Treasurer—along with five general members and two ex-officio members from WWU. Under the new WWU Alumni Foundation Constitution, the foundation would have three officers (a Board Chair/President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer), along with up to five general members, and one ex-officio member from WWU.
- Reduction in meeting times. The Executive Officers of the association and the full Board each meet six times a year, on rotating months. The WWU Alumni Foundation Board would meet a minimum of two times per year but may meet more frequently if needed.
How will Havstad Alumni Center be managed under this new proposal?
Havstad was built to be the center of WWU alumni engagement and both the WWU administration and the WWUAA Board are committed to ensuring this legacy. However, the way that the building currently operates is not sustainable. The officers are charged with hiring the building manager and overseeing the operations of the meeting room and hotel room rentals, along with maintaining the interior structure of the building. This works only if officers are local to the Walla Walla area. However, for many years now, officers have been scattered across the country, and it is difficult to effectively manage from afar.
The WWU Alumni Foundation Constitution would limit the scope of that Board’s responsibilities to providing financial support for the maintenance of the interior space and for the building manager’s salary. The WWU Alumni Foundation Board would determine the extent of this support. The building manager role would become an official WWU staff position, allowing that individual to receive benefits through the university.
What would prevent WWU’s administration from taking over the building and turning it into office space?
WWU’s administration is keenly aware that alumni represent the future of the university, and they have publicly stated that. In general, higher education is facing increased political attacks, dwindling funding, and shifting family and student priorities that widen their interests in competitive opportunities. The time is right for WWU and its alumni to come together in support of each other. Havstad Alumni Center is a literal and figurative symbol of this unity.
The question is how to best use this beautiful space and ideal location on campus to further alumni engagement and support Walla Walla University’s mission. Discussions about how to best use this space will continue with university representatives.
In the past several years, the WWUAA Board has spearheaded initiatives that invite current students to visit Havstad and engage with alumni volunteers. We want students to realize the value that comes from joining the WWU Alumni Association.
Board Member Roster 2024-2025
The president-elect is elected annually and will serve a three year term—one year as president-elect, one year as president, then one year as the board chair. The board secretary and treasurer will serve staggered two-year terms. All other members will serve three-year terms.

Lisa Jervey Lennox '88
Board Chair
Term: 2022-2025
Lisa Jervey Lennox earned a BA degree in English. Following graduation, she worked in the Registrar’s Office and taught College Writing. She taught one year at Greater Boston Academy before earning her MA in English at Western Washington Univ. She returned to WW as Assist. Director for the TLC, overseeing the Writing Center and developing a special services program for students with disabilities. For the past twenty years, she and her husband David have worked for Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Lisa is the Assistant Director of Volunteer Initiatives for Alumni Affairs. Memorable experiences at WWU include forging lifelong friendships while working on the Collegian, becoming a reader’s theater pro under the tutelage of Donnie Rigby, and being the recipient of numerous acts of kindness by dear WWU faculty and staff who, Lisa says, taught her to be a critical thinker while simultaneously demonstrating how to be a gracious and generous human being. She and David have two daughters, Sarah and Hannah, who are in their 20s. In her free time, Lisa enjoys reading, gardening, sharing her floral arrangements with others, and traveling.

Brad Brown '98
President
Term: 2023-2026
Brad Brown ’98 graduated with bachelor's degree in theology and pastored in the Washington and Montana conferences for 14 years. He later graduated from Andrews University with a Doctorate in Ministry. In 2012 he accepted the position of Director of Mission and Spiritual Care for Adventist Health Feather River Hospital in Paradise, California. Brad married Melea Spencer (class of 97’) and they had two children. Unfortunately Melea passed in 2018 after a 6 year battle with cancer. Five months later the town of Paradise experienced the worst wild fire in the history of California. Brad was recognized for his efforts in saving patients and community during Campfire by TIME magazine as hero of the year 2018. Brad has remained in the Paradise community to support the rebuild efforts and finish raising his children who both now attend Walla Walla University. Jaron is a junior electrical engineering student and Alina is a freshman pre-dental hygiene student. Brad enjoys dirt biking, fly fishing and traveling.

Jerry Woods '97
President-Elect
Term: 2024-2027
Jerry Woods ’97 graduated from Walla Walla University with a B.A. in mass communications. During his time on campus, he worked at Positive Life Radio where he continues to do a weekend show. He jumped into media with both feet and it has taken him to Christian radio stations in Idaho, North Carolina, and Washington D.C. In D.C., he currently serves as the morning host and director of promotions for WGTS 91.9 reaching close to 600,000 people weekly. He is married to Crystal and they have two daughters, Adilynn and Maya, who look forward to attending WWU one day.

Jimmy Johnson '97
Treasurer
Term: 2024-2026
Jimmy Johnson graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Jimmy has worked as the assistant treasurer and corporation treasurer for Upper Columbia Conference for the past 20 years. He is married to Debbie and together they have three children: Chloe (senior at WWU), Tori (freshman at UCA) and Jack (6th grade). Jimmy enjoys vocal performance, water skiing, camping, and reading.

Danielle Craigg '11
Term: 2022-2025
Danielle Craigg is a proud graduate of the Honors General Studies program at WWU. She obtained a bachelor’s degree of biology, after she received her doctorate in medicine from Loma Linda University. Currently she is perusing a specialization in Preventive Medicine at Stony Brook University and obtaining a Master of Public Health simultaneously. Engaging with medical student education, participating in cancer research, creating community awareness of preventive medicine. She is passionate about lifestyle education, global health, cancer research and disaster preparation. She currently resides in Long Island, NY.

Loren Dickinson (faculty alumnus 1962-2000)
Term: 2023-2026
"I'm an implant--not born here nor schooled here. Our family of four jettisons here in the early 60's from Takoma Park, MD. Carolyn took a job in the accounting office; I managed KGTS and taught communications courses. My aspirations were simple: Seek the appropriate education available, and work to be a credible instructor. I'll support notions reasonable and timely. I'll oppose those not useful or untimely. In that process I'll listen to your views as you offer them."

Bill Gerber '84
Term: 2024-2027
BILL GERBER ’84 graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He then captained a commercial salmon fishing boat off the coast of BC for 14 years. Next, the natural transition of becoming a ‘fisher of men’ took place when he left his nets and became an ambidextrous Development Director for Fraser Valley Adventist Academy. For the last 13 years he has been the Director of Camp Hope for the BC Conference. He and his wife Bonnie ’84 have a daughter Bethany (2015) married to Rob (2014), and a son Beau (2019) all WWU graduates and have a sophomore daughter Brooklyn currently at WWU. He loves being a grandpa to granddaughters Eliza and Goldie. He enjoys visiting and speaking at smaller BC churches, collecting trumpets and axes, playing ice hockey, and watching for unique opportunities to touch someone’s life.

Karli Hart '18
Term: 2024-2027
KARLI HART ’18 graduated from WWU with a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary teaching certification and has been teaching high school English in the Walla Walla area since then. Currently, she teaches English at Walla Walla High School. In 2023, she earned her master’s degree in education in Curriculum and Instruction from Eastern Washington University. In her spare time, she enjoys rock climbing and water sports, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends, family, and a new puppy.

Sue Huett '75
Term: 2024-2025 (finishing term vacated by Verlie Ward)
Sue Huett, a 1975 WWC graduate with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, taught at Walla Walla Valley Academy for ten years. During that time she earned a Master of Science in Teaching from Portland State University and later worked at Walla Walla General Hospital before pursuing a Master of Education in school counseling. She then worked at the Walla Walla Mental Health Center for three years in the child and family unit while contract teaching for the education department at WWU. In 1994, Sue was asked to join the staff of the Teaching Learning Center where she helped develop and expand disability support services for students. In her 28 years in that position, she delighted in hearing of student’s successes, finding their passions, and attending their graduations. Additionally, Sue has had a private practice in counseling for over 30 years. In her spare time Sue enjoys gardening, traveling, water aerobics, and outdoor activities. She and her husband, Dale, have three children—Steven, Beren, and Stacy—and six grandchildren.

Joy Veverka '04
Term: 2023-2026
Joy Brunt Veverka '04 earned a master’s degree in curriculum. She began her teaching career at San Diego Academy where she taught for almost 12 years. Later she taught for 12 years in the Oregon Conference, and finally for 19 years at Rogers Adventist School. For more than a decade of her time at Rogers, she taught education classes for WWU. Additional career experience includes being co-owner of nursing homes on the Oregon coast where she served as administrator of the residential care portion and comptroller. Her three children, Donny, Deanna, and James are WWU alumni. She delights in spending time with them and their families including six grandchildren.

Jodi Wagner ‘92
VP for Marketing and Enrollment Services
EX-OFFICIO MEMBER

Claudia Santellano ‘14
Alumni and Parent Relations Director
EX-OFFICIO MEMBER