2026 Alumni of the Year

- Betty “Fritz” Duncan graduated from Walla Walla College in 1966 with a major in home economics. Post graduation she worked as an assistant dean of women as well as teaching home economics classes. Betty took time off to raise 2 daughters, Becky and Pamela, with her husband Scott Duncan before returning to oversee the college’s advisement office in 1978. Betty brought innovative programming and fresh thinking to her new role, serving students with a caring, insightful, compassionate nature. Even though Betty officially retired in 2016, Walla Walla Walla University continues to be blessed by her generous spirit of service as she mentors incoming students. Betty has left an indelible mark on Walla Walla University, serving multiple generations of students during her 46-year career.

- From his earliest recollections, Ryan Mowat has been inquisitive about mechanical workings. His father, an engineer, fostered this curiosity. Ryan and his siblings grew up in Canada with a strong work ethic, a long list of building and fixing projects, and an aptitude for flying both planes and helicopters. Ryan graduated from Walla Walla College in 1991 with an engineering degree. Later he and wife Karen, split time between his teaching career at Walla Walla while also earning a master’s degree in robotics and control theory. His career later moved into the industrial field where, among other things, Ryan built concrete and grout plants. He has been involved in projects on every continent except Antarctica. His crowning achievement was designing a run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant in British Columbia. OR---perhaps it was his and friend’s arrival in a helicopter for an Engineering party on the front lawn at the Aamodt’s home?

- An inquisitive scholar, dedicated educator, and supportive mentor, David Bullock spent more than four decades helping shape the next generation of communicators at Walla Walla University. As a student, he majored in journalism and worked at KGTS. There he could apply his musical talents and learn from mentor Dr. Loren Dickinson. After graduation in 1967 David pursued further education, earning his PhD at the University of Arizona in 1994. As a professor and chair of the communications department, Dr. Bullock encouraged students to pursue education with an open heart and mind. His career was marked by many achievements—including publishing a book in 2014 and the Society of Adventist Communicators Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

- Chaplain Randy Croft feels true success in life---involves service. It’s a mission he first discovered in high school and one that deepened while studying at Walla Walla College, where he graduated in 1991 with a double major in Theology and Speech Communications. Following graduation, he attended Andrews University, completing a Master of Divinity degree. Randy and his wife Krista have raised three children while serving as a church pastor and then teaching at Walla Walla Valley Academy. A life-changing conversation with Darold Bigger about military chaplaincy contributed to Randy’s decision to join the Air Force in 2003. For the past 22 years he has served across nine assignments, seven stateside and two overseas. Randy also completed three deployments—two to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. God and family have given Randy meaning and purpose. At the heart of it all is Randy’s dedication to service.