National Alumni Board Officers
Executive Committee
William Mark Russell - mrussell@metlife.com (’74 Accounting), serves as the President of the National Alumni Board. Following high school graduation in Rockford, Illinois, returned to his native Utah to attend SUSC. He obtained a degree in Business Administration in 1974 and went on to earn an MBA from the University of Utah in 1975. While attending SUSC, he served in student government as attorney general, and was the recipient of the “Outstanding Student in Business” award in 1974. Mark and his wife Jeri (’72 Science), have spent several years
representing the University as Admissions Advisors.
Elyce Jones Schmutz - elyce.jones@gmail.com (’85 Communication), serves as Vice President for Alumni Program and Services. Elyce was born in Cedar City, Utah, and grew up on a sheep and cattle ranch. She loves the outdoors and enjoys the mountains most of all. She has a B.S. from SUU in Sociology and Interpersonal Communication and a Master's in Speech Communication and Organizational Behavior from BYU. Elyce was instrumental in creating Novell’s BrainShare, Altiris’ Manage Fusion, and is currently creating the next generation of users and buyers conference for Omniture. Elyce has her own marketing consulting business that focuses on small software companies. She lives in New Harmony, Utah.
Ted C. Whitaker - suu.tedwhitatker@gmail.com (’71 Language), currently serves as Vice President for Chapter Relations and is a former president of the
Utah County Chapter of the Alumni Association. While a student at then-CSU, Ted drove bus for the Utah National Parks Service.
Following his graduation, Ted owned and operated businesses in Fillmore, Utah, been a mortgage broker and since 1977, he has
been an insurance agent with Allstate in Utah County. He currently owns his own agency. He is married to Melinda Whitaker and
they are parents of four children.
Board Members
Kristine A. Barber (’72 Music), taught middle school and high school choir for five years, then took 14 years off to raise a family of fourchildren.During that time, she lived in American Samoa and Las Vegas, Nevada. Kristine performed in several musicals and choirs, and while in American Samoa, directed “The Music Man” for the AmericanSamoa Community College. She currently teaches 6th and 7th grade students at an intermediate school in St. George, Utah. She is married to Lu Wayne Barber who plays trumpet in the Southwest Symphony in St. George.
Julie S. Castle (’92 Political Science, History), graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1992.Currently, Julie is a Founder
and Executive Director of “No More Homeless Pets in Utah,” a non-profit organization and program of Best Friends
Animal Society. Since the campaign started in 2000, “No More Homeless Pets in Utah” has seen a 32 percent drop
in euthanasia of animals in Utah’s shelters.
Cyndi W. Gilbert (’80 Business Technology), currently serves as corporate counsel for Gilbert Development Corporation and Crusher Rental & Sales, Inc. In addition to her law practice, Cyndi has been active in the construction industry, the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association, and numerous other boards including the Utah State Building Board, SUU Board of Trustees, and Student Regent of the Utah State Board of Regents.
Janice B. Hatch (’86 Science), while attending Southern Utah University, was awarded the “Pestalozzi Award,” the Outstanding Secondary Education Graduate award, the Outstanding Scholar for the School of Education award, as well as the Outstanding Home Economics Scholar award. After 21 years in the classroom, she returned to finish administrative endorsements and traveled extensively working with educators from across the globe on international economic programs. Her current assignment is Curriculum/Professional Development Director for Garfield County School District. She says her four wonderful children and five grandchildren give her the strength and support to pursue her next adventure.
SandraLord Thomas (’93 Communication, ’98 Master of Education), holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from UNLV. While at SUU, Thomas served as student body president. Additionally, she founded the Admission Advisor program, was Director of School Relations, and currently serves on numerous other state and national education associations. Her research interests include public policy and practice, and she is a regular contributor to several national publications.
John Carl Tuft (’50 Physical Education), is currently living in Coral Canyon located in Washington County, Utah. John began his career teaching and coaching basketball with his teams winning two state titles before he moved into administration. He retired as superintendent of Utah's Sevier County School District. He continues to work for three months of the year evaluating schools for the National Assessment of Educational Processes (NAEP) which is a research company contracted by the U.S. Department of Education. He is married to Melody Cope Tuft and they enjoy traveling.
Bruce W. Barclay (’95 Communication), is President of the Iron County Alumni Chapter. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Bruce came to Cedar City in 1986 as a student, worked for SkyWest Airlines for 15 years and is now the SUU Post Office Manager. As a student he was active in Sigma Nu Fraternity and is now their campus advisor. He is the swimming coordinator for the Utah Summer Games, serves on the Cedar City Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, is an assistant swim coach at Cedar High School and performs with the Scarlet and Black Bagpipe Band. He is married to Angela Smith Barclay and is the father of five amazing girls.
Ralph E. Spence (’72 Education), is the President of the Southern California Alumni Chapter. Born in Long Beach, California, Ralph resides in Yorba Linda. At the completion
of his degree at then-SUSC, he earned an additional degree in Psychology at Pepperdine University in 1974. Recently Ralph
completed his 33rd year as a 5th grade teacher in the Norwalk-La-Mirada Unified School District in California.
Pat Fossat - Utah County 
Aaron Miller - Washington D. C.
- Northeast
Katie Robertson - Southern Nevada 
Travis Anderson - Southern Arizona 
- Washington County Chapter
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