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2005 WCMS HIGHLIGHTS

Utah League President And CEO Delivers Commencement Address

Twelve students graduated with “High Honors” and were inducted into the Hall of Fame, while an additional 11 students graduated with “Honors” from the 46th session of Western CUNA Management School, held July 10-22 at Pomona College in Claremont, CA.

WCMS President and Dean Dr. James D. Likens with the 2005 recipient of the Charles M. Clark Memorial Award Tina K. Hall of Verity Credit Union.

Out of a total of 363 students attending in 2005, 124 were first-year students, 120 were second-year students, and 119 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.

The WCMS graduation ceremony featured a commencement address by Utah League of Credit Unions President and CEO Scott Simpson.

Students earning “High Honors” were: Ida F. Bates, Service Plus CU, CA; Kendal L. Castañeda, Sandia Laboratory FCU, NM; Laura J. Cloherty, Western Corporate FCU, CA; Robert Einstein, Burbank Community FCU, CA; Steven J. Ellis, SnoCope FCU, WA; Tina K. Hall, Verity CU, Seattle, WA; James T. Hayes, WesCorp FCU, CA; Tracy Hudson, Purdue Employees FCU, IN; David A. Kexel, Jr., Arizona Central CU, AZ; Connie J. Miller, Idahy FCU, ID; Andrea Dove Saint Ives, CUNA Mutual Group, CA; and Diane Elaine Tracy, Norgren Employees FCU, CO.

“Honors” students this year were: Colleen Baché, Missoula FCU, MT; James E. Burbott, II, Western Corporate FCU, CA; Chuck Garner, Oregonian FCU, OR; R. Paul Gourley, Jr., Wyoming Employees FCU, WY; Steele Reid Hendrix, Cumorah CU, NV; Ev Hopkins, Spokane Teachers CU, WA; Charlotte Nemec, Spokane FCU, WA; Jacqueline R. Rutherford, Transportation Northwest CU, WA; Mary Beth Spuck, Twin County CU, WA; Kathy Waisanen, SELCO Community CU, OR; and Jennifer Weiss, Sandia Laboratory FCU, NM.

David Brehmer, president and CEO of First Carolina Corporate Credit Union in North Carolina, was the 15th recipient of the James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award.

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. This year’s recipient was Tina K. Hall of Verity Credit Union in Seattle, WA.

The third-year graduating class presented a gift of more than $27,000 to Western CUNA Management School. Students of the three classes organized a live and silent auction as a benefit for the school and raised more than $12,000.

The 2005 Gamma Class featured 119 students.

David Brehmer, president and CEO of First Carolina Corporate Credit Union in North Carolina, was named as the 15th recipient of the James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award, founded by the Alumni Association of Western CUNA Management School. Brehmer was recognized for his outstanding credit union career and credit union service.

Scott Simpson, president and CEO of the Utah League of Credit Unions, delivered the commencement address at the July 21 graduation ceremony in Bridges Hall of Music on the Pomona College campus.

The 2005 “High Honors” and “Honors” graduates with Dr. Likens.

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. In addition, this year, WCMS had a student from Mexico.

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 in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.