UW Oshkosh Today

’50s

Jean Arnold (EHS) ’56, Neenah, March 19, 2024

Jeanne (Bird) Culver (EHS) ’53, Lincoln, Nebraska, March 28, 2024

Joyce (Mortenson) Hein (EHS) ’50, Naples, Florida, March 24, 2024

Mae (Buchanan) Helmer (EHS) ’57, Oshkosh, April 3, 2024

Rober Schrader (LS) ’54, (MA) ’74, Scottsdale, Arizona, March 27, 2024

’60s

Janice Blumreich (EHS) ’65, Oconto, March 22, 2024

William Coffman Sr. (B) ’68, Mequon, Nov. 18, 2023

’70s

Roberta “Bobbi” Barry (EHS) ’74, Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Aug. 30, 2023

Jeffrey Busarow (LS) ’74, Green Bay, April 5, 2024

Roger LeBouton (EHS) ’74, Oshkosh, July 21, 2023

Kathleen (Bartels) Maccoux (LS) ’74, New Franken, April 18, 2024

Richard Mauer (B) ’72, Reno, Nevada, March 22, 2024

Cynthia (Keup) Volz (EHS) ’72, Green Bay, March 26, 2024

Diane Wais (EHS) ’70, Glendale, April 11, 2024

’80s

Mary Edwards (MSE) ’84, Monona, March 19, 2024

Mark Mills (B) ’83, Two Rivers, March 29, 2024

Robert Schmidt (LS) ’85, Stevens Point, March 12, 2024

Beverly Vanden Boom (N) ’80, Green Bay, April 6, 2024

Andrea Zinniel-Hando (N) ’88, Fond du Lac, March 17, 2024

’90s

Vernon Staerkel (LS) ’91, Oshkosh, March 23, 2024

’10s

Mitchel Metoxen (MPA) ’11, Seymour, Feb. 19, 2024

‘75 Kirk Ruhnke (LS), of Hurricane, Utah, was inducted into the Wisconsin Advertising Hall of Fame.

‘80 Russ Van Gompel (B), of Oshkosh, retired as the City of Oshkosh finance director. Van Gompel received a key to the city by Oshkosh Mayor Matt Mugerauer.

‘82 Scott Roberts (B), of Naples, Florida, is chief revenue officer for Segra, one of the nation’s largest independent fiber network companies. Roberts has over 30 years of sales and marketing leadership experience.

Surprise Stadium

‘84 Ted Tornow (LS), of Surprise, Arizona, works at Surprise Stadium, spring training home of the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers. Tornow is married to ‘86 Ruth (Ostenso) Tornow (N).

‘93 Wendy Haase-Roberts (LS), of Long Beach, California, is the president and CEO of Travel Santa Ana. Haase-Roberts has been in the travel and tourism industry for 25 years and is a three-time Ironman.

’97 Michelle Dalton (LS), and ’10 (MBA), of Omro, is vice president of strategic partner development for Proforma. Dalton is a volunteer business mentor, sits on the board of Omro’s Chamber and Development Group, and received the 2023 Gold Titan Award for Women in Business.

‘97 Molly Gilbertson (LS), of Waupun, is the operations officer at National Exchange Bank & Trust. Gilbertson is an active board member of the Kiwanis Club in Beaver Dam.

Molly Gilbertson

‘00 Rev James Droste (EHS), of Plymouth, is the pastor of Yorkville United Methodist Church. Droste previously served as pastor at Wesley UMC in Sheboygan and church planter at Plymouth Area New Church Start.

‘00 Jason Mathwig (LS), of Menomonee, was named one of Insight on Business’ 40 Under 40 Award recipients as one of the region’s influential young professionals. Mathwig currently works for New North, Inc.

‘00 Anne (McCarthy) Michels (EHS), of Oregon, is currently the executive director of Green Pastures Living, a non-profit organization founded to help provide affordable, independent senior housing. Michels founded Green Pastures in 2019 and she and her husband ’99 Scott Michels (LS) both serve on the board of directors.

‘04 Andrew Selgrad (LS), of Beaver Dam is the incoming coach of the Ripon High School football team. Selgrad spent the last three seasons as the head coach of the Columbus Cardinals, leading them to a 35-4 record.

‘05 Robert Benzinger (B), of St. Peter, is the senior vice president of retail banking with National Exchange Bank & Trust. Benzinger joined the bank in 2017 as a loan project officer and has over ten years of experience in the finance industry.

‘05 Heather (Bartel) Winscher (LS), of Oshkosh, is president of Watermark47, a family-owned printing, packaging, and finishing business founded by her grandfather, Roy Bartel.

‘09 Virginia (Pliska) Maus (BA) of Hortonville, was named one of Insight on Business’ 40 Under 40 Award recipients as one of the region’s influential young professionals. Maus works at Snow Fox Data.

’12 Tanya Reynen (LS), of Oconomowoc, is Watertown’s new fire chief. Reynen has a 20-year career in public service and previously served as deputy chief of training center at Lake County Fire and Rescue.

’13 Kimberly Klaetsch (MBA), of Fond du Lac, is the vice president of business and private banking with National Exchange Bank & Trust. Klaetsch joined the bank nearly ten years ago and held several other positions including assistant vice president and retail lending supervisor.

‘14 Jolene Schatzinger (MSE), of Ripon, was named one of Insight on Business’ 40 Under 40 Award recipients as one of the region’s influential young professionals. Schatzinger is the executive director for the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund.

‘14 Liz (Cookle) Wollenberg (EHS), of Appleton, was named one of Insight on Business’ 40 Under 40 Award recipients as one of the region’s influential young professionals. Wollenberg is currently the vice president of regional strategy and resource development for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

‘15 Katelyn (Wendt) Lothary (N), of Brooklyn, is a certified medical examiner in SSM Health’s Occupational Health Clinic. Lothary previously worked in the UW Health Transplant Unit for six years and earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Medicine degree in 2020.

‘15 Daniel Brosman (BBA), of Oshkosh, was named one of Insight on Business’ 40 Under 40 Award recipients as one of the region’s influential young professionals. Brosman is director of the Small Business Development Center at UW Oshkosh.

Dan Brosman

‘16 Reginald Parson (MPA), of Portland, Maine, serves as the first deputy director of the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program.

‘17 Jennifer Faris (LS), of Oshkosh, was named one of Insight on Business’ 40 Under 40 Award recipients as one of the region’s influential young professionals. Faris works at United Manufacturers, Inc.; Faris Gourmet Popcorn & Treats.

‘17 Mai Nu (Thao) Vang (EHS) and ’22 (MS), of Green Bay, was named one of Insight on Business’ 40 Under 40 Award recipients as one of the region’s influential young professionals. Vang works for the Green Bay Area Public School District.

’18 Courtney Hansen (B), of Oshkosh, was named one of Insight on Business’ 40 Under 40 Award recipients as one of the region’s influential young professionals. Hansen works for the City of Manitowoc.

’18 Renee Smith (MBA), of Findlay, Ohio, is the associate chief medical officer for Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc. Smith previously served as system chief medical officer with the Blanchard Valley Health System in Ohio.

‘22 Wanda Burnley (EHS), of Roberts, is program director at Have A Heart, a social service organization that services individuals with disabilities throughout the River Falls area. Burnley is also a Lion’s Club member and the founders of the Hudson Hometown Music Festival.

‘50s

Ruth (Thelke) Hart (EHS) ’52, Black River Falls, Feb. 10, 2024

Richard “Dick” Lanpheer (EHS) ’57, Palm Desert, California, Feb. 20, 2024

Joan Nelezen (EHS) ’51, (EHS) ’54, Minnetonka, Minnesota, Feb. 17, 2024

‘60s

Richard “Dick” DuMonthier (EHS) ’60, Sheboygan, March 6, 2024

Keith Folzman ’60 (LS), Brenham, Texas, Feb. 13, 2024

Judith Herrle (EHS) ’63, Kaukauna, Feb. 19, 2024

David Hilbelink (EHS) ’69, (MST) ’76, Appleton, Feb. 21, 2024

Leonard Manderfield (LS) ’61, Neenah, Feb. 1, 2024

Sandra (Tank) Martens (EHS) ’63, Egg Harbor, Feb. 18, 2024

William O’Brien (EHS) ’62, Appleton, March 13, 2024

Thomas Witthun (EHS) ’64, (MSE) ’75, Neenah, Feb. 27, 2024

‘70s

David Baumann (LS) ’76, Neenah, Feb. 15, 2024

James Benson (MSE) ’76, Florence, Arizona, Jan. 31, 2024

Robert “Bob” Christjohn (EHS) ’72, Grand Chute, March 9, 2024

Melvin Coonen ’74 (MBA), Pulaski, March 15, 2024

Gregory Hollub (EHS) ’71, Oconomowoc, Feb. 8, 2024

Colleen “CoCo” (Batley) O’Brien (EHS) ’71, (MA) ’79, Fox Crossing, Feb. 22, 2024

John “Steve” Okoniewski (MS) ’79, Green Bay, Feb. 25, 2024

Nancy Van ’76 (MSE), Wautoma, Feb. 16, 2024

Kenneth Whitford (EHS) ’70, Green Bay, Feb. 15, 2024

‘80s

David Mairet, Jr. (EHS) ’84 and (LS) ’84, Madison, March 10, 2024

Brenda Sue (Ziegelbauer) Quick ‘86 (N), Mequon, March 3, 2024

‘90s

Gregory Walther (LS) ’96, Neenah, Feb. 13, 2024

‘10s

Rebekah Braun (MPA) ’18, Plymouth, Feb. 19, 2024

Faculty and Friends

Betsy Omness, 2004-2023 food service specialist, Oshkosh, Feb. 20, 2024

’70 Ken Loest (LS) and ’78 (MS) of Plymouth, is retiring from teaching math after 51 years. Loest will speak at graduation this year as his final swan song at Glenbeulah High School. Loest and his wife ’71 Carol (Guse) Loest (EHS) plan to travel in their retirement.

’84 George Kroeninger (EHS) of Madison, was named Milwaukee School of Engineering’s (MSOE) inaugural executive director of professional education. Along with his new role, he will be launching the Center for Professional Education. Kroeninger’s vision includes supporting MSOE alumni and other professionals by providing access to continuing education.

’85 Erin Murphy (N) of Saint Paul, Minnesota, took over as Senate majority leader in Minnesota. Murphy served for 12 years in the Minnesota House as well as ran for governor in 2018. She also chairs the Rules and Administration Committee and serves on the Higher Education and Finance committees.

’95 Maurice Wince (EHS) of Milwaukee, and his wife Yashica Spears, were awarded a $25,000 grant by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago’s Accelerate Grant for their grocery store Sherman Park Grocery. Wince and Yashica opened Sherman Park Grocery in 2022 in hopes of addressing Milwaukee’s food desert problems. This grant will allow them to further invest in their community’s well-being.

Tom Swigert

’97 Tom Swigert (LS) of Hartford, joined the seven-piece horn rock band Part Time Models as the lead trumpet. While in school at UWO, Swigert studied trumpet under Al Butcher, jazz under John Harmon and music recording under Wally Messner. Part Time Models performs in the Milwaukee area.

’98 Stephen Powers (LS) of Thomaston, Georgia, published his fourth poetry collection, Hail my Attention Kindly. The collection is a mix of lyric and narrative poetry about a tour through India, Ireland, Jekyll Island, New York City, London, Berlin, Hawaii, the Northwoods of Wisconsin and the world of Dolly Parton.

’91 John Schroeder (LS) of Waukesha, is the chairman of the planning committee for the 49^th annual Convention of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA). The event will be held at the EAA grounds in Oshkosh in September.

’01 William Krautkramer (EHS) of Kaukauna, has been hired as the head coach of the Kaukauna girls soccer team. Krautkramer has 22 years of teaching experience and was named the 2023 teacher of the year for Neenah Joint School District. He also comes to the head coach position with over 30 years of playing and coaching experience in the Fox Valley area.

’02 Melissa Johnston (LS) of Berlin, is completing her 21^st year at Berlin High School as the licensed athletic trainer. She lives with her two Yorkies Isabelle and Teddy.

Melissa Johnston

’06 Timothy Ziegler (LS) of New York, New York, was the editor on multiple highly regarded docuseries including Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street on Netflix, FDR on the History Channel, and Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffery Dahmer Tales on Netflix.

’07 Kevin Chevalier (LS) of Greenville, has been named an associate of the company at McMahon. Chevalier is an architecture, engineering, and construction professional with more than 25 years of experience.

’07 Jeff Potts (LS) and ’16 (MBA) of Wytheville, Virginia, was hired as the first managing director for GableStage Theatre. He will manage the company’s administrative functions and oversee day-to-day operations at the theatre.

’09 Jessica Johnson (MS) of Ripon, was selected by members of the school board, administration, parents, students, teachers and staff to be the principal of the Murray Park Quest Elementary School. Johnson comes with 20 years of experience in education.

’12 Tanya Reynen (LS) of Oconomowoc, was appointed as the City of Watertown fire chief. Reynen served as deputy chief of training center at Lake County Fire Rescue and as an adjunct fire/EMS instructor at Waukesha County Technical College. She also served as a firefighter/paramedic in Watertown and the Town of Brookfield.

’12 Rebecca (Dyreson) O’Connell (N) of Stevens Point, has been working as a bedside nurse at Marshfield Medical Center in the surgical ICU since graduation. Taking inspiration from one of her professors, she is completing her master’s degree this spring. She is married to ’12 Jason O’Connell (B).

’15 Daniel Zamost (MSE) of Appleton, will become the principal of Ripon Middle School July 1. He was the unanimous choice of a 17-member selection team.

’15 Ryan Steiskal (LS) of Neshkoro, has a gallery opening in the Annex Gallery on the UWO campus April 4-18. Steiskal is an illustrator, painter and draftsmen that uses acrylic inks to create images of animals and sci-fi or supernatural elements.

’19 Samuel Pedersen (EHS) of Muskego, was hired as Stewartville’s volleyball coach. Pedersen comes with a host of assistant coaching experience at the high school level, one year of head coaching experience and two years of assistant coaching experience at the collegiate level.

’21 Alixandria Talady (EHS) of Milwaukee, is a third-year fourth grade teacher at the Sharon Community School. Talady was the featured Service Above Self Award honoree this past February for her service to her students and the school’s community.

’22 Reagan Fritts (LS) of Oswego, Illinois is the social media coordinator at Red Shoes Inc. Fritts started as an account assistant and has been with the company since 2023.