Points of Pride
In addition to the many honors awarded annually to outstanding University alumni, we regularly recognize other notable achievements through our Points of Pride. These important accomplishments achieved among our alumni, staff and students are crucial to growing UW Oshkosh ties and building a stronger sense of alma mater pride.
To suggest a Point of Pride, please e-mail Christine Gantner with detailed information regarding the nominee’s accomplishment, graduation year and contact information (if known).
Rob Behm (BS, biology ’02) was the featured student speaker at the UW–Madison Schoolof Medicine 2007 commencement. After graduation, Dr. Behm began his five-year general surgical residency in Sayre, Penn.
Clark Byse (’35) was a Harvard law professor, said to be the inspiration for John Houseman’s character, Charles Kingsfield, in the 1973 Academy Award-winning movie The Paper Chase.
Deborah (Nelson) Carr (BA, radio, TV, film ’00) produced eight documentaries for The History Channel, among them Rwanda: Do Scars Ever Fade?, which won a Peabody Award and was nominated for an EMMY Award.
Eileen Connolly-Keesler (MPA ’02) served on the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse and Governor Jim Doyle’s transition team. She also serves on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents.
Nader Darehshori (’66) is retired chairman and CEO of the world's third-largest publishing group, Houghton Mifflin, now a division of Vivendi Universal Publishing.
Danae Davis (BS, political science ’77) is executive director of PEARLS for Teen Girls Inc., a Milwaukee-based program committed to maximizing girls’ self-development. She serves on the UW System Board of Regents.
James (BS, political science ’69) and Janine (BS, English ’70) Geenen have spent nearly 30 years working to improve the lives of the poor in Third World countries, most recently in Paraguay where Jim serves as Peace Corp director and Janine teaches English.
John Gilbert (MBA ’78) is the retired chairman of the board of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, formerly Aid Association for Lutherans/Lutheran Brotherhood. The organization is the largest fraternal benefit society in the United States.
Stephanie Hagstrom-Gaymon (BS, biology ’91) earned her doctorate degree and is a researcher at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Ophthalmology.
Crystal Heilsberg Gorwitz (’80) is a Hortonville Middle School physical education and health teacher respected as a national leader in the fight against childhood obesity. Her unique physical education curriculum has drawn national attention, including a 2004 Sports Illustrated article and a 2005 NBC Nightly News segment.
Robert Keller (BS, economics ’69) is chairman and chief executive officer of J. J. Keller & Associates Inc., Neenah.
Gerald Kons (BA Mathematics ’61) is a retired American Airlines pilot. He operates and flies for "American Dream Flite", a service that provides round trip air fare and a vacation at Walt Disney World with medical service pro bono for children with serious illnesses.
Joan Lloyd (’72 & MSE ’76) is a national workplace consultant and syndicated columnist, best known for her syndicated workplace advice column which has appeared since 1983 in newspapers and magazines across the country. She is president of Joan Lloyd & Associates, Milwaukee.
Todd Teske (BBA Accounting ’97) is COO of Briggs and Stratten Corporation.
Phil Whitebloom (BBA, marketing ’80) is vice president of sales for government and corporate accounts at Sony Electronics Inc. He has worked with Sony for more than 20 years and is a two-time winner of the Samurai Award, Sony’s highest honor for sales and marketing employees.
Peter Wick (BBA, accounting ’05) is one of only 10 nationwide to receive the latest Elijah Watt Sells Award from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The annual award goes to the 10 individuals earning the highest cumulative scores on the four sections of the Uniform CPA Examination.
Bill (’81) and Beth (’81, MBA ’93) Wyman - Beth serves on the UWO Foundation Board of Directors. Bill is a member of the Oshkosh Community Foundation Board of Governors. Bill and Beth are former principals in the Oshkosh B’Gosh Corporation.
Building pride
Phil Whitebloom (BBA, marketing ’80) is vice president of sales for government and corporate accounts at Sony Electronics.
He has worked with Sony for more than 20 years and is a two-time winner of the Samurai Award, Sony’s highest honor for sales and marketing employees.