Photo credit: Mark Malijan

Photo credit: Mark Malijan

Peter Greenberg (’70) is a professor of microbiology at University of Washington who studies the social activities of bacteria, or “sociomicrobiology.” Greenberg also is an inaugural member of the college’s Leadership Board and an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Scott Harrington (’98) is vice president of finance for Screenlife LLC, which makes "Scene It?" pop culture games. Photo credit: Niki Desautels.

Don Olcott Jr. (’81 and ’86), chief executive of the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education. Photo credit: Matthew Clayton.

Robert Watt (’72), chair of The Seattle Foundation and a retired vice president of state and local government relations for The Boeing Co. Watt has also served as president and CEO of the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, deputy mayor of the city of Seattle and president of Family Services of Seattle/King County.

Erin Wall (’98) is a rising star in the opera world. Wall, a soprano, made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in April 2009 and has performed with many symphony orchestras in the U.S., Canada and Europe. She also performed on the recording that won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Classical Album.

Jerry Thon (’75) is vice president of Astoria Holdings, a seafood wholesale company. One of Western’s “biggest cheerleaders,” Thon works hard to raise the image of WWU in the Bellingham community, from giving personal tours of the campus to friends and business associates to hosting receptions for new faculty and community members.

Paul Merriman (’66) is founder and president of Merriman Capital Management, who publishes newsletters, leads seminars and hosts radio broadcasting on the subject of investing and retirement planning. Merriman has stayed connected with CBE by speaking to classes and to the Finance Club.

The late Sid Hammond (’67) was a longtime educator who helped start the tradition of bag piping at WWU commencements. He began with the ceremonies of his daughters, Margo Hammond (’85) and Lisa Hammond LaGrandeur (’87) and continued for more than 25 years. Hammond died in November 2009, but WWU graduates continue to be accompanied by bagpipes at each ceremony.