UW Oshkosh Today

‘50s

Ruth (Thelke) Hart (EHS) ’52, Black River Falls, Feb. 10, 2024

Richard “Dick” Lanpheer (EHS) ’57, Palm Desert, California, Feb. 20, 2024

Joan Nelezen (EHS) ’51, (EHS) ’54, Minnetonka, Minnesota, Feb. 17, 2024

‘60s

Richard “Dick” DuMonthier (EHS) ’60, Sheboygan, March 6, 2024

Keith Folzman ’60 (LS), Brenham, Texas, Feb. 13, 2024

Judith Herrle (EHS) ’63, Kaukauna, Feb. 19, 2024

David Hilbelink (EHS) ’69, (MST) ’76, Appleton, Feb. 21, 2024

Leonard Manderfield (LS) ’61, Neenah, Feb. 1, 2024

Sandra (Tank) Martens (EHS) ’63, Egg Harbor, Feb. 18, 2024

William O’Brien (EHS) ’62, Appleton, March 13, 2024

Thomas Witthun (EHS) ’64, (MSE) ’75, Neenah, Feb. 27, 2024

‘70s

David Baumann (LS) ’76, Neenah, Feb. 15, 2024

James Benson (MSE) ’76, Florence, Arizona, Jan. 31, 2024

Robert “Bob” Christjohn (EHS) ’72, Grand Chute, March 9, 2024

Melvin Coonen ’74 (MBA), Pulaski, March 15, 2024

Gregory Hollub (EHS) ’71, Oconomowoc, Feb. 8, 2024

Colleen “CoCo” (Batley) O’Brien (EHS) ’71, (MA) ’79, Fox Crossing, Feb. 22, 2024

John “Steve” Okoniewski (MS) ’79, Green Bay, Feb. 25, 2024

Nancy Van ’76 (MSE), Wautoma, Feb. 16, 2024

Kenneth Whitford (EHS) ’70, Green Bay, Feb. 15, 2024

‘80s

David Mairet, Jr. (EHS) ’84 and (LS) ’84, Madison, March 10, 2024

Brenda Sue (Ziegelbauer) Quick ‘86 (N), Mequon, March 3, 2024

‘90s

Gregory Walther (LS) ’96, Neenah, Feb. 13, 2024

‘10s

Rebekah Braun (MPA) ’18, Plymouth, Feb. 19, 2024

Faculty and Friends

Betsy Omness, 2004-2023 food service specialist, Oshkosh, Feb. 20, 2024

’70 Ken Loest (LS) and ’78 (MS) of Plymouth, is retiring from teaching math after 51 years. Loest will speak at graduation this year as his final swan song at Glenbeulah High School. Loest and his wife ’71 Carol (Guse) Loest (EHS) plan to travel in their retirement.

’84 George Kroeninger (EHS) of Madison, was named Milwaukee School of Engineering’s (MSOE) inaugural executive director of professional education. Along with his new role, he will be launching the Center for Professional Education. Kroeninger’s vision includes supporting MSOE alumni and other professionals by providing access to continuing education.

’85 Erin Murphy (N) of Saint Paul, Minnesota, took over as Senate majority leader in Minnesota. Murphy served for 12 years in the Minnesota House as well as ran for governor in 2018. She also chairs the Rules and Administration Committee and serves on the Higher Education and Finance committees.

’95 Maurice Wince (EHS) of Milwaukee, and his wife Yashica Spears, were awarded a $25,000 grant by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago’s Accelerate Grant for their grocery store Sherman Park Grocery. Wince and Yashica opened Sherman Park Grocery in 2022 in hopes of addressing Milwaukee’s food desert problems. This grant will allow them to further invest in their community’s well-being.

Tom Swigert

’97 Tom Swigert (LS) of Hartford, joined the seven-piece horn rock band Part Time Models as the lead trumpet. While in school at UWO, Swigert studied trumpet under Al Butcher, jazz under John Harmon and music recording under Wally Messner. Part Time Models performs in the Milwaukee area.

’98 Stephen Powers (LS) of Thomaston, Georgia, published his fourth poetry collection, Hail my Attention Kindly. The collection is a mix of lyric and narrative poetry about a tour through India, Ireland, Jekyll Island, New York City, London, Berlin, Hawaii, the Northwoods of Wisconsin and the world of Dolly Parton.

’91 John Schroeder (LS) of Waukesha, is the chairman of the planning committee for the 49^th annual Convention of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA). The event will be held at the EAA grounds in Oshkosh in September.

’01 William Krautkramer (EHS) of Kaukauna, has been hired as the head coach of the Kaukauna girls soccer team. Krautkramer has 22 years of teaching experience and was named the 2023 teacher of the year for Neenah Joint School District. He also comes to the head coach position with over 30 years of playing and coaching experience in the Fox Valley area.

’02 Melissa Johnston (LS) of Berlin, is completing her 21^st year at Berlin High School as the licensed athletic trainer. She lives with her two Yorkies Isabelle and Teddy.

Melissa Johnston

’06 Timothy Ziegler (LS) of New York, New York, was the editor on multiple highly regarded docuseries including Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street on Netflix, FDR on the History Channel, and Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffery Dahmer Tales on Netflix.

’07 Kevin Chevalier (LS) of Greenville, has been named an associate of the company at McMahon. Chevalier is an architecture, engineering, and construction professional with more than 25 years of experience.

’07 Jeff Potts (LS) and ’16 (MBA) of Wytheville, Virginia, was hired as the first managing director for GableStage Theatre. He will manage the company’s administrative functions and oversee day-to-day operations at the theatre.

’09 Jessica Johnson (MS) of Ripon, was selected by members of the school board, administration, parents, students, teachers and staff to be the principal of the Murray Park Quest Elementary School. Johnson comes with 20 years of experience in education.

’12 Tanya Reynen (LS) of Oconomowoc, was appointed as the City of Watertown fire chief. Reynen served as deputy chief of training center at Lake County Fire Rescue and as an adjunct fire/EMS instructor at Waukesha County Technical College. She also served as a firefighter/paramedic in Watertown and the Town of Brookfield.

’12 Rebecca (Dyreson) O’Connell (N) of Stevens Point, has been working as a bedside nurse at Marshfield Medical Center in the surgical ICU since graduation. Taking inspiration from one of her professors, she is completing her master’s degree this spring. She is married to ’12 Jason O’Connell (B).

’15 Daniel Zamost (MSE) of Appleton, will become the principal of Ripon Middle School July 1. He was the unanimous choice of a 17-member selection team.

’15 Ryan Steiskal (LS) of Neshkoro, has a gallery opening in the Annex Gallery on the UWO campus April 4-18. Steiskal is an illustrator, painter and draftsmen that uses acrylic inks to create images of animals and sci-fi or supernatural elements.

’19 Samuel Pedersen (EHS) of Muskego, was hired as Stewartville’s volleyball coach. Pedersen comes with a host of assistant coaching experience at the high school level, one year of head coaching experience and two years of assistant coaching experience at the collegiate level.

’21 Alixandria Talady (EHS) of Milwaukee, is a third-year fourth grade teacher at the Sharon Community School. Talady was the featured Service Above Self Award honoree this past February for her service to her students and the school’s community.

’22 Reagan Fritts (LS) of Oswego, Illinois is the social media coordinator at Red Shoes Inc. Fritts started as an account assistant and has been with the company since 2023.

‘50s

Marilee (Reinert) Murphy (EHS) ’56, Marion, Indiana, Jan. 25, 2024

Sharon (Halverson) Sanborn (EHS) ’53 and (EHS) ’79, Eagle River, Feb. 7, 2024

‘60s

Michael Dodge (LS) ’62, White Lake, Jan. 6, 2024

Rev. Ned Dorau (LS) ’69, Random Lake, Jan. 23, 2024

Karen Scharf (LS) ’65, Brillion, Jan. 20, 2024

‘70s

Mary Mathe (EHS) ’76 and (MS) ’89, Oshkosh, Jan. 26, 2024

Kathryn “Kathy” (Becker) McDermott (B) ’71, Fountain Hills, Arizona, Jan. 17, 2024

Marie (Buchholz) Pappas (LS) ’71, Tucson, Arizona, Feb. 2, 2024

John Vukos (LS) ’72, Neenah, Jan. 24, 2024

‘80s

Revana “Vannie” Mader (N) ’88, Appleton, Jan. 25, 2024

Lisa (Glandt) Prellwitz (EHS) ’85, Kaukauna, Jan. 29, 2024

Ruth Schrank (N) ’82, Waupun, Feb. 10, 2024

‘90s

Sajid “Saj” Baldwin (LS) ’98, Neenah, Jan. 18, 2024

‘10s

Sara Vanderlin (MBA) ’14, Fond du Lac, Jan. 19, 2024

Faculty and Friends

Harvey Jacobson, Journalism Professor Emeritus 1984-1993, Oshkosh, Dec. 8, 2023

Roberta Stuemke, Polk Library 1976-2011, Oshkosh, Feb. 3, 2024

’77 Denise (Desens) Gosar (LS), of Eugene, Oregon, and her husband Frank Gosar are displaying their exhibit called “Desk and Table” at the Viterbo University Gallery. They also own a studio together called Off-Center Ceramics.

’75 Sue Haldemann (LS), of Menasha, retired from the Medical College of Wisconsin after 23 years as the coordinator for student support services. She has moved back to the Fox Valley and in 2022, participated in her church’s Good Neighbor Team and welcomed a family of 10 from the Congo.

’89 John Ceelen (B) and (LS), of Mequon, has become Bellin Health and Gunderson Health System’s new chief financial officer. Ceelen most recently served as CFO of Banner Health’s Western Division and has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare finance leadership.

John Celeen

’93 Shannon Burns (B), of Whitefish Bay, has been appointed as interim principal financial officer at Enerpac Tool Group. Burns joined Enerpac in Nov. 2022 and prior to that, held a position in financial leadership at Harley-Davidson, Inc. Burns is married to ’94 Jennifer (Harlfinger) Burns (LS).

’93 Donna Van Dyke (B), of Neenah, was promoted to vice president and treasurer for The Boldt Co. Van Dyke started at Boldt in 2020 and brings 30 years of experience in accounting and treasury background.

’95 Jennifer (Herbert) Walters (LS), of Fond du Lac, is celebrating 25 years at Aurora Health Care as the vice president of business development. She’s also started a personal training business called JW Fitness.

’96 Tammy Brunette (EHS) and ’06 (MSE), of Green Bay, was named the coordinator of the Learning and Innovation Center in Sister Bay by Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

’97 Kim Svoboda (LS), of Cape Coral, Florida, is joining the national office of the YMCA of the USA as the senior director of philanthropy and partnerships.

’98 Laurie Butz (MBA), of Suamico, has joined the New North Inc. board of directors. She also serves as the president and CEO of Capital Credit Union and has been in that position since Nov. 2021.

’01 Jennifer (Covey) Gennerman (EHS), of Sussex, will become the deputy superintendent of teaching and learning for the school district of Waukesha this summer.

’05 Joshua Kohlman (LS), of Evansville, was sworn in as an officer in the Beloit Police Department. He brings 16 years of law enforcement experience and served in the US Army Reserves.

’11 Sean Lynch (LS), of Oshkosh, graduated with a degree in vocal performance and has since performed at the 2022 TEDxOshkosh. He will be singing at the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra’s April 20 concert. Lynch also owns and operates Winnebago Bicycle in downtown Oshkosh.

’12 Airen Pfeiffer (EHS), of Madison, spent 10 years teaching social studies in Bangkok Thailand. Recently, he and his wife moved back to Wisconsin, and he is now teaching high school history at Wisconsin Heights High School.

’13 Phillip Rotar (LS), of Kansas City, Missouri, was commissioned from active duty in 2013 after serving in various leadership roles around the world. He is now a student at the Command and General Staff College working towards his master’s degree.

’20 Jake Fleischman (LS), of Gleason, has been sworn into the UW-La Crosse Police Department after attending the Police Academy at WTC where he was sponsored by UPD.

’20 Niklas Romskog (LS), of Espanola, New Mexico, became an engine boss for the

Niklas Romskog

Silver City Ranger District on the Gila National Forest in New Mexico after graduation. As the next step in his career, he took the position of all-hazard emergency planning for the New Mexico Department of Health.

’21 Miranda Rehm (LS), of Waukesha, attended graduate school at UW-Madison and received a master’s in social work in 2023. She is now working as an advance practice social worker at Mendota Mental Health Institute.