UW Oshkosh Today

’67 John “Phil” Hinderaker (B), of Madison, was inducted into the Class of 2023 Meat Industry Hall of Fame in September. Hinderaker is the retired president of Alkar, a smokehouse manufacturer he led to become a leader in thermal processing equipment and technology. Hinderaker created a large hotdog production machine that increased production from one to five tons per hour.

’75 Selwyn Griffith (EHS), of Laurel, Maryland, wrote his first book, Carnage at the Ross Park Zoo, inspired by his own childhood fear of snakes. Griffith, native to Trinidad and Tobago, was a cardiac physiologist for 38 years.

’87 Bob Meller (LS), of Oshkosh, is a lead geologist with Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC. Meller has 35 years of experience in environmental consulting and is married to ’87 Sandra Meller (LS).

Bob Meller ’87

’88 Michael Pica (EHS), of Wautoma, completed his 24^th year as a teacher in the Wautoma Area School District. Pica is a physical education teacher and is active in youth sports boards and coaching.

’89 Tom Pamperin (B), of Marion, is the President and CEO of Premier Community Bank and has 35 years of experience in the banking industry. Pamperin is married to ’89 Denise (Kersten) Pamperin (B).

Tom Pamperin ’89

’95 Tracey (Marohn) Miller (EHS) and ’00 (MS), of Omro, is starting her 30^th year as a high school English and speech teacher at Omro High School. Miller has also been an adjunct instructor at both UW Oshkosh and Fox Valley Technical College.

’95 Todd Noggle (LS), of De Pere, is the senior director administrator for Aurora Health Care Medical Group responsible for the Oshkosh and Fond du Lac patient service community.

’96 Amy Pollesch (LS), of Ripon, is the director of operations at the Boys & Girls Club of the Tri-County Area. Pollesch brings more than 20 years of non-profit leadership in the community, including founding and running Traded Treasures Thrift Store and Community Food Pantry.

’98 Kelly Ferguson (EHS), of Madison, was named the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers (WAFLT) 2024 Teacher of the Year, an award that highlights the exemplary achievements of language educators in Wisconsin. Ferguson is a Spanish teacher at Robert M. La Follette High School.

Kelly Guenther ’02

’02 Kelly Guenther (LS), of La Habra, California, is releasing Whatever the Hell You Want: An Escape Plan to Break Out of Life’s Little Boxes and Live Free from Expectations, a book to help readers redefine life’s expectations to achieve happiness and authenticity. The book is co-authored with her business partner and The Breakout podcast co-host, Keri Ohlrich. Guenther is the chief operations officer for Abbracci Group.

’04 Jason Lingk (LS), of Lexington, Massachusetts, is a U.S. Army War College Fellow at Tufts University for 2024-2025.

’04 Amy Prochnow (EHS), of Fond du Lac, is a special education teacher at Fairview Elementary School in the Plymouth School District. Prochnow has 21 years of teaching experience.

’06 Ryan Berndt (EHS), of Milton, is the principal at Lakewood School in the Twin Lakes #4 School District.

’11 Lindsay (Pribek) Ohlfs (EHS) and ’22 (MS), of Sheboygan Falls, is the principal at Cleveland Elementary School in the Sheboygan Area School District. Ohlfs was previously the associate principal at Sheboygan North High School.

’12 Scott Lotze (MSE), of River Falls, is a chemistry and AP Chemistry teacher at New Richmond High School.

’14 Jerica Keifenheim (EHS), of Saint Cloud, is a client service associate with Spectrum Investment Advisors.

’15 Michael Lubbert (LS), of Cedar Grove, is the assistant fire chief of the Sheboygan Fire Department and a member of the Cedar Grove-Belgium School Board.

’18 Tammie Alekna (MS), of Friendship, is the associate principal at the Adams-Friendship Middle School in the Adams-Friendship School District.

’17 Jesse Davidson (LS), of Horicon, is a high school English teacher in the Mayville School District.

’18 Jennifer Sartori (MSE), of Appleton, is a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing and JV2 volleyball coach in the Lomira School District. Sartori previously worked in the Appleton Area School District and CESAs. She is married to ’89 Tony Sartori (LS).

’19 Jacqueline Conway (N), of Stoughton, is a family nurse practitioner with the SSM Health Monroe Clinic Medical Group.

’21 Neal Hogden (LS), of Marshfield, is a high school English teacher with the Spencer School District.

’23 Jenna Kopitske (LS), of Nashville, had her debut radio single released by Clinetel Records Nashville. Cascade was written and performed by Kopitske, a drummer, pianist, songwriter, composer, and teacher from Appleton. Kopitske was nominated as multi-instrumentalist of the year for the 2024 Josie Music Awards hosted at the Grand Ole Opry.

‘50s

Delmer “Del” Dieck (EHS) ’59, Scandinavia, Aug. 20, 2024

John Lau (LS) ’59, Columbia, Pennsylvania, April 2, 2024

Ronald Stearns (LS) ’58, (LS) ’60, Argyle, Aug. 27, 2024

Bonnie (Gibson) Wolfgram (EHS) ’54, Oshkosh, Aug. 21, 2024

‘60s

Karen (Dohr) Goodwin (LS) ’69, Port Washington, Sept. 26, 2024

William McAloon (EHS) ’65, Oshkosh, Aug. 29, 2024

Janette Meverden (EHS) ’66, Green Bay, Aug. 15, 2024

Joan (Keener) Schunke (EHS) ’63, Antigo, Aug. 17, 2024

Robert “Bob” Snyder (LS) ’65, Fond du Lac, Aug. 24, 2024

‘70s

James “Jim” Braun (B) ’74, Oconto, June 28, 2024

Ursula Weiss Galonski (EHS) ’71, Green Bay, Aug. 10, 2024

Clyde Holmes (LS) ’79, Wautoma, Sept. 15, 2024

Dennis Reitz (B) ’76, Fond du Lac, Aug. 24, 2024

David Rhode (EHS) ’76, (MS) ’84, Hartford, July 30, 2024

Stephen Roemer (EHS) ’71, Jackson, Aug. 31, 2024

Adrian Shaw (B) ’70, Pompano Beach, Florida, Sept. 14, 2024

‘80s

Lawrence Balda (B) ’84, Oshkosh, Aug. 17, 2024

Richard Schuchart (B) ’81, Menasha, Aug. 28, 2024

Faculty and Friends

Dr. Leonard Tews, Professor of Biology 1964-1996, Oshkosh, April 10, 2024

‘60s

Douglas Bohn (B) ’69, Oshkosh, Aug. 1, 2024

Carole (Street) Engels (EHS) ’69, Gills Rock, Aug. 5, 2024

‘70s

Joseph Bisciglia Jr. (EHS) ’70, Kenosha, Aug. 2, 2024

James Braun (B) ’74, Oconto, June 28, 2024

Robert Doll (B) ‘74, Waukesha, May 14, 2024

Eleanor “Ellie” Holman (MSE) ’71, Fond du Lac, June 30, 2024

Thomas “Tom” Weingarten (MBA) ’77, Stevens Point, July 30, 2024

‘80s

Randy Peiffer (EHS) ’84, Eau Claire, July 18, 2024

Lisa (Umland) Underwood (LS) ’84, Combined Locks, Aug. 5, 2024

‘90s

James “Jim” Hardie (LS) ’94, Green Bay, May 23, 2024

Michael Miller (B) ’96 and (LS) ’96, Wausau

Susan Scott (MSE) ’91, Sturgeon Bay, July 16, 2024

‘00s

Diana “Deedee” Zarzyski (N) ’04, Ripon, July 31, 2024

‘10s

Kelli Zimmerman-Klemp (LS) ’15, Fond du Lac, July 20, 2024

Kyle Nack (EHS) ’15, Sheboygan, July 5, 2024

Amber Zernzach (EHS) ’12, Neenah, Aug. 2, 2024

’79 John Sitek (EHS), of Marinette, will have Higley Stadium behind the Marinette High School named after him. Sitek has committed over 40 years to the student athletes at the school as a coach and physical education teacher. Sitek is married to ’71 Judy (Loiselle) Sitek (EHS).

’83 Brenda (Schuett) Lau (LS), of Venice, California, wrote and directed the feature documentary QUEER CHURCH which is live on Amazon. The film showcases a heartwarming tale of diversity, inclusion, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.

’90 Craig Heilman (LS), of Sun Prairie, was appointed deputy secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). Heilman was previously division administrator for DFI’s Division of Corporate and Consumer Services.

’91 Steven Lutzke (EHS), of Orfordville, is the principal at St. Rita Catholic School in Rockford, Illinois. Lutzke was previously the district administrator for Parkview School District in Orfordville for 15 years.

’92 Lisa (Van Matre) Jossart (LS), of Green Bay, was named vice president of economic development for the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce. Jossart has over 30 years in business strategy, strategic partnership development, community engagement, marketing, and sales.

’93 Suzanne (Weber) Porath (EHS) and ’99 (MSE), of Manhattan, Kansas, is an associate professor at Kansas State University.

Suzanne Porath ’93 and ’99 MSE

’94 John Scheelk (LS), of Oshkosh, was voted incoming president of Intertel, an international society of the intellectually gifted, composed of people from a wide variety of geographical, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Scheelk will start his term in January.

’95 Geoff Clapp (LS), of Weirton, West Virginia, is an associate pastor at Evangel Baptist Church.

’95 Pat Mahoney (B), of Plain, is the River Valley School District’s business manager. Mahoney has taught business and alternative education and coached River Valley wrestling for 22 years.

’95 Jamie (Wasserman) Zehren (EHS), of Lakeland, Florida, is the human resource assistant at Tri-County Human Services. Zehren and her husband celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary in August.

’96 Amy Betters-Midtvedt (EHS), of Appleton, authored the book You’ll Make It (and They Will Too)-Everything No One Talks About When You’re Parenting Teens. The book is for the parent trying to make sense of their child’s fashion and life choices and for those who long for a deeper connection to the teenager that has their hearts.

’97 Joey (Vanderzanden) Reader (B), of Little Chute, was given the New North Region’s Women of Influence-Business Owner Award. Reader is owner of A-Mazing Events LLC.

’98 Kelly (Risner) Heroux (B), of Peshtigo, celebrated 20 years as president and CEO of Peshtigo National Bank.

’99 Terri Kallsen (MS), of Bolinas, California, was elected as the 2025 CFP Board chair-elect. The CFP Board is the professional body for personal financial planners in the U.S. Kallsen is the senior operating partner at Rise Growth Partners.

’99 Kyle Lentz (LS), of Wauwatosa, celebrated 25 years with Hamacher Resources Group, Inc. where he is an HBC Category Analyst.

’99 Tina Seashore (B) and ’15 (MBA), of Appleton, is the executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Menasha Corporation where she will lead all aspects of human resource strategy. Seashore was previously vice president of human resources at the Menasha Corporation subsidiary, Menasha Packaging Company.

’01 Barb (Fleisner) LaMue (MPA), of Green Bay, was given the New North Region’s Women of Influence-Lifetime Achievement Award. LaMue is the president and CEO of New North, Inc.

’03 Randall Zietlow (MBA), of Marion, is the CFO of Prevail Bank, based in Medford. Zietlow has over 25 years of banking experience and will work out of the bank’s Stevens Point branch.

’04 Sarah Endter (B), of Appleton, is the vice president of underwriting services at SECURA Insurance.

’07 Lukas Steiner (LS), of Prairie du Chien, was appointed by Governor Evers to serve as a Crawford County Circuit Court judge. Steiner has practiced law for over 10 years, and served as Crawford County District Attorney.

’09 Emily (Lokken) Willey (EHS), of Omro, combined her passion for aviation with her love of art by sharing her artwork at the 2024 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture. Looking at aviation artwork is a popular activity among EAA attendees.

’11 Evan Wendlandt (LS), of Fort Collins, Colorado, is the director of economic development for the Town of Windsor. Wendlandt has 15 years of economic development experience at both the state and municipal level.

Brooke Bayer ’18

’12 Julia Mader (B), of Milwaukee, was appointed vice-chair of the Welfare Benefit Plans Committee within the American Bar Association Trust and Estate Employee Plans and Executive Compensation Group. Mader is an associate with Michael Best and Friedrich LLP.

’18 Brooke Bayer (LS), of Mequon, works in the entertainment industry as a production coordinator, art coordinator, and special effects foreman on various commercials, television shows and movies.

’21 Edward Schmitz (MBA), of Marshall, joined the Marshall Village Board in July. Schmitz is a senior compliance program manager at Promega Corporation and a former U.S. Marine.

’24 Josh Cavender (LS), of Glenview, Illinois, is a general assignment reporter for WLUK-Fox 11 based out of the Fox Valley.

’50s

Marlyn (Simonson) Supiano (EHS) ’50, Sheboygan Falls, July 8, 2024

’60s

Betsey “Granny” Hager (LS) ’69, Wausau, May 31, 2024

Rolland Lemke (EHS) ’63, (MSE) ’67, Green Bay, June 13, 2024

’70s

Diane Armitage (LS) ’70, Saint Paul, Minnesota, June 11, 2024

Sharon (Bohlman) Ashenbrenner (EHS) ’70, Menasha, July 8, 2024

Helen Limberg (MSE) ’79, Neenah, June 28, 2024

James Stirniman (B) ’77, Fitchburg, June 27, 2024

’80s

Dorothy Krauss (B) ’89, Fond du Lac, June 25, 2024

Nancy Richardson (LS) ’85, Edgerton, April 26, 2024

Marilyn Schmidt (N) ’88, Oshkosh, July 1, 2024

Alan Sippel (LS) ’86, Hampton, Virginia, July 2, 2024

Vicki Uslabar (MSE) ’86, The Villages, Florida, May 5, 2024

Kevin Weber (EHS) ’88, Lodi, June 28, 2024

‘00s

David Reichenberger (MS) ’02, Oshkosh, June 25, 2024

‘10s

Tyler Kohout (LS) ’12, Green Bay, June 27, 2024

Friends and Faculty

Janice Klemish, Professor of Music 1964-1985, Ripon, July 3, 2024

John Mozingo, College of Business 1983-2004, Oshkosh, June 8, 2024

Thomas Witte (LS) ’79, Residence Life facilities operations 1980-2011, June 22, 2024