CLAREMONT, Calif.–Following three years of intensive study — culminating in three examinations, two projects, three WCMS Innovator Challenges, a credit union financial simulation, and six weeks of in-person sessions — the Western Credit Union Management School (WCMS) “Chi” Class celebrated its graduation at Pomona College.
According to WCMS, the ceremony honored 139 graduates and marked several major milestones: the conclusion of the 65th annual WCMS session and the school’s largest-ever graduating class. During the graduation the Chi Class proudly recognized the school’s 62 previous alumni classes, “reflecting on a rich legacy of leadership,” the organization said.
“With their rigorous, two-week summer educational programs now complete after having started their journey in 2023, these graduates are poised to apply their leadership skills, innovation, and strategic knowledge to the future of the credit union movement,” WCMS said in a statement. “Reflecting the intensive depth of the curriculum, Chi alumni are also leaving WCMS with college credits that they can apply toward an undergraduate or graduate/MBA degree.”
Spotlight on Service-Learning
WCMS said this year’s commencement ceremony, held at Marston Quadrangle on the Pomona College campus, marked another milestone, with various acknowledgments during the session, including a spotlight on the service-learning objectives for all three WCMS classes in attendance.
Timothy Ashcraft, a 2003 graduate and president and CEO of the Hawaii Credit Union League and graduation speaker — as well as class commencement speaker Tod Cummins, director of retail engagement for Canvas Credit Union — both challenged students to accomplish great endeavors for their credit unions and their members.
“In his address, Ashcraft encouraged and inspired students, urging them to achieve remarkable feats for their members upon returning to their credit unions,” WCMS stated. “He emphasized that the essence of the credit union movement is a tapestry of collaborative relationships built by past generations who have paved the way.”
“The power of these actions is what elevates credit unions to the status of a great movement, Ashcraft said,” according to WCMS. “He expressed his gratitude for every student, instructor, and volunteer’s involvement with the WCMS curriculum, acknowledging their contributions, principled work, and the broader movement’s commitment to fostering future generations of leaders.”
Honors Students Celebrated
Several Chi students graduated with “High Honors” and “Honors.”
These distinctions were earned based on each student’s performance on the examinations taken by all students at the end of each school year and for their analysis in each of their two major research projects (based on their credit union) completed between sessions, according to WCMS.
Students graduating with “Highest Honors” were:
- Rene Celeridad (Washington), Harborstone Credit Union
Students graduating with “High Honors” were:
- Brandon Jensen (California), California Credit Union
- Caleb Fielding (Utah), Hercules First Federal Credit Union
- Colleen Finberg (Montana), Park Side Credit Union
- David Charlton (Oregon), Rogue Credit Union
- John Green (California), OE Federal Credit Union
- June Gardner (Alaska), Global Credit Union
- Marianne Scarzello (Idaho), Idaho Central Credit Union
- Tami Olsen (Utah), Utah Heritage Credit Union
Students graduating with “Honors” were:
- Ben Davol (Oregon), Rogue Credit Union
- Chris Thompson (California), Star One Credit Union
- Cori Sanchez (California), Northrop Grumman Federal Credit Union
- Jennifer Anderson (California), Wescom Financial
- Josh Davies (Utah), Mountain America Credit Union
- Justin Jahn (Arizona), Avenir Financial
- Krystal Campbell (Alaska), Nuvision Credit Union
- Matt McCoy (Washington), STCU
- Missi McCloskey (Washington), Numerica Credit Union
- Tyson Magney (Washington), STCU
Long-Standing Tradition
This year’s graduating class continued with the long-standing tradition of paying it forward to future leaders and giving back to WCMS funds it earned in service-learning activities. The graduating class gift of $27,000 represents the total raised over the past three years in Chi Class and tri-class led efforts, according to WCMS.
Additionally, the Chi Class funded $15,000 over the past three years to a newly named scholarship honoring Nancy Wood, the Nancy H. Wood Legacy Scholarship. Wood is former Director of School Administration and retired in December of 2023, the students’ first year at the school. She served WCMS in that role for 11 years, as well as Director of Support Services prior to that for 11 years.
“She was instrumental in helping develop and manage several pivotal educational updates to the WCMS experience,” WCMS stated.
Charles M. Clark Memorial Award Winner
In addition, the graduating student who best represents high moral character, leadership, credit union dedication, and academic achievement is nominated by the class to receive the Charles M. Clark Memorial Award every year. This year’s recipient was class president Brandon Jensen, Business Banking Relationship Manager for California Credit Union.
Likewise, Gene Pelham, retired president and CEO of Rogue Credit Union (1995 graduate), received this year’s James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award for significant achievements in the credit union field since graduating from the school. His lifetime of accomplishments, volunteerism, and achievements were recognized.
Not for Applause
Dr. Michael Steinberger, Dean and Chief Academic Officer for WCMS, told the graduates, “You didn’t do it for the applause or recognition. You did it because you believe in this movement. You believe in each other — and you believe in the power of cooperation. As you go back to your credit unions and CUSOs, and back to your communities, continue to raise the bar in service to your members. Innovate each day to find new solutions and new ways to help your members. Support and uplift your teams; share your fire with them. Your own legacies will be built one act of service at a time.”
