Alumni News
1980s
Mary Jo Nyblad, ’81, was named vice president of commodity sales and marketing for wood products by Boise Cascade. Since joining the distribution side of the company in 1982, Nyblad has held a number of positions in wood products sales and became the commodity sales and marketing director in wood products in 2014. Nyblad received a bachelor of arts in psychology from Whitman College, and a Master of Business Administration from Idaho State University.
Mike Chatterton, ‘83, is retiring June 30 as Blaine County School District’s business manager, after working 29 years for the district.
Kent Oram, ’83, Idaho Central Credit Union Chief Executive Officer, has been named 2016 Idaho Business Leader of the Year by Idaho State University’s Delta Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi. The business fraternity honors an Idaho leader who has demonstrated outstanding business and professional ethics while contributing to the community. Oram holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Idaho State University as well as Certified Chief Executive and Certified Credit Union Executive designations from the Credit Union Executive Society. He was presented with the Credit Union Executive Society Rising 100 Award in 2006, was recognized as the Credit Union Executive Society Outstanding Chief Executive Officer in 2013, and inducted into the Credit Union Executive Society Hall of Fame in 2014.
1990s
Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman, ’94, ‘96 has been selected as the next vice president for academic affairs at Arkansas Tech University. Abdelrahman has served as associate vice president for research and graduate studies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville since November 2011 and as a member of the faculty there since August 2010. He will take office as the chief academic officer at Arkansas Tech in June 2016. Abdelrahman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electronics and telecommunications engineering from Cairo University in 1988. He went on to receive a Master of Science degree in engineering physics from Cairo University in 1992 and a Master of Science degree in measurements and controls engineering from Idaho State University in 1994.In 1996, Abdelrahman earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in nuclear science and engineering from Idaho State University.
2000s
Deven Elison, ’03, is senior resident project representative at Stanley Consultants. Elison is a licensed professional engineer who earned a degree in civil engineering from Idaho State University.
Ross Castleton, ‘05, has been named warden of St. Anthony Work Camp. Castleton joined the department in 1997 as a correctional officer in Pocatello. In 2002, he became a drug and alcohol rehabilitation specialist. He is a graduate of Idaho State University where he majored in social work.
Jennifer Stokesberry, ’06, was recently named associate principal of Perrine and Sawtooth elementary schools in Twin Falls. She also earned a master’s degree in education leadership from the University of Idaho in 2011.
Jennifer Call, ’07, was recently named a deputy prosecuting attorney for Bannock County. Call earned a degree in social work from Idaho State University and a law degree from the University of Utah. Before coming to Bannock County, she worked as a public defender in Butte, Montana, and as a prosecutor in Billings, Montana.
David Rodriguez, ’08, an automotive service technology professor at College of Southern Idaho, was named the Mitchell 1 Educator of the Year for 2015 during the North American Council of Automotive Teachers conference in Joliet, Illinois. He received a $500 check and recognition certificate. The award is presented to instructors who demonstrate a commitment to educational excellence in the automotive repair industry. Rodriguez has taught at CSI for 14 years and had worked in the industry for ten years prior to that. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University and 15 ASE certifications as well as the level of World Class Technician from General Motors.
Ryan S. Hunter, ’08, has been added as an associate to the firm Naylor & Hales, P.C. Most recently, Hunter completed a two year clerkship for the Honorable John M. Melanson, Chief Judge of the Idaho Court of Appeals. He graduated from Idaho State University in 2008 with a B.A. in political science and international studies. He received his J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2013.
2010s
Audrey Rush, ’10, an oncology-certified family nurse practitioner, has joined the team of providers at UC Health Cancer Care and Hematology in Greeley and Loveland as well as at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland. She earned a master’s degree in the family nurse practitioner program at Idaho State University.
LeeAnn Morgan, ’10, was recently named associate principal of Pillar Falls and Oregon Trail elementary schools in Twin Falls. She is continuing her education through Boise State University and will graduate with her master’s degree in education leadership in May.
Brittany Casperson, ’11, was awarded the first Lallemand Forward Graduate/Ph.D. Scholarship, chosen over more than 100 submissions. Casperson received her bachelor’s degree from Idaho State University in zoology and microbiology and her master’s degree from the University of Idaho in animal science. Casperson is currently a third-year Ph.D. student, on track to graduate May 2017, at Purdue University in the Department of Animal Sciences.
Nick L. Grunenwald, ’11 was recently named an associate with Bass, Berry & Sims in Nashville, Tennessee. Grunenwald earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. He earned a M.S. degree from Idaho State University and a B.A. degree from Louisiana Tech University.
Chelsea Schoenfelder, ’12, joins the Idaho Dairy Council as the manager of health and wellness. Before joining that, Schoenfelder worked as a clinical dietitian for St. Luke’s community outreach program. A registered dietitian, she holds a master’s of public health and a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Idaho State University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in science and nutrition from University of Idaho.
Jacqueline Fitch, ’15, has joined the Samaritan Family Medicine Resident Clinic as a physician assistant. She will provide primary care to newborns, children, adults and older adults. Fitch earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwest Nazarene University and a master’s degree in physician assistant studies at Idaho State University.
Stuart Summers, ’10, most recently director of marketing and recruitment at the Idaho State University College of Technology, has been named associate vice president of the Idaho State University Office of Marketing and Communications. In 2014, Summers was nationally recognized for a social media promotion that he helped co-developed on behalf of ISU. The social media initiative generated more than 180,000 entries and effectively communicated ISU’s mission to a national audience. Following its successful implementation he was the co-recipient of several awards from advertising and higher education organizations.
2016 Professional Achievement Award Recipients
College of Arts and Letters - Social & Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Thomas “Les” Purce
College of Arts and Letters - Fine Arts & Humanities
Sen. Diane Bilyeu
College of Business
Dr. Kory Brown
College of Education
Dr. Dani Moffit
College of Pharmacy
Judge Samuel A. Hoagland
College of Science and Engineering - Engineering
Mr. Mitch Greer
College of Science and Engineering - Natural & Physical Sciences
Dr. Jeffrey K. Geslin
College of Technology
Mr. John P. Ritchie
Division of Health Sciences
Mrs. Susan Bistline
School of Nursing
Mrs. Mary Ellen Kelly
2016 Outstanding Student Achievement Award Recipients
College of Arts and Letters - Social & Behavioral Sciences
Laticia Joyce Herkshan
College of Arts and Letters - Fine Arts & Humanities
Katie M. Nicholls
College of Business
Jenna Larson
College of Education
Hope E. Gibson
College of Pharmacy
Michelle Wilkin
College of Science and Engineering - Engineering
Emerald Ryan
College of Science and Engineering - Natural & Physical Sciences
Christian Thomas Borg
College of Technology
Chandra Price
Division of Health Sciences
Jordan Withers
School of Nursing
Danielle Zander
Graduate School: Masters Recipient
Amanda Sue Poitevin
Graduate School: Doctoral Recipient
Deepesh Poudel