Profiles

Dan Wheeler stands on a rooftop and smiles under a building

5 Questions with Construction Management Executive and Alumnus Dan Wheeler

As an executive at Turner Construction, Dan Wheeler has put up new buildings on campus, recruited more than 100 Chico State grads, and mentored countless more. This month, he will be honored as the 2022 Distinguished Alumnus of the College of ECC.

Fond Farewell: Music Professor Emeritus David Mallory

David Mallory's music legacy spans the globe, thanks to his decades teaching at Chico State, in private instruction, and his program in Mexico during retirement.

Fond Farewell: Retired Associated Students Bookstore Staff Member Patricia Johnson

During her 23-year career, Patricia Johnson was awarded Employee of the Year numerous times, recognized for her positive attitude and team spirit.

Roy Beck stands in front of a gate with cattle grazing in a pasture in the background

5 Questions with Agriculture Educator and Distinguished Alumnus Roy Beck

After 42 years teaching agriculture education, Roy Beck is being honored with a distinguished alumni award from Chico State's College of Agriculture.

A woman and man pose and smile outside a medical building.

Alumni Lead Push for State-of-the-Art Cancer Treatment Locally

Enloe Cancer Center proudly boasts one of the only cancer-fighting machines of its kind in the state—and four Chico State alumni are to thank for bringing such technology to our community.

Fond Farewell: Former Basketball Coach Pete Mathiesen

As Wildcats head basketball coach for 17 years, Pete Mathiesen led Chico State to 243 victories and five conference titles and was himself named the conference’s coach of the year four times.

Fond Farewell: Electrical Engineering Professor Emeritus Albert Richardson

Helpful, friendly, and collaborative, Albert Richardson taught electrical and computer engineering at Chico State for 22 years.

Bill Babb sits at his computer on campus.

Fond Farewell: Retired Instructional Support Technician Bill Babb

Bill Babb was an invaluable presence in the science labs, setting them up for students, problem-solving for faculty, and doing it all with humor and a friendly attitude.

Fond Farewell: History Major Cassi Tejeda

With remarkable curiosity and infectious warm energy, Cassi Tejeda brought joy to her classrooms and those she loved.

Felipe Restrepo coaches his players from the sidelines of a soccer game.

Office Hours: Men’s Soccer Coach and Leadership Instructor Felipe Restrepo

Professor and coach Felipe Restrepo helps first-generation and underserved students win on and off the field.

Fond Farewell: Former Theatre and Costume Design Professor Inge Schmidt

Costume expert Inge Schmidt supervised the costume shop and designed costumes for theatrical productions and operas for more than a decade.

Bright yellow leaves of fall adorn a tree on a college campus.

Fond Farewell: Child Development Professor Emeritus Jim Roberts

With a powerful interdisciplinary approach, Jim Roberts is credited with forming and leading the child development program at Chico State for two decades.

Fond Farewell: Former Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald Gerth

After Donald Gerth's tenure at Chico State, the esteemed educator went on to work as the longest-serving president at Sacramento State.

Randy Barrett holds his arms open while standing on a bridge over a creek.

Fond Farewell: Mail Clerk Randy Barrett

After 34 years with the US Postal Service, Randy Barrett missed the joys of delivering mail and brought his enthusiasm and good humor to routes across campus.

‘Cats Get Cookin’ with Restaurant Owner Debra Sims

Driven by a lifelong passion for food, Debra Sims (Political Science, ’99) followed her gut, left behind a successful career in the boating and escrow business, and pursued a new career as a chef and entrepreneur.

Wildcats Do and Dare

What might the world look like if, rather than wondering about some distant future, we took daily action toward the tomorrow of our dreams? Meet Wildcats who are doing exactly that.

Class Notes: Fall 2021

Whether it's starting a new business, writing a book, or achieving a lifelong dream, the Wildcat family continues to reach milestones. Alumni share professional and personal updates for fall 2021.

Maren Conrad stands with a paintbrush in front of one of her murals of flowers.

Muralist Transforms the Urban Landscape with Images of Beauty, Equity

Alumna Maren Conrad ('02) sees her murals as gifts to their communities. Many of the areas she has reclaimed were once alleyways, riddled with trash. Today, they are a destination.

Malik Duffy holds a basketball between his hands with dramatic lighting behind him.

Basketball Star Makes a Difference On, Off the Court

Malik Duffy has built himself into one of the top Division II men’s basketball players on the West Coast while also having a calming, supportive impact on his Wildcat peers.

Investor Sheds Light on Lyme with Nonprofit

As co-founder and chair of the LymeLight Foundation, Scott Bedford ('82) strives to provide financial assistance to individuals with Lyme disease.

Chase Suihkonen smiles on campus, standing in front of trees transformed with fall colors.

Camp Fire Scholarship Recipient Pays It Forward

After losing his home in the Camp Fire, Chase Suihkonen embraced the opportunity to attend Chico State so he could further his education while staying close to home to help his community recover.

Fond Farewell: Computer Science Professor Emeritus Bill Lane

Described as a pioneer in undergraduate education and a dedicated mentor to students, Bill Lane established the first computer science degree program in the California State University system.

Fond Farewell: Mathematics Professor Tom McCready

Tom McCready served two terms as department chair but his heart was always in the classroom, especially teaching future teachers about all things mathematics.

Fond Farewell: Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering Professor Robert Colwell

Robert Colwell had a progressive approach to teaching that introduced solar energy technology to the curriculum, promoted computer-based engineering, and built a cadre of diverse expert faculty.

Winemaker Vanessa Pitney holds a glass of wine at her winery.

Five Questions with Winemaker and Nutrition Educator Vanessa Pitney

After falling into winemaking by accident, Vanessa and her husband, a fellow alum, love teaching others about the process.

Fond Farewell: Business Professor Emeritus George Johnson

An expert in management science, George Johnson led both as a dean and in the classroom as a professor.

Fond Farewell: Retired Director of Athletics Don Miller

Longtime coach Donald Miller is remembered by colleagues and former players for his respect and passion for student-athletes.

Derek Sohnrey, his wife, and three daughters stand with harvesting equipment.

5 Questions with Fifth-Generation Farmer Derek Sohnrey

Derek Sohnrey ('13) blends the lessons he learned at Chico State with modern technology and five generations of family farm experience to carry their operations into the future.

Fond Farewell: International Relations Professor Emeritus Jim Jacob

A renowned terrorism expert, Jim Jacob delighted in engaging students in political debates and teaching them about international relations.

Fond Farewell: Retired Dean of Students Sandy Parsons

Sandy Parsons was a steadfast advocate for students and a pillar in the disability community, advocating for and promoting the rights of individuals with disabilities.

John Aylworth poses and smiles amongst scientific equipment

5 Questions with Alumnus John Aylworth

Five years after founding a company researching the natural therapeutic power of stem cells, alum John Aylworth is looking for ways to fight complications from COVID-19.

Fond Farewell: Political Science Professor Emeritus Bob Stanley

An accomplished scholar and impassioned educator, Bob Stanley was also known for his wit and ability to find humor in nearly everything.

Fond Farewell: Geological and Environmental Sciences Professor Emeritus Bill Murphy

Bill Murphy was nationally renowned for his expertise in geochemistry and geologic disposal of nuclear waste, and beloved by students and colleagues for his infectious curiosity.

How to Watch Alumna Kym Crosby Compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

One of the best in the world in her competition category, alumna Kym Crosby will represent the Wildcats on a global stage at the Paralympics.

Eduardo Europa holds a sign that says "curiosity."

New Faculty Share Messages of Inspiration

As 17 new faculty join Chico State this semester, they spent a few minutes creating signs to inspire students with a word or phrase for the new school year.

Veronica Ledesma poses standing behind a Chico State sign made of bricks

Social Work Alumna Finds Hope Helping Families Across the Country

Facilitating mental health services for reunified families across the country Veronica Ledesma (MA, Social Work, ’21) pulls from her own experiences to build trust and find hope in her efforts.

Christine Wilhoyt poses with her bike next to a sign welcoming people to Colorado.

Alumna Bikes Across America to Raise Funds for K–12 Physical Education

Christine Wilhoyte (Exercise Physiology, '21) is biking 5,600 miles across the United States to raise funds for physical education in rural and underfunded schools.

5 Questions with Bilingual Meteorologist and Alumna Alondra Anaya

Five years after starting her broadcast journalism career, Alondra Anaya is currently a weather reporter at Telemundo 52 / KVEA in Los Angeles—the No. 2 media market and No. 1 Hispanic market in the nation.

Fond Farewell: Chemistry Professor Karl Voigtritter

Chemistry professor Karl Voigtritter was profusely enthusiastic about chemistry and eagerly shared his curiosity with his students.

Gary Buckman poses with his book, Broken to Brilliant

5 Questions with Alumnus and USA Gymnastics Coach Gary Buckmann 

Chico State gymnast Gary Buckmann recovered from a devastating accident to return to competition and the sport's highest level of coaching.