Shaun Chapa (’08, ’12 M.S.), Denton :: He served in the Marine Corps from 1997 to 2001. He received his bachelor’s degree in anthropology, and his master’s degree in applied anthropology was awarded posthumously this spring. He was the Sector 2 vice president of the Lambda Theta Phi Latin fraternity. He worked with ethnic minority youth groups across the U.S. and Canada, raising awareness of education and political involvement. He also performed as DJ Chapa for fundraisers around the state.

Michael Lon Ferguson (’97 M.F.A.), Mount Pleasant, Mich. :: He earned his master’s in photography at UNT and had been an assistant art professor at Central Michigan University since 2001. CMU presented an exhibit of his artwork to acknowledge his legacy, with 2,000 colleagues and past and present students attending.

Gary Via (’78), Blue Springs, Mo. :: After graduating, he worked as a percussion instructor and drumline director for Dallas high schools and was director of percussion for Trinity Valley College. He also was an in-house composer and drummer for Channel One Productions and a member of The Dallas Cowboys Band in addition to maintaining a busy live performance schedule. He later worked as a session player in Los Angeles and moved to the Jersey Shore area, performing for five years with the EZ Street Band.