In Touch With Alumni, Spring 2025

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jo Ellen Misakian (emerita teacher librarian) received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from Fresno County Superintendent of Schools. Misakian served FPU from 1999-2014 as program director of library and educational technology and interim dean of education. Before coming to FPU, Misakian served as a library technician in Sanger Unified School District and library services specialist at FCSS. A highlight of her career came in the late 1970s when she inspired Lone Star Elementary School students to read the The Outsiders, which so resonated with them that she sent a petition signed by the students to Francis Ford Coppola, who made the book into a 1983 hit that launched or boosted the careers of Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio, Emilio Estevez and C. Thomas Howell. Coppola credited Misakian with bringing the book to his attention, and some cast members later visited Lone Star.

A trio of graduates are among Fresno’s 40 Under 40 for 2024:

Elizabeth Jaramillo (MA ’24) director of personnel at California Teaching Fellows Foundation.

Vianey Baraza (BA ’16) special projects manager at the Education and Leadership Foundation.

Charah Coleman (BA ’07) founding coordinator of the Financial Wellness Center at UC Merced. She also created and leads the social enterprise Sound for the People.

Ashlee Sanchez (BA ’23) is a case manager with Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health Clinic and plans to finish her MSW by September 2025.

Luz Lopez (BA ’22) graduated with her Master of Social Work in April 2024 from California Baptist University. She works as a mental health clinician/ medical social worker at Valley Children’s Hospital specializing in suicide prevention while she prepares to become an associate clinical social worker.

Joanna Mendoza (BA ’19) passed the California Bar Exam November 8, 2024, and was sworn in as an attorney December 4, 2024. She is an immigration attorney with the Education and Leadership Foundation.

Greg Barragan (CTE ’18) received the Fresno County Community Hero Award at the 2024 State of the County luncheon.

Priscilla Gowens (BA ’17) is a Resource Support Program Teacher for Kings Canyon Unified School District.

Dustin Maddox (SEM ’17, BA ’12) published the article “Everyday Discipleship” in the January/February issue of Christian Leader, the magazine of the U.S. Mennonite Brethren Conference of Churches.

Rachel Baskin (BA ’15) received the Public Safety Hero Award at the 2024 State of the County luncheon.

Jerome Trembley (BA ’15) finished a pediatric residency in Albany, NY, in June 2024. That fall he started as a pediatrician with Southern California Permanente Medical Group in Bakersfield.

Nikki Donnelly (MA ’14, BA ’07) published the chapter “Engaging Families in the Special Education Assessment Process” in the book Meaningful and Active Family Engagement: IEP, Transition and Technology Integration in Special Education.

Arianna Perry (BA ’14) was appointed head cross country coach and assistant track coach for runners at College of the Sequoias in December 2024.

Andy Haussler (MA ’13, BA ’01) was appointed Clovis City Manager starting January 1, 2025. He had been city deputy manager and community and economic development director.

Christina Stokes-Johnson (BA ’10) earned an executive MBA at Fresno State’s Craig School of Business. She is now director of real estate development at Fresno Housing Authority.

Mgeni Mpolo (BA ’06) has been appointed director of sales and marketing at Pendry West Hollywood. His previous roles include managing director at The Brilliant Advice Company in Zanzibar as well as leadership positions at W San Francisco, The Ritz- Carlton, San Francisco and Marriott International.

Efrain Tovar (MA ’06, BA ’95) was featured in a September article in Alta Quarterly about his work with newcomer students, both in his classroom at Abraham Lincoln Middle School in Selma Unified School District and in the community.

Erica Lassen (BA ’05) joined the ASSIST leadership team as assistant director. ASSIST is California’s official statewide database for prospective California transfer students. She had been senior articulation analyst for the agency’s central services.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has selected Felipe Hinojosa (BA ’99) Ph.D., professor of history at Baylor University and The John and Nancy Jackson Endowed Chair for Baylor in Latin America, as one of 45 fellows of its prestigious Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo.

Bruce J. Evans (BA ’93) was elected vice-president/ president-elect of the Music Library Association. He began his service in March, and will serve one year as president-elect, two years as president and one year as past president. Bruce has been involved in MLA since 1997 and has been librarian at Baylor University since 2003.

Tim Allison (TC ’92) received the Community Hero Award at the 2024 State of the County Luncheon for Fresno County.

MARRIAGES

Ronald Orr (BA ’12) married Courtney Ericson in Lubbock, TX, June 14, 2024. The couple lives in Charlottesville, VA.

Heidi Orender (BA ’20) and Tyler Hodges (BA ’16) married July 20, 2024.

BIRTHS

Suzanne Rose Jacobsma was born July 30, 2024, to Aaron (TC ’23) and Nicole (Marshall TC ’18, BA ’14) Jacobsma. She weighed 8 lbs., 2 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches long.

Christina Husbands (BA ’10) married Lonny Johnson October 28, 2023. She is now Christina Stokes-Johnson.

Chloe Mae Bridges was born July 7, 2023, to Courtney (Smith BA ’20) and Stephen Bridges. Courtney and Stephen married September 20, 2022.

Koa Everette William O’Dell was born December 12, 2023, to Amanda (Blackburn BA ’17) and Christopher O’Dell. He joins sister Kyla, 6.

Brynn Rose Samson was born October 22, 2024, to John (BA ’17) and Danae Samson.

Eloise Rose Delk was born September 28, 2024, to Kelsey (Lowrey BA ’20) and Samuel (BS ’19) Delk in Oxnard.

DEATHS

Lynn Celano (MA ’95), 69, died October 15, 2024. Born in Los Banos, she served as an educator and administrator for more than 40 years in both public and Catholic schools at all levels and had particular expertise with autistic and special needs students. She was listed in Strathmore’s Who’s Who as Professional of the Year and America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals. Most recently, she was education director at Huntington Learning Center, Parker, CO.

Karen Jeanne Bockman (MA ’87), 81, died November 25, 2024. Born in Santa Monica, the family moved to Fresno. She taught at Fort Miller Middle School in Fresno as well as in Greeley, CO, Ivanhoe, CA and the Visalia Unified School District. Active in church, Karen also loved her 1931 Model A Victoria, outdoor sports and won a state marksmanship trophy. Survivors include husband David, son Michael (Victoria), daughter Susan (Brian) Groh and four grandchildren.

Alan H. Whaley (SEM ’72), 78, died October 15, 2024, at his home in Phoenix. He attended Fresno Pacific College 1963-1966, then earned a Master of Divinity degree from Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in 1972. He pastored Palm Glen Mennonite Brethren Church and First Mennonite Church, both in Phoenix, spending over 50 years in ministry. Survivors include Carol, his wife of 58 years; children Scott Whaley and Melissa Kisich; and five grandchildren.

Roger Leo Wiens (BA ’66), 80, died December 17, 2024. Born and raised on a farm in Mountain Lake, MN, Roger dedicated more than three decades to teaching at Sanger High School as a beloved history, government and driver’s education teacher. He was a part of Trinity Community Church and the West Coast Mennonite Men’s Chorus. Survivors include Carmen, his wife of 58 years; daughters Christi, Dareth, Erika, Tiffany and Hillary; and 22 grandchildren.

Lorraine “Dolly” Friesen (PBI ’59), 85, died July 3, 2024. Born in Dallas, OR, she fell in love with music and with the choir conductor's son, Walter Friesen (PBI '59) at Pacific Bible Institute.. They married in 1959, living in many places in California during Walt’s social services career. Dolly worked for Fresno Bible House, the Bank of America, the State of California and Vinewood Community Church, Lodi. She was always involved in music and other church activities, including at Butler Church, Fresno. Survivors include sons Randall (Chay) and Richard (Bunni), sisters Laverne (David) Knapp and Judy (Russell) Lowen and granddaughter, Pepper. Walt preceded her in death in 2015.

Roland Glen Ewert (AA ’56), 92, died September 1, 2024. He taught government and economics at Fresno’s Roosevelt High School and coached wrestling, golf, football and track. He was involved in Gideons International and West Coast Mennonite Men’s Chorus. At PBI, Glen met Frances Regier, and they married in 1957. They were active in North Fresno Church. Glen is preceded in death by his wife and son Darren. Daughter Denise Ewert survives.

Frances Jean Ewert (PBI ’54), 89, died July 24, 2024. She was born March 12, 1935, in Henderson, NB. In Fresno Fran had a career as a real estate escrow officer. Fran and husband Roland Glen Ewert had children Denise and Darren. The couple were members of North Fresno Church, where she sang in the choir and enjoyed various ministries. She is survived by her daughter. Her husband and son preceded her in death.