Board President, Del Hungerford lived in Steel House from 1978-1981. She received her Bachelor of Music from the U of I in 1983. She then went on to receive a masters degree in music at Yale University and then her doctorate at the University of Washington. Del teaches at Whitworth University in Spokane and is a free-lance performer throughout the Inland Northwest. In addition to college teaching, Del has taught in numerous public schools and continues to be active in public school settings.

Del works closely with the residents of Steel House. Her desire is to see the residents become well-rounded women by understand how the house functions as a unit, each resident's educational experience at the U of I, helping residents learn to problem solve when various issues arise, and assisting the residents in working well with others.



VP, Muriel Vermaas Oaks lived in Steel 1961-65. She graduated from UI with Medical Technology degree and worked in that field for 10 years in Pasadena, CA, Washington, DC and Pullman. She earned PhD in Education at WSU and has worked in administrative positions there since 1983, coordinating distance education and continuing education programs.

Treasurer, Carolyn Ravenscroft Smith lived in Steel from fall 1962 till Dec. 1964 and graduated from the U. of I. in 1966 with a degree in Mathematics. She also received a Masters of Arts in Teaching (Math emphasis) in 1985 and works now as a Sr. Instructor of Mathematics at Washington State University. Carolyn spent intervening years with a family of 4 and volunteer work as a 4-H and Campfire leader.

Secretary, Tecla Guerra Blood lived in Steel House 1964-1968. She received her bachelor degree in Music Education in 1969. She taught in McCall and Boise Idaho. She married a farmer and moved to Potlatch area in 1973. She taught piano lessons, sings and plays piano at her church and for various musical functions and events. She worked for the Palouse, WA school District for 20 years as both elementary secretary and substitute teacher. She raised two sons and has 2 grandchildren. She has also been a 4-H leader, and volunteer at the Potlatch school. She is now retired




Heather Frazier lived in Steel 87-88 & 88-89, and then she moved off campus. She graduated in 92 & 95. She was in the first class to receive a "Family & Consumer Sciences" degree. Heather married a local guy so she stayed in Moscow... She worked in advertising for several years and is currently working with merchandising companies in Moscow/Pullman and Lewiston/Clarkston areas. She has two children, a 10 year old son and a 2 year old daughter. Heather is interested in keeping Steel House alive & thriving on the UI campus. Her mother lived at Steel, and two of her high school home economics teachers lived there and they influenced in her living at Steel.

In 1956 Arleen Westfall Pence entered the University of Idaho and lived in Hayes Hall her freshman year. In 1957 she moved into Ethel Steel House until January, 1959, when she married Ned Pence, a major in forestry. Arleen graduated in 1960 with a Business Education degree. Arleen’s first teaching job was in Cle Elum, Washington. In 1966, Ned and Arleen moved back to Moscow, Idaho, to obtain their Master’s degree in each of their fields. By the fall of 1967, Arleen had her first Idaho teaching job in Emmett, Idaho. Arleen and Ned moved several times in Idaho and then 1980 moved to Petersburg, Alaska, for 10 years. Arleen has 15 years of teaching experience, 8 years of school administration experience and then 18 years learning to be a forest technician as well as the business manager for our family forestry consulting business. In 1990 they moved back to Moscow, Idaho, until present pursuing the forestry consulting business. Arleen is currently the Executive Vice President of Idaho Forest Owners Association, the state treasurer for Idaho Women in Timber and currently on the Board of Directors for Steel House Inc. as well as being a tax preparer for H&R Block. Arleen and Ned have a son and daughter plus seven grandchildren..

Betty Thiessen Meloy lived in Steel House from 1959-1962 and was President spring semester of 1962. She married N. Douglas Meloy September 1, 1962. They lived at Potlatch until Betty graduated in 1963 with a Home Economics degree in Food & Nutrition and Education & Extension. Betty then attended and graduated from Oregon State University in 1973 with an M.S. in Clothing, Textiles & Related Arts. She worked as a dietitian at Gritman Memorial Hospital, taught high school at Deary, Asotin, WA, Culdesac and Nezperce, and was the extension educator for University of Wyoming in Crook Co., and WSU in Grant/Adams Co. Betty and Doug have one daughter, Michelle, who also lived at Steel House from 1987-1990.  They have two grandchildren. Betty retired in 2006 from WSU Extension and moved back to the ranch she grew up on south of Lewiston. She joined the Ethel Steel House Board in May 2009.