President's Letter - Colorado State University-Pueblo

ALUMNI CLASS NOTES
Kurt Snyder, ‘05
Gone Wild with Art
Kurt Snyder, A05, is making his own rules. After graduation, Snyder knew he
wanted to live in the mountains and avoid limits to his exploration time. Freelance
graphic design seemed the obvious choice for freedom of schedule and location,
and Wild Drawn Designs & Illustrations was born.
Snyder says that the name was inspired by how vital wilderness is to his
creative process. “Whether it’s with my camera or sketchbook, I’m always trying
to capture the invigorating impression that wild places leave on me in my art,” he
said.
The art program at CSU-Pueblo can be credited with making Snyder’s dream
a reality. “It gave me a diverse foundation in many disciplines. From illustration, photography and
mural work, to ceramics and even website design, the varied curriculum I enjoyed in Pueblo has enabled me to be a bit of a ‘jack
of all trades’.”
Two people on campus that made a real difference in his time here were Vicky and Richard Hansen. “They both fueled a
passion in me for ceramics, shaping raw materials, and creating art for the right reasons.” Liz Johnson also made a huge impact
on Snyder. “She taught me more profitable and applicable knowledge on photography, Photoshop, and web design than
possibly anyone ever has.”
You can view more designs by Snyder at www.drawnwild.net.
Andrew Tapia, A02, won the 2009 Pueblo
City Golf Championship and was a member
of the CSU-Pueblo men’s golf team, when he
won the title in 2000.
Anthony Sandstrom, A03, Pueblo,
sports information director at CSU-Pueblo,
was recognized as the 2009 Outstanding
Professional Employee at CSU-Pueblo.
Glenda Torres, A03, is a natural resource
specialist in fuels at the Royal Gorge Field
Office for the Bureau of Land Management.
Melissa Barela, A04, Rocky Ford, is a tutor
in the Education Assistance Center at Otero
Junior College.
Deborah Helton, A04, Colorado Springs,
was named a 2009 Rising Star by the
Colorado Springs Business Journal. She is a
supervisor at BiggsKofford P.C. (Certified
Public Accountants).
Wesley A. Kinney-Palser, A04, San
Antonio, TX, is training at Lackland Air Force
Base and now is an Air Force Airman.
Nick Alfonso, A05, Pueblo, was named
2008 Faculty Member of the Year at Pueblo
Community College, where he teaches
biology, physics, chemistry, and earth science.
Bryan Dewar, A05, Pueblo, completed a
master’s degree in education in 2007 and
teaches at Central High School.
Veronica Hughes, A05, Las Cruces, NM,
is a behavioral health nurse at Mesilla Valley
Hospital.
M’lissa Morgan, A05, received a federal
grant that will extend her work as an archive
technician with the CF&I Archives.
Andrea Jennings, A06, Pueblo, has been
an education/career coordinator for the
Boys and Girls Club in Pueblo, but is soon
relocating to San Diego, Calif., where her
future husband, CJ, will begin graduate
school. She and CJ welcomed their second
child, Curtis III, last October. He joins a big
sister, Zoey, 2. Andrea intends to pursue
a master’s degree in family counseling,
community counseling, or school counseling.
Mark Magnone, A06, Pueblo, is manager
of the northside branch of Wells Fargo Bank.
He is serving as the first alumni member
of the President’s Leadership Program
Community Advisory Board and was elected
secretary-treasurer for 2009-2010.
James Santistevan, A06, is enlisted in the
military and currently serving in Baghdad,
Iraq.
Dustin Trimble, A06, has been a guitarist
in the United States Air Force for the last two
and a half years. He returned from his first
deployment to the Middle East in December
and was able to spend the holidays with
his family. He recently received orders to
Germany.
Greg Wissinger, A06, Colorado Springs,
works for T. Rowe Price and is recently
engaged.
Chas Bailey, A07, Pueblo, is back home
after youth missionary work in Serbia. He
attended a conference in Spain from January
19-25 to meet with other STINTers from all
over Europe and some parts of Asia.
Crystal Fields-Gotaas, A07, Englewood,
teaches sixth grade and third grade
intervention at Eiber Elementary. Her
husband, Lars, is pursuing a master’s degree
in public administration.
Nicole (Nicki) L. Hart, A07, Pueblo, is a
marketing specialist for the Sangre de Cristo
Arts and Conference Center.
Tanisha Hinds, A07, Springfield, began
her third year teaching elementary school for
Springfield School District.
Rebecca (Johnson) Jenkins, A07,
Florence, teaches English at Florence High
School.
Kelli Magann, A07, Pueblo, is the crime
analyst for the Pueblo Police Department.
Alexis Ribberheim, A07, Colorado
Springs, is assigned to the 96th Sustainment
Brigade at Ft. Carson and serves in the U.S.
Army Reserve while awaiting deployment to
Iraq in September.
Marie Louise Rosetti, A07, Prineville, OR,
is a registered nurse.
Kristen Sherwood, A07, Pueblo, is a
warehouse supervisor and inventory control
coordinator for Rush Truck Center.
Joe Villalon, A07, Pueblo, started his
own business, Petite Noya Personal Chef &
Catering Services.
• F - Faculty • FS - Former Student • A - Alumnus
16 C O L O R A D O S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y - P U E B L O