Charisse Ciambrone, ’82 BA Sociology, ’10 Master of Education, has worked at the College of Southern Nevada since 2007 teaching English as a Second Language. She also teaches math to adults who are studying for high school equivalency exams. She earned a master of education degree at Sierra Nevada College.

Lois Grosser, ’80 Bachelor of Fine Arts, is an artisan metalsmith designing jewelry with inspiration from her southwestern experiences. She also has had successful careers as a fine artist and as a graphic designer. NASCAR is her hobby. She has three children and eight grandchildren. She lives in North Fort Myers, Florida.

Ronald Hedger, ’79 BA Psychology, is an associate professor of family medicine and associate dean and director of the Center of Professional Practice Simulation in Clinical Education at Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine. He received his osteopathic medical degree from the Osteopathic Medical School at Western University of Health Science. Television production is his hobby. He and his wife, Karen, have been married 30 years and have three children and two granddaughters. The couple lives in Henderson.

Van Nickerson, ’74 BS Business Administration, is embarking on a major project to spearhead a black Disneyland-type theme park in a small town in Mississippi. An African village depicting life before slavery will be featured. The theme park will include hotels, restaurants, casinos, a housing development, a movie studio, and an airport. He plays Latin percussion instruments professionally and lives in Lebec, California.

Lynette Davis Quigley, ’73 BA Math, ’75 MS Math, decided to become a teacher after being assigned to teach Math 126/127 when she was a graduate student. She spent 30 years teaching math for the Clark County School District before retiring three years ago. She has come full circle and is teaching math at UNLV on a part-time basis. She is married and has three sons, all of whom have chosen mathematics careers.

Gary Brown, ’73 BS Hotel Administration, is an adjunct professor at Bryant & Stratton College where he teaches Introduction to Hospitality Management, tutors, and assists in the college library. His hobbies are travel, woodworking, and classic cars. He owns a 1961 Triumph TR-3 and a 1991 Acura NSX. He and his wife, Suzie, have two sons, Tyler and Travis. The family lives in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Jack Werner, ’72 BA Political Science, is immediate past director of the D.C. government energy office. He also has served as executive director of the Institute for Sustainable Power, senior fellow at the Climate Institute, assessor for the American National Standards Institute, and as energy/environment advisor to the International Renewable Energy Agency. He is working to create a regional sustainable energy standards/certification program for 15 nations in West Africa. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Irena Scott, ’72 MS Biology, is retired. She worked as both the chief operating officer of AlumPolaris and as a professor at St. Bonaventure University. She is the author of several recently published books, including Females Going Ape: Generating Life and Civilization, which shows the female as the principal actor in both the advancement and evolution of the earth’s organisms. In the book she discusses how females survive better than males, how most organisms are female, how most can reproduce without a male, and how they are the natural leaders and innovators. She also is the author of Uncle: My Journey with John Purdue, which is about the founder of Purdue University. Photography is her hobby. She lives in Lewis Center, Ohio. Meri Shadley, ’72 MA Psychology, is a marriage and family therapist in private practice. She teaches and directs the collegiate recovery program at UNR. Recently, she attended the Washington, D.C., Rally for Facing Addiction and provided public advocacy for the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act (pictured with U.S. Sen. Harry Reid). Her hobbies include needlepoint, outdoor activities, and attending musical and cultural events. The Reno resident is married and has one grown son.

Diana Armstrong Winn, ’68 BA English, is celebrating her fifth year as operations manager of Rebuilding Together Southern Nevada. She is engaged to fellow Basic High School graduate John Stephens. Her hobbies include Zumba, Pilates, and turbo kickboxing.