Ottis Edwards ’52
Ottis graduated in 1952 with a major in theology. He started his career as a teacher at a small Oregon school. He and his wife, Dottie, taught all eight grades until the Korean War interrupted their lives and Ottis was called into service. Ottis completed his master’s in education degree from WWC in 1960. The couple was invited to Philippine Union College where Ottis headed the English Department and Dottie taught grade school.
During a furlough, Ottis earned his doctorate in education, and then returned to Philippine Union College. By 1967 he was named college president.
In 1973, the family moved to Singapore where Ottis was director of education and later president of the Far Eastern Division. Twenty years later he and Dottie returned to the US for “retirement.”
Ottis and Dottie were married nearly 56 years when she passed away in 2006.
Paul Rasmussen ’72
What began as a Paul Rasmussen’s small idea has now grown into SonBridge, a thriving community service center supported by Walla Walla Valley Adventist churches. SonBridge now houses a thriving thrift store and medical clinic. Blue Mt. Television and LifeTalk Radio will operate from the center. Plans include expanding the medical clinic, adding dental services and offering a variety of classes on health issues to financial planning.
Paul’s auto body shop, the largest in the valley, opened in 1986. He taught auto body at WWC from 1981 to 1986.
Paul’s family joins him in his dedication to community service. Paul and his wife, Judy, have three children, Jeff, Kim and Kandee.
Gerald Winslow ’67
Gerald Winslow currently serves as professor of ethics at Loma Linda University. He is also vice president for spiritual life of Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center. Gerald’s articles have appeared in academic journals and he has presented lectures at universities and for professional groups throughout North America as well as Australia and Europe. He has served as an ethics consultant to a number of health care organizations and also serves on panels monitoring medical research studies around the world. His first book, Triage and Justice, was published in 1982, establishing his prominence in the field of biomedical ethics. He has served as a leader in the field of bioethics for more than 30 years.
Gerald, a 1967 theology graduate, began his teaching career at Walla Walla College, serving 19 years as a professor in the School of Theology.
During his tenure at WWC, he earned a doctoral degree from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkley. Gerald also holds a master’s degree from Andrew’s University.
Gerald and his wife, Betty, have two daughters, Lisa and Angela.
Lois Hellie ’57
In 1957 Lois graduated with a major in secretarial science and launched her career as a hospital accountant. She returned to WWC’s accounting office eight years later to serve as chief accountant and office manager.
In 1978 Lois and her husband, Paul, moved to Southern California where Lois became director of payroll at Loma Linda University and Medical Center. She then transitioned to Glendale Adventist Medical Center from 1982 to 1990.
Lois and Paul returned to College Place where Lois once again joined WWC, this time serving as administrative computing manager and director of the campus computer center. After her formal retirement, Lois started a volunteer program at WWC and directed it for three years. She currently volunteers for Gospel Outreach. For many years she served as treasurer of the Alumni Association, a position now held by her son, Richard, a WWC graduate. The Hellies' other two children, Lorinda and Micahel, also graduated from WWC.