2018 Graduates of Distinction

Walla Walla Public Schools names this year's honorees for the Graduates of Distinction program. They are: Terry Atchison, Class of 1966; Dr. Randall Barton, Class of 1971; and Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald, Class of 1995.

These individuals have distinguished themselves in their communities, professions, or careers and continue to bring honor to the district. Celebrate alongside these distinguished alumni at a reception in their honor on Tuesday, June 5 (details listed below). Listen to their stories and hear who helped shape their lives during their school years.

RECEPTION DETAILS

Date:    Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Time:    3:45 to 5:00 p.m.

Place:   Walla Walla School District Office (Anne Golden Boardroom)      

HONOREES

Terry Atchison - Class of 1966

A humble community leader with tireless devotion to the Walla Walla Fairgrounds and local military efforts.

Even in school, 1966 Walla Walla High School graduate Terry Atchison was never one to sit on the sidelines. He has, and continues to, jump in and help in any way he can, according to his nominators.

After graduation, Terry felt called to serve his country in Vietnam and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Following active duty, he returned home to civilian work at the Army Corps of Engineers. He was an Information Technology Specialist working with 700 fellow employees across six states. He also earned the highest non-commissioned rank of Command Sergeant Major before retiring in 2009.

He has served the community in a multitude of ways. His longest service has been to the Walla Walla Fairgrounds, starting at the age of 14 and continuing to this day. He has served on the fair board and contributed to the major Pavilion restoration project with hands-on labor and private funding. Recently, he was elected president of the Washington State Fair Association, sharing his knowledge and experience on a statewide level.

Terry received the Chamber of Commerce Award of Merit in 2016. Terry was praised for his work with veterans in the formation of the AMVETS Jonathan Wainwright Post 1111, his service to the City Planning Commission, many years of volunteering at Balloon Stampedes, and being an involved Walla Walla Symphony Board Member.  

His nominators were Richard Moeller, Bob Branscum and Randy Glaeser. They will tell you Terry is a humble man who doesn’t take credit for his many accomplishments. But, they agree his leadership and strong work ethic speak volumes for his dedication in our community.

Terry chose Pioneer Physical Education Teacher George Patterson as his most inspirational staff member because he “took the time to show that he cared.” Mr. Patterson was known for saying “to succeed, all you have to do is work hard,” and Terry says he has tried to live those values.  

Dr. Randall Barton - Class of 1971

A lifelong contributor and volunteer in improving the lives of others locally, nationally and internationally.

Randy’s best friend from high school could say it all started with a two-wheeled ice cream vending venture that began in 7^th grade. However, the Walla Walla High School graduate who earned a scholarship to West Point following his 1971 graduation was destined for much bigger and more impactful ways to serve his communities.

Randy left West Point after one year to attend Northwest Nazarene University and later earned a law degree at the University of Idaho. After seven years with an Idaho law firm, he went to work for Northwest University in Kirkland, where he quickly immersed himself in his new community. He spent time on the city council and became mayor in 1986.

Randy was instrumental in bringing the Seattle Seahawks practice facility to Northwest University, where it remained for 22 years before the Seahawks moved on and the facility became an integral part of the Northwest University Athletic Department. The facility was renamed in Randy’s honor in 2011.

In 1992, Randy founded Assemblies of God Financial in Springfield, Missouri, and guided its growth from $25 million to a diversified financial firm with $2.2 billion in assets. Since leaving that role in 2005, he has dedicated his efforts to solving real world problems for the benefit of humanity, according to his nominator and sister Linda Byerley. He has been recognized for meritorious service from the Los Angeles Dream Center, Convoy of Hope and WorldServe International – an organization which brings safe drinking water to East African communities, says Byerley.

Others who contributed to Randy’s nomination were longtime friend Doug Filan, Dream Center Founder Dr. Tommy Barnett, and WorldServe International President John Bongiorno.

Randy chose Walla Walla High School Teacher and Cross Country Coach Ron Huntington as his most inspirational staff member. He praised his coaching ability, but also his ability to create “a value system that integrated discipline, teamwork, enthusiasm and faith.”

Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald - Class of 1995

A pioneer in citizen science initiatives and mentor for aspiring scientists of all ages.

Since graduating from Walla Walla High School in 1995, Elizabeth has forged a list of amazing accomplishments in her chosen field of solar science. She earned a NASA scholarship to attend the University of Washington for undergraduate work in physics, earned a PhD from the University of New Hampshire, and worked nine years in satellite national security at the Los Alamos National Laboratory – all by the age of 37.

Her nominators, led by former middle school science teacher Sue Parrish, were unanimous in their praise for her enthusiasm for space weather. With a $1 million National Science Foundation grant in 2011, Elizabeth created a citizen science program centered on the Northern Lights. She then led a team that built the Aurorasaurus.org website, where people can use social media to track aurora observations and improve Northern Lights forecasting.

Elizabeth has been actively involved in the American Geophysical Union since 1998 and helps organize their large annual meetings. She has a passion for sharing science with students, as well as the public. She mentors young scientists early in their careers, and speaks with high school students about her research and various projects. As stated in her official NASA biography, she loves “communicating about the beauty of science.”

Others who contributed to Elizabeth’s nomination were fellow scientists and friends Kristin Omberg and Ruth Skoug, in addition to her high school teacher Carmella Phillips.

Elizabeth chose her Mom and retired district teacher, Alice MacDonald, as her most inspirational staff member. She said both of her parents encouraged her academically and her mom “shared her love of math, geometry, reading and Scrabble particularly.”