Lucy Crossett, ’34 Education, ’56 MS Education

“Apparel design was always my first love from the time I was a child designing clothes for my paper dolls,” says Lucy, 90. “In 1938, I went to Los Angeles in pursuit of my dreams, but those were the Depression years and jobs were scarce. I ended up at Columbia Steel Mills in Torrance, CA right when WWII started.”

“When I returned to Portland, in the middle of the war, there was a big cry for teachers. So I thought I would give it a try,” Lucy goes on. She spent the next twenty years teaching in Portland, Beaverton, and Parkdale elementary schools. She also taught pattern drafting in private classes, fabric stores, and evening classes at Portland Community College.

Twenty-two years after earning her first degree in education, Lucy went back to OSU, taking courses in counseling and guidance for her MS Ed. In June of 2004, Lucy went to the annual Oregon State Golden Jubilee for all students who have graduated fifty or more years ago. It was the 70th year reunion for the class of 1934 and she was the only one there.

Her advice to today’s education students? “Follow your dream, but be open to change and be willing to adjust when life throws you a curve.”

Mary Brillhart, ’61 Education

“Loves life and loves people,” is the perfect way to describe Mary Brillhart in ten words or less. She recently retired from the Salem-Keizer school system after 38 years, teaching 4th-6th graders. “I loved fifth graders especially,” she says, “they’re eager to learn, still a little naïve, and so much fun.”

Mary hasn’t slowed down since she graduated in 1961 in Elementary Education. At that time, she had job offers from Salem and Bend, choosing Salem because it was a bigger district with more opportunities for her career. “I was so well-prepared at Oregon State University. Classes were so small that we all got excellent attention. And we got to know each other...I made life-long friends at OSU.”

Now retired, Mary still spends her time helping people. She volunteers with the American Red Cross blood program (she’s the person who takes each donor’s history) and Hospice. Doing double duty for Hospice, Mary works as a facilitator with Mother Oak’s Child, a program for children grieving the loss of loved ones, and she sits with adult Hospice patients.

Mary keeps her balance and peace of mind by walking with Volkswalkers and volunteering with the Humane Society. Right now, she’s working with cats, giving them the same love and attention she has given so generously to children and adults over her lifetime.

Phyllis Lee, ’83 PhD Counseling

Phyllis Lee recently retired as director of Multicultural Affairs at OSU where she assisted the university in building and sustaining its commitment to diversity through a range of initiatives and changes in curriculum, student services, and policies and procedures. Noted for a collaborative working style, she says, “Thanks to the work of many faculty, students, staff, and administrators, there is no corner of this university that does not address diversity in some way.”

Phyllis started out in Coos Bay, Oregon, teaching fifth grade, later moving to Lake Oswego, and then to Japan. Since earning her doctorate, she has worked in the state’s higher education system, the corporate world, and civil rights organizations. She continues to sit on a number of volunteer boards and is an active member of the Advisory Board for the new School of Education.

While living in Corvallis during her tenure at OSU, Phyllis has had a leading role in establishing the Community Alliance for Diversity, a grass roots organization of community members, government, education, and businesses that has grown in numbers and strength over the years to become an important factor in improving the area’s quality of life.

What about retirement? “There are so many options, it’s like being in a candy store,” she smiles. “Having leisure time is a pleasure to look forward to, but I’ll continue working on social justice, human and civil rights, and educational access.”

Uzma Ahmad, ’91 MS Counseling

A deep and abiding belief in the “importance of meaningful human contact” motivates Uzma Ahmad, a 1991 graduate and a native of Pakistan. With her master’s in counseling, she is a nationally certified counselor and licensed professional counselor in Oregon.

With a master’s in clinical psychology from Punjab University, Ahmad came to Corvallis 16 years ago with her husband, Sabah Randhawa. They are the proud parents of a ten-year old daughter.

Uzma is the Director of the Family Sexual Abuse Treatment Program in the Department of Human Services in Linn County and liaison for birth and foster parents for DHS in Benton County. She is dedicated to helping parents learn “how to provide children with a nurturing environment so they can taste what healthy human relationships are. It’s how we understand our own value in life,” she adds.

Underscoring her belief that family connections are critically important, Uzma visits her native Pakistan as often as possible, at least once every eighteen months. “It’s a 36-hour flight, but worth the trouble,” she says.

Jane (Faulkner) Wright, ’02 EdD

Speaking of her very recent move to Bend, Oregon, Jane (Faulkner) Wright says, “I fell in love with Oregon when I began the Community College Leadership Program (CCLP) four years ago. I commuted from southern California, where I was Director of Marketing and Public Relations at Mt. San Antonio Community College, to Oregon once a month for classes.”

Jane continues, “Being in the CCLP program was a big leap, it stretched me both personally and professionally.” She defended her dissertation in April 2002 after two years of monthly classes.

After completing her doctorate and marrying a Bend resident, Jane’s life was transformed. She moved to central Oregon where she continues to work as a consultant with Mt. San Antonio CC by updating and revising Board Policies and Administrative Procedures.

Jane and her new family are thriving in Central Oregon. “The pace is slower and more relaxed here. We snowshoe and hike and love all the outdoor recreation.”

Delia Guillen, ’03 MAT

Twelve years ago, when Delia Guillen moved to Albany, Oregon, from Mexico, she spoke very little English. She had taken some classes but they hadn’t prepared her for immersion in an English speaking culture. “It was scarey and frustrating,” she says, “I didn’t answer the telephone at the beginning because I was afraid I wouldn’t understand what people wanted.” But today, after dedication to her goals, Delia has conquered language barriers and is a leader in the mid-Willamette Valley’s Hispanic community.

Five years ago, Delia was hired as an assistant with the Albany School District in the English as Second Language program. Her enthusiasm for the ESL program was so strong, Delia decided she wanted to be an instructor, but realized she needed to go back to school for her degree. She was accepted in the new School of Education’s two year Master of Arts in Teaching and began juggling classes, work, and raising her two daughters, Melinda, 10, and Olivia, 6.

Delia has completed the MAT, is an English as Second Language instructor, and is an active volunteer in her community. Delia has realized her dream…she works with about 80 students in Albany’s Lafayette, Liberty, and Waverly Schools.

Roberto Gutierrez, ’03 PhD

In July 2004, Roberto Gutierrez took on a huge job as Clark College’s newest Vicepresident and Chief Economic Officer. Clark College, in Vancouver, WA, is facing many of the same budgetary challenges that Oregon’s higher education system faces. Roberto says, “The key challenges for us are diminishing resources. We’re dealing with it by forming strong partnerships. The old way of relying on government just won’t do it.”

Roberto received his PhD in CCLP in 2003. “The School of Education definitely prepared me for my new position,” he states. “My cohort was my learning community. I gained so much knowledge from my peers. We formed a strong sense of support for each other,” he adds.

Jeff Davis, ’03 EdM

“My days are very full,” says Jeff Davis, Lane Community College’s newest Director of Continuing Education and Extended Learning. “After completing my EdM degree in June 2003, I wanted a new professional challenge, and this new position is all the challenge I could imagine.”

Jeff oversees the Eugene, Oregon, downtown campus, including CE programs that reach about 20,000 students per year, a portfolio of 700+ non-credit instructional products, and “best of all, a large staff dedicated to life-long learning.” Jeff graduated from the Adult Education Cohort Master’s Degree Program. His undergraduate degree is from OSU as well and after graduating in 1989, Jeff worked in vocational rehab and workforce investment programs.

Later, as he looked for the right graduate program, Jeff realized that the Adult Education Cohort program fit perfectly with his career demands and family life. “I believe the School of Education prepared me very well, particularly in instructional design, leadership, and public policy,” says Jeff. “The combination of instructional design and top-notch faculty are preparing the next generation of leaders in business, community, and community college settings,” he adds.