1970s

Ken Dunham ’70, Folsom, Calif., wrote and compiled “The Legacy of Lumber: A History of the Lumber Industry in California & the West.” The book was published by the West Coast Lumber & Building Materials Association, of which Dunham is the executive director, in commemoration of its 100th anniversary. 

Jim McCarthy ’73, Butte, received a 2017 Heritage Keeper Award from the Montana Historical Society for his contributions to the cultural and historical preservation of Butte. Over the years, McCarthy left his mark on the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives, the Butte High School History Club and as a co-leader of an ongoing Butte History Adult Education class. He’s also taken on leadership roles in Butte celebrations, the Butte Sports Hall of Fame and the World Museum of Mining. McCarthy worked for the Butte-Silver Bow city-county government as a park superintendent and road foreman until he retired in 2009. 

Mark Romey ’75, Libby, was recognized by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation with a Forestry Pioneer Award in October. The award is given to “people who have furthered the cause of forestry, forest management or natural resource management in Montana.” Romey got his start with the U.S. Forest Service as a smokejumper during and after attending UM, and he eventually became a silviculturist for the agency. Now retired, he currently serves on the Lincoln County Conservation Board. UM alumnus Jack Parrish ’50 also was recognized posthumously. 

Robert M. Carlson ’76, J.D. ’79, Butte, assumed the role of president-elect of the American Bar Association in August. Carlson, a shareholder with the Butte firm Corette Black Carlson and Mickelson P.C., will serve a one-year term as president-elect before becoming ABA president this summer. 

Robin Oliveria ’76, Seattle, the New York Times best-selling author of “My Name Is Mary Sutter” and “I Always Loved You,” will publish her newest novel in February. “Winter Sisters” is a rich and compelling historical novel about the disappearance of two young girls after a cataclysmic blizzard and what happens after their fate is discovered. Oliveira, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Russian from UM and received her MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts, also is a registered nurse specializing in critical care.

Joyce Silverthorne ’77, M.Ed. ’90, Dixon, received the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Education Department. She was recognized for her 40-year career in education, which included 10 years as the director of the CSKT Tribal Education Department and five years as the director of the federal Office of Indian Education in Washington, D.C. 

Lura Elliott Turner ’77, Memphis, Tenn., has been a theater and opera singer for more than 35 years. A District Metropolitan Opera Auditions winner, her theater and opera roles have included Abigail Williams in “The Crucible,” Sister Berthe in “The Sound of Music” and Laurey in “Oklahoma.” She’s also been a featured soloist with the Gary Beard Chorale for its New York City concert tour, and she composed and performed songs honoring the Memphis Symphony’s 60th anniversary. In October, she returned to her native Conrad to perform for a fundraiser benefiting the historic Orpheum Theatre.