Distance isn’t stopping one University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Class of 1965 alumna from returning to her alma mater for the 50-year reunion.
Janis (Marzinzik) Mwosa ‘65, is traveling from Nairobi, Kenya, to attend the Golden Titan Reunion May 15-16, and get reacquainted with Oshkosh.
During her time at UWO, Marzinzik studied education. She was interested in UWO because of the University’s reputation for teacher training.
“I was familiar with the campus as I had attended speech contests there when I was in high school forensics,” Marzinzik said. “I think the desire to attend the University started with that exposure.”
After graduation, she married Josef Mwosa in 1967. They then moved to Kenya where he was a representative to the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal.
“Kenya had just gotten independence and needed educated African manpower, so there was no question of remaining in America in those days,” Marzinzik explained.
The couple has two children and five grandchildren.
Before Marzinzik left for Kenya, she taught secondary school English and speech at Sabish Junior High School in Fond du Lac. In Kenya, Marzinzik taught history, biology and English. Marzinzik later switched to training adults in order to spend more time with her daughter.
“Training was equally rewarding, as the adults I trained were so eager for an education,” Marzinzik said. “They were an absolute joy to teach.”
Marzinzik trained adults who worked for senior civil servants, Firestone EA employees, bank staff, engineers, Kenya Airways and then media and market research staff at Ipsos Synovate.
Marzinzik at one point was the principal of head training for two of the largest banks in Kenya. Eventually, she became a group head resources manager for Ipsos Synovate, where she was responsible for staff in eight African countries.
She is recognized as the first woman to be made a Fellow of the Kenya Institute of Management and among the first group of women to be made Fellows of the Institute of Head Resources Management.
“I was made a Fellow in recognition of my service to the Institute, my years of management experience and my contribution to management training,” Mazinzik said. “Now a few more women have been given that honor.”
Currently, Marzinzik is retired, but is still continuing her education in French.
“I like to keep my mind active,” Mazinzik said. “The best advice I was ever given by another management trainer was to learn a new skill every year, and I try to do that.”
She feels UWO has helped her journey in life by opening her mind to the world and showing what opportunities were available.
“It gave me a solid academic foundation that enabled me to be very flexible in my work in a developing country,” Marzinzik said.
UW Oshkosh’s Golden Titan Reunion in May is a 50-year reunion that brings together alumni from all over the world to celebrate.
Marzinzik is looking forward to visiting her alma mater because she misses the University.
“I miss the freedom I had and the time to learn and explore without any other responsibilities,” she said.
During the Golden Titan Reunion, alumni will enjoy time reminiscing, take part in an Alumni College and tour campus to see all the changes that have occurred in the past five decades. They also will have the opportunity don golden caps and gowns and lead in the Class of 2015, during the afternoon commencement ceremony on May 16.
In addition, contributions from members of the class of 1965 will help grow the Golden Titan Endowed Scholarship, which was launched by the class of 1959. For more information about the scholarship or the reunion, contact Alumni Relations by calling (920) 424-3449 or sending an email to alumni@uwosh.edu
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