WESTERN CUNA MANAGEMENT SCHOOL CLASS OF 2010 President and Dean James D. Likens Receives Special Recognition for 35 Years of Service to the School

Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) President and Dean James D. Likens was honored for his dedication, brilliance, and vision in leading the school for the past 35 years at the 2010 WCMS graduation ceremony, held July 22 on the Pomona College campus in Claremont, CA.

L-R: WCMS President and Dean Dr. Jim Likens, who received a special award for leading the school for 35 years; Commencement Speaker Sylvia Lyon, president and CEO of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico and a 1997 WCMS graduate; WCMS Board Vice Chairman and Travis CU CEO Patsy Van Ouwerkerk; and Associate Dean Michael D. Steinberger.

WCMS Board Vice Chairman and Travis CU CEO Patsy Van Ouwerkerk presented Dr. Likens with the special award, which commemorated the influence he has had on the thousands of students that have attended the school through the years. Seven students graduated with “High Honors” and were inducted into the Academic Hall of Fame, while an additional eight students graduated with “Honors” during the school’s 49th session, held July 11-23 at Pomona College. Out of a total of 275 students attending this year, 87 were first-year students, 70 were second-year students, and 118 were third-year students.

High Honors Graduates—L-R (top row): Janet Sanchez, Community CU of Southern Humboldt, CA; Alan Jackson, Rogue FCU, OR; David Flood, Spokane Teachers CU, WA; Chad Bollinger, Colorado Credit Union, CO; bottom row: Dr. James Likens; Kristopher Distefano, America First CU, UT; Kristin Zeller, Coast Central CU, CA; and Steven Schmidle, Elevations CU, CO

Students earning “High Honors” were: Chad M.Bollinger, Colorado Credit Union, CO; Kristopher L. Distefano, America First CU, UT; David Flood, Spokane Teachers CU, WA; Alan Jackson, Rogue FCU, OR; Janet Sanchez, Community CU of Southern Humboldt, CA; Steven Craig Schmidle, Elevations CU, CO; and Kristin M. Zeller, Coast Central CU, CA.

Honors Graduates—L-R (top row): Darin Daggett, Kinecta FCU, CA; Gregory Shaver, Otero FCU, NM; Shelly Berryman, SchoolsFirst FCU, CA ; and Julie Arenz, iQ CU, WA; bottom row: Dr. James Likens; Lauren Risinger Davison, Coors CU, CO; James Belford, TwinStar CU, WA; and Kristina Hooper, Cal State L.A. FCU. CA. Not pictured: Craig Durkey, Redwood CU, CA

“Honors” students this year were: Julie H. Arenz, iQ CU, WA; James R. Belford, TwinStar CU, WA; Shelly Berryman, SchoolsFirst FCU, CA ; Darin Daggett. Kinecta FCU CA; Lauren Risinger Davison, Coors CU, CO; Craig A. Durkey, Redwood CU, CA: Kristina M. Hooper, Cal State L.A. FCU. CA; and Gregory Shaver,Otero FCU, NM.

L-R: Third-year students get ready to march in the auditorium during the WCMS graduation ceremonies—Dawn Wolfe, David Wood, Karen Woodall, Brandi Wright, and 2010 Charles M. Clark Memorial Award recipient Robert York, Norman Zamora, and Kristin Zeller

This year’s recipient of the Charles M. Clark Memorial Award was Robert York from California Bear CU in Los Angeles, CA and president of the Theta class. The award is given to the senior student nominated by his or her class who best represents high moral character, leadership, credit union dedication, and academic achievement.

RaAnn Wood, deputy commissioner of credit unions for the California Department of Financial Institutions, was named as the 20th recipient of the James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award.

RaAnn Wood, deputy commissioner of credit unions for the California Department of Financial Institutions, was named as the 20th recipient of the James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award, founded by the Alumni Association of Western CUNA Management School. The award is given to a graduate who has made significant achievements in the credit union field since graduation. Sylvia Lyon—president and CEO of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico and a 1997 WCMS graduate—delivered the commencement address at the graduation ceremony. The third-year graduating class presented a gift of $50,000 to the school. These funds are a result of the efforts of the Theta Class working together and hosting fundraisers during their three years at WCMS.  Students of all three classes raised an additional $12,000 at the 2010 auction.  These funds are used to help keep tuition costs down, and to underwrite scholarships for future WCMS students. The speaker at the 2010 Richard Myles Johnson Colloquium in Credit Union Philosophy was Mary Cunningham, WCMS board chairman and CEO of USA Federal Credit Union in San Diego, CA. This year’s session included students from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. About WCMS: WCMS is a management program, focused on helping credit union professionals address the key issues affecting the fast-paced business environment. The curriculum at WCMS includes classes on management, economics, legal and ethical standards, money and financial institutions, philosophy, communications, and leadership. The program is held over three years, with two-week terms during consecutive summers. Students also complete two extensive projects on their respective credit unions during their WCMS education. California is one of 13 states participating in Western CUNA Management School. School administration is conducted from the California Credit Union League headquarters, in Ontario, CA, and can be reached at www.wcmspomona.org

For questions and inquiries please contact:

Nancy Dotson, Director of School Administration
Western CUNA Management School
2885 E. Guasti Rd., Suite 600
Ontario, CA 91761-1250

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 51476
Ontario, CA 91761-0076

(800) 472-1702, ext. 6059 ndotson@ccul.org
Fax (909) 354-3109