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This fall, Whitworth feted its 2009 Alumni Award winners at the university's annual
George F. Whitworth Banquet. Morgan Feddes, '11, compiled these bios of each of this year's winners.
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| (L-R) Ben Lindstrom, Kathie Koopmans Neir, Ben Frank Moss III, and Heather Steckler Parker |
Ben Frank Moss III, '59: Distinguished Alumni Award
While a student at Whitworth, Ben Frank Moss studied painting with Herman Keys, an adjunct professor who taught Moss what it meant to be a committed artist. Since his graduation, Moss has proved his commitment and his talent through both his art and his work as a professor. After spending a short time as a graduate student at Princeton Theological Seminary, Moss earned his master's degree in fine arts from Boston University. During his tenure as director of the MFA and the Visiting Critics Program at Fort Wright College, in Spokane, Moss founded and served as acting dean of the Spokane Studio School. He then taught for 13 years at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City. Today, Moss is on the faculty of Dartmouth College, where he serves as the George Frederick Jewett Professor of Studio Art and, for the past 21 years, as chair of his department. Moss' work has been included in 359 group shows throughout the United States and around the world. He has had more 57 solo exhibitions, including shows at Philips Exeter Academy, Kansas State University, Colorado State University and Swarthmore College. In addition, his work is featured in more than 43 public exhibitions, as well as in more than 385 corporate and private collections. Moss has been a visiting artist or lecturer at nearly 100 institutions and has been honored with numerous awards for both his art and his teaching.
Heather Steckler Parker, '96, Recent Alumni Award
As a student, Heather Steckler Parker had many opportunities to get involved in the music world. A Spokane native, Parker studied with Whitworth voice instructor Marjory Halvorson in high school and throughout her time at Whitworth. "It was her mission to support and encourage young talent," Parker says. "She always believed in my talent and encouraged me to keep singing, no matter what." With guidance and encouragement from Halvorson and other professors within the music department, Parker pursued a career in music after graduating from Whitworth. She completed her master of music degree at Eastman School of Music, in Rochester, New York, then moved around a bit before settling in New York City, where she auditioned for roles and continued to study voice. In 2002, Parker took second place at the Licia Albanese Puccini International Vocal Competition. As part of her prize, she performed at Alice Tully Hall, in New York City. Since then she has sung with opera companies all over the United States. She and her husband, Derrick Parker, a baritone, have a 1-year-old daughter, Grace Elizabeth.
Ben Lindstrom, '63, Alumni Mind & Heart Award
Since graduating from Whitworth, Ben Lindstrom has been a pastor in several churches throughout California, Oregon and Washington. Over the years, he found his calling serving smaller congregations. He has served as pastor at Southminster Presbyterian Church, in Des Moines, Wash., for 31 years. By serving a smaller congregation, Lindstrom says he has been able to focus on his relationships with those in his church. "I'm a simple servant doing a simple task," he says. "I'm doing Jesus' work in Jesus' way." As a pastor, Lindstrom focuses on relationships with those already in his church rather than on growing a larger congregation. His closeness with his congregation has allowed him to focus on cultivating strong Christian leaders – something he says he learned at Whitworth. Lindstrom has maintained a strong connection with the university over the years. He has been to several reunions and has missed just a few meetings of the Whitworth Institute for Ministry since its founding nearly 34 years ago. Lindstrom and his wife, Mary Jo, have also supported numerous Whitworth students by providing excellent leadership in the funding of scholarships for incoming students.
Kathie Koopmans Neir, '64, Alumni Service to Whitworth Award
Kathie Koopmans Neir began her career in coaching and teaching right out of Whitworth. She earned her master's degree in physical education and taught at schools in California and Washington. She also coached swim, track, cross-country and basketball teams. Neir served as the youth coordinator for Oregon's Governor's Commission on Youth, and she was head coach of the women's basketball team at the University of Washington from 1975-79. Today, Neir, in partnership with her son, runs a swim school she started in Sammamish, Wash. They teach both children and adults, giving approximately 500 lessons a week during their busy season. Neir has also devoted much of her time to organizing Whitworth class reunions. In 2005 she organized the joint reunion of the classes of 1963-65, one of Whitworth's largest reunions ever. She is currently organizing another reunion, for the classes of 1963-67, which will take place next June. The Kathie Koopmans Neir 1963-65 Endowed Scholarship was established in Neir's honor by graduates of the classes of 1963, '64 and '65, who wanted to show their appreciation for her leadership and her organization of the 2005 reunion.
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