The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Alumni Association recently welcomed eight new members.
The new members will be introduced, one at a time, in the months to come.
Name: Linda Bailey Boilini
Age: 57
Year of graduation: 1973
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education
Major: Speech
Hometown: Lake Geneva
Profession: Retired, but returned to teaching part time because she missed her students.
Why are you interested in serving on the Alumni Board?
I communicated with Chris Gantner (UW Oshkosh alumni director) and asked her about the board. She created the excitement in me to join through her positive attitude and love for what she does for UW Oshkosh.
What are you most looking forward to in this role?
I am looking forward to learning how my experiences on the Alumni Board generate new interests.
What did you do professionally before you retired?
I taught middle school language arts for 31-plus years in the Lake Geneva schools. I was also a team leader and served as CAT-Language Arts co-chair.
What are you up to these days?
I am currently teaching part-time — fifth-grade language arts at Woods School in Lake Geneva — and I’m a student-teaching clinical supervisor for George Williams College-Aurora University in Williams Bay, Wis. I own and manage a downtown property in Lake Geneva and take care of an elderly man. I also serve on a team, based in Toronto, Canada, that is researching ways to provide high-quality programs of international education to a worldwide community of schools.
What are your favorite leisure activities?
Leisure to me means go, go, go. I love to travel with my husband, David, and 16-year-old son, Joseph. We enjoy going to Europe, taking cruises and traveling in the states. I have two Boston terriers, Mia and Rocco. This breed has been in my family background from before I was born.
I spend much of my time keeping up with my two best friends from Denver who also attended UW Oshkosh — Nancy Bohlin Thompson ’72, and Debbie Johnejack Ellis ’74. We love to try different places to dine throughout the areas of Chicago, Milwaukee and Lake Geneva.
Most of all, I focus on raising my son, who is my best buddy in the whole world.
Any special memories of your time on campus?
Reeve’s Special Events Committee — I was the ice carving chairperson … Chi Omega Sorority president … Scott Hall Judicial Board … Vietnam protests on Algoma … bomb scares … Scott Hall … food fight on St. Pat’s Day at the commons … The Carpenters … Margaret Mead … THE CAGE-play …. strict rules for Scott Hall visitation hours … escorting Dr. Guiles (president of Wisconsin State University-Oshkosh) by myself to the dorm for ransom as part of a fundraiser.
How did UW Oshkosh help shape your life?
UW Oshkosh provided me with a well-rounded education to become a middle school teacher with its nurturing staff and campus life.
What are you most proud of from your teaching career?
Being recognized as Lake Geneva Middle School Teacher of the Year in 1991 and 2004 … Badger High School Wall of Success, 2004 … being nominated for State Teacher of the Year in 1991 and earning the honor of being selected Wisconsin’s Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) 2 representative.
Who were your favorite or most influential professors?
S. Clay Willmington, speech … Dr. Lyon, health services … Mary Boss, ’63, who didn’t teach at UW Oshkosh but was my student teaching supervisor.
• Click here for the complete list of board members.
• Click here for Walt Busalacchi’s profile.