Claremont, CA (July 27, 2026) |
After three years of intensive study — culminating in three examinations, two projects, three WCMS Innovator Challenges, a credit union financial simulation, and six weeks of in-person sessions — the Western Credit Union Management School (WCMS) “Psi” Class celebrated its graduation last Thursday evening (July 23) at Pomona College in Claremont, CA.
The ceremony honored 137 graduates and marked a major milestone: the conclusion of the 66th annual WCMS session. Throughout the evening, the Psi Class proudly recognized the school’s 63 previous alumni classes, reflecting on a rich legacy of leadership.
With their rigorous, final two-week summer educational program now complete after having started their journey in 2024, these graduates are poised to apply their leadership skills, innovation, and strategic knowledge to the future of the credit union movement. Reflecting the intensive depth of the curriculum, Psi alumni are also leaving WCMS with college credits that they can apply toward an undergraduate or graduate/MBA degree.
Speakers Encourage and Praise Students
This year’s commencement ceremony, held at Marston Quadrangle on the Pomona College campus, marked another milestone, with various acknowledgments during the session, including a spotlight on the service-learning objectives for all three WCMS classes in attendance.
Bill Birnie (2004 graduate), President and CEO of the Frontwave Credit Union, served as graduation speaker. Birnie was a Highest Honors graduate of WCMS and also his year’s Charles M. Clark Memorial Award for Leadership recipient. He challenged students to accomplish great endeavors for their credit unions and their members.
In his address, Birnie encouraged and inspired students, charging them with returning back to their credit unions to invest in other leaders just as those around them invested in their growth. He challenged them to use all they have learned during their WCMS journey to drive the credit union movement forward with intention, passion, and purpose.
The power of these actions is what elevates credit unions to the status of a great movement, Birnie said. He expressed his gratitude for every student, instructor, and volunteer’s involvement with the WCMS curriculum, acknowledging their contributions, principled work, and the broader movement’s commitment to fostering future generations of leaders.
Class commencement speaker Wes Bell (Idaho Central Credit Union) also told students to remember the power of what we can accomplish together as a collective movement of leaders.
Honors Students Celebrated
Several Psi students graduated with High Honors and Honors. These distinctions were earned based on each student’s performance on the examinations taken by all students at the end of each school year and for their analysis in each of their two major research projects (based on their credit union) completed between sessions.
Students graduating with High Honors were:
- Angela Capoccia
- Haley Harmon
- Matthew Logan
- Joe Rutter
- Tyler Sanger-Boyett
- Erika Smith
- Mike Tiernan
Students graduating with Honors were:
- Jillian Carlsson
- Felicia Carvalho
- Shantell Goodwin
- Erik Johnson
- Michael Knudson
- Marissa Maurelli
- Scott Rushforth
- Morgan Smith
- Bonn Valera
- Crystal Vesely
- Jeff Yu
‘Today is Just the Beginning’
This year’s graduating class continued with the long-standing tradition of paying it forward to future leaders and giving back to WCMS funds it earned in service-learning activities. The graduating class gift of over $35,000 represents the total raised over the past three years in Psi Class and tri-class led efforts, which will be used by the school to support future leaders’ attendance.
Former WCMS President and Herb Wegner Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Dr. James Likens attend the graduation. He was recognized for his over 40 years of service to the school, and he was brimming with pride in the Psi students’ accomplishment.
In addition, the graduating student who best represents high moral character, leadership, credit union dedication, and academic achievement is nominated by the class to receive the Charles M. Clark Memorial Award every year. This year’s recipient was Anthony Chavira.
Likewise, Mike Williams, President and CEO of Colorado Credit Union, received this year’s James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award for significant achievements in the credit union field since graduating from the school. His lifetime of accomplishments, volunteerism, and achievements were recognized.
In his charge to the graduates, Dr. Michael Steinberger, President and Dean of WCMS, reflected on the legacies several alumni have conferred on the credit union movement. He was honored to bestow diplomas on all 137 Psi Class students.
“The Psi Class has demonstrated remarkable dedication over the last three years, embodying the spirit and passion of the credit union movement,” Steinberger said. “These 137 leaders are stepping into their future and actively shaping our credit union movement, carrying forward a legacy of service, innovation, and community impact. Well done.”
Bottom: This year's WCMS Psi Class during Thursday evening's commencement graduation ceremony.