Several mini profiles followed by class notes listings.
Chad Toomey 1994
Chad Toomey ’94 has accepted a firefighter position with the Forest Grove Fire Department. Toomey has worked at the Pacific University Outback since 1997 and also served as a volunteer firefighter. “It is such a privilege to be accepted into this fine staff of professionals,” he said. “At the same time, I will be saying farewell to a wonderfully supportive organization — Pacific University. These are exciting times!”
Paul Berman 1975
Paul Berman O.D. '75 was honored at the White House on Oct. 2, 2012, for his work as founder and global clinical adviser of the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes program, in which volunteers provide all Special Olympics participants with vision tests, as well as protective sports goggles and prescription eyeglasses as needed. Dr. Berman developed the program in 1991, during his term as president of the AOA Sports Vision Section, and the Lions Clubs International Foundation assumed sponsorship in 2001. Dr. Berman is a widely recognized sports vision practitioner who has worked with the New Jersey Devils, New Jersey Nets, New York Giants, U.S. Olympic Hand Ball Team and U.S. Olympic Fencing Team, as well as golfers, high school and collegiate athletes and recreational athletes. His Hackensack, N.J., practice Focus Eye Health and Vision Care, has been featured on ESPN. He also is a past New Jersey Optometrist of the Year and AOA SVS Optometrist of the Year and was named the International Optometrist of the Year in 2005 by the World Council of Optometry. American Optometric Association
Susan Buchanan 1995
Suzi Buchanan MAT recently received a grant from the FedEx small business contest to support her business, Humdinger Kettle Korn.
Sara Kearsley 1996
Sara Kearsley graduated from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2011, and recently joined the Evers Law Office in Hillsboro. She practices elder law and estate planning, with a focus on public benefits planning. Her two children keep her busy when she is not at work.
Kara Kuh 1996
Kara (Moore) Kuh became the new public relations manager for Travel Salem and the Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA) in October 2012. She and her husband, Tom, live in Salem.
Billy Merck 1997
Billy Merck ’97, MAEd ’03 and his wife, Kat, welcomed Felix William Merck on Nov. 20, 2012. He weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces.
Rebecca "Becky" Weaver 1998
Rebecca “Becky” Weaver began a Britain Postdoctoral Fellowship in August 2012 at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
April (Wilson) Hammel 1999
April (Wilson) Hammel and husband Michael welcomed their first baby, Cooper Justice Hammel, on April 22, 2012.
Brad Kauder 1999
Brad Kauder Psy.D. earned board certification in clinical neuropsychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. He has a private practice in Ashland, Ore., and provides clinical and forensic neuropsychological services.