Wilson HS ... now known as Ida B. Wells High School
Alumni Update - September, 2026
http://www.wilsonalumni.com
edited by Linda Doyle
SCHOOL NEWS
YOU'RE INVITED: GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY ... NOVEMBER 13
Ida B. Wells High School Groundbreaking & Modernization Groundbreaking Ceremony: Join us on November 13, 2026, from 9:52 AM to 10:36 AM in the Ida B. Wells Gym. This is an all-school assembly, and we warmly invite the community, alumni, and delegates to join us. Project Timeline: The new building will open to students in August 2029, with full project completion targeted for Summer 2030. Alumni Farewell Tours: Before the old Wilson/IBW building is demolished, we will host alumni tours so everyone can say goodbye to the legacy halls. Stay tuned for official dates! Learn More: Check out updates and project details on the IBW Modernization Website (https://bond.pps.net/current-modernizations/ida-b-wells-modernization?utm_source=gemini).
WHERE ARE THEY NOW
CLASS OF 1984 NEWS ... Hood to Coast Relay 2026
John Kodachi '84 is excited to report that twelve alumni of the Class of 1984, who called themselves the "Grateful Still Not Dead," took 1st place in the men's Champion Masters division (60 years +) of the 2026 Hood to Coast Relay. Starting at 4:05 am from Timberline Lodge, the team ran the 196-mile relay race with little to no sleep to Seaside over a 32-hour period. The alumni in Van 1 included John Whittier, Randy Acker, Tim Landis, Steve Giansante, Rob Gilbert, and Ed Sloop. Van 2 consisted of Tom Diffely, Steve Shaw, Ken Venables, Tom McKillop, Paul Cameron, and John Kodachi. The team shirt was designed by '84 classmate Ken Shults and one of the vans belonged to '84 classmate Ian McLoughlin.
They admit that the extended warranties on their bodies have admittedly long expired as the team had every reason not to compete this year given their collective injuries included a completely torn Achilles, hip replacement, hamstring reattachment, plantar fasciitis, multiple calf strains, and even a concussion within the past two years!
ANDY FRANCK '22 COVETED INTERNSHIP AT NASA
photo by Marc Campos
After graduation Andy Franck '22 headed to Occidental College studying Computer Science, Mathematics and will graduate in 2027. Andy says, "if you had told me three years ago that I would be working at NASA, I would've said 'Are you serious? That's crazy.'" Click here to read more about Andy's journey since high school.
RORY ALSPAUGH '21 WELL DESERVED SCHOLARSHIP COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Rory Alspaugh '21 is pursuing his Master’s degree in hydraulic engineering within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University. He was just named the 2025-2026 Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers (CASFM) Ben Urbonas Scholarship recipient. In his research at the CSU hydraulics laboratory, Rory focuses on the physical and numerical modeling of spillways, hydraulic energy systems, and other hydraulic structures. He strives to be at the forefront of innovation in the industry, using tools such as computational fluid dynamics. His goal is to use his passion for water resource engineering to strengthen communities and their relationships with natural resources.
KC COWAN '75 ANNOUNCES TWO NEW BOOKS
After leaving years of Portland area broadcasting, including the host and story producer for Oregon Art Beat, KC Cowan '75 (aka Karen Micallef) turned to writing novels. Two new books (of a 4 book series) Regency Romance books are out now. The Secret Dowry and A Foolish Endeavor are the first two books that follow the members of the Kendall family seeking to find love and happiness amid many obstacles. Published by Dragonblade, they are available on Amazon. Author of The Secret Dowry at Dragonblade Press & The Bennets: Providence & Perception both available now at Amazon.com (http://amazon.com/). You can find KC at twitter.com (http://twitter.com/) @KCcowanartgal
TIM LEATHERMAN ‘66 - THE STORY OF THE LEATHERMAN TOOL
Tim Leathermann ’66 is happy to tell you about his latest project. He has written a book, published by Ballantine, an imprint of Penguin Random House, on October 6, 2026. Its title is THE LEATHERMAN BOOK, by Tim Leatherman, with Chris Kornelis. His book tells the story of the origin of the LEATHERMAN tool and the story of the company that he co-founded over forty years ago to manufacture the tool in Portland, Oregon. He shares lessons learned and passes along some hard-earned advice. He spent eight years in the garage -- learning, building, failing, refining -- before the LEATHERMAN took off. Tim believes his story has the potential to resonate with anybody who wants to build something: artists, authors, entrepreneurs, inventors, businesspeople, and creatives of all kinds. Also, the book will appeal to a general audience who wants to read a barnburner tale of persistence bordering on failure to accept reality. In addition, the book will also appeal to avid LEATHERMAN tool customers who will want to know more about the man whose name is on the tool and the company he created and led. Tim is excited that someday his grandkids, who can’t even read yet, will pick up the book to learn more about their grandfather. Tim’s book is out October 6 and the pre-order campaign has launched. Contact Tim for a free signed copy after its published. Go to this LINK-LTG, or this LINK-PRH, and pre-order the book, for yourself and others. As an extra incentive, the first 1,000 people who pre-order can also get a free Leatherman OPNR, our cool new keychain tool. There will be a program with the author and book signing at Powell’s downtown store on Tuesday, October 6, at 6:00 PM. Tickets required. Sign up in the “Events” tab of the Powell’s Books website.
1971 GRAD UPDATE - JOURNEY SINCE WILSON
Roderick T. Leupp '71 lives in Xenia, OH, since July of 2019. After attending Woodrow Wilson High School he went forward to earn a Ph.D. degree in Theological Studies from Drew University, which is near New York City. Roderick says, "I received an excellent education at Wilson, not least from Frances Murray, who introduced the concept of Philosophy to me. So many bright students! While I am not Jewish myself, it seemed like many of the best students of 1971 were, in reality, Jewish."
Do you have any stats you would like us to remember and document on the alumni website? Send your details to Linda Doyle.
RECALLING GREAT MEMORIES THROUGH STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS
If you would like to share stories and/or photographs with names, places/events, and the year, please send them to Linda Doyle: Lsdoyle@earthlink.net. So, make sure to look for RECALLING GREAT MEMORIES THROUGH STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS in every alumni e-newsletter.
SEND YOUR UPDATES
Send us the details on where/what you have been doing since graduation from Ida B. Wells/Wilson, and we'll post in an upcoming IBW-WWHS Alumni Update e-newsletter. Send details to Linda Doyle.
KNOWN CLASSMATES/TEACHERS NO LONGER WITH US
Please send an email with details to Linda Doyle if you have an obituary that should be posted here. Below is a list of classmates who have just been added to the list:
BRIAN LASSELLE '67
ROBERT SWANK '66
JOANN (HELD) FOWLER ’60
RICHARD EVANS BURNETT '65
ROBERT BAY '64
DRAPER, ALISON '71
NAGEL, SCOTT '71
MARSHALL, STEPHEN BRUCE '65
MICHAEL HATHAWAY '72
STAN HORTON '72
BARBARA LAWSON '75
SANDRA GLENDINE (BRESHEARS) LOCKWOOD ‘65
CARRIE COWAN HENRY '82
TOM YORK '81
KATHY CARROLL '82
BRENT ALAN GREGORY '67
Click on this link to read more about classmates, teachers, community members who have passed away... Once on the page, scroll down to find the class year.
REUNIONS
GET ALL THE DETAILS ... updates to reunions are happening all the time, so make sure to check out upcoming reunions at: http://www.wilsonalumni.com/reunions.htm.
MILITARY SERVICE
GRADUATES WHO HAVE SERVED OR ARE SERVING IN THE MILITARY
Please check out the IBW-WWHS Military Alumni page and read all about our amazing military graduates. To add your name and information to the WWHS Military page, Send your information to Linda Doyle at LSDOYLE@EARTHLINK.NET.
Name:
Year graduated from Wilson/Ida B Wells:
Military branch:
Years of service:
Service description:
Photo (optional):
Do you give permission to post this information on our website (required):
WWHS (now known as IDA B. WELLS) ALUMNI
Alumni and community members are continuing to move forward to establish the WWHS Alumni Association. Application process for tax-exempt status of association is progressing (with special thanks to Jack Bertell '58). If you would like to join them, contact Jack Bertell '58.
STAY IN TOUCH
Wilson High School (now known as IDA B. WELLS HS) ALUMNI
- WEBSITE
Check out the Alumni website and don't forget to complete the simple online form to join the WWHS Alumni database. To help us reach as many graduates as possible, please consider adding the link to our website (http://www.wilsonalumni.com/) from your website. Pass the word along to your Wilson (now Ida B. Wells) High School classmates about the Alumni website and the opportunity to register. Tell your friends.
UNSUBSCRIBE
If you are receiving the Wilson HS (now Ida B. Wells) Alumni Update, please make sure to add the following email address to your address book (lsdoyle@earthlink.net). This way your internet/email provider will not view the e-newsletter as spam. Thanks! If you would like to be removed from the list, just send an email to Linda Doyle.