Kristie on her wedding day at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
Background
Kristie was born in Torrance, Calif., on Thanksgiving Day 1960 but grew up in Santa Ana and El Toro. After 40 years in El Toro, she moved with her husband, James Gray, and 87-year-old father to Oceanside on Christmas Eve 2009.
Kristie earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts and sciences in 1982 from Saddleback College, her RN and operating room nurse certificate in 1985 from Saddleback College’s School of Nursing and, in 1993, her bachelor’s degree in nursing from CSULB. Kristie has been a delegate to the Association of PeriOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Congress as well as a nominating committee member and now president-elect for AORN Orange County Chapter. Kristie is also a member and volunteer for the Sierra Sage-Orange County Chapter of the Sierra Club and a First Class, 10-year Girl Scout Alumnae and supporter.
Q: While you were a student at CSULB, what were some of your fondest memories?
Driving around campus with my mother and coming across the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden,
which we visited many times while I attended CSULB and after earning my BSN. Little did I know
then that the garden would become the setting for my wedding on Oct. 20, 2007. Also, I
enjoyed all the walking one does from class to class while viewing the beautiful scenery, sculptures
and structures on campus.
Q: Why did you become a volunteer of the Alumni Association? What are some of your favorite events that you enjoy volunteering for?
I believe the first event I volunteered for was a nursing/health services career fair. What better
way to promote the profession of nursing and give back to the university. I have volunteered by stuffing envelopes, making floral arrangements for Commencement ceremonies, and for Homecoming and the Concerts in the Grove. After my husband Jamie and I were married at the
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, we started volunteering at the garden, and thus I was asked to join the Friends of the Garden Council as a member and now am the volunteer coordinator for many of the garden’s events.
Q: When you are not volunteering, what are some of your hobbies? We've heard you have an interesting collection. Can you tell us about your collection and how it got started?
I have many hobbies and collections. I have over 60 Barbie dolls. The first one--I received from an aunt at age three--she is the one and only Barbie, if not mistaken, that came with three hair wigs. I have well over 500 stuffed toy animals starting from childhood to present. I have entered various contests at the Orange County Fair since 1998. My purple stuffed animal and Halloween sock collections both earned first place. I have had several photos accepted for exhibition and won the Theme Award for my “Faces of the Fair” entry. My pumpkins, tomatoes, oranges, peaches, several plant and floral arrangements, and antiques have all placed ribbons. I have placed ribbons for several on-stage contests: Best Backpacker, Best Gift Wrapper, Most Nutritious Picnic Lunch, and Best of Show for my Theme Floral entry. My Mardi Gras table setting placed second. My favorite contest is the Miniature Floral entries, in which I have won many ribbons, including the Top Award of Division Winner.
Q: What advice would you give to other alumni who would like to be more involved with CSULB?
Join the Alumni Association. At first, I was not able to volunteer my time but was able to donate to the Beach Fund. By doing so, you not only promote higher education but keep abreast of the university’s progress. Attend as many campus events as you can. I attended many November University Bookstore open houses and various events at the Carpenter Center for Performing Arts. Eventually, after establishing my career, I have been able to volunteer my time and, in doing so, have gained the privilege of establishing many new friendships, knowledge and even networking opportunities. Actually, by volunteering, my life has been enriched as I have received much more than I have given.
Photo by David J.Nelson
Kristie Koepplin at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
