Class Notes—Summer 2016

Notables:

Tod Marshall ’90 was named the 2016-18 Washington State Poet Laureate in January 2016. Marshall, who is in his 17th year of teaching at Gonzaga, had his term begin Feb. 1 and runs through Jan. 31, 2018. He directs the English department’s writing concentration. He started and continues to curate the Gonzaga University Visiting Writers Series. Called a “tireless advocate for the arts,” Marshall has been dedicated to bringing humanities experiences to underserved populations. Marshall is the author of three poetry collections: “Dare Say” (University of Georgia Press, 2002), “The Tangled Line” (Canarium Press, 2009), and “Bugle” (Canarium, 2014) the latter of which won the Washington State Book Award in 2015. The Washington State Poet Laureate Program is jointly sponsored by the Washington State Arts Commission and Humanities Washington. Poets Laureate work to build awareness and appreciation of poetry —including the state’s legacy of poetry—through public readings, workshops, lectures and presentations in communities statewide. Laureates are selected through an application and panel review process that evaluates a proposed project plan, writing acumen and experience in promoting poetry.

Zach Bailey ’14 is employed by Disney and helped market and manage the Invictus Games at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex May 8-12 in Orlando, Fla. The games, started by England’s Prince Harry to feature wounded veterans, hosted 14 different countries from around the world. Bailey worked directly with Prince Harry on the event. After the event, Bailey returned to his normal duties with Hollywood Studios.

Class Notes—Fall 2016

Notables:

Teammates and former Siena Heights football All-Americans Kyle Connors ’15 and Donovan Campbell ’15 were part of the West Michigan Ironmen football team that reached the championship game of the American Indoor Football league in June 2016. Campbell, a tight end, caught three TD passes in the title game, a 74-32 loss to the Columbus Lions. Connors played offensive and defensive line for the Ironmen.

Lenzey Stidham ’13 was crowned Miss Cutler Bay USA 2017 in May 2016. She represented Cutler Bay at the Miss Florida USA state competition in July. Stidham will serve as the town’s good-will ambassador for the year and threw out the first pitch at a Miami Marlins baseball game. She is also the founder and CEO of 2BC Agency, a boutique modeling agency. She is a former national cham-pion for the Saints in the pole vault.

Jason Blickensdorf ’07, an officer with the Canton Town-ship (Mich.) Police Department, was named the Officer of the Year by the Police Officers Association of Michigan in May 2016. He was honored at a special ceremony at the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids, Mich (below). The award recognizes officers who have exhibited bravery, integrity and served with dignity in the line of duty.

Class Notes—Fall 2015

Notables:

Carolyn Alford ’08 (Battle Creek) received the Kalamazoo YMCA Lifetime Woman of Achievement Award in May 2015. Alford, a longtime official and community leader, is “a devoted member of the Kalamazoo community and has spent her life working toward the betterment of others through services,” according to the award description. “As a mentor and advocate for so many individuals, Carolyn’s dedication to those impacted by poverty, racism or any other form of social or economic marginalization has served as an example for all to follow.” Alford served on the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education for 16 years, and also served four terms on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners. She is also past recipient of NAACP Humanitarian of the Year Award (2010) and the YMCA Woman of Achievement Award (2007).

Tod Marshall ’90 was named to a two-year term as Gonzaga University’s Robert K. and Ann J. Powers Professor Chair of the Humanities. The Powers chair is awarded to “an outstanding teacher-scholar in the area of history, philosophy, language or literature,” according to the university. Marshall was also the 2015 recipient of the Humanities Washington Award, which each year honors two individuals or organizations whose efforts “reflect the spirit and programs of Humanities Washington.” His book of poetry, “Bugle,” won the Washington State Book Award. Marshall, who is in his 16th year of teaching at Gonzaga, founded and continues to curate the university’s visiting writer’s series. He said, “I know that much of my success if due to the blessings I received at Siena from Sister Hogan, Sister Schnapp, Sister Hall, Mary Weeber, Mark Schersten and others. I love that place; I love the people.”