Wildcat Inbox

Honoring Catherine Zublin

We honored a legend in WSU theatre, Catherine Zublin, with an article in our fall 2023 issue about her career teaching costume design and how she inspired students. Those former students wrote in.

That tribute to Catherine Zublin was beautiful. Thank you. It reminded me of all the ways that she has influenced my life.

I remember walking into her costume history class one semester. She welcomed me even though she had never seen me in any of her classes before. She asked about my studies and was surprised to learn I was studying to be an astrophysicist. “What the hell is an astrophysicist doing in my costume class?” she asked me with a smile. From the moment I stepped into her class, she found a way to support me in my efforts. She introduced me to the costume shop, where I seemed to light up with a whole new light — I was excited and free to use my creative skills to learn and grow. It was then that she suggested getting a BIS, which would allow me to still study my astrophysics while also studying my two other passions: costumes and story writing. She had been an answer to prayer! Every step of the way from that point on through graduation she was there, encouraging me and giving me ideas for success. She never doubted me, but she did joke that my degree was the strangest degree she’d ever seen. I have learned so much from her, along with my other two mentors (Ryan Ridge and Stacy Palen). Weber State is truly blessed with wonderful teachers!

Thank you for letting me share a pivotal memory with you!

— Kymira Brandon, BIS ’21

Catherine was an incredible instructor and a master of costume design. She designed almost every costume I wore in productions at Weber, my favorites being Pirated!, Dracula and Man of La Mancha. Happy retirement, Catherine. Thank you for making us all look great.

— Timothy Letheic Goins

Track Memories

Our fall 2023 issue honored the memory of Charles “Chick” Hislop, legendary track and field and cross country coach, with an editorial by current coach Corbin Talley. A former runner wrote in with this memory.

As a freshman during 1977 indoor track…

ME: Coach, I’ve heard that carbonated water (soda pop) will

cut your wind?

HIM: I don’t know about that, but the sugar alone’ll kill ya.

I didn’t drink a can of pop for another three years. Coach Hislop was right. And ahead of his time. An uncomplicated and uncompromising leader.

— Clark Skeen, BS ’84

In Remembrance

Wildcat was sad to learn of the passing of Dean W. Hurst, also known as “Mr. Weber State,” on Jan. 14, 2024, at age 97. Hurst served as the first full-time director of the Alumni Association. Over the course of his career, Hurst, a 1948 graduate, helped secure more than $50 million in gifts to the institution. He procured funds for many iconic structures, including the Stewart Bell Tower and Dee Events Center. He is also credited with creating Weber State’s beloved mascot, Waldo the Wildcat.

Wildcat honors the memory of Sterling D. Sessions, who served as dean of the School of Business & Economics from 1975 to 1983. In addition, he led the effort to fund the construction of Wattis Business Building and secured papers from Utah Construction Company, later known as Utah International, for the university’s archives. Sessions forged strong connections with Utah’s business community.

We welcome readers to send their memories of Hurst and Sessions to magazine@weber.edu.