Centralia College Foundation

Centralia College alumni

Distinguished Alumni

Since its beginning in 1925, Centralia College has maintained a strong tradition of academic excellence and opportunity. Over the years, more than 130,000 students have turned to the college to help them reach their educational or training goals. Some have been recognized for their national or international accomplishments, others have remained close to home, making a difference on a local level. Each year, since 1978, the college has honored one of these alumni for her or his achievements. We proudly present the recipients of the Centralia College Distinguished Alumnus Award.

John Sato

2008 Distinguished Alumnus

John Sato (1953), Architect and Developer
A former Adna standout athlete, Centralia College alumnus, and successful Seattle architect and developer has been named the 2008 recipient of the Centralia College "Distinguished Alumnus" award. John Sato, a 1953 graduate of the college, overcame significant obstacles to earn a reputation as a gifted architect and progressive developer. Sato has been tapped to become the 31st recipient of the college's highest honor.

The Sato family built a thriving farming enterprise near the old town site of Littell, where their neat-as-a-pin family farm was a source of community pride and a testament to the legendary work ethic of Japanese-Americans in the Northwest. John Sato was still a boy when his life was torn asunder by the invasion of Pearl Harbor. Sato, along with his parents, brothers, and one sister, were snatched from the family farm and sent to an internment camp at Tule Lake, California. "We came back when the camp closed," Sato recalled, "but our lives had changed." After Sato's mother had died in the tents at Tule Lake, his father was determined to keep the family together on the Adna area farmstead.

Upon his graduation from high school, where Sato gained a reputation as a regional star athlete and popular student, he enrolled at then Centralia Junior College. His classmate, roommate, and best friend from the class of '53 was current Centralia College trustee Dr. George Mohoric. The pair has remained fast friends for over half a century. "We lived at the old Fords Prairie fire station," Sato explained, "and we got to drive the fire truck if there was a fire." Then he laughed. "George only got to drive to two fires," Sato chuckled, "and one of those was a false alarm."

Soon after Sato graduated from Centralia College he was drafted into the army. Sato recognized the irony that had been the US Japanese internment policy, but was not embittered by it. Rather, like most Japanese-Americans in the Northwest, the Sato family remained staunchly patriotic. "Some of the young men were drafted right out of the tents," he remembered, "but most volunteered for military service, even while the war in the Pacific continued." After his discharge Sato entered the University of Washington, where he earned a degree in architecture. He worked for several firms as he learned the trade and soon opened his own office in Seattle. "I quickly recognized the potential for real estate development," he confided, "and as an architect I had an advantage."

Over the decades his enterprise has been very successful. On the verge of retirement, Sato has turned over the business reins to his son, an attorney and developer. Sato's oldest son is an MD in California and his only daughter has a degree in communications at the UW. Sato still maintains his friendship with his pal George Mohoric, and is still quick to recognize the part Centralia College played in his success.

	2007 Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Jill Wakefield (1972) President of South Seattle Community College since 2003. Dr. Jill Wakefield is recognized for the depth of her experience in community college education, having served the college for more than 25 years in a variety of posts, including vice president for Instruction since 1995. Among her accomplishments, Wakefield is responsible for reorganizing and developing new instructional programs and for her leadership of college-wide strategic planning and accreditation, which received commendations in six major areas. Wakefield has also taught as a part-time faculty member at Seattle University and at South Seattle.
	2006 Distinguished Alumnus John Wright (1962) A leading electronic design engineer, inventor, and business leader, who worked for the Boeing Company on the Minuteman Missile project as a pioneer in integrated circuit design. Wright helped to develop the GPS system and was named a Texas Instruments vice president of Advanced Programs. Wright served as vice president of Raytheon Centers of Excellence in optics, electronics systems, GPS, advanced electronic products, space antennas, and components. Wright is also a partner in Mustang Technology Group, responsible for strategic development of promising new science-based engineering firms.
	2005 Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Steve Webster (1960) A nationally known forest researcher who pioneered forest soil research, conducted groundbreaking studies that changed commercial forestry in North America, Asia, and Europe. His discoveries led to practices that produced healthier forests through nutrients that provided genetically superior trees.
	2004 Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Elliot K. Wicks (1960) Leads a distinguished career in economics and health care as a researcher and policy setter. He is a nationally known expert on issues relating to regulation of health insurance, health care delivery, and managed care. He has written health policies and advises on issues of health care for several states.
	2003 Distinguished Alumnus Ellis W. Oliver (1937-38) (deceased) Business owner and leader who set high standards in business and personal endeavors. Was a long-time local business owner and was a wellknown financial advisor and broker. He attained the rank of lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy during WWII; served in several public offices in the community.
	2002 Distinguished Alumnus Bruce D. Carter (1962-63) Retired United States Attorney. He was Assistant Regional Director for litigation for the Federal Trade Commission. Carter was first federal prosecutor west of the Mississippi to receive the 1982 National Legal Award. He served as Judge Pro Tempore for the Seattle municipal court and is active in charity and church work.
	2001 Distinguished Alumnus Maj. Gen. Reginald Clizbe (1934-36) (deceased) Entered West Point and was commissioned in Army Air Corps in 1940. During WWII and the Korean War, he became one of the most highly decorated command pilots in the nation. He later graduated from the War College and earned a master’s degree from the Harvard School of business. He was deputy chief of staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force at the Pentagon.
	2000 Distinguished Alumnus Brian Valentine (1979) Currently the Senior Vice President of the Windows Core Operating System Division. During his career, as senior vice president of the Microsoft Windows Division, Windows 2000, he led the team that rolled out the largest computer operating system in history.
	1999 Distinguished Alumnus Bill T. Brumsickle (1953-54) Former school administrator, teacher, and Washington state legislator, and was the Planned Giving Coordinator with the Centralia College Foundation, responsible for raising money to help fund new buildings on the college campus. He represented the 20th Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives for four consecutive terms, beginning in 1989.
	1998 Distinguished Alumnus Howard F. Batie (1957-58) Former Program Manager for the development and operation of satellite communications systems for use by Naval Forces worldwide. Awarded National Recognition for development of computer systems for use by physically disabled persons. Currently serves as Director of the Evergreen Healing Arts Center in Chehalis, WA.
	1997 Distinguished Alumnus Marion McCaw Garrison (1935-36) Marion was chief financial officer and secretary/treasurer of McCaw Enterprises, Inc., a holding company managing the McCaw business domain. She helped found ACT (A Contemporary Theater); and was a founder of Corporate Council of the Arts, an organization bringing support to the arts.
	1996 Distinguished Alumnus John L. Deichman (1953) As an engineer (now retired) with the Westinghouse Hanford Company (Washington), he served as an innovator, manager, and leader in his field. He was an international expert and consultant on nuclear waste management. He was also a noted systems expert.
	1995 Distinguished Alumnus John R. Stewart (1961) A professor at the University of Washington who is a public speaker, editor, writer, and honored educator. He has dedicated his life to providing excellence in education and innovative concepts. He demonstrates a strong commitment to higher education.
	1994 Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Marion Oppelt (1935) (deceased) One of the organizers and the founding president of Pierce College (formerly Fort Steilacoom Community College). Dr. Oppelt is a long-time educator, former professional baseball player, musician and community activist. Was named to the Centralia College Sports Hall of Fame for achievements in the sporting world.
	1993 Distinguished Alumnus Everett Macomber (1958) Senior partner in a Centralia veterinary practice, and active in community organizations. Served as president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
	1992 Distinguished Alumnus Susan M. Dunn (1967) Vice president of Patrick Dunn & Associates, LTD, government relations firm, and active volunteer in a number of state and community organizations. Retired from Washington State government in 2001 with 30 years of service.
	1991 Distinguished Alumnus Delford M. Smith (1950) Founder and owner of Evergreen International Aviation, Inc. (Oregon). He is a pioneer of innovative commercial applications for helicopters. Near its peak, his company had over 200 aircraft, 2,300 employees, and 125 bases of operations worldwide.
	1990 Distinguished Alumnus Margaret Staeger-Woods (1930) (deceased) A leader in the field of creative education for children. She directed children's activities at the Seattle and New York World's Fairs and founded a creative preschool program in the Seattle Public Libraries that ran for 23 years.
	1989 Distinguished Alumnus John G. Mulligan (1963) Former Regional Postmaster General for the U.S. Postal Service. Previously served as the Senior Assistant Postmaster General. Currently, he is president of a consulting practice dealing with postal policy and strategy for domestic and international mailing issues.
	1988 Distinguished Alumnus Gary Justice (1962) Former news anchor for Seattle's KIRO-TV "Eyewitness News at Five," which has been named the best local news show in the nation by United Press International. Currently he is an associate with an estate financial planning firm.
	1987 Distinguished Alumnus Orin C. Smith (1963) Former CFO for Starbucks Coffee, based in Seattle, having risen through the ranks of this international business. He served as chief financial advisor for Washington state governors (Dixie Lee Ray and Booth Gardner) as head of the Office of Financial Management.
	1986 Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Peter J. Ristuben (1953) (deceased) Former president of Bethany College and knighted by the Swedish king, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, for his contributions as national chairman of the U.S. Jubilee Cities Program celebrating the 350th anniversary of Swedish settlement in America.
	1985 Distinguished Alumnus Donald E. Fowler (1958) Mentor to CEOs of technology companies and serves on several boards. Was CEO of two early stage companies. Previously was a senior executive with Tandem Computers, Bechtel Group, and IBM.
	1984 Distinguished Alumnus Jennifer S. Williams (1965) Founder and director of the British-American Arts Association, which strengthens links and increases opportunities in the arts among the United States, European countries, and Great Britain.
	1983 Distinguished Alumnus James O. Lonborg (1950) (deceased) A 41-year veteran of the JPL engineering staff who worked in the U.S. space program since its inception. He worked on the Cassini spacecraft, the Saturn orbiter/probe, and other mission projects for JPL and its parent organization, California Institute of Technology.
	1982 Distinguished Alumnus Ford Rainey (1930) (deceased) An actor for nearly 50 years. He was a member of the Richard Boone Repertoire Theater on TV. Performed a variety of character roles on many major network comedy shows and was a standard in commercials. He also performed on stage.
	1981 Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Richard E. Ice (1950) President of American Baptist Homes of the West, retirement communities, which provide care for 4,000 residents. He was also vice-president of the 1.6 million member American Baptist Church/USA in 1990-91.
	1980 Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Alan E. Waltar (1959) Senior advisor to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA. He was professor and head of Nuclear Engineering, Texas A&M University. A leading authority on nuclear reactor design and safety and author of a book on nuclear energy. Served as president of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), the world's largest professional association of nuclear scientists and engineers.
	1979 Distinguished Alumnus Patti A. Morton (1954) Trail blazed as America's first female Special Agent/Security Officer with worldwide responsibility for U.S. Dept. of State overseas missions. Served as Acting Director of Emergency Plans & Exercises Office, and of the Equal Employment Opportunity & Civil Rights Office. Was Federal Women's Program Director worldwide. Active in community, artistic and historic endeavors.
	1978 Distinguished Alumnus Gordon H. Sweany (1931) (deceased) Rose through the company to become chairman of the Seattle-based Safeco Corporation, one of America's largest insurance companies.