Nov 2014 – May 2015 Class Notes
The following are UW-Green Bay Alumni class notes submitted November 2014 through May 2015. Submit your class note via the Alumni update form.
1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s
1970s
Nancy J. Makuen ’70 communication, who was Nancy Leicht Lambeau when she joined 77 classmates and crossed the stage at UWGB’s first commencement, died Nov. 30 in Ellison Bay at 89. She carried the famous Lambeau name through her marriage to Curly’s son. A guidance counselor, she later married Don Makuen, a UWGB administrator.
A half dozen UW-Green Bay alumni now serve in the Wisconsin State Legislature. The veterans of the group are Senators Dave Hansen ’71 (D-Green Bay) and Rob Cowles ’75 (R-Allouez), who are midway through their latest four-year terms. Frank Lasee ’86 (R-Ledgeview) won a second Senate term last fall. Also re-elected in November to a third, two-year term in the Assembly was state Rep. Scott Krug ’09 (R-Rome). Newly elected to the Assembly were Romaine R. Quinn ’14 (R-Rice Lake) and Tyler Vorpagel ’07 (R-Plymouth). Quinn, 24, is the former mayor of Rice Lake. Vorpagel was previously an aide to U.S. Rep. Tom Petri.
Deborah (Rosenthal) Hood ’77 population dynamics, has co-authored chapters in two new books: Bringing Better Healthcare to the Community: Lessons from a Public-Private Partnership for Cancer Care and Dyad Leadership: When 1+1 Equals More Than 2. She retired as VP of the National Oncology Service Line for Catholic Health Initiatives, Denver.
David Kriebel ’77 human biology, visited campus in March to receive the 2015 Earth Caretaker Award presented by the Environmental Management and Business Institute. Director of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, Kriebel has been on the faculty of the University of Massachusetts Lowell since 1988, where he teaches courses in epidemiology, risk assessment, and research synthesis.
1980s
Mona Christensen ’80 music and ’96 administrative science, has been appointed executive director of Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Door County. As director of camps and conferences for UW-Green Bay she contributed to the growth of the school’s popular summer youth camp program.
Karen (Chervenka) Derbique ’81 associate of arts, is the associated director of financial aid for St. Norbert College, De Pere.
Margaret Mary Gerhard ’81 master’s of environmental arts and sciences, continues to make appearances in her “Mother Nature” persona as an educator and advocate for recycling, smart land and water use, and natural landscaping. The former classroom teacher turned anti-lawn crusader will lead a workshop on the advantages of “yardening” this June at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s annual fair in Custer, Wis.
Nancy (Rose) Sweetland ’83 bachelor of general studies, is a freelance writer with Writing That Works, Green Bay, and an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature. She recently published her third novel, The House on the Dunes.
Liza (Grosskopf) Schneider ’84 human development, owns her own history/writing service, Escrivez par la Baie, Green Bay.
Nadine ‘Dene” Hellman ’85 extended degree, is the author of The People Under the House, which tells the story of her late husband, a Nazi death camp survivor, their marriage and his post-traumatic stress disorder. She started the book three decades ago when Prof. Peter Kellogg requested students write a memoir for class. She lives in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Paul Knepper ’85 social change and development, is a professor of criminology in the School of Law at the University of Sheffield, in England. His academic specialty involves the history of criminal justice, particularly in frontier and colonial contexts and the rise of crime as an international issue. He is the editor of the European Journal of Criminology, and has been a visiting fellow at Oxford, the University of Malta and the University of Lausanne.
Cristina Danforth ’88 social work, delivered the commencement address in December, sharing an Oneida perspective and encouraging grads to give back to their communities. A recap can be found at http://bit.ly/danforthGB
Kimberly Kampschroer ’89 social work, is the supervisor of school social work services for Milwaukee Public Schools.
Alison (Van Duyse) Walker ’89 psychology, is a vice president and financial adviser for Baylake Bank in Sturgeon Bay.
1990s
Christopher Renard ’90 business administration, is the owner of Renard’s Cheese in Door County.
Luc Francillon ’91 accounting, returned to campus last fall to talk about his career as chief financial officer for a division of Mars, Inc.
Tony Bennett ’92 humanistic studies, had his Virginia Cavaliers men’s basketball team in the AP top five most of the season. The team finished 30-4 and earned Bennett ACC coach of the year honors for a second straight year — not bad in a conference that includes Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Jim Boeheim and Rick Pitino.
Sarah (Osterberg) Inman ’92 political science, is the vice president of community investment and strategic impact for Brown County United Way, Green Bay.
April VandenPlas ’92 Spanish, is an engineering technician for the city of Mankato, Minn. She’s also one-half of The Sassypants Sisters, a “pirate wench comedy duo” that made its debut at the 2014 Des Moines Renaissance Faire.
Michael Heidger ’94 bachelor of general studies, is a human resources manager for the Crosby Group in Longview, Tex.
Shelly (Wozniak) Rosenquist ’95 art, is an instructor and senior communication specialist at UW-Milwaukee. She paints and exhibits at art shows and exhibits across Wisconsin.
James Stockman ’96 human biology, has been promoted to the rank of commander and director of the U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach, which helps ensure that “Americans outside Fleet concentration areas have the opportunity to connect with their Navy.” Stockman spent five years overseas, based in Germany and Japan, as a public affairs officer.
Dr. Joseph J. Carroll ’97 human biology, is a co-principal investigator of a four-year, $2 million grant from the National Eye Institute to research vision loss in albinism. Carroll is the Richard O. Schultz, MD/Ruth Works Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the director of MCW’s advanced ocular imaging program.
Chad Jacobson ’97 business administration, is a global product marketing manager for portables at Tyco Fire Protection Products, Marinette.
Joel Zwicky ’97 psychology, continued to make headlines in 2014 as Green Bay’s “skateboard cop” and for his work reaching out to teens with autism.
Todd Hassenfelt ’98 business administration, is Midwest regional vice president for Ballantyne Brands.
Brian Simons ’98 history, has returned to Green Bay with his appointment as director of the Brown County Library System. He was previously director of the award-winning Verona Public Library.
Alfred Bellile ’99 human biology, is a clinical systems analyst at Hospital Sisters Health System, Green Bay.
2000s
Lisa (Cornelissen) Bos ’01 human development and psychology, is a human resources business partner for Schneider National, Green Bay.
Andrew Lautenbach ’01 German, is on the music faculty of Paekche Institute of the Arts, South Korea.
Dr. Laura Rammer ’01 mathematics, has continued to accumulate accolades since receiving the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Recent Alumni Award in 2012. Rammer, who owns and operates her own dentistry practice in Sheboygan, was named an Outstanding Young Wisconsinite by the Jaycees of Wisconsin, and inducted as a fellow into the International College of Dentistry in 2013. In her spare time she has achieved success raising and exhibiting show-quality Holstein and Jersey dairy cattle including best-in-class champions at the prestigious World Dairy Expo.
Misty Brueckner ’02 psychology and human development, is a program coordinator for Howe Community Resource Center in Green Bay.
Andrea (Fischer) Pope ’02 human biology, is a clinical researcher with the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research in Muskego, Wis. She received her master’s in criminal justice from Boston University in 2007.
Jill (Wunrow) Walsh ’02 communication processes, is a gift processing and development coordinator for the Pat Tillman Foundation in Chicago.
Sandra (Hayes) Elvebak ’03 business administration, is the director of human resources at Options Residential, Inc. in Burnsville, Minn.
Adam Hatfield ’03 political science, is the manager of media and communication for Gundersen Health System, La Crosse.
Tammy (Rosenow) Wyrobeck ’04 accounting, is the chief financial officer for Mohican North Star Casino Resort, near Bowler, Wis.
Joshua Keeran ’05 urban studies, is a firefighter and paramedic with the Chicago Fire Department.
Dana Langhoff ’05 business administration, is the facility operations manager at Floral Plant Growers LLC in Denmark.
Rachel (Kraemer) Monfils ’05 and ’12 social work and master’s in social work, is an intensive permanence services specialist for Anu Family Services, Green Bay.
Stephanie Blavat-Vesely ’06 business administration, is the director of marketing and business development for Simon Property Group-Bay Park Square Mall in Green Bay.
Terrence Brennan ’06 music, is communications coordinator for Faith Lutheran Church and the performing and creative arts coordinator for the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, Green Bay.
Michelle Lambert ’06 political science, is a counsel for State Farm in Bloomington, Ill. She is on the board of directors for the McLean County Chamber of Commerce.
Jason Mattison ’06 nursing, is an RN and current master’s of nursing student honored with the 2014 Carol and Robert Bush Excellence in Nursing Award presented by Bellin Health. Mattison joined the Bellin intensive care unit as a staff nurse in 2007.
Melyssa (Keil) Behnke ’07 and ’13 human development, psychology, and arts management, is a box office manager and volunteer coordinator for the Capitol Civic Centre, Manitowoc.
Molly (Weber) Canan ’07 communication, is special events manager for the Milwaukee Art Museum.
Jennifer Feyen ’07 elementary education, is a kindergarten teacher with the CPES consolidated parochial school district serving the “Holyland” area of east central Wisconsin.
Jill Leisgang ’07 English, is a 7th and 8th grade language arts and social studies teacher for Darlington (Wis.) Community Schools.
Michelle (Backhaus) Neuberger ’07 human development, is a talent acquisition coordinator for Rockwell Automation in Menomonee Falls.
Molly Aylward ’08 English, is an 8th grade language arts and reading teacher for the Green Bay Area Public School District.
Justin Bingham ’08 political science, is a commercial lines underwriter for Acuity Insurance in Sheboygan. He earned his MBA at Lakeland College.
Molly (Waldschmidt) Jaster ’08 communication, is an online marketing account manager for E-Power Marketing in Oshkosh.
Timothy Kowols ’08 communication, works in news and social media for Nicolet Broadcasting’s Door County Daily News.
Shelley (Damos) DeGrave ’09 music, is an elementary music teacher for the Green Bay Area Public Schools.
Amanda Gilpatrick ’09 political science, is a paralegal for Mallory, Lapka, Scott & Selin in Lansing, Mich.
Lavesa Glover ’09 communication, is an assistant basketball coach for Southeast Missouri State University.
Kari (Petrashek) Hagenow ’09 and ’12 biology and environmental science and master’s in environmental science and policy, is a Door Peninsula land steward for the Nature Conservancy in Sturgeon Bay.
Adam Hopfensperger ’09 humanistic studies, is with Agency Technology LLC, a travel management software company, based in Denver.
Jessica (Maass) Hopp ’09 communication, is the alumni and development coordinator for Bellin College in Green Bay.
Rebecka Oswald ’09 elementary education, is a cognitive disabilities special education teacher for grades 5-8 for the Valders Area School District. She earned her cross-category special education degree from St. Joseph’s University in 2014.
Kimberly Vickman ’09 environmental science, is a healthcare sustainability specialist at Stericycle in Pittsburgh.
Timothy Hansen ’10 business administration, is the executive chef for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in Appleton.
Darren Holzer ’10 elementary education, is a second-grade teacher at Random Lake Elementary School in Random Lake, Wis. He was nominated for the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship program for administration.
Eric Plaushines ’10 psychology, is a training facilitator with BMO Financial Group of Wisconsin.
Valerie (Baughman) Roemer ’10 human development, is the talent acquisition coordinator at Providence Health and Services in Renton, Wash.
Tammi Schroeder ’10 business administration, works in sales and brand development for the Green Bay Packers.
Jessica (Hopp) Bar ’11 psychology and human development, is a data analyst with NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, based in Washington, D.C.
Amy Brown ’11 economics, is the contract sales project manager for Wheeler Hardware Company in Roseville, Minn. She is a chapter officer of the Door and Hardware Institute Northcentral Chapter.
Stacy (Hehn) Dreweck ’11 environmental policy and planning, is an admissions counselor with UW Oshkosh.
Jonathan Eckelberg ’12 communication, is a digital content specialist for the state Department of Tourism. He helps organize the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism.
Morgan Gantz ’12 environmental science, spent most of 2014 at the Rice Lake and Tamarac wildlife refuges in Minnesota as a fellow with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the American Conservation Experience program.
Sui Generis ’12 social work, is a medical care coordinator for the Community Involvement Programs in Minneapolis.
Kimberly (Connaher) Gould ’12 human biology, is a nutrition coordinator for Elderly Services of Marinette County. She completed her dietetic internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in June 2013.
Chloe Scheller ’12 communication, has joined the staff of Red Fan Communications, a full-service public relations firm in Austin, Texas, as an account executive.
Carly Smith ’12 business administration, is the dining room manager for Oneida Golf and Country Club in Green Bay.
Daniel Terrio ’12 and ’14 interdisciplinary studies and master’s of science in applied leadership for teaching and learning, is the learning facilitator at Humana in Green Bay.
Susan Exworthy ’13 and ’14 social work and master’s in social work, is a substance abuse counselor for Independent Assessment and Counseling, Green Bay.
Mysty Kepler ’13 communication, is the marketing coordinator for DriSteem industrial humidifier systems in Eden Prairie, Minn.
Jacob Leigh ’13 biology and environmental science, is an intern for Campus Crusade for Christ International.
Brittaney (Katers) Mertig ’13 elementary education, is a kindergarten teacher for the Oshkosh Area School District.
Andrew Thyes ’13 interdisciplinary studies, is a transportation analyst for Schreiber Foods, Green Bay.
Elizabeth (Heidtke) Boche ’14 elementary education, is an ESL teacher for the Green Bay Area Public School District.
Alec Brown ’14 business administration, recovered from a shoulder injury to play the second half of the NBA Development League season with the Bakersfield Jam, the Phoenix Suns affiliate.
Kimberly (Kosovich) Gehrig ’14 nursing, is a registered nurse for Aurora Health Care, Milwaukee.
Justin Grones ’14 communication, is a patrol officer for the Fox Valley Metro Police Department, Little Chute.
Samantha Haucke ’14 business administration is a marketing associate at Parallel 44 Vineyard and Winery in Kewaunee.
Christian Krah ’14 crossed the Weidner Center stage in December as recipient of the first bachelor’s degree awarded through UW-Green Bay’s new Health Information Management and Technology program. The degree responds to growing demand for professionals able to use new technology and data management tools to improve health care delivery. Krah’s internship with a local hospital helped develop software applications to improve service to patients.
Jacob Ledvina ’14 environmental policy and planning, is an insurance account representative for State Farm Insurance in Appleton.
Heidi Ross ’14 communication, is a communication specialist for the UW-Madison Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.
Florencia Gutierrez ’14 accounting, is a tax analyst for The Manitowoc Company in Manitowoc.
Andrea Herrmann ’15 business administration, is a recruiting agent for Schneider National, Green Bay.
Valerie Hilkert ’15 communication, is a service administrator for Oshkosh Corporation in Oshkosh.
Patricia Treptow ’15 integrative leadership studies, is the director of youth and family ministry at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Menominee, Mich.
Nicole Whitty ’15 accounting and business administration, is a financial accountant at Schreiber Foods, Inc. in Green Bay.
