Class Notes: Summer 2026 updates from CC alumni

By Katherine Oriez

Columbia College’s more than 100,000 alumni worldwide are making a difference in their communities and have great stories to tell.

Below are recent personal and professional updates organized by class year.

If you have news to share, submit your Class Note online at my.ccis.edu/AlumniClassNotes.

1950s

Anita Abbott Timmons ’58 began serving as Chair of the Columbia College Board of Trustees.

1970s

Joe Nicchetta ’79 began serving as Vice Chair of the Columbia College Board of Trustees.

Floyd Norrick ’79 joined the Columbia College Board of Trustees.

1980s

Debbie Hornaday ’85 published her second book, More Moments: A Guided Gratitude Journal Designed to Reveal More Happiness. 

1990s

Veronica Ambuehl ’93 joined the Columbia College Alumni Association Advisory Council.

Aaron Deves ’96 became the Chief Commercial Officer for Skyhawk Therapeutics.

2000s

Tim Elliott ’01 joined the Columbia College Board of Trustees.

Fredron Blackmon ’05 serves as the Vice Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky.

John Cordova ’06 ’09 joined the Valparaiso, Indiana, Public School District as a School Resource Officer.  

Diane Hibbs ’08 earned a promotion to Associate Registrar for Columbia College.

Col. John Sandefur ’08 received the Legion of Merit Medal, the New York Conspicuous Service Medal and a Knowlton Award upon his retirement from the New York Army National Guard after 36 years of service.

2010s

Chad Gooch ’11 became the Public Safety Director at Truman State University. 

Meghan Gill ’13 became the Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at the University of Iowa. 

Erin Pavlin ’14 became the University of the Ozarks’ Head Women’s Volleyball Coach. 

Justin Levey ’15 became the Captain and Division Chief for the Hickory, North Carolina, Police Department.

Renee Monroe ’18 saw her paintings featured in VOX Magazine. 

Bryant Shurn ’19 joined Johnson Financial Services in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as Director of Wealth. 

2020s

Marci Lammers ’26 joined Columbia College as the Director of Annual Giving.

Micah Preyer ’26 transitioned to Operating Room Nurse at University of Missouri Health Care.

Natalie Preyer ’20 ’24 earned a promotion to Director of Alumni and Donor Relations for Columbia College. 

Weston Richardson ’20 joined Columbia College as a Financial Aid Specialist.

Chris Solie ’22 joined Savannah River Nuclear Solutions as a Risk Analyst.

Bailee Ulery ’21 joined Columbia College as the Assistant Volleyball Coach & Recruitment Assistant.

Joseph Veasman ’24 earned a promotion to Director of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory Division.