1950s
Ivan Guevara ’59
Coach Ivan Guevara ’59 led Poet athletes to multiple championships on the basketball court. This summer, he led players from three teams from Whittier’s 1968-71 rosters in an emotional reunion filled with heartwarming memories at his home in Morgan Hill. The nostalgic celebration was complete with Brian Miles, former basketball manager, receiving a Hall of Fame plaque.
1960s
Janae (Israel) Honikman ’67
Janae (Israel) Honikman ’67 published her latest book, Love, Secrecy & Birth, available on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible. The
memoir recounts her junior year (1965–66) studying abroad in Denmark with Whittier’s program at the University of Copenhagen, based on the 100 letters she wrote home during that time.
1970s
Nancy “Nan” Porter ’71
Nancy “Nan” Porter ’71 reflects on last year’s Homecoming: “The campus was beautiful and I was flooded with memories of my college days.” A retired kindergarten teacher and reading consultant, Nancy lives in Steamboat Springs, where she enjoys horseback riding, barrel racing, and time with her children and grandchildren.
Gregory L. Crawford ’78
Gregory L. Crawford ’78 is celebrating 22 years of service with the Department of Homeland Security in 2025.
1980s
Kelley D. Dantzler ’81
Kelley D. Dantzler ’81 retired in 2018 after 31 years with Los Angeles County at LAC+USC Medical Center. She enjoys
retirement in Valley Village, California, and is proud to have been a Faithful Friend of Whittier College for more than 40 years.
Kim Jorgensen ’81 and Kathleen (Wendell) Jorgensen ’82
Kathleen (Wendell) Jorgensen ’82 joined her wife, Kim Jorgensen ’81, in retirement in November 2024 after a “long, intense, and
rewarding” career in educational publishing. She looks forward to more Scottish dancing, travel, and returning to her musical roots.
1990s
Ken Mengel ’91
Ken Mengel ’91 published The Golf Performance Code: Unlocking Secrets of Mind, Body and Nutrition, co-written with Dr. Alison Curdt and Dr. Guillermo Escalante.
Liza Gershman ’98
Liza Gershman ’98, a multidisciplinary storyteller, photographer, and best-selling author of 19 books, recently curated the VSCO
installation for SCOPE Miami Beach 2024. Her most recent cookbook, County Fair, was named one of Smithsonian Magazine’s “10 Best Food Books of 2021.” She continues to teach, write, and create for clients worldwide.
Geoffrey Dicker ’98
Geoffrey Dicker ’98 released his 14th book in August 2024 and held his first solo art exhibition in September 2024 in West Hollywood, California.
2000s
Amanda Hope ’08
Amanda Hope ’08 graduated with a master’s degree in education leadership from Harvard University in 2024.
Kiki Miller ’08
Kiki Miller ’08 earned her Ph.D. in political communication and rhetoric from the University of Texas at Austin in December 2024.
Nadine Stecklein Barragan ’09
Nadine Stecklein Barragan ’09 was promoted to Associate Director of Employer Engagement and Internship Programs at Whitman College in August 2024. She credits her Whittier mentors in the Career Center for sparking her passion for connecting students with meaningful internships and post-graduate opportunities.
Dan Strauss ’09 and Caroline Cox ’10
Dan Strauss ’09 married his Whittier sweetheart, Caroline Cox ’10, in spring 2023. The couple lives in Seattle, where Dan serves on city council.
2010s
Heart (Kamela) Gardener ’10
Heart (Kamela) Gardener ’10 graduated with his master’s in social work from Columbia University in May 2025.
Janay Abale Hamrick ’10
Janay Abale Hamrick ’10 published her first book, Philippians for Missionaries: A Deep-Dive Devotional, drawing on her 12 years of service as a missionary in rural Uganda.
Melanie Peel ’14
Melanie Peel ’14 became a clinical veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and earned board certification in zoological medicine. She completed her residency through University of California, Davis, and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
2020s
Haley Kivett ’25
Haley Kivett ’25, right, is continuing her kinesiology education in the doctoral program of physical therapy at Columbia University in New York. “It’s in-depth and rigorous. But, coming from the small Whittier community, I feel really well-equipped for a program like this,” she said.
Before graduating, Assistant Kinesiology Professor Masahiro Yamada and Kivett published a peer-reviewed manuscript in the April issue of the Journal of Motor Learning and Development.