1980s

“The Solace of Monsters,” the fourth novel by Laurie Blauner ’80, Seattle, was a finalist for the 2017 Washington State Book Award. 

William Elmendorf ’80, M.B.A ’86, State College, Pa., was named the Pennsylvania State University’s first Joseph E. Ibberson Chair in Urban and Community Forestry. Elmendorf is a professor and extension specialist in urban forestry in the university’s College of Agricultural Sciences. He teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses in urban forest management and human dimensions of natural resources. 

Tom Wilk ’81, Issaquah, Wash., and Gary Glynn ’81, Missoula, pose in front of the Griz statue during a meetup on campus in August. The pair first met as residents of Jesse Hall as sophomores.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum selected a drawing by Mel Watkin ’81, Cobden, Ill., for its ARTPRIZE 9 group exhibition last fall. “Mighty Chrysanthemum Tree” imagines a tree-sized handful of the flowers that played an important role in Watkin’s small agricultural town. Cobden was once a floral-growing center that shipped fresh-cut flowers up to Chicago every day by train. With the advent of overnight global commerce, they no longer are a viable crop, but many still bloom each spring in abandoned fields throughout the town. 

Chuck Peterson J.D. ’83, Dickinson, N.D., retired in November after practicing law for 34 years, which included estate planning, real estate and commercial law. He also represented mineral and land owners addressing various interests resulting from the oil and gas development in western North Dakota and eastern Montana. Upon retirement, he’s increased his involvement in charitable organizations, including God’s Child Project and Habitat for Humanity, and he has service trips to Antigua, Guatemala and Jordan planned for the first half of this year. 

“(The experiences) have been somewhat life-changing,” he told the Dickinson Press. “What I really enjoy is having other people come and have that same experience. It really kind of opens up your eyes to the wonderful people around the world and lets you see the different cultures of the world and kind of travel for a cause.”

The Indiana Commission for Women honored L. Cheri Bradley ’85, Terre Haute, Ind., as a recipient of the 2017 Torchbearer Award. The award recognizes women of Indiana who have been pioneers throughout their lives or who have stepped forward as leaders by breaking down barriers. She also received the Keeper of the Light Award, which is given to a woman “who is an unsung heroine quietly and persistently working to better her community.” Bradley has worked in a variety of educational settings, including a therapeutic environment for children with emotional and behavioral problems. She worked in public schools for 15 years with children in both regular and special education and helped develop programs for at-risk students. She also taught at the college level for seven years. Bradley has served as the first lady of Indiana State University since her husband, Dan, was installed as president in 2008. She is involved in all aspects of campus life, which includes founding the Women of ISU organization. 

Barbara Monaco ’86, Polson, was elected as the 2017-18 governor of the Montana District of Kiwanis International. Her one-year term started Oct. 1, and she is one of 48 International Governors in the world for the organization. Founded in 1915, the Kiwanis mission is to “serve the children of the world,” and the organization has nearly 600,000 members of all ages and a presence in more than 80 nations and geographic areas. Monaco is a 14-year Kiwanian and is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Polson, where she served in various positions. She also served as lieutenant governor for three terms of the Montana District Northwest Region. In addition, Monaco is the chief juvenile probation officer of the 20th Judicial District in Lake and Sanders counties.

Science writer Beth C. Geiger M.S. ’86, Seattle, was named the Geological Society of America’s inaugural Science Communications Fellow. Geiger, who is passionate about communicating the value of geoscience to society and has published more than 200 articles in national and regional publications, will use her skills to create engaging stories about GSA member research for mass audiences and help the society more broadly disseminate new earth science research.