Highlights for: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

2004 Highlights

11 GRADUATE WITH HONORS FROM WESTERN CUNA MANAGEMENT SCHOOL
For Fourth Consecutive Year, One Graduating Student Earns "Highest Honors"

Four students graduated with "High Honors" and one with "Highest Honors" at the 45th session of Western CUNA Management School, held July 11-23 at Pomona College in Claremont, CA.

Highest Honors designee and Charles M. Clark Memorial Award recipient Pacific Marine CUNA's Bill Birnie with WCMS President and Dean Dr. James D. Likens

Out of the 398 students attending in 2004, 150 were first-year students, 126 were second-year students, and 122 were third-year students. Over a three-year period, students have five opportunities to earn academic honors. "Honors" and "High Honors" are awarded to the highest achievers on the examinations taken by all students at the end of each school year. Students may also earn "Honors" and "High Honors" for the analysis of each of their two projects. To be inducted into the Academic Hall of Fame, students need to have received honors in five out of five categories.

League President and CEO David L. Chatfield and commencement address speaker, Hawaii Credit Union League President and CEO Dennis Tanimoto

For the fourth year in a row, one student, Bill Birnie of Pacific Marine CU, earned high honors in all five categories, and was awarded "Highest Honors."
In addition to Birnie, students earning "High Honors" were James G. Fisher III, Valley CU; Bruce R. Fox, Alliance CU; Gerald K. Takase, Hawaii Impulse Systems; and Joni S. Walker, Missoula FCU.

L-R: Dr. James D. Likens; James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award recipient and The Community CU of Southern Humboldt CEO Shon Wellborn; WCMS Alumni President and Fluor CU CEO Michael Pardon

"Honors" students this year were Vaughn Book, Arrowhead CU; Joseph F. Coffin, McKesson EFCU; Ruby A. Huggler, Eagle Community CU; Patricia A. Jowell, Pima FCU; Barry Proctor, Valley Oak CU; G. Kent Streuling, America First CU.

In addition, every year the senior student who best represents high moral character, leadership, credit union dedication and academic achievement is nominated by his or her class to receive the Charles M. Clark Memorial Award. The 2004 recipient of this award was "Highest Honors" designee Bill Birnie.

L-R: High Honors” recipients James G. Fisher III, Valley CU; Gerald K. Takase, Hawaii Impulse Systems; Dr. James D. Likens; Joni S. Walker, Missoula FCU; and Bruce R. Fox, Alliance CU

The graduating class presented a gift of over $28,000 to Western CUNA Management School. The students of all three classes also organized a live and silent auction as a benefit for the school and raised more than $12,000.

Shon Wellborn, president and CEO of The Community CU of Southern Humbold was named as the 14th recipient of the James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award, founded by the Alumni Association of Western CUNA Management School. Wellborn was recognized for her outstanding credit union career and credit union service.

L-R: WCMS graduates Kara Maynes, Joyce Dorchak, Chris Perez, League First Vice Chairman and San Francisco Fire CU CEO Diana Dykstra, Sandy Jones, and Jacqueline Lucero

Dennis Tanimoto, president and CEO of the Hawaii Credit Union League, delivered the commencement address at the July 22 graduation ceremony in Bridges Hall of Music on the Pomona College campus.

Students attended from the Western states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Other states represented were Indiana, Texas, and Wisconsin.

WCMS graduates Pasadena Schools FCU EVP Ken Landis and League Chapter Manager and Training Consultant Linda Price

WCMS is dedicated to helping credit union professionals keep pace with the rapidly changing business environment. The curriculum at WCMS includes classes on management, economics, legal and ethical standards, money and financial institutions, communications, and leadership. WCMS students take classes six hours a day, five days a week, over three two-week terms over consecutive summers. Students also have organized activities outside the classroom.

California is one of 13 states participating in Western CUNA Management School. School administration is conducted from the California Credit Union League headquarters.

© 2008 Western CUNA Management School