The Western Credit Union Management School (WCMS) “Phi” Class was celebrated last night at Pomona College’s Bridges Hall of Music in Claremont, CA—honoring 108 graduates and concluding the school’s 64th annual session and 62nd commencement.
WCMS President Diana Dykstra (’92) challenged graduates to accomplish great endeavors for their credit unions and members. Commencement speaker Scott Simpson—president and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues and Utah’s Credit Unions—delivered a moving address about the power of everyday decisions in the credit union movement: “Our movement is the cumulative effect of billions of decisions… it’s the sum of those individual stories that make this the great social movement that it is.” He added: “Phi Class, you are the stewards of this grand experiment… When somebody dares to say there’s no difference between what you do at a credit union and what they do at a bank, remind them that the difference means everything to our members.”
The ceremony also highlighted service-learning across all three WCMS classes and recognized academic excellence:
– High Honors and Honors distinctions were awarded based on exam performance and two major research projects
– Charles M. Clark Memorial Award: Elise Schexnayder,of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues received the prestigious award.
– James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award: David Ellings (’89) and Nancy Wood (’00) for significant contributions to the movement.
– Rick Craig Prize for Excellence in Project II: Josh Harden of Colorado CU was honored for his outstanding work on Project II.
Continuing a proud tradition of paying it forward, the Phi Class presented a $23,000 class gift, representing three years of tri-class, service-learning–driven fundraising—an investment in future WCMS leaders and the movement they will serve.
Congratulations to the Phi Class on this milestone, and thank you to the faculty, alumni, and partners who make WCMS a place where leadership, learning, and service come together.