Vol. 26 No 1. Fall/Winter 2009
Jean (Allett) Johnson is happy to be a 1937 graduate and living in Valpo, enjoying everything VU has to offer. At 91, she is the mother of seven Valpo graduates, and is the widow of a VU graduate who was a professor at Valpo [Edwin A. Johnson].
Al Ansorge and Al Klimek were classmates, housemates and roommates. They also were the catcher and pitcher of an undefeated intramural softball team. Both joined the Navy in the same year, 1942, and served in the Pacific area during World War II. Over the years, they have had mini-reunions in the San Francisco area, Oregon, Baton Rouge and Key West. Al Klimek retired as director of communications for the Ethyl Corp. and now lives at Lutheran Haven, a retirement complex in Oviedo, Fla. Al Ansorge retired as a U.S. Navy captain and lives at Meramec Bluffs, a retirement complex near St. Louis. They have held their reunions the last two years in Florida.
Lillian (Peters) Mullin of Princeton, N.J., has been retired from the Foreign Service for a long time but says she still remembers all her posts and the countries in which she served. She also recalls her happy years at Valpo.
Louise (Swomley) Worley of Reading, Pa., retired after 25 years of owning a decorating business. She has plans to open an antiques and coffee shop soon. Louise has nine children, 15 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She would love to hear from old classmates and friends.
Milda (Naumann) Bishton and husband Harry live next door to their son, Dan, in Fort Wayne, Ind. Harry now uses a wheelchair. Both are in good health and in a lovely scenic environment.
Barbara (Thien) Helmers’ husband, Darrell, died on Good Friday, April 10, 2009. He was remembered most graciously by congregants in Enfield, N.H., Brooklyn, N.Y., and in Fort Collins, Colo., where Barbara resides. Darrell had retired in 1995.
Ralph Groth and his wife, Norma, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family and friends on June 5. Ralph was raised in Wausau, Wis., and is a World War II veteran. Norma worked as a surgical registered nurse for many years at St. Joseph‘s Hospital in Mishawaka. They are parents of three sons, Bill, Jon and Gary ’76. They also have seven grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Reinhold Marxhausen and his films, “Findings,” “Timelines” and “A Time to See,” were celebrated last May at the Rivoli Theater in Seward, Neb. Reinhold is a professor emeritus of art at Concordia University. In 1978 he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Valparaiso University Alumni Association. He is a resident of Seward.
Dorothy (Henkel) Hanser of Sunrise, Fla., was presented an annual Silver Angel award by John Knox Village. The award is given to outstanding, caring seniors in the Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale areas. Dorothy was honored as the silver angel from Shepherd of the Coast, receiving a beautiful glass award along with a monetary award to recognize her untiring devotion to children throughout her life. She taught Sunday school for 25 years and worked with young children in the learning center. She has touched many lives and continues to be active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.
Doris (Watts) Lyman and her husband, Robert, have spent winters in Florida for nine years after their retirement. They are now content to stay in Wisconsin most of the time. They are close to all four of their children and almost all of their seven grandchildren.
Doris (Zessin) Rathel of Cincinnati is recovering after an automobile collision last February.
Marshall Rousseau was appointed interim director of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Fla. He will retain the post during the museum’s search for the next executive director. Marshall served on the museum’s board of directors for seven years prior to this appointment. He invites alumni and friends to visit the Ringling Museum if they are in the Sarasota/Tampa Bay area. He can be reached at Marshall.Rousseau@ringling.org.
Mary (Prust) Damon and husband Don live in Middleton, Wis. Don is still working with insurance and investments. They have a great time going to the University of Wisconsin (Don’s alma mater) football games. Between them, they have five children and five grandchildren.
Ray “Sleeper” Krause was selected for induction into Tilden Tech Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame. He is being recognized for outstanding achievement and accomplishment.
Carol (Maass) Elwood is a retired music educator. She spends six months a year in Boca Grande, Fla., and the other six months in Iowa. She still plays piano and organ in churches in the north and in the south. She also directs a choir in Florida.
Carol (Simpson) and Ralph Klevenow have been residents of Chapel Hill, N.C., for nine years. Ralph works for the Southeastern District for the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and also serves as treasurer for the South Wisconsin District. He is on the board of Tax Equalization for Chatham County. Recently he was named the winner of the Arthur C. Haake Leadership Award for his work in two different districts and his dedication, spirit and love for the ministry of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Ralph has worked with LCEF since 1991. Carol sings in the Chapel Hill Symphonic Chorus, and is active in the University Woman’s Club. They are members of the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary. Carol and Ralph have traveled extensively in Europe and especially enjoy France and Italy.
Mary Lee (Siedentop) Riley ’72 M.A.L.S. of Knox, Ind., is an adjunct instructor of music at Valpo. She sang (soprano) with the Chicago Symphony Chorus for 28 years and has played clarinet in the Michigan City Municipal Band and LaPorte City Band since 1963. She is the church organist for Holy Cross Catholic Church in Hamlet and at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in North Judson.
Robert Cline of Glenview, Ill., retired as a State Farm agent after 48 years of service.
Ron Harms of Kingsville, Texas, is a member of the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor and Javelina Hall of Fame. He has served 21 years coaching the Javelinas and led his team to a national championship in his first season followed by nine more Lone Star conference titles before he retired in 2000.Harms co-wrote the book “The Whole Enchilada” with David Flores, which is the story of Ron’s 41-year coaching career. Ron is now retired with his wife, Marlene, in south Texas.
Arline (Sprague) Minsky lives in St. Johns, Mich. She retired as an elementary principal 10 years ago. She has been involved in many community activities such as the local Kiwanis Club and currently serves as the president of the Clinton County Arts Council. She also has become an avid quilter.
Charles E. Miller is retired and living in Yorkville, Ill., with his wife, Janice. His e-mail address is janchuck721@sbcglobal.net.
Elizabeth (Horn) Frederick married Newton Bates in October 2008, after being a widow for two years. They reside in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Wilbert Zautner retired from Tennaco Automotive (Walker Manufacturing Co.) in November 2000, after 38 years of service. He currently works as a crossing guard for the Grass Lake School District in Grass Lake, Mich.
John Knight of Monmouth, Ore., was inducted into Western Oregon University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in April. He served as WOU’s head coach for track and field from 1989 through 2003. Before that he coached the Concordia University team in Nebraska from 1978 to 1989. He coached Linfield College from 1970 to 1978. John coached 17 individual national champions during his tenure and was named national coach of the year by the NCAA in 2003 and the NAIA in 1993. John was a conference coach of the year for eight consecutive seasons between 1996 and 2003 in the Cascade Conference, Pacific West Conference and Great Northwest Athletic Conference. He is a member of the NAIA coaches and NAIA track and field halls of fame. He also was inducted into Valpo’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998.
Diane (Lanoch) Tincu participated in the initial archaeology dig season at Ancient Gabii, south of Rome, during summer 2009.
Gary Greinke, former VU vice president for development, is now associate vice chancellor of development at the University of California-Santa Barbara. He and his wife, Julie (Gouty ’64), live in Santa Barbara.
A. Craig Settlage serves on the staff of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as the director for mission support in the Office of the Presiding Bishop, Synodical Relations. This work involves extensive travel throughout the United States and the Caribbean, and focuses on building relationships with the 65 synods of the ELCA. He has been on the staff of the ELCA since its inception in 1988, and was formerly in the Division for Ministry and the Vocation and Education units of the churchwide office. Prior to joining the staff of the ELCA, he served as the parish pastor in the Chicago area.
Ted Steege serves as an adjunct professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, team-teaching a course on theology and human rights with Phil Krey, president. He continues as New England development director for LTSP, where he has served since 2007. He lives in Hartford, Conn., with his wife,Eva, who is the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church. Between them they have four children and seven grandchildren, including two sets of twins.
Stephen Clarke retired in 2008 from Heartland Alliance for Human Rights and Human Needs in Chicago. Over the 13 years he worked for Heartland’s HIV/AIDS services agency, Steven was successively a case manager, substance abuse counselor, coordinator and supervisor of housing services, administrator of a HUD-funded 12-step recovery home for HIV-positive LGBT adults and case management supervisor. Steve moved from Chicago to Palm Springs, Calif., in April 2008 and is enjoying the desert sun and warmth after 40 Chicago winters.
David Kohlstedt, professor of geology and geophysics at the University of Minnesota, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. Membership in the NAS is one of the highest honors given to scientists in the United States. David was chosen for his internationally renowned research in rock deformation processes and his study of the physics and chemistry of minerals. (See Page 45 for story.)
Ed Laughlin and his wife of 35 years, April, live in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. They have four children and two grandchildren. After working in the Catholic Church for 25 years, Ed and April formed their own company, Partners in Stewardship for Life. They speak worldwide about stewardship, and have spoken in more than 500 churches.
Marcus Voth and wife Karen (Dittberner ’66) reside in Warrenton, Va. Marc is on the staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Research Reactor Safety Division. They moved there in 2003 after Marc spent two years as a research reactor specialist at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria. Karen consults occasionally in early childhood education. Two of their three children and their four grandchildren live in the Washington, D.C., area; their youngest son is in Minneapolis. They will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary in 2010.
Lynn (VanRyswyk) Waltke recently received her Certificate of Nature Illustration from the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute in Tucson. She has five original works of art hanging in their Ironwood Gallery. Lynn is excited about her “next” career as an artist and thanks Professor [Richard] Caemmerer. She enjoys her retirement after teaching for more than 24 years in Tucson. She still does bird-watching, and last year she traveled to Papua New Guinea searching for birds of paradise.
Mark Hagerman of Fort Wayne, Ind., received a Doctor of Letters degree from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in May. Mark has had a 40-year career with the family construction business and now heads The Hagerman Group as the firm celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Marlys-Jean (Schiller) Natonick traveled to Haimen, China. She is involved with teaching children conversational English in a summer camp (ESL).
Arlene (Schoonveld) Smith is retired and lives in Kansas City, Mo. She teaches a few classes at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and does some traveling. Arlene has six grandchildren.
E. Jahn (Jordan) Hart is completing her fourth year as superintendent of the Longmeadow Public Schools in Longmeadow, Mass. Jahn and husband Gary enjoy spending time with family, including two grandchildren who attended the Longmeadow schools.
David Larsen is owner of Solution Partners. He is a consultant in information technology practices of process improvement, e-commerce, portfolio management, and program and project management. He has worked with global organizations and was a member of the Project Management Institute’s committee that wrote the 2006 standards for Program Management and Portfolio Management.
David Petersen J.D., partner in the law firm of Quarles & Brady’s Real Estate practice, was named a 2009 Florida Super Lawyer by Law & Politics Media. David works at the firm’s Naples, Fla., office.
Sue (Kramer) Raber of Valparaiso is the new community resource director at Housing Opportunities Inc. Her focus is to raise awareness of the organization that serves the community through development and provision of safe, decent, and affordable housing and customized support services. Sue’s past experience is in teaching, direct sales, business and community service. She also served as a loan executive for United Way of Porter County for eight years.
Carol (Brauer) Schmidt is an artist who resides in Spring Lake, Mich. She works out of her home studio using oil pastels. Her current project is called the Boxed-In Series. After obtaining her degree in art education, Carol studied at the Oxbow School of the Arts Institute of Chicago in Saugatuck. She is a member of the Gallery Uptown cooperative in Grand Haven and Lakeland Artists and the Artists Alliance. Carol has won a number of awards, and her work hangs in several corporate and public collections.
Paul Hokanson retired in June after 40 years with GE in Erie, Pa. He did electrical design and application engineering for the motors and generators used products in the Transportation System Division. His wife, Pamela (Kruck ‘71), teaches computer skills at the elementary school where they live in Girard, Pa. They look forward to spending more time with their four married children and six grandchildren.
Jerry Pelz was congratulated by the Illinois House of Representatives with a House Resolution of respect and esteem on his 40th anniversary as founder and executive director of the Northeast Community Fund in Decatur, Ill. Jerry also works with St. John’s Lutheran Church in Decatur. He has served on the boards of the Decatur Mental Health Center, the Co-op Extension, Decatur First Call for Help, and the Boy Scouts of America.
Mary (Ludwig) Todd has been appointed founding dean of the Honors College at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va.
Fredrick Barton, award-winning fiction writer and critic, was awarded an honorary degree from Valpo at its May commencement. Rick is a professor of English at the University of New Orleans where he previously served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and, later, as provost and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. He is the winner of the William Faulkner Prize in fiction and the Louisiana Division of the Arts Literature Prize, among numerous other honors.
Karen (Rodenbeck) Bierlein and husband Al celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last summer with a week at South Haven, Mich., with their three grown children and their spouses and four grandchildren. The Bierleins live in Fort Wayne, Ind., where Al has been pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church for 32 years, and Karen is on the staff of Concordia Lutheran High School.
Dick Kretchmar and his wife, Lorna (Chapin), reside in Oberlin, Ohio. Dick has been a local pastor for the past six years, after a career in business. Lorna is in her 29th year of teaching at Oberlin High School.
Ed Pomianoski teaches hospitality management at the County College of Morris in Randolph, N.J. He also is the captain of the Great Ga-Zee boat, a 44-foot wooden riverboat that travels up and down the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers. After he graduated from Valpo in 1970, Ed went into the restaurant business, owning and operating restaurants in Aspen, Colo., and Chicago.
Mark DeLassus is the new pastor of St. John Lutheran church in Sherwood, Ohio. He and his wife, Maureen, have two adult children: Laura, Chicago; and Matthew, Hartford.
Karla Jutzi was appointed to Anchorage, Alaska, Governor Sean Parnell’s Committee on Employment and Rehabilitation of People with Disabilities. Karla has been executive director of the Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired since 2004. She previously worked as a senior associate in the Anchorage business training firm, and as an assistant executive director for National Education Association state affiliates in Alaska, Oklahoma and Arkansas from 1985 to 2001. She also has worked as an English teacher. She was appointed to a seat reserved for a representative of a community rehabilitation program.
Michael Roshar of Franklin, Wis., is an attorney with the law firm of Quarles & Brady. He is one of 152 attorneys selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2010. Michael focuses his practice on project finance law.
Fritz Wehrenberg of Ames, Iowa, is the new interim campus chaplain at Simpson College for the 2009-2010 school year. He has 34 years of experience working in his field. Fritz received his master’s degree in divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and, for the past six years, he has been working on a doctorate degree in ministry from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn.
Susie (Lipton) Adams is a director, psychology/mental health nurse at Vanderbilt University Law School. She gave the keynote address to the Japan Academy of Psychiatric Nurses on advanced practice psychiatric nursing roles and provided curriculum consultation to several educators in June. One of her daughters, Amanda, accompanied her for the 10-day trip. Amanda taught English in rural Japan for three years.
Nancy (Kolerus) Bertoglio serves as an administrative partner at K&L Gates LLP. Her areas of practice include employee counseling and labor and employment litigation matters. She also has represented employers in union organization matters. Nancy holds a J.D. degree from the Loyola University of Chicago School of Law.
Charles and Helene (Bouman ’73) Debelak started a new school 25 years ago with 20 original students who were taught in a nondenominational church building in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood. Today, Birchwood School has 120 students in grades 1-8. The school is known for its small class sizes, challenging goals and an emphasis on character.
C.J. (Kristo) Poulton retired after more than 30 years of teaching high school social studies and English. She began her career in Virginia Beach, Va., and concluded it in Ontario, Canada. Her husband, Barry, retired from teaching seven years earlier. She has loved living in Canada since moving there in 1982. C.J. and Barry are particularly enjoying their grandchildren, traveling, and spending time at their remote (off-grid) cottage in northern Ontario.
Margo (Miller) Walbolt retired as cultural affairs manager for Clearwater, Fla., after 35 years of service. During her years of service, she supervised camps, recreation centers, a nature center, senior programs, and social and cultural programs in addition to her regular duties as an art teacher. She and her husband, Tom, have two sons, Keith and Brent.
Gary Beu has joined West Monroe Partners as managing director of People and Leadership Development. Gary spent the majority of his career with Arthur Andersen, where he held a number of local, national and global human resources leadership roles. He joins West Monroe Partners from Kirkland & Ellis, a law firm, where he served as chief human resources officer since 2005.
Lorna (Mueller) Kee and husband Gary adopted a 9-year-old boy from Russia in April 2006. Vladimir William Herman Kee is now 12 and attends the Department of Defense School in the Netherlands. Lorna works as a school librarian at the AFNORTH International School, which serves the children of American and NATO forces. The Kees’ other home is in Bloomington, Minn. Lorna’s e-mail address is lorna.kee@eu.dodea.edu or lornakee@yahoo.com.
Cynthia “Thea” Nietfeld was ordained in 1994 and has served Unitarian Universalist congregations in Tahlequah, Okla., Columbia, Md., and Des Moines, Iowa. Thea serves as minister for the Salina, Kan., UU Fellowship and is a workshop leader. She also performs official UU ceremonies and other duties associated with the position.
Barry Reed ’74 M.A.L.S. has retired from the Duneland School Corp., after serving for 21 years. Before his position at Duneland, he taught for three years at Porter Township Schools. Barry also taught communications and social studies at Liberty Intermediate during the time he worked for Duneland.
Julie (Neymark) Bohannon and husband Frank live in Indianapolis. Their first grandchild was born in March, Liam Nicholas Chamberlain. Julie’s youngest child, Nicholas, is a sophomore mechanical engineering major at Valpo. Julie is an adjunct lecturer at Indiana University’s School of Nursing in the Department of Environments for Health. Frank owns his own accounting firm and insurance agency.
Faythe (Haskell) Freese, associate professor of music at The University of Alabama School of Music, recruits and teaches undergraduate and graduate organ students majoring in organ performance and church music at the University of Alabama’s School of Music. Her recital performances also are in demand throughout the United States, Germany, Denmark, South Korea and Singapore.
Jill Long Thompson, former member of the United States House of Representatives and the former under secretary for rural development at the United States Department of Agriculture, is President Barack Obama’s nominee for Member, Farm Credit Administration Board.She was one of several individuals nominated by the President to key administration posts.
John Niems’ Web site includes eight tracks that he wrote when he attended Valpo. At 57, he re-sings the songs that he originally did when he was 24 and 25. To hear samples of his music, visit www.johnniems.com.
Carol (Thornton) Obot of Buffalo, N.Y., completed 30 years with the New York State Department of Correctional Services. She started in 1979 as a corrections officer; from 1983 to 1989 as a corrections counselor; and 1989 to present, as senior corrections counselor.
Thomas “Smitty” Smith was honored with a Heinz Award for his work as one of the most effective renewable energy advocates in Texas. His work on the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard is now being adopted in other parts of the country. He has served as director of the Texas office of the Public Citizen since 1985 and has helped to design major legislative reforms to Texas energy efficiency programs in 1999 and 2007. He also co-founded Solar Austin, a program that advocates for the use of solar power to transition the city to clean, renewable energy.
Michael C. Williams was selected as a 2009-2010 Van Lunen Fellow. The Van Lunen Center of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich., provides the faith-based program, Executive Management in Christian Schools, for Christian school administrators.
Maria (Pojeta) Hibbs ’79 M.A. serves as the executive director of The Partnership for New Communities, a collaboration of funders, business and civic leaders working to revitalize some of Chicago’s most distressed neighborhoods. Learn more at www.thepartnershipfor newcommunities.org.
Bruce R. Johnson M.Ed. of LaPorte, Ind., represented the South Central Community School Corp. in meeting faculty and students at a new partner school in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. In July he was selected by the American Legion of Indiana as Indiana’s Educator of the Year.
Z. Ann (Schatzi) Schmidt is director of pastoral care at Stamford Hospital, Stamford, Conn. She recently was honored by the Stamford Board of Rabbis as “Mensch of the Year,” recognizing her as “healer, teacher and friend.”
Lynn (Eisert) Jankowske retired after 21 years of service as a teacher at Immanuel’s School in Valparaiso. She and her husband, Mike ’73, have three daughters: Jennifer, Laura and Katie.
Roxie Piro received the 2008 Myer Wolfe Excellence in Urban Planning Award in Washington state. He also was recently elected president of the Lutheran Ecumenical Representatives Network, an association of ecumenists appointed by the bishops in each of the synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. His wife, Beverly (Greco), serves as associate pastor at Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church in Seattle.
Barbara (Maly) Reed retired from Indiana’s Duneland School Corp. after 30 years of service. For the last 18 years, she taught vocal music at Yost, Brummitt, Liberty and Westchester Intermediate and Jackson Elementary schools.
Jean (Mulrenan) Perrin is a Ph.D. candidate for Walden University in the area of adult education. She presented at the National Council on Continuing Education and Training in October regarding her department’s rapid response efforts at Ivy Tech Community College for dislocated workers in north central Indiana.
Deborah (Skopek) Schumacher of Reno, Nev., was elected to the Board of Trustees of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in Chicago. She has served on the Second Judicial Court Bench, Family Division since her appointment by Gov. Bob Miller in 1997. Prior to serving on the bench, she worked in private practice, beginning in 1983 in San Francisco. She founded the Juvenile Drug Court in Washoe County and also serves as the lead judge in NCJFCJ’s Child Victims Act Model Courts Project.
Richard Zeile was nominated for the Michigan State Board of Education. He teaches at Concordia University, Ann Arbor, in the education department. Richard presented “Good Friday Worship: the Church’s Memorial Garden” at Zion, Detroit’s St. Michael Liturgical Conference. His wife, Barbara (Tonkovich), travels southeastern Michigan on behalf of Central Michigan University’s Center for Charter Schools.
Cheryl (Freitag) Naumann ’90 M.Th. is a deaconess serving the Redeemer Lutheran Church and School in Oakmont, Pa. She has written “In the Footsteps of Phoebe: A Complete History of the Deaconess Movement in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.” (See Alumni Ink, Page 17.) Cheryl’s next research work is the LCMS Deaconess Biographies Project, which will create important archives. The project will culminate in a biographical encyclopedia of all women who have ever served as deaconesses in the LCMS.
Jason Renkes has started a new company called Patriot Proppants. The company manufactures products used to accelerate the extraction of natural gas from shale formations.
Charles Baldwin is managing shareholder of the Indianapolis office of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. He recently was elected a Fellow of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, and was the only attorney in Indiana selected as a fellow this year. He represents employers throughout the country in all aspects of labor and employment law. Charles has been included in The Best Lawyers in America since 2007, Indiana Super Lawyers, and Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Labor and Employment in Indiana since 2004.
Vanita Banks J.D. is the immediate past president of the National Bar Association. She is an attorney with Allstate Insurance Co. In May 2008, she led a delegation of 60 attorneys, judges and law professors to Havana and Trinidad, Cuba, on a humanitarian mission. She delivered the commencement address at the Southern Illinois University School of Law Carbondale in May.
Nicolas Bazan J.D. and his wife, Brenda, who is a certified public accountant, were co-chairs of the 20th annual Catholic University of America Cardinals’ dinner, which was held at the Hyatt Regency in Houston last April. The black-tie event raised $1.4 million for scholarships at Catholic University.
Paul Henry was named managing director of the retirement services division of LIMRA International. He previously was vice president of product development in the retirement services unit at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., Springfield, Mass.
Steve and Sherry (Priano ’82) Sullivan have been married for 25 years. They have three children: Shannon, Ashley and Eric. Steve is vice president of American National Skyline Inc., a high-rise window-washing company. He oversees operations in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Donald Currie, judge of the Carroll Circuit Court, is a member of the Judges Speakers Bureau, which was developed by the Indiana Supreme Court. Currie was appointed to the Carroll Circuit Court on Oct. 1, 2005, by Gov. Mitch Daniels. He was then elected to a six-year term of office that expires on Dec. 31, 2012.
Jon DeGuilio J.D. is executive vice president and secretary; executive vice president, Stakeholders Services Group; and general counsel and corporate secretary of Northwest Indiana Bancorp in Munster, Ind. He also is actively involved in community service, serving on the boards of the Friends of the Lake County CASA, the Lake County Drug Free Alliance, Our Lady of Grace School, the Carnegie Performing Arts Association, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Kristen (Gibson) Mauk, professor of nursing and Kreft professor for the advancement of nursing science at Valpo’s College of Nursing, was inducted as an American Academy of Nursing Fellow during a Nov. 7 ceremony in Atlanta.
Mabel (Johnson) Mayfield J.D. was appointed as a Probate Court judge in January 2000 and has since been re-elected. She serves as a judge in the Family Division of the Berrien County Trial Court. Mabel was the recipient of Lake Michigan College’s Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Award in 2004, and was presented the college’s Bernard C. Radde Distinguished Service Award on May 3, 2009.
Steve Misch M.D. moved to Shanghai, China, in 2005. He has a family practice for foreigners living in China at Parkwayhealth.
Sheila Kelly works for a large national home health company as an operations and business support consultant. She lives in Denton, Texas, near her two children and six grandchildren.
Hilda (Demuth) Lutze and Emily (Demuth) Ishida ’85 are the authors of “Plank Road Summer” (Crickhollow books 2009), a children’s historical novel set in Racine County, Wis., before the Civil War. The sisters have a book blog and are at work on a sequel.
Howard G. Skolnick J.D. of Spring, Texas, recently launched his law office Web site at domain name www.attorneyskolnick.com. Outside of working in his general civil law private practice with an office in northwest Houston, he serves as an adjunct instructor teaching business law for Lone Star College System. Howard returned to a private sole practitioner practice in April after a 12-year stint as an in-house counsel and human resources director for a Houston-area staffing company.
Thomas Weitzel serves on the staff of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Prior to this position, he served five years on the staff of the Florida-Bahamas Synod. He also is a communications specialist for Lutheran Services Florida and does consulting work on church renewal with parishes and synods .
Barbara (Reibly) Carley is a property management executive who used to run the Sears Tower. She currently oversees management and leasing of the local portfolio of Cushman & Wakefield Inc. She is managing director and regional lead of investor services at Cushman’s Chicago office. Barbara lives in Des Plaines. She has a daughter, Alexandra, who is 16. Both are Nascar fans.
Jon Steinbrecher is the eighth commissioner in the 62-year history of the Mid-American Conference. Prior to this position, Jon served a six-year term as Ohio Valley Conference commissioner. He also has served nine years as the commissioner of the Mid-Continent Conference, which became the Summit League after Valparaiso left to join the Horizon League.
Linda McCarty lives in Houston. She is the executive director of Faith in Practice, a medical mission organization that sends short-term medical, surgical and dental teams to Guatemala. This past year, Faith in Practice sent more than 800 volunteers and served more than 20,000 individuals.
Karen (Gum) Bex of Batavia, Ill., is a registered nurse. She is active in the Elgin Senior Provider Network, Kane County Senior Providers, Association of Senior Service Providers and SR Alliance in Wheaton.
Richard Pierce is a history professor and director of Notre Dame’s Africana Studies program. He received the 2009 Charles E. Sheedy Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, which commended his profound influence on undergraduate students through sustained exemplary teaching. He has been a member of the Notre Dame faculty for 12 years. In addition to teaching, Richard is a fellow in the Kroc Institute for Peace Studies, teaches in Notre Dame’s pre-college summer program, advises the Africana Studies Club, and is a member of the faculty board of athletics, where he serves as a liaison to the women’s golf and basketball teams. He is researching the history of corporal punishment in American families for a new book on the subject. Richard enjoys playing golf and spending time with his three children.
Patricia Walton J.D. earned her attorney license for Illinois in 1985 and ran a private practice before becoming an associate judge for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in August 1994. During her time covering all six counties within the district, she has presided over a wide range of cases ranging from small claims to attempted murder. She will run for circuit judge of McDonough County. The primary election will be Feb. 2, and the General Election will be Nov. 2, 2010.
Kathryn (Ejdys) Whitehead of Hopatcong, N.J., will serve as president of the N.J. Public Health Nurse Administrators beginning January 2010 to 2012. She will work with the N.J. Division of Health and Senior Services, ensuring that nursing is involved in health and emergency planning.
Dawn (Mosher) and Greg Bouman reside in Cincinnati. Dawn is a clinical psychologist at a medical rehabilitation hospital. Greg teaches high school English. Dawn also is writing for the upcoming text, Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Greg was recently nominated for an Ohio Excellence in Education award. They spend their free time attending son Ken’s ninth-grade band concerts and daughter Janelle’s sixth-grade band concerts.
Judy (Turoci) Geary graduated with highest honors with an M.B.A. in finance from California Lutheran University and is the perioperative business manager at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, Calif.
K. Scott Mullins was awarded the W.L. “Bill” James Outstanding Member Award from the National Association of Purchasing Management of Tulsa, Inc. The award is the highest honor accorded to a member of NAPM-Tulsa and was presented for his professionalism, integrity and education. Scott qualified as a Six Sigma Black Belt in 2006 and 2007. He received his Certified Purchasing Management certification in 1999 and recertified in 2004 and 2009. He joined NORDAM in March 2005, where he is a buyer specialist. Scott is an avid hiker and amateur Civil War historian. He and his wife, Susan (Wright ’87), and their two children reside in Jenks, Okla.
Phillip Norman J.D. joined the law offices of Morris/Hardwick/Schneider as senior managing attorney for Indiana after a merger with Phillip A. Norman P.C. He focuses on real estate and oversees a local practice specializing in real estate law, business transactions, litigation and probate. He also serves as district president of Indiana for the firm’s title company, LandCastle Title. He has more than 20 years of legal experience and was president of Phillip A. Norman P.C. where his practice areas included general civil, state, and federal litigation, as well as real estate, municipal and zoning.
Kraig Olejniczak, dean of VU’s College of Engineering, was named by the Indiana Society of Professional Engineers as winner of its 2009 Engineer of the Year Award for his dedication to advancing the profession through engineering education.
Erik Hromadka serves as chief executive officer and president of Global Water Technologies, and its operating subsidiary, Electric H20 Inc.
John Robert King lives and works in Burlington, Wis. He is the editor in chief at Write Source, a textbook company. John’s latest book is “The Shadow of Reichenbach Falls.” He has 20 published novels of fantasy and mystery.
Chris Koetke, Oak Park, Ill., hosts the half-hour cooking show “Let’s Dish” on the Live Well Network, where he features various chefs and nutritionist experts in the food industry. (See story on Page 42.)
Christina Orsolini ’03 M.S.N. studied nursing at Purdue University North Central and Valparaiso University. She has worked in both the inpatient and outpatient environments, caring for patients with wide-ranging conditions. She is a family nurse practitioner who splits her time between the Valparaiso Hilltop clinic and the Michigan City clinic.
Charles Brehmer ’92 J.D. was sworn in as California Superior Court Judge, County of Kern, on Jan. 7, 2009. He resides in Bakersfield with his wife, Chela (Gambetta ‘89), and their children: Luisa, Veronica and Caruso.
Leo Frey served as Team Teter’s mechanic for the “Little 500” women’s bike race in Bloomington, Ind., in May. He served as the “pit crew” for the race. Leo owned his own bicycle shop for 12 years.
Erika (Steskel) McFadden is a retired marketing executive from Duracell and Pepsi. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Tim, and children, Matthew, 7, and Ella, 5.
William Thomas has been named president of the Better Business Bureau of Central Indiana. He had been serving as vice president of sales and marketing with Kosene and Kosene Development Co. in Indianapolis, a division of the company charged with developing upscale, urban condominiums primarily in the Indianapolis market. He also has held various management positions at ATA Airlines, including director of sales and distribution, director of vacations sales and marketing and director of strategic planning. He and his wife, Kelly, a physical therapist with Hendricks Regional Health, reside in Plainfield, Ind., with seven-year-old twins Sam and Payton.
Elizabeth “Libby” (Samuelson) Zamis of Wheaton, Ill., is the professional development consultant for obstetrics for Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield. Libby recently received a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Mark McCann J.D. of Kokomo, Ind., is a candidate to become the next prosecuting attorney for Howard County. He has served as the chief deputy for the past 15 years, and as part-time prosecutor for 18 years. Mark also has a private legal practice, McCann/Peelle Attorneys and Counselors of Law. He and his wife, Julia, have been married for 19 years and have one daughter.
Michael Schoedel is a project manager at Apex Oil Co., Inc. He also has worked as a city manager in Clayton, Mo.; a city manager in Richmond Heights; and a city administrator in Frontenac. Michael attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and holds a master’s degree in public administration from Southern Illinois University. He and his wife, Alyson, reside in Clayton, Mo.
Barbara (Naretto) Petrungaqro J.D. is seeking a seat in the fifth subcircuit, an area of Will County, Ill., that comprises New Lenox, Homer Township and Frankfort Township. She currently is an associate judge in Will County. Barbara also served as Will County assistant state’s attorney who specialized in civil litigation. As chief of the consumer fraud division, she helped a group of seniors get better care from a substandard local nursing home and prosecuted a landscaping contractor who victimized residents. She also worked for two prominent law firms, including Spesia, Ayers & Ardaugh in Joliet. She is married and the mother of three children. Barbara is an avid runner, and she and her family are active members of St. Jude Catholic Church in New Lenox.
Laura (Reedy) Stukel has been recognized for her work on energy efficient homes. The recent green remodel of her home is featured in September’s “Home Improvement Challenge” issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. The project was named the Green Improvements winner. Laura also was featured on the cover of the July 20 issue of Chicago Agent magazine for her work on green real estate in the suburbs. She has launched an energy-efficient charity project and created a program for homeowners and prospective clients to make their own homes more energy efficient.
BIRTHS and ADOPTIONS
To Joanna (Pinnow) Falk and husband Geoff of Elburn, Ill.: Greta Ruth, born on March 27, 2009; joins siblings Ava, Matthew and Benjamin.
To Jennifer (Hokanson) Walz and husband Jeff ’89 of Cedar Grove, Wis.: adoption of daughter Megan Zhi Elizabeth from China in June 2009; joins brother Matthew.
BIRTHS
To Sara (Buerkle) Vosper and husband Craig of Loretto, Minn.: Isabella Ruth, born May 28, 2008; joins siblings Cole, 10, and Savannah, 7.
To Stacy Witfill and husband James Hartkop of Dunnellon, Fla.: twin girls, Gabriella and Isabella, born on May 27, 2009.
Christopher Cooksey of Utica, Ohio, has joined EagleEye Analytics, a provider of analytic solutions to the property and casualty insurance industry. Chris is involved with the ongoing development of the firm’s analytic solutions and has a key role in assisting the firm’s clients. Before joining EagleEye, Chris served as research director at Nationwide Insurance.
William Withall and his wife, Heather, reside in Penfield, N.Y., with their two sons, William and Ian. He serves as chief of the Penfield Fire Company and works as a nurse in the intensive care unit at Rochester General Hospital. His wife, Heather, is a stay-at-home mom.
BIRTHS
To Erica (Ripson) Mate and husband Edward of Manhattan, Ill.: Lucy Elizabeth, born Dec. 16, 2008; joins siblings Oliver, 7; Gina, 5; Samantha, 3; and Benjamin, 1.
To Betsy (Kerr) Riley and husband Michael of Akron, Ohio: Sarah Lucille, born Oct. 9, 2008; joins sister Megan, 2.
To William Withall and wife Heather of Penfield, N.Y.: Ian Jeffrey, born Oct. 10, 2007; joins brother William.
Michael Faehner J.D. is serving a three-year term on the board of directors of The Florida Bar Foundation, a statewide nonprofit organization that funds Legal Aid and programs to improve Florida’s justice system and encourage law students and young lawyers to pursue public interest careers. He is a tax attorney for Fisher & Sauls, P.A. Michael has a long history of service to bar-related organizations, including being past president of the Florida Bar, Young Lawyers Division.
Kerry Ghormley resides in St. Louis, Mo. She has completed requirements for certification as a registered representative to complement her current practice with Mutual of Omaha. She enjoys helping young families in Missouri and Illinois plan for a secure future, and assisting seniors with health and estate needs. She also handles group benefits and pension plans. Kerry had plans to celebrate 15 years since graduation by reuniting with friends in Valpo. Her e-mail address is kerry.ghormley@mutualofomaha.com.
Michael Kessler is assistant director of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University. He also serves as a visiting assistant professor of government at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs at Georgetown. His current work is on legal and political notions of fundamental rights, particularly about individual moral liberties and religious freedom. Michael received his Ph.D. in religion and moral and political theory from the University of Chicago where he was a William Rainey Harper Fellow and held a Henry Luce Dissertation Fellowship. He also studied law at Georgetown University Law Center. He is the author of a number of articles and reviews, and is co-editor of “Mystics: Presence and Aporia” (University of Chicago Press, 2003).
Karla (Lemmon) Lueder and husband Tim reside in Plymouth, Minn. Karla is a program manager at Honeywell, and Tim is a senior business analyst at SoftBrands.
Beverly (Carlton) Pancoast is the director of the Next Generation Ministries at Church of the Master United Methodist Church in Westerville, Ohio.
MARRIAGE
Karla Lemmon and Tim Lueder, Sept. 12, 2008, Minneapolis.
Pam (Seeber) Maher celebrated 10 years as a principal of KMK Media Group Inc., an advertising and marketing communications firm in Rockford, Ill. Husband Brendan ’97 J.D. accepted a position as an assistant United States attorney with the Northern District of Illinois.
Carolyn (Rainey) Nyhan and her husband, Tom, live in Hammond, Ind. They have one son, T.J, who is 3, and a daughter, Marianna, who was born in July 2009. Carolyn is on maternity leave but will return to her fourth-grade teaching position in Glenwood in mid-November.
Tim Shurr M.A.L.S. has written a third book, “Losing Weight Without Losing Your Mind.” His next book, “Get Out Of Your Way,” is due for release January 2010. Tim recently won the prestigious Ormond McGill award for Best of the Best Presenters at the National Guild of Hypnotists annual convention in Massachusetts. He is the youngest recipient of this award and the first Indiana resident to be honored by the Guild. Tim lives in Valpo with his wife and two sons. You can find his books at www.ShurrSuccess.com.
BIRTH
To Pam (Seeber) Maher and husband Brendan ’97 J.D. of Rockford, Ill.: Ryan James, born in summer 2008; joins sisters Colleen and Caitlin.
John Aylesworth J.D. is an attorney with a private practice in Chicago. He specializes in real estate law, general litigation and condominium association representation. John also served as a special assistant attorney general at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
Leanne (Davis) Barton and husband Paul reside in North Aurora, Ill. She is a stay-at-home mom to their three children and also does freelance work in educational assessment. Paul is the head of school at the Avery
Coonley School.
Lisa (Miller) Cook graduated with a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in May. She is a faculty member in the Metropolitan State College of Denver Music Department. Husband Paul ’94 is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver, College of Nursing. Their daughter, Ruth, is 4.
Carla (Reato) Gardenhire ’06 M.S.N. of Schererville, Ind., and her husband, Timothy, have three children. Carla is a board certified
family nurse practitioner at the Women’s Diagnostic Center in Hobart, Ind. She has more than 20 years nursing experience.Mathew Krueper joined Neverfail as vice president of sales for the Americas. He is responsible for driving Neverfail’s strategic partnerships, building the company’s sales team and channel programs, and growing sales revenue. Mathew has more than 13 years experience in disaster recovery and storage software.
BIRTHS
To Leanne (Davis) Barton and husband Paul of North Aurora, Ill.: Charles Andrew, born March 16, 2009; joins siblings Sam, 6, and Abby, 4.
To Josephine “Josi” (Lentych) Doyle and husband Patrick of South Bend, Ind.: John Thomas, born July 18, 2009.
To Barbara (McCasland) Taylor and husband Scott of Norcross, Ga.: Samantha Anne, born Jan. 23, 2009; joins siblings Alexandra 6; Matthew, 5; and Joshua, 3.
James Beasley M.A.L.S. is an assistant professor of English, University of North Florida, Jacksonville.
Amy (Cruth) Hout lives in Ketchikan, Alaska, with her husband, Wesley, and two children, Anna, 5, and William, 2.
BIRTH
To Andy Richardson and wife Elizabeth (Allen ’99) of Saginaw, Mich.: Camden Allen, born March 24, 2009; joins brother James, 4.
Juan Sanchez deployed for Iraq in May 2009. He is no longer employed with St. Margaret Hospital. His new e-mail address is jsanchez5@gimail.com.
BIRTHS
To Lori (Rost) Dodson and husband Dan ’99 of Plainfield, Ill.: twins Claire Isabel and Logan Paul, born April 20, 2009.
To Graham Salemme and wife Melinda of Kenosha, Wis.: Lachlan Michael, born April 23, 2009; joins sisters Tristan and Schuylar.
To Marjorie (Nagel) Zawada and husband Samuel of Orchard Park, N.Y.: Thomas Christopher, born May 21, 2009.
Jesse Green J.D. is now contributing a regular “Career Counselor” in the Motion legal magazine and the nine-paper Legal News chain in Michigan.
Andrew Inlow and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Fishers, Ind. The following Valpo alumni took part in their October 2008 wedding:
Ross Taylor ’98, Daniel Hittle ’99, and Keith Lewis ’91.
Susan (Oliver J.D.) Martello and husband Scott live in Zionsville, Ind. Scott is an economist. Susan and Scott were married at the Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.
Brad Pierce is an account manager with image-forward (www.image-forward.com), a boutique retail at-store signage company in suburban Chicago. Sam Sturm ’00 was a groomsman, and Richard and Andrea (Hoth ’00) Warp were the wedding photographers at Brad and wife Melanie’s June 13 wedding at Fourth Presbyterian Church. Brad can be reached at bradfordpierce@gmail.com.
MARRIAGES
Andrew Inlow and Stephanie Lewis, Oct. 18, 2008, Zionsville, Ind.
Susan Oliver J.D. and Scott Martello, May 31, 2009, Palm Beach, Fla.
Brad Pierce and Melanie Oh, June 13, 2009, Chicago.
BIRTHS
To Amelia (Hurlock) and James Boomker ’03 of Naperville, Ill.: Ryan Everett, born July 30, 2009; joins brothers Daniel, 4, and Liam, 2.
To Carrie (Moyer) Egan and husband David of Chicago: Abigail Louise, born July 25, 2009; joins brother Connor.
To Leonor (Velasquez) and John Massura of Norman, Okla.: Chase Matthew, born May 12, 2009; joins brother John, 5.
Anthony Alfano J.D. is a labor attorney and provides legal counsel for the United Steelworkers. His office is in Gary, Ind.
Kimberly (Eckel) Beasley M.Mus. is an assistant professor of voice at Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Fla.
Danielle Carrig has served four years as the national executive director of the non-profit organization Step Up Women’s Network. She recently was named senior vice president of advocacy and public affairs at Lifetime Television. Danielle resides in Los Angeles and received her master’s degree in women’s studies from UCLA.
Kelly Everling earned her Ph.D. in media and information studies from Michigan State University. She was named a College of Communication Arts and Sciences Research Fellow and has completed work on a National Science Foundation grant studying news coverage of local government in major U.S. markets. She has accepted a position as assistant professor of public relations in The School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Kelly’s e-mail address is keverling@hotmail.com.
Adrienne (Baker) Jankens and husband Joshua returned to Michigan from working in Arizona. Adrienne teaches for Oakland Community College, Central Michigan University, and Baker College. She began working toward her Ph.D. in composition studies at Wayne State University this fall. Joshua works through Ironworkers Local 25. Adrienne and Joshua live in Rochester, Mich., with their daughter, Jordan. The family attends St. John Lutheran Church.
Larry Mowry works as the evening weather forecaster for Channel 11, KTVT, in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. He and his wife, Lisa (Burkey ’98), live in Keller. They have a daughter, Reagan, who is 2.
David Novak J.D., wife Jenifer and their four children reside in Crown Point, Ind. David teaches political science and government for Purdue University Calumet.
Ben Schnakenberg is a vice president at High Road Capital Partners. He joined High Road as an associate in February 2008. Previously, Ben was a senior vice president at LaSalle Bank, now Bank of America, where he served as chief of staff to LaSalle’s chief executive officer. Ben also has worked in middle-market commercial banking for LaSalle and for Madison Capital Funding. He received his executive M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a chief financial analyst.
Angela (Lusk) Sparks and husband Glenn live in Tampa, Fla. Alumni who took part in their May wedding are: Marisa Warneke ’00, Bethany (Hirt ’00) Fleming, Jessica (Amrozowicz ’00) Kerins, and Angela’s parents, Fred ’73 and Karen (Nelson ’74) Lusk.
MARRIAGE
Angela Lusk and Glenn Sparks, May 16, 2009, Indianapolis.
BIRTHS
To Alissa (LeVerso) Douglas and husband Robert of Homewood, Ill.: Katherine Marie, born July 3, 2009.
To Adrienne (Baker) Jankens and husband Joshua of Rochester, Mich.: Jordan Hermina, born Aug. 26, 2008.
Vanessa Burrows, legislative attorney, Congressional Research Service, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Management, Organization and Procurement in March 2009 on H.R. 885 and Inspectors General issues.
Eric Haan ’03 M.Ed. was hired as the principal of Bethlehem Lutheran School in Kennewick, Wash. He taught fifth grade at Trinity Lutheran School in Bend, Ore., for six years after graduating from the LEAPs program at Valparaiso University.
Timothy Nush joined Indiana’s Goshen Health System’s PrimeCare Physician Network. He practices family medicine, specializing in obstetric services. He received his medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis and completed his residency in family medicine at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center.
Ronald Pichel and wife Kelley (Knott ’02) live in Fort Collins, Colo., with their son, Nathan. Kelley taught at a charter school for seven years and is now staying home with Nathan. Ron got his master’s degree in computer engineering from Walden University in May of 2008, and he has been with Hewlett-Packard for eight years.
Brandy Richmond is the assistant director of the Information Technology Associates Program and coordinator of Information Technology Internships at DePauw University. Prior to this position, Brandy worked at The Brazil Times as an assistant editor and as a staff writer for the Banner-Graphic. She resides in Greencastle, Ind.
Tom Wang is a firefighter and paramedic for the Mount Prospect (Ill.) Fire Department. He and his crew assisted in saving the life of a Park Ridge man who had a massive heart attack in September. Tom lives in Chicago and is a member of the Valpo Admission Network.
Jennifer (Waddington) Zeigner of Valparaiso directs a new branch of the South Shore Chamber Orchestra. The Petite Orchestra is especially for students who do not have access to string instruments in their school or attend a traditional school.
BIRTHS/ADOPTIONS
To Kimiko (Bacon) Crestetto and husband Jeremy of North Kingstown, R.I.: Lydia Margaret, born May 19, 2009; joins brother Jared, 2.
To Ronald and Kelley (Knott ’02) Pichel of Fort Collins, Colo.: Nathan, born May 21, 2009.
To Aubbrie (Divine) Scott and husband Nathan of Madison, Wis.: Milo Lee, born March 24, 2009.
To Becky (Breaker) Donnelly and husband Martin of Chandler, Ariz.: Taylor Lynn, born Sept. 16, 2008; joins sister Kailey.
To Laura (Schwandt) Dorneman and husband Casey of Denver: Penelope Joy, born June 27, 2007.
To Mary (Metcalf) Hirsch and husband Bob of Gilbert, Ariz.: Robert Douglas, born Dec. 20, 2007.
To Tania Kurth, Fountain Hills, Ariz.: births of Kenna Noelle, born May 22, 2004; and Koral Joanel, born April 5, 2005. Adoptions took place on Nov. 9, 2006. Birth of Braelyn Elizabeth Joy on July 26, 2008. Braelyn joins sisters Kenna, 5, and Koral, 4.
To Meghan (Moffett) and Grant Peterson of Metamora, Ill.: Emily Lauren, born Feb. 9, 2009.
To Lisa (Springs) and Tim Shoskey ’00 of Royal Oak, Mich.: Cole Cash, born June 25, 2009; joins siblings Mackenzie and Jackson.
Leah (Keehr) Anderson has plans to move to Bozeman, Mont., where she will start practice as a family physician. She and her husband had a daughter last spring. Proud godparents are Sarah (Mutch ’02) and Peter Hinck ’03.
LaDawn Burnett is senior policy adviser to Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. She works on a range of policy initiatives including economic development, health care, education and fiscal matters. Previously, she was the director of policy and issues for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Rebecca (Greenberg) Grigsby is the recipient of the Physicians Choice Nurse of the Year for 2008. She also was chosen the Nurse of the Year for 2008 by the physician residents for her knowledge, caring and assistance to both the patients and staff of Rush Copley Medical Center. Rebecca and husband Marc were married at the Seven Bridges Country Club in Woodridge, Ill., and they honeymooned in Mexico. They reside in Oswego, Ill. Rebecca is the daughter of Nathan and Barbara (Urbauer 66) Greenberg.
Tim Harwood is director of broadcasting and media relations for Waterloo, Iowa, The Waterloo Black Hawks. He also is senior account executive with additional responsibilities for specialized broadcasting, media and community relations projects. Tim has brought Black Hawks games to fans by radio since 2005.
Maryn Olson received a Master of Science degree in public health in developing countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at the diploma ceremony in London, England, on March 7, 2009. Maryn is the response coordinator for the Postville Response Coalition, responding to the humanitarian and economic disaster in Postville, Iowa, following last year’s immigration raid and its impact on the community. She works to address individual needs and support the community as it moves toward recovery.
Dan Wolka is a patent analyst for Landon IP, a patent search company. He helped provide content for the recently launched Web site related to patent searching, INTELLOGIST.COM.
MARRIAGES
Brooke Borchardt and Michael Kodow, Aug. 15, 2009, Minneapolis.
Lyndsay Dudgeon ’05 J.D. and Luke DeMatteo, Nov. 8, 2008, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Rebecca Greenberg and Marc Grigsby, Aug. 22, 2009, Woodridge, Ill.
Margaret Jasek and Russell Schumaker, Sept. 24, 2005, Calumet City, Ill.
Heather Schell and Steve Coyte, May 29, 2009, Las Vegas.
BIRTHS
To Rachel (Kendall) Chretien and husband Chris of Schaumburg, Ill.: Lily Kendall, born May 3, 2009.
To Michael and Staci (Swanson ’01) Goede of Alexandria, Va.: Noah Henry, born July 4, 2009.
To Margaret (Jasek) and Russell Schumaker of Chicago: Benjamin Denton, born July 29, 2009.
Amy (Jordan) Estergard and husband Mike reside in Johnstown, Colo., with their two daughters, Madeline and Lucy. Amy graduated from the University of Colorado as a family nurse practitioner in May 2009. She works as a nurse practitioner with Evercare in long-term care facilities in Northern Colorado.
Lori Moore is Lake Central’s girls soccer coach. She is an elementary school physical education teacher in the Lake Central (Ind.) School Corp. and has been an assistant coach with the Indians since 2005.
Cam Plew is the assistant vice president of commercial banking at Lake City Bank in Warsaw, Ind. He and his wife, Christa, reside in Cromwell, Ind. Taking part in their Sept. 27, 2008, wedding were: Ehren Plew ’00, who served as best man; Nate Conley, Brian Cox, Brandon Sadler ’03, and Chris Richards ’03, groomsmen; and Dave Aronson ’03 and Ken McLain, who served as ushers.
MARRIAGE
Cam Plew and Christa Williams, Sept. 27, 2008, Warsaw, Ind.
BIRTHS
To Andrea (Thien) and Jonathan Bolitho of Maricopa, Ariz., Caleb Raymond, born July 15, 2009.
To Amy (Jordan) Estergard and husband Mike of Johnstown, Colo.: Madeline Violet, born on July 8, 2009; joins sister Lucy, 3.
To Sarah (Shuman) Hunt ’05 M.Ed. and husband Don of Crown Point, Ind.: Austin Joseph, born March 22, 2009.
To Elizabeth (Kinneer) Laba ’04 M.Ed. and husband Tim of Cedar Lake, Ind.: Blake Michael, born April 7, 2009.
Lindsay Christensen is employed by Spatan Computer Services in Greer, S.C., as a project analyst. She recently obtained her Project Management Professional certification.
Joaquim Gomes was named the most valuable player of the 2009 international federation of basketball, FIBA African championship, after leading his native Angola to its sixth consecutive gold medal. Joaquim is a two-time Olympian with the Angolan squad. This tournament title qualifies Angola for the 2010 FIBA World Championships, where it will represent Africa as reigning champion for the third time in a row.
Andree Houle received a teaching fellowship from Knowles Science Teaching Foundation, a national advocate for improving the quality of science and mathematics education. In 2006, Andree completed her master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Stanford University, where she worked as a graduate research assistant in the High Temperature Gasdynamics Laboratory. She also worked as an engineer on renewable energy projects at the Electric Power Research Institute and was the recipient of the Hydro Review Author’s Award for “No. 1” article ranked by readers. Andree has been active with GRID Alternatives, an Oakland-based non-profit organization that implements renewable energy and energy efficiency services in low-income housing communities.
Jessica Phillips is a freelance photographer in Chicago.
Joel Stampfl of Chicago is a substitute teacher with the Chicago Public Schools and is pursuing a degree in elementary education at DePaul University.
Benjamin Stellwagen and his wife, Laurie, reside in Bloomington, Ind., with their son, Judah. Benjamin is a Ph.D. candidate in Russian history at Indiana University, where he is working as an editorial assistant of German, East European, and Jewish history for the American Historical Review.
Salena (Robertson) VanCleef M.A.L.S. received a post-M.A.L.S. certificate in human behavior in 2005. She has accepted a faculty fellowship at Ivy Tech State College in sociology. Salena and her husband, Darrel, have two sons, Branden and Jakob.
Daniel Yerks has joined Wightman and Associates in Benton Harbor, Mich., as a project engineer. His work has included drafting site plans, designing grading, roads, water mains, sanitary and storm sewers, and completing topographic surveys and construction staking.
MARRIAGES
Julie Fisher D.O. and Robert Furlan, Dec. 21, 2008, Wooster, Ohio.
Elizabeth Recchia and Eric Guthier, July 18, 2009, Nome, Alaska.
Dana Reynolds and John Levendosky III, Sept. 20, 2008, Holland, Mich.
BIRTHS
To Heather (Browning) Kessler and husband Brett of LaPorte, Ind.: Brock, born July 17, 2009; joins brothers Blake and Brady.
To Cara (Naaf) and Nick Oelke of Minneapolis: Josiah Eric, born May 14, 2009.
To Benjamin Stellwagen and wife Laurie of Bloomington, Ind.: Judah Benjamin, born on Jan. 28, 2009.
To Salena (Robertson) VanCleef M.A.L.S. and husband Darrel of Valparaiso: Branden, born on Jan. 16, 2009; joins brother Jakob.
Andrea Bremmer graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Master in Divinity in May 2009. She serves as pastor at Reynolds United Methodist Church in Reynolds, Ind.
Leslie (Eggerding) Kiefaber and husband Adam reside in Cincinnati. Bridesmaids in their May 2009 wedding were Gretchen Stahl ’04 and Melissa Yankovich ’06. Leslie is an account executive at the advertising agency Barefoot Proximity, and Adam is an editorial assistant and sports reporter for the Cincinnati Enquirer.
John “Chaz” Weber is an attorney with Ulmer & Berne LLP. He recently was appointed vice chair of the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Committee of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association. The committee provides oversight and direction to a pro bono program proving legal services to income-eligible artists and arts organizations in all disciplines, develops public law-related education programs for artists and arts organizations, and collaborates with area galleries to bring rotating art exhibits to the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Center. John focuses his practice on real estate law.
MARRIAGES
Leslie Eggerding and Adam Kiefaber, May 2, 2009, Cincinnati.
Ashley Vannatta and Kenny Keil, Oct. 11, 2008, Bloomington, Ill.
Jillian Descourouez graduated from the University of Michigan’s College of Pharmacy with her Doctor of Pharmacy. She is completing a pharmacy practice residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics and working at CVS Pharmacy in Middleton, Wis.
Erika (Rosenberg) Doherty and husband Patrick reside in Cedarburg, Wis. Brianna Lemerond ’06 and Brianna Hathaway ’06 took part in their August wedding.
Lea (Pupillo) and Tyrel Fisher enjoyed the attendance of Valpo alumni at their Aug. 30 wedding in Phoenix. The wedding party included Tyler Brock ’04, who served as best man, and Caryn Masterson ’05, who was maid of honor. Also attending were VU alumni from Sigma Tau Gamma, Kappa Delta and the Union Board.
Jason Hallman advanced to doctoral candidacy in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University in Milwaukee. Jason’s biomechanical research of automotive side airbags earned the Anthony Sances Award from the Rocky Mountain Bioengineering Symposium and the John D. States Award from the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine. He and wife Kristin (Renn ’07) traveled to the United Kingdom in September where he presented some of his results to the 2009 conference of the International Research Council on the Biomechanics of Injury in York, England.
Phoebe (Henderson) Harris J.D. has joined the Green Valley (Ariz.) law office of Walter L. Henderson, her father. Phoebe is an experienced corporate attorney dealing with LLCs and other corporate structures. She and her husband reside in Sahuarita, Ariz.
Stephen Hulst J.D. is an associate attorney at Rhoades McKee PC in Grand Rapids, Mich. He was selected for inclusion in Michigan Super Lawyers-Rising Stars 2009 edition. His primary area of practice is business litigation.
Danielle (Guerra) Mains and husband Ryan reside in Woodstock, Ill. Danielle LaPointe (Chi Omega) was one of the bridesmaids at their July wedding. (See Page 46 for story
about Danielle.)
Gayle Van Sessen M.B.A. is the community and economic development director for Tipton County, Ind. Gayle has more than 15 years experience in leading community and business development initiatives as the executive director of the Greater Crown Point Chamber of Commerce in Crown Point, Ind.
MARRIAGES
Amanda Elston and Brent Whitlock, May 23, 2009, Casper, Wyo.
Danielle Guerra and Ryan Mains, July 17, 2009, McHenry, Ill.
Gina Leon and Michael Dayieb, Sept. 24, 2009, Ligonier, Pa.
Lea Pupillo and Tyrel Fisher ’04, Aug. 30, 2009, Phoenix.
Erika Rosenberg and Patrick Doherty, Aug. 23, 2008, Cedarburg, Wis.
BIRTHS
To Torrie (McGinty) and Jonathan Boggs ’05 of Aurora, Ill.: Jared Adam, born April 22, 2009.
To Janelle (Ritsch) and Miguel Mastache ’03 of Elmhurst, Ill.: Mateo Laurencio, born Aug. 21, 2009.
Heather (Kroschel) Frank was consecrated as a Lutheran Deaconess through the Lutheran Deaconess Association on Feb. 8, 2009. She has plans to attend Valpo Law.
Cyndi Kahlbaum is the morning weather forecaster on WREX-TV, Rockford, Ill. Her previous position was morning meteorologist for KTEN-TV in Denison, Texas. Cyndi is an avid storm chaser and takes photographs of the storms she chases.
Natalie Kalish has been in Thailand in the Peace Corps since January 2008. She teaches English to fifth- and sixth-grade students and their teachers.
Matthew Palandech has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army after successfully completing the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program and graduating with a master’s degree in administration from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff. He will attend undergraduate pilot training at the Naval Air Station Whiting in Pensacola, Fla.
David Peterson is finishing up his master’s degree in meteorology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has received a fellowship from NASA that will fund three years of doctoral research. This will help him continue his research into wildfires. During his fellowship, he will use satellite images provided by NASA to study fires caused by dry lightning strikes. This will help to improve overall forecasting of fire weather.
Andy Schlueter received his Master of Science degree in engineering from Purdue University’s School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is pursuing his Ph.D. His wife, Lora (Rehbein), was consecrated as a deaconess by the Lutheran Deaconess Association in January. She works at Grace Lutheran Church in Lafayette, Ind., where they also reside.
Joanna Spaulding received her Master of Science degree in biophysics and genetics in May from the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center. She is now a genetics counselor at the Genetics Center in Orange, Calif.
Angela Yuras of Oklahoma City, Okla., received her Master of Science degree in adult nurse practitioner from the University of Oklahoma.
Micah Borcherding and his wife, Michelle, reside in Indianapolis. Michelle earned her bachelor’s degree in family and child development from Ball State University. She is a lead teacher for young children at a child care center. Micah teaches physics at Avon High School.
Valerie (Brown) and Tyler Petersen were married in the Chapel of the Resurrection. Taking part in their July wedding were: Emily Batteiger, Andrea Smith, Jacob Isenburg, Tim Kolzow, Joshua Wood, Roger Kienast, and Scott Zigrye, all 2008 graduates.
Laura (Schrage) Campbell M.B.A. is a member of the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission that oversees the city’s two tax increment financing districts, which use tax revenue to make infrastructure improvements to encourage economic development in the districts. She is the third woman named as a voting member of the commission since its inception in 1994.
Jeff Field teaches mathematics at Pueblo Pintado Community School on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. Seventy-five percent of his students achieve at least 1.5 years of growth, with some achieving up to three years of growth.
Katie Gordon is an emergency department nurse at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind.
Rachel Holley is the music director for the Church of the Four Seasons in Crown Point, Ind.
David Lee M.B.A. works for the ASF accounting firm in Michigan City, Ind.
Gina (Westgate) Moran and husband Timothy were married in September. Gina works for the Indiana Department of Child Services in Lake County, Ind., and attends Calumet College of St. Joseph in pursuit of her master’s degree in public safety administration.
Stephanie Shevik M.A.L.S. teaches biology at Lake Central High School in St. John, Ind.
MARRIAGES
Micah Borcherding and Michelle Rensner, March 28, 2009, Indianapolis.
Valerie Brown and Tyler Petersen, July 11, 2009, Valparaiso.
Catherine Jackson and Mike Steffen ’07, July 26, 2008, Ames, Iowa.
Jessica Masterson and Ryan Wilson, Sept. 5, 2009, Hobart, Ind.
Luke Oberjuerge M.S. and Kate Harris, August 2009, Williamsburg, Va.
Gina Westgate and Timothy Moran, Sept. 12, 2009, Valparaiso.
Adam Amin has been named one of the nation’s top collegiate sportscasters in an annual competition sponsored by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America. He took fourth place in the STAA All-America program, which recognizes the nation’s most outstanding young sports broadcasters. Adam provided live play-by-play commentary of Valpo basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball and softball games for WVUR throughout his four years on campus. He also served as a color analyst and studio host for football and basketball broadcasts on the Valpo Sports Radio Network.
Dallas Cawiezell is pitching for the Kinston Indians, an Advanced Class A Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians baseball team.
Launa Hochstetler plays professional basketball in the Netherlands. She signed on in August 2009 with the Challenge Sports Binnenland Rotterdam, a team that was the National Cup finalist in 2009.
Urule Igbavboa, who earned second-team All-Horizon League honors in men’s basketball while at Valpo, signed a contract with Gottingen in Germany.
Oscar Lomeli has signed a contract to play professional soccer with Club de Guadalajara of Guadalajara, Mexico. He will play with the Primera A Division club through the 2009-2010 season. He is the 22nd professional player who has been coached by VU’s Mike Avery.