The Carthaginian Magazine Summer 2024

See the exotic beauty of the natural world through a student’s lens

j-term photo contest winner

Grace Medici ’26

The Colosseum, Rome

Grace Medici ’26 took this image of her roommate, Kaylee Smith ’26, absorbing the scene at the Colosseum during a European study tour in January. J-Term remains a hallmark of the Carthage experience, with hundreds of students traveling with faculty each year to destinations around the world or staying on campus to focus on a single subject.

on the cover:

Emily Heller ’26

Green-breasted Mango hummingbird, Costa Rica

(see more photos on pages 12-15)

Innovation Abroad

Barcelona’s innovative mindset rubs off on business master’s students.

cover story:

Take Flight

Student photographers capture stunning images from Costa Rica.

From Campus to Cosmos

Alumni supply the natural intelligence for AI projects in space.

Special Edition

8 12 16 20

Lucy and Betsy Brown’s six-figure gift established an innovation fund in memory of a media legend.

Departments

THE CARTHAGINIAN

Volume 103, Number 2

On Campus

Trace the development of the Carthage Christmas Festival over the past century and a half. 4 28 26 34 36 43 40 48

A national award validates The Aspire Program as a model for career services.

The Arts

“Fortitude” proved a fitting theme for the series celebrating 150 years of the Carthage Band.

Athletics

One-of-a-kind baseball coach Augie Schmidt IV reaches 1,000 career wins.

Reader Survey

Help us shape future content for The Carthaginian! Tear out the postage-paid survey between pages 32 and 33 or go to: carthage.edu/reader-survey

Faculty/Staff Notes

See who won the 2023-24 Distinguished Teaching and Distinguished Staff awards.

Commencement

After a chaotic start mid-pandemic, the resilient Class of 2024 emerged with its compassion and dreams intact.

Class Notes

Actor Marie Tredway ’17 surpasses 50 episodes as Nurse Trini on “Chicago Med.”

In Memoriam

Carthage pays tribute to Jan Tarble, Professor Tom Noer, and others who were laid to rest.

Page From the Past

The Carthaginian is the official magazine of Carthage College, which is raising expectations for a private college experience. Carthage blends the best liberal arts traditions with desirable degree programs, transformative learning opportunities, personal attention from distinguished faculty, and a focus on career development, which makes its graduates competitive in the workforce. Founded in 1847, Carthage is located on an idyllic shore of Lake Michigan in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the thriving corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago. For more information, visit: carthage.edu

Carthaginian Editorial Team

Vice President for Marketing and Communications

Elizabeth Young

Managing Editor

Mike Moore

Design/Art Direction

Steve Janiak

Kim King ’06

Jess Thierfelder ’20

Photographers/Illustrators

Steve Janiak

Hunter Montano

Alexis Greve ’24

Kassidy Nader ’27

Contributing Writers

Mike Moore

Julie Thomas

Azahna Luschen ’27

Victoria Bass

Nicole Etter

Andrew Horschak

Leah Westbrook

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Jeff Hamar ’80

President

John R. Swallow

Vice President for Advancement

Philip Hood

For More Information

The Carthaginian Office of Marketing and Communications 2001 Alford Park Drive Kenosha, WI 53140 262-551-6021 • editor@carthage.edu

Update Address/Mailing Preferences carthage.edu/mycontactinfo 800-551-1518 • alumnioffice@carthage.edu

Trust: the key ingredient in Carthage’s secret sauce

Most Saturdays in January and February, I speak to prospective students and families as part of our scholarship competitions. At that point, many of them are still sifting through their options in the college search.

Later in spring, I make a point to speak with them again during our Firebird Launch events. By then, the students have fi nalized their decision to attend Carthage.

The interactions are always delightful. One father told me how impressed he was that every single person he encountered at Carthage was helpful, and one mother mentioned that her daughter had decided on Carthage after a single visit.

The interactions serve a very important purpose: They give me important insights into how the College is perceived, and how we can provide the strongest experience for our students. A consistent takeaway: Families choose Carthage because families trust Carthage.

Why do they come to trust Carthage? Because, throughout the enrollment

season, we help families move quickly from learning about Carthage to seeing it for themselves. “Show, don’t tell,” the adage goes, and families are excited about what they see here:

• Strong programs, from academics to athletics to the arts.

• Engaged students, active in many organizations.

• A vibrant campus fi lled with students walking up and down Campus Drive, proclaiming themselves as Firebirds in so much that they wear.

• Consistently friendly staff who go out of their way to explain our procedures and smooth the path for newcomers.

And, through every interaction, these families get a clear sense that people at Carthage speak without jargon, mean what they say, and are as good as their word.

We are living through a time of diminishing trust in institution after institution in our country — not only in higher education, but across nearly every sector. It is all the more important for Carthage, then, to genuinely be the kind of institution students and families

wish to rely on: one that delivers a quality education in field after field and prepares students to pursue their chosen paths.

This is, after all, what Carthage has been for its 177-year history. But it is not enough to say that. We must live it out, and we do.

Have you visited recently? I hope so, whether you took part in an event, spoke in a class, mentored a student online or in person, attended a contest or performance — or simply walked our beautiful campus. If not, consider yourself warmly invited. Join us for Homecoming and Family Weekend this Oct. 4-6 or another time that fits your schedule. Let us know if you’d like to visit a class, talk with a faculty member, or spend time with staff. We are proud to show you the educational environment we have created, with your support — and how we intend to develop our environment even further for the benefit of our students.

John R. Swallow

“A consistent takeaway: Families choose Carthage because families trust Carthage.”

A paragon in career services

Five years into a mission to establish a national model for career development, Carthage has received independent verification that The Aspire Program is right on track.

The Aspire staff won the 2024 Career Services Pursuit of Excellence Award for their “holistic and long-standing commitment” to students’ professional readiness. Carthage was the only liberal arts college among the four schools recognized by the Career Leadership Collective.

The higher education thought leader and consulting firm presented the awards April 23 in Austin, Texas. As Carthage’s executive director for career and professional development, Carolyn Serdar accepted on behalf of her team.

“This award validates the work we’ve been doing in The Aspire Program,” she said.

“Between our specialized Aspire team members and our digital badge platform, we’ve created an award-winning program that helps students develop a sense of purpose and, in turn, a meaningful career.”

Carthage launched the comprehensive career development program in 2019, but the COVID

pandemic delayed its full implementation. The Class of 2024 is the first to complete the full four-year Aspire sequence.

At most other schools, students get minimal exposure to career resources until the job search heats up senior year. In contrast, Carthage provides guidance from day one.

The My Aspire Plan (MAP) guides students through skill-building and self-reflective activities that ramp up their real-world readiness. As students progress, they earn points and digital badges, redeemable for small rewards. This year, 18 students who completed the MAP checklist earned exclusive cords for Commencement.

Easily the top point-scorer in her class, Mariah Bader ’24 fine-tuned her successful application to the University of Wisconsin Law School using what she learned in those exercises.

“The MAP activities were extremely helpful in preparing for my life post-Carthage,” says Ms. Bader, who begins her graduate studies this fall. “It was nice having a little extra incentive to attend networking and career development events that were fun but also important for my future.”

The activities proved to be more fun and less onerous than she expected, which means the plan is working as intended. Most

MAP tasks relate to the classes, internships, and extracurriculars that students are already pursuing.

Whether they’re brainstorming careeroriented events or taking inventory of helpful alumni, a growing number of Carthage faculty are tapping into the in-house expertise. The Aspire Center in Lentz Hall is staffed by career specialists with industry knowledge.

Calling it “a wonderful resource for students,” education professor Nina Weisling strongly encourages her advisees to utilize their MAP and meet with their designated specialist.

“As an advisor, students often come to meetings with some of life’s biggest questions,” she says. “While I can offer basic guidance and support, it is extremely helpful (and reassuring) to be able to send them to the folks in The Aspire Center for deeper, more well-informed, and specialized support.”

The University of Connecticut, Bowling Green State University, and George Mason University joined Carthage as recipients of this year’s Pursuit of Excellence Award. This recognizes career services teams that demonstrate growth and quality in data analysis, equitable services, strategic planning, and staff development.

The Aspire Center at Carthage

New programs that deliver the goods

Continuing to align its offerings with workforce and student demand, Carthage green-lighted four more noteworthy academic programs that will begin this fall.

graduate

Product Management for Manufactured Goods –Certification / MSc

Addressing a major need in the local manufacturing sector, Carthage has added product management to its graduate studies lineup. Existing product managers and others looking to broaden their expertise will learn proven strategies to successfully launch a product and manage it effectively throughout the life cycle.

During the four-month certificate program, which is available as a standalone option in fall, students earn valuable Microsoft Excel, Six Sigma White Belt, and PMI Project Ready certification. Thanks to the accelerated format, those who continue can earn a Master of Science degree in just six additional months.

Faculty draw on product management expertise at top companies like Johnson Controls, ABB Robotics, Snap-on, and Molson Coors. The cohort meets in person, with the flexibility for a student to shift to remote learning on a night when they can’t make it to campus.

Applicants may be eligible for a $6,000 Carthage grant. carthage.edu/product-management

undergraduate Healthcare Administration – B.A.

For students who love the idea of helping patients but feel more comfortable working with balance sheets than bodily fluids, there’s a perfect alternative: healthcare administration.

This new Carthage major combines courses in accounting, allied health science, business management, economics, marketing, nursing, and social work. It equips graduates with a well-rounded skill set to manage facilities, shape policy, or direct innovative projects in healthcare.

One of the distinctive elements that sets the College’s program apart: All students will complete a yearlong, paid rotation at a local hospital. Partnerships are already in place with two of the region’s biggest healthcare systems: Advocate Aurora Health and Froedtert South.

Employment data shows the corridor from Milwaukee to Chicago is already a hotbed for medical and health services managers. Nationwide, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects rapid 28% job growth in this field through 2032.

carthage.edu/healthcare-administration

Animation – Minor

The newly approved minor in animation will equip students with the skills, processes, and theoretical grounding to create high-quality visual content for a changing digital landscape. Offered through the Art Department, the minor pulls in additional courses from communication and digital media as well as computer science. Students can select an emphasis in either 2D or 3D animation. carthage.edu/animation

Medical Humanities – Minor

Open to all students, the new interdisciplinary minor in medical humanities should appeal most to those with aspirations in the health sciences. By understanding how diverse personal experiences affect people’s healthcare needs, students can provide more effective, patient-centered care. It builds cultural competency and ethical judgment — skills that stand out on applications for graduate study. carthage.edu/medical-humanities

Carthage has expanded its graduate studies lineup. Earn a master’s degree in product management in just 10 months.

ON CAMPUS

In the first half of 2024, Carthage …

EMPOWERED

about 100 students and community members to implement change in their communities based on all they learned at the College’s first Social Justice Summit on April 27. Office of Equity and Inclusion student staff members Julia Peters ’24 and Gloria Castro-Jimenez ’24 organized the event.

Attendees learned what steps they can take to address climate justice, racial trauma, and other social justice issues. Keynote presenter Reggie Jackson discussed “A Pathway to Ending Mass Incarceration in Wisconsin.” He’s a senior researcher for The Redress Movement, an organization that works to mitigate the damage caused by discriminatory policies and practices.

PRODUCED

two more fellowship winners through the federally funded Fulbright U.S. Student Program: Henry Meyer ’22 was selected as a Fulbright Research Scholar. As he pursues new treatments for the most lethal cancers, the award gives him access to specialized facilities in Germany that use a promising treatment called particle therapy. After majoring in physics at Carthage, Mr. Meyer is pursuing a doctorate at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Abigail Trch ’23, who graduated with a major in political science, has been awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Taiwan. As a native English speaker, she’ll supplement classroom teachers’ language instruction while serving as an American cultural ambassador.

ENHANCED

its presence on TikTok, the most popular social media app for people under 30. The College’s official account attracted about 500 followers in its first semester.

Finding yet another way to meet current and prospective students where they are, staff and students from the Office of Marketing and Communications create and post short, entertaining videos that put a Carthage spin on popular memes or show what day-to-day campus life is really like.

Check it out for yourself: www.tiktok.com/@carthagecollege

REOPENED

its Starbucks store in the Hedberg Library building, providing a more central location for students and visitors than its previous spot in the A. W. Clausen Center for World Business at the far north end of campus. Only one other school in Wisconsin has a full-concept Starbucks.

Open seven days a week when classes are in session, the menu features a wide range of hot and cold drinks as well as breakfast, lunch, and bakery items. It’s located across the hall from the library itself, so there’s no need to whisper. The new site has a large seating area overlooking the lake, and orders can be placed ahead of time for pickup using Carthage Dining’s GET app.

COMPLETED

work on the Noyce Scholarship Program, which launched in 2017 to help address a shortage of highly qualified K-12 science and math teachers across the Midwest. Funded by a $1.2 million grant, Carthage recruited 23 strong STEM students to the teaching profession. In exchange for scholarship funding, Noyce Scholars commit to teach in high-need schools for 2-4 years after graduation.

Acknowledging the extra effort faculty put in to build a “multilayered, multigenerational, multidisciplinary community,” divisional dean Deanna Byrnes presented the College’s annual Quality of Life award to the Noyce organizers: professors Julie Dahlstrom (physics and astronomy), Christine Blaine (chemistry), Andrea Henle (biology), Karin Sconzert (education), and Aaron Trautwein (mathematics).

Pathway to NASA: New internship pipeline

NASA has awarded Professor Kevin Crosby $300,000 in seed funding to build a new research and internship program for Carthage students.

The majority of these funds are designated for 10 summer internships over the next two years. Selected students will take part in space science research on campus during the academic year and then spend a summer working as NASA interns at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

On April 30, the agency announced

Carthage as one of 13 grant recipients for the Science Mission Directorate Bridge Program. Targeting schools that primarily serve undergraduate or underrepresented students, it’s designed to cultivate a more diverse, inclusive, and accessible workforce — both at NASA and in STEM occupations across the country.

“We look forward to nurturing these collaborations between faculty and NASA researchers, while supporting the development of the next generation of researchers,” said program director Padi Boyd.

Mentored by Prof. Crosby and a Johnson Space Center engineer, the Carthage interns will explore “Bubble Trapping and

Ullage Formation in an Acoustic Field.”

This begins a new line of inquiry in the College’s long-running space sciences research program.

Their work could ultimately contribute to a more efficient refueling solution in space. That’s one of the technological hurdles NASA needs to clear in order to establish the infrastructure for sustained human presence and commercial activity in space.

“As simple as it sounds, transferring liquid propellants between service and client tanks in space is very challenging,” said Prof. Crosby. “The grant provides funding for us to study a novel approach to facilitate tank venting during the transfer process.”

Students in Carthage’s space sciences program frequently conduct research in zero-gravity on parabolic flights. A newly awarded grant has opened a pathway to NASA internships and another line of promising space research.

MASTER’S STUDENTS FIND THE KEY TO INNOVATION

IN ANOTHER NATION

In May, 26 students from Carthage’s graduate business program traveled to the innovation hub of Barcelona, Spain, on a mystery mission.

Once on the ground, they learned the details of their international consulting assignment: Help Barcelona Cricket League T20 bridge cultures and break into soccer-obsessed Spain.

With that, students were off on their “design sprint,” a one-week flurry of activity that involved immersing themselves in the local sports scene and strategizing in a co-working space. Their guides were the staff of Corkscrew, a company that connects colleges with European businesses for short-term work/study experiences.

“We’ve heard from alumni that these international consultancy projects are what stood out the most to their eventual employers,” says Professor Carter Rockhill, who directs two separate tracks in the Master of Science program: business design and innovation (BDI) and sports management.

Other than a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, every cohort has completed its capstone project in Barcelona since the graduate business program’s inception in 2017-18.

“It essentially provides students with a miniinternship,” explains Prof. Rockhill. “Working with a team of their peers, they develop professional communication skills by interacting with clients while applying business theory to the problems those clients are facing. Using all of that, they come up with an original and pragmatic solution.”

BARCELONA IS CONSIDERED A CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND DESIGN, WHICH ALIGNS PERFECTLY WITH OUR PROGRAM’S FOCUS ON INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, AND DESIGN THINKING.

While he’s a big advocate for study abroad in general, this was a carefully chosen destination.

“Barcelona is considered a center for innovation and design, which aligns perfectly with our program’s focus on innovation, creativity, and design thinking,” notes Prof. Rockhill. “Those are all vital skills that will help students create forward-thinking solutions for businesses in any context.”

Applying social network theory to business, he cites strong evidence that exposure to multicultural perspectives breeds innovation.

“This is how new ideas spread — through exposure in different cities, both domestically and internationally.”

FOR UNDERGRADS, TOO

Barcelona certainly isn’t the only place where business students gain that global perspective.

Few schools in the country can match Carthage’s participation rate for short-term study abroad, thanks to the extreme popularity of J-Term study tours. Faculty experts lead special undergraduate courses each January, with additional offerings in summer.

“It’s really the immersion and exposure to life in a different country and how that country does things, whether from a business and economic perspective, trade and culture, history, politics or the law,” says Michael Phegley, an associate professor of management and marketing who’s been leading study tours since 2012. “In business, especially, we’re preparing students to go out and get a job. I think these trips help to do that.”

There’s immense value in returning to the same area year after year, building on existing relationships and teaching from deep personal knowledge. Professor J.J. Shields has led such a tour to Gothenburg, Sweden, for many years.

Prof. Phegley’s recurring J-Term course (International Legal Environment and Business in the European Union) has taken on a twist, visiting a different country each year while maintaining the same theme. This past January, it was Greece’s turn.

There, Prof. Phegley and faculty colleague Margaret Zienkiewicz led a group of 20 students

Each spring, Carthage graduate business students absorb the innovative culture in Barcelona.

on a whirlwind tour of relevant sites. They visited the legislature and court system, talked to a newspaper editor, visited the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and toured an olive farm to learn about its business processes.

In January 2025, the two instructors will take another class to Italy.

Even for students who don’t pursue international business after graduation, the experience is valuable. They’ll likely have to travel for work, where they’ll be expected to accomplish a task in an unfamiliar environment with minimal lead time.

Carthage students return home from overseas knowing they can do just that.

AN UNFORGETTABLE WEEK

If J-Term study tours fall somewhere between a vacation and a business trip on the intensity spectrum, the master’s capstone ratchets it up a notch. The 2023-24 cohort began preparing months before the flight took off for Spain, getting a sense of the market while consulting remotely for Barcelona-based clients.

During a Business Metrics course in fall, they put their skills into practice for a business specializing in artisanmade shoes and another that sells goalkeeper gloves. In spring, they drew on insights from the Ethical Decision-Making course to assist other clients with human resources challenges.

Accompanied to Barcelona by Prof. Rockhill and Jim Padilla, dean for the School of Business and Economics, the cohort hit the ground running. Students got an overview from the cricket league and then split into two teams to get to work.

BDI students strategized how to bring together cricket players from Pakistan and India — two countries with a historically rocky relationship — and help them integrate to Barcelona. Sports management students brainstormed how to market the sport to a country that’s unfamiliar with it.

“The experience of working together and immersing ourselves in the Catalonian culture of Barcelona was beyond incredible,” says Nicholas Renkosik ’21, MSc ’24, who completed the BDI track to complement his bachelor’s degree in music performance. “This experience truly taught me how to work in large teams, especially in a modern co-working space, effectively and efficiently.”

After full days at the office, the students went sightseeing, watched a flamenco dance, sampled local cuisine, and took a group cooking class where they learned

how to make paella and other Spanish dishes.

“We were all able to come together to create innovative solutions for the client, as well as an atmosphere of camaraderie,” says Mr. Renkosik, a church musician and organ restoration technician. “That alone was well worth its weight in gold and will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Zachariah Veayo, MSc ’24, who completed the sports management track, particularly enjoyed visiting a new sports innovation hub based at the stadium where Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics. He also appreciated the attitude around sports, which to him felt less profit-driven than in the United States.

Already working as operations coordinator for Elite Sports Clubs, a group of Milwaukee-area fitness centers, Mr. Veayo says he learned a lot about his own “strengths and weaknesses with working in unfamiliar places, with others, and regulating expectations with empathetic understanding. I think this experience provides a number of applicable skills that are immediately transferrable to day-to-day challenges and situations.”

At the end of the week, students presented their ideas to the league’s leadership.

“They gave a phenomenal presentation,” Prof. Rockhill says. “This year’s client, the Unio de Federacions Esportives de Catalunya, provided a lot of great feedback about the students’ ideas and professionalism.”

He found it especially gratifying to see even the quietest students step up and take leadership roles in Barcelona.

“This brought students out of their comfort zone, and there were a lot of students who really owned the moment and made the most of it,” he says. “That was really special.”

In May, officials from the Barcelona Cricket League T20 welcomed input from the visiting Carthage cohort.

Your passion, your path

master of science in business* – 1 year

Business Design and Innovation

Product Management

Sports Management

master of education* – 1.5 to 2 years

Accelerated Certification for Teachers

Bilingual

Curriculum and Instruction

Educational Administration

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Sports Leadership in Education

Teacher Leadership

master of music – 1 year

Music Pedagogy

Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy

master of arts – 2 years

Athletic Training

*These programs can be taken partially or entirely online.

TAKE FLIGHT

SEE THE EXOTIC BEAUTY OF THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH A STUDENT’S LENS

Red-legged Honeycreepers, female (left) and male (above) Oliver Slater ’26

“I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FASCINATED WITH THE NATURAL WORLD, SO IT WOULD BE MY DREAM TO WORK ON THE CONSERVATION OF BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS.”

White-crowned Parrots

For several years, Professor Laura Huaracha and faculty colleagues have led the Photographing Nature study tour, which takes students to exotic locales during J-Term to document the world’s diverse array of plant and animal species.

A group of 12 traveled with her to Costa Rica for eight days this past January. The students — ranging from novices to semi-experts in digital photography — captured thousands of stunning images.

It was the adventure of a lifetime for Oliver Slater ’26, an environmental science major whose self-described “obsession” with birds began at age 4. By experimenting with camera settings in Costa Rica, he learned how to keep up with fast-moving wildlife.

“I had never been to a location with so much biodiversity, and the amount of birds was at times overwhelming,” says Oliver, who counted 103 species he’d never seen before. “I have always been fascinated with the natural world, so it would be my dream to work on the conservation of birds and their habitats.”

Prof. Huaracha often team-teaches the course with biology faculty members to show how art and science intersect. Students’ ultimate task is to use visual imagery to educate others about conservation’s importance.

Resplendent Quetzal

Great Curassow Snowy Egret

From Campus to Cosmos

Alumni supply the natural intelligence for AI in space

When you’re describing your work at the intersection of space exploration and artificial intelligence, the explanation inevitably gets too technical for someone in the conversation.

Unfazed, Hunter Sandidge ’15 pivots to more relatable terms: “OK, have you ever seen ‘Iron Man’? …”

Admittedly, Mr. Sandidge is a huge science-fiction fan who can pull from an extensive mental library of book and movie references. But Robert Downey Jr. didn’t teach him how to think on his feet and communicate with vastly different audiences. Carthage did.

Those are hallmarks of a broad-based education that has enabled Mr. Sandidge and the two fellow alumni he brought aboard at Collins Aerospace — Jackson Wehr ’18 and Jacob Werschey ’15 — to flourish in their groundbreaking work.

They’re using AI modeling to enhance life support systems on the International Space Station, assist mission control, and support other aspects of space exploration as NASA ramps up toward a return to human spaceflight.

THE MASTERMIND

The first of the three Carthaginians to be hired at Collins, Mr. Sandidge started there in 2016. About 18 months ago, he moved over to his current role as manager of data science and artificial intelligence engineering.

Maybe that isn’t where Mr. Sandidge envisioned degrees in finance from Carthage (bachelor’s) and DePaul University (master’s) leading him, but he’s ecstatic to be there.

“Every day, we sit on the knife’s edge between sci-fi and reality,” he says, “and we’re continually moving that line.”

Thinking like a professional trader still comes in handy at unexpected times. Like when you need an algorithm that

can automatically maintain a stable temperature in a spacesuit — and other approaches have led to dead ends.

“Instead, I treated the temperature in the suit like a stock price,” Mr. Sandidge explains. “It worked remarkably well.”

That’s just one of many useful tools available in a toolbox he started filling at Carthage. While some schools churn out students like hammers that are equipped to do a single task, Mr. Sandidge views himself as “more of a utility knife.”

THE INSIDER

Knowing “the quality of graduate Carthage produces,” Mr. Sandidge recruited Jackson Wehr for an internship shortly after the 2018 alumnus became available.

Of the three teammates, Mr. Wehr took the straightest route into an aerospace career. He majored in physics and was heavily involved in the College’s microgravity research with NASA, flying in zero-gravity to test fuel-gauging technology that’s now under consideration for future space missions.

More than anything, space has the coolness factor going for it. For Mr. Wehr, who’s now a full-time senior data scientist at Collins, the reality of that career path has

“ Every day, we sit on the knife’s edge between sci-fi and reality... and we’re continually moving that line.”

HUNTER SANDIDGE ’15

lived up to the billing.

Cognizant of the rare opportunity he has to stretch the limits of modern technology, he’s grateful that Carthage gave him the latitude to sharpen his problem-solving skills, take on unfamiliar challenges, and even speak in public.

At one professional conference where other deep-in-the-weeds presentations elicited yawns, a faculty member noticed that Mr. Wehr could hold an audience’s attention.

The key? Pretend you’re talking to Grandma.

“Not everyone is technically inclined,” he adds. “People skills take you a lot farther than anyone gives you credit for.”

Hunter Sandidge ’15 poses by a display at the entrance to a Collins Aerospace facility in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

THE TRANSLATOR

Surprisingly, when these spacetech professionals reminisce about their favorite Carthage classes, they bring up foundational ones in philosophy, religion, and literature first. That might explain why the silly memes that Jacob Werschey shares are based on Plato’s Allegory of the Cave.

Mr. Werschey and the guy who now supervises him, Mr. Sandidge, have been buddies since freshman orientation, when they bonded over facial hair fails. Colleagues, though? For a long time, that seemed unlikely.

Mr. Werschey went all-in on a Japanese major, provided translation and crosscultural programming in northern Japan for two years after graduation, and then continued his bilingual work at Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu.

Then came a COVID-induced career shift. The adaptable alumnus already had one foot in the analytical world by the time Mr. Sandidge brought him aboard as a data engineer for Collins in 2023.

In a way, Mr. Werschey has simply moved on to a different language — interpreting databases coded in SQL rather than documents written in Japanese. Human or machine, each language has its own distinct patterns.

“I don’t even know what I’m looking at half the time, and that’s the beauty of it,” he says.

By programming machines to do the repetitive tasks they do best, we can allow workers to focus on the “uniquely human skills” only they can provide.

HUNTER SANDIDGE ’15

THE FUTURE

Though all three of them work remotely — Mr. Werschey from Cincinnati, the other two from northern Illinois — camaraderie remains strong, in part because they share a common background as Carthaginians.

While they can’t divulge the details of their AI usage, these three alumni laugh off the apocalyptic predictions that some observers have made about the emerging technology.

Mr. Sandidge sees this no differently from the introduction of the

calculator. By programming machines to do the repetitive tasks they do best, he explains, we can allow workers to focus on the “uniquely human skills” only they can provide.

While monitoring the International Space Station, one of the team’s goals is to predict when a part’s going to wear out. After all, astronauts can’t just head over to the hardware store for an instant replacement. It can take months or longer to build the part and schedule a launch. It would take someone with unlimited time and attention span to sift through the mountain of data that’s automatically sent back from orbit. So the data crew is trying to build an anomaly detection model that doesn’t mind doing the gruntwork. So, if the question is whether the end of human employment is just around the corner, even the avowed sci-fi nerd thinks it’s too outlandish to consider right now. Mr. Sandidge has a more important takeaway.

“People who use AI will replace people who don’t.”

Generative AI technology (beta version) in Adobe Illustrator was used to create the graphics accompanying this article.

Alumni Jackson Wehr ’18, right, and Hunter Sandidge ’15 are colleagues at Collins Aerospace.

OTHER CARTHAGE ALUMNI IN AI

EDUCATING AI

Ever since working on robotics safety systems as a PhD student, Nathan Fulton ’13 has been waist-deep in artificial intelligence and machine learning. In the MIT-IBM AI Lab, he leads a research group that teaches computer models how to develop a skill — rather than just mimicking human actions.

SOFTENING AI’S IMAGE

Though not an engineer, Steve Swanson ’05 sits at the “epicenter” of the AI revolution as creative director for chip maker AMD. He builds brand campaigns and marketing materials to help demystify AI and tackle big problems like cancer detection, climate change, and space exploration.

AI IN WEATHER FORECASTING

Thunderstorms are always top of mind for Stephanie (Bradshaw) Ortland ’17. As a research assistant and PhD candidate in atmospheric and oceanic science at UW-Madison, she’s building a model that scans satellite images to narrow down the path of storm activity and improve forecasts.

AI IN INSURANCE CLAIMS

Ben Burch ’06 leads a data science team at Midwest Employers Casualty (a Berkley Company), which provides excess workers’ compensation insurance. Their custom models read endless notes from doctors and claims adjusters, identifying opportunities where timely intervention can improve outcomes for injured employees.

AI IN PRO SPORTS

Kind of a unicorn, Ben Levicki ’21 secured one of the first AI-focused positions in sports with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. He creates custom modules that automate some of the more “robotic” tasks for colleagues in sales, fan relations, and even basketball analytics.

“ It’s like going through a maze and the walls are moving, so you never know where the exit’s going to be.” BEN LEVICKI ’21

AI IN CARTHAGE CLASSROOMS

Squeezing years worth of real-world insights out of a sixmonth sabbatical last year, mathematics professor Sara Jensen ’08 returned full of AI-inspired ideas to augment Carthage’s growing data science program.

From February to August 2023, she was a consultant for Midwest Employers Casualty in suburban St. Louis, which extensively uses AI modeling. Prof. Jensen and MEC data science director Ben Burch ’06 (see sidebar at left) overlapped as Carthage students for a couple of years and saw a chance to collaborate.

Still unpacking all she learned, Prof. Jensen has a better grip on the potential benefits of AI and machine learning — as well as the dangers of their misuse. That’s sure to add depth to her future classes, covering both the technical and ethical aspects of data science.

Computer science professor Rick Bingen has designed a course titled Artificial Intelligence for Simulations that will debut this fall. Though it’s primarily designed for the game development minor, he also envisions applications in physics, ecology, transportation, and other fields.

Lively discussions about AI’s farreaching impact formed the centerpiece of chemistry professor John Kirk’s J-Term course Ethics of Research in the Natural Sciences. His students explored the effects on research publishing, intellectual property rights, and even original artwork.

Innovation, hot off the press

To Lucy Brown, there’s something very familiar about George Bailey, the humble hero Jimmy Stewart portrayed in the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Just as viewers come to see hypothetically how bleak the fictional Bedford Falls would be without George, she finds it hard to imagine Kenosha without the influence of her late father, longtime Kenosha News publisher Howard Brown.

Lucy and her mother, Betsy Brown, recently came up with a fitting way to extend his ideals. Together, they made a six-figure commitment to establish the Howard J. Brown Economic Innovation Fund at Carthage.

Honoring Howard in the year he would’ve turned 100, this gift will provide starter funding for the College to develop new educational options benefiting businesses in the region.

“I’m so grateful for this commitment from Betsy and Lucy, honoring and extending the Brown family’s legacy in developing the prosperity of the Kenosha region,” says Carthage President John Swallow. “This gift is the seed corn for new partnerships and forms of education that are adapted to today’s students and today’s businesses, and I can’t wait for us to get started.”

The Browns answered the call during Carthage’s ongoing Light that Travels fundraising campaign. Their pledge falls under Program Innovation, one of the campaign’s three pillars.

Browns’ new fund honors late newsman ‘Uncle Howard’

“Innovation begins with creative ideas and progresses to action,” Betsy says. “It is essential to educate leaders who will accept the need for change to assure an economically viable future.”

This new fund will cover program startup costs, freeing up time for Carthage

Lucy (left) and Betsy Brown

faculty and administrators to strengthen relationships with new and existing employer partners. A portion of the gift can be used to supply scholarships for participants.

President Swallow is determined to broaden the educational scope of the College as student and employer needs change, an approach the mother-daughter donors fully endorse.

“We’re taking advantage of the opportunity to support the local economy and our students simultaneously,” says Lucy, who serves on the Carthage Board of Trustees. “This fund will help to execute the president’s vision.”

Spark to ignition

Even though Carthage has sustained strong enrollment and expanded its academic offerings, this is no time for cruise control. Not with the gauntlet higher education must pass through in the coming years.

Due to declining birth rates, twoand four-year schools everywhere are competing for a dwindling pool of students. Rising public skepticism about the value of a college degree only compounds the challenge.

That’s where the ambitious $100 million campaign fits in, emboldening Carthage to keep its foot firmly on the gas after bringing

in its largest first-year class last fall.

Lucy argues the two-way “talent exchange” her father cultivated between business and higher education is even more essential today — on both sides of the equation. A new workplace-delivered education program called Carthage Spark has taken a big step in that direction.

Looking for new ideas to attract, upskill, and retain talented employees, Kenosha County manufacturer LMI Packaging approached Carthage about a partnership. Within weeks, an agreement was in place for the growing, family-owned business to pilot the Spark program.

Fifteen LMI workers took at least one of the four business-focused courses that Carthage faculty taught on site in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. In February, six of them earned certificates in Business Foundations for completing the entire 2023-24 sequence.

The College is actively seeking additional Spark partners. Certificate programs can be tailored to each employer’s needs.

The promising debut with LMI impressed Lucy, demonstrating that Carthage can quickly turn excellent ideas into reality.

“Carthage is uniquely positioned to execute this concept,” she says, “because it’s nimble, flexible, and willing to think outside the box.”

“Innovation begins with creative ideas and progresses to action. It is essential to educate leaders who will accept the need for change to assure an economically viable future.”

Betsy Brown

20/20 foresight

After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Howard leapt headfirst into journalism by reporting on global conflicts for the Chicago Sun-Times. In 1961, he and his wife, Betsy, bought what was then called the Kenosha Evening News.

Thanks in large part to its central location between Chicago and Milwaukee, Howard proclaimed the city a gem with untapped potential. He built relationships with local industry leaders and advanced the work of nonprofits, especially the Goodfellows — a group that gives out toys, food, and winter coats to families in need during the Christmas season.

“Back then, the success of a local newspaper was largely a reflection of its owner,” Lucy says. “He recognized the vital

A day (and a half) to treasure

Extended to 36 hours for the first time, the Red & Ready Giving Days showcased the spirit that burns within the Carthage community.

FEATURE

contributed his knowledge and passion as a trustee for more than 20 years. In 1998, he became the 10th recipient of the Carthage Flame, the gold medallion representing the College’s highest honor.

Alongside her volunteerism on behalf of libraries and other causes, Betsy served on the original steering committee for the Carthage Business and Professional Coalition. The group still convenes timely discussions about regional economic issues.

The event ran from midnight March 14 to noon March 15, raising $407,000 from 772 donors for student-centered programs and financial aid. That included a $250,000 “challenge” gift from the Board of Trustees for meeting the 750-donor goal.

All seven mini-challenges met fundraising goals, too, securing matching gifts from donors for targeted areas.

Save the date for GivingTuesday, a national day of philanthropy that falls on Dec. 3 this year. Look for new and recurring challenges to support Carthage students through scholarships and program funds.

need for high-quality local journalism to engage and inform the community.”

The parent company gradually expanded its holdings, which gave Howard newspapers and TV stations in six states to manage in the final stage of his career as president of United Communications Corporation.

But Kenosha was always home. The couple raised their three daughters here, and the count of honorary nieces and nephews ran much higher.

“My dad encouraged people to call him ‘Uncle Howard,’ because Kenosha was, in some ways, his huge extended family,” explains Lucy.

If a rising tide indeed lifts all boats, Howard steadfastly believed education is the pump. Acknowledging Carthage’s momentous arrival in the community, he devoted 65 newspaper pages to its 1962 grand opening.

Like his daughter today, Howard

In addition to their investment of time, the Brown family has given generously to the College for over 50 years to support facilities, scholarships, athletics, the arts, and general operations.

“Having the privilege to attend some of the country’s leading schools and universities, Howard knew the value of a college education for everyone who wanted one,” Betsy says. “Carthage fulfilled his expectations of a quality education here, and he appreciated the benefits its graduates brought to our community and beyond. Howard and I have been proud to contribute to Carthage’s success.”

A joint venture

Howard supported K-12 schools, as well, and vigorously advocated for the creation of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside just north of the city in Somers. The consolidation of two community college campuses led to the university’s founding in 1968.

“To have a fully engaged workforce, he knew educational opportunities for all were critical,” Lucy recalls.

As the oldest sibling, she took a leave from her Minneapolis area real estate business to manage the media group after her father’s death. Back in place now as president of Lupe Development Partners — which she co-founded with husband Steven Minn — Lucy splits time between the Twin Cities and Polk County in northwestern Wisconsin.

“Having the privilege to attend some of the country’s leading schools and universities, Howard knew the value of a college education for everyone who wanted one. Carthage fulfilled his expectations of a quality education here, and he appreciated the benefits its graduates brought to our community and beyond. Howard and I have been proud to contribute to Carthage’s success.”

Betsy Brown

economic potential. The secret’s out.

In the past several years, major employers like Amazon, Uline, and Haribo have set up or expanded operations in the Kenosha area. New projects include a $3.3 billion Microsoft data center and a $1 billion “innovation neighborhood” on vacant land where a Chrysler plant stood.

The latest Business and Professional Coalition event drew more than 200 business, education, and civic professionals to campus on April 18. President Swallow and his counterpart at the Universities of Wisconsin, Jay Rothman, gave a forecast for “The Future of Education” from their distinct vantage points.

Based on workforce needs, both leaders envision a central role ahead for the state’s colleges and universities — in collaboration with businesses and other stakeholders.

Betsy still lives in Kenosha, where the conversation is no longer about hidden

“The state’s economy depends on this. The education sector depends on this,” President Swallow said in closing. “And, if we all come together, we can make that happen.”

Spoken like Uncle Howard.

The Carthage advancement team

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New VP well-suited for fundraising success

Carthage recently hired Philip Hood as vice president for advancement. His exemplary leadership skills and fundraising acumen make him uniquely suited to carry forward the ambitious Light that Travels campaign while elevating the College’s broader advancement efforts.

As vice president at Lake Forest (Illinois) College, Mr. Hood successfully led the largest giving campaign in that school’s history, raising nearly $150 million. Under his leadership, the advancement team earned national recognition from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education for overall improvement.

at Midwest liberal arts colleges, Mr. Hood finds the setting incredibly fulfilling. Known as a culture-first leader, he has fostered an inclusive environment through staff recruiting, training, and programming, and has deftly supported key stakeholders including alumni and parents.

“Carthage has never been stronger than at this moment, and Phil has both the talent and vision to build on that legacy,” said David C. Wiers ’98, chair of the Advancement Committee and secretary of the Carthage Board of Trustees. “Phil understands our mission and advancement’s role in supporting student success. I know his transformative approach will empower our talented staff and inspire Carthaginians for years to come.”

Mr. Hood began his Carthage duties on July 8, diving headfirst into the $100 million campaign.

Mr. Hood has also held senior leadership positions at Illinois College, Northfield Mount Hermon boarding school, and most recently SSM Health, where he led six affiliated foundations across central and southern Wisconsin. Earlier in his career, he was a major and planned gift officer at Mayo Clinic, the University of Illinois

Foundation, and Gustavus Adolphus College.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Phil Hood as my partner in securing truly substantial new resources for Carthage students, and I am confident that he will see the Light that Travels campaign through to its apex,” said President John Swallow. “From his decade of experience at the vice presidential level to his undergraduate roots at a Lutheran college, Phil’s background prepares him extraordinarily well for impact at Carthage.”

The Office of Advancement manages giving, donor recognition, and alumni and family engagement for the College. Staff members cultivate relationships with these constituents and organize celebratory events like Commencement, class reunions, and Homecoming and Family Weekend.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join President Swallow, his leadership team, and the Carthage community,” he said. “We have immediate work to do, and I look forward to working with campus leadership, the advancement team, and the campus community in our outreach to alumni, parents, and other partners. Working together, we can continue to move Carthage forward and achieve new heights.”

As vice president, Mr. Hood succeeds Bridget Haggerty, who guided the office capably for the past two years. Building on relationships she’s developed in eight years on the staff, Ms. Haggerty moves into an important donor-facing position as Carthage’s senior advisor for principal gifts and campaign.

Drawing on firsthand experience as both a student and senior administrator

Mr. Hood has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Luther College in Iowa and a master’s degree in management, strategy, and leadership from Michigan State University. Married nearly 25 years, he and his wife, Lorelee, have two children.

LEADERS IN PHILANTHROPY

Carthage connections run deep for 2018 alumni couple

Not only did Rachael and Troy Durie meet at Carthage, but they established the foundation for their lives here. And they feel a deep sense of responsibility to ensure that future Carthaginians can do the same.

As controller at Catholic Extension, Rachael (Felton) Durie ’18 is heavily involved in almost every aspect of the operations.

“During my accounting classes, we were always taught to take a step back and think,” she says. “It is very easy to just memorize rules and procedures, which are important in accounting, but they wanted us to think critically about the ‘why.’ Not only did that deepen my understanding, but I am also able to be an analytical resource for my organization.”

As senior data scientist for economic and market intelligence at Grainger, Troy Durie ’18 uses economic data to assist with business decision-making. He credits research opportunities at Carthage with helping him to develop skills such as conducting literature reviews and data analysis.

“Carthage sharpened my questioning and critical-thinking skills to understand the story the data and prior research tells,” Troy says, “and how to effectively communicate these ideas.”

Both of them participated in many clubs and held campus jobs, placing a high value on their study abroad and campus experiences.

“My interview with the managing partner in Chicago almost completely focused on my J-Term trips,” says Rachael.

By immersing himself in subjects, projects, and research that he initially could not understand, Troy developed the important skill of learning quickly and effectively. That helped him as a staff economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, and now at Grainger.

Today, the Duries are active volunteers for the College. Both have participated on career panels to help School of Business and Economics students, and Rachael serves on the Alumni Council.

Rachael and Troy are also members of Carthage’s Leadership Giving Society, at the Young Alumni level. They support study abroad, scholarships, their respective academic departments, and the President’s Innovation Fund.

Leadership Giving Society members give $1,000 or more cumulatively ($250 for alums 0-5 years out; $500 for alums 6-10 years out) to any area of the College in a fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. Tiers recognize higher levels of giving. Membership is renewable annually.

Enduring Gift Society members have cumulative lifetime giving totaling $100,000 or more (exclusive of estate commitments). Tiers recognize higher levels of giving. Membership is lifetime.

Alford Park Loyalty Society members have contributed any amount to the College for three or more consecutive fiscal years (July 1 through June 30). Tiers recognize greater consecutive years of giving. Membership is renewable annually.

Denhart Society members have made Carthage a part of their legacy through estate commitments and planned gifts. Membership is lifetime.

To learn more about our philanthropic societies and see online donor honor rolls, please visit: carthage.edu/leaders-in-philanthropy

Carthage Theatre wins Rosa Parks Playwriting Award

Ateam of Carthage theatre professors and students won this year’s national Rosa Parks Playwriting Award for “The Kenosha Verbatim Project,” an original play they wrote about the city’s 2020 summer of unrest.

Through its American College Theater Festival, the Kennedy Center presents the award each year in association with the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development. It recognizes outstanding student- or faculty-written plays with social justice or civil rights themes.

Carthage Theatre finds itself in illustrious company. Past recipients of the Rosa Parks Award include Yale University, UCLA, and the University of Texas at Austin.

“Our theatre faculty always bring such a high level of integrity and artistry to their work,” says Professor Corinne Ness, dean of the Division of Arts and Humanities. “This national recognition reinforces that they’re not only committed to the artistic work that they do with students, but also to the power of theatre to create space for change.”

Two summers ago, theatre professors Martin McClendon and Nora Carroll teamed with Katie Layendecker ’25 and Rayven Craft ’23 to create “The Kenosha Verbatim Project.” They started by interviewing 12 people who were affected by the police shooting of Jacob Blake in August 2020, the subsequent protests, and the confrontation with Kyle Rittenhouse that left two men dead.

Those transcribed interviews formed

a script that captures frank and searing testimony from the people who lived through the jarring events. A cast of Carthage Theatre alumni and other local actors gave the first staged reading in May 2023.

Since 2015, verbatim theatre has become a staple in the department’s performance schedule. Previous projects shed light on veterans’ issues, homelessness, and other important topics.

“Verbatim theatre gives community members an outlet to tell their stories without having to be in the spotlight

themselves,” explained Prof. McClendon. “We strive to present their words without editorializing or changing the meaning of their testimony.”

Even as the Rosa Parks Award news spread, the budding Carthage playwrights were refining the latest verbatim play, “Terminal Exhale” — a joint project between the Social Work and Theatre departments. Examining gun violence through the eyes of healthcare workers who treat the victims, it premiered May 11 as part of a drama therapy workshop hosted on campus.

Regional actors Patrice Hood and Mack Bates took part in an early staged reading of “The Kenosha Verbatim Project.”

Carthage Band at 150: A study in fortitude

Under the leadership of Professor J. M. Helfrich, a cornetist who taught German, a small group of students assembled to form the Carthage Band in 1873. Although it has grown considerably in both size and distinction in the ensuing years, the Music Department embraces the legacy that emerged from those humble beginnings.

A yearlong series of special events commemorated the band’s 150th anniversary in 2023-24, highlighting the three ensembles that make up Carthage’s modern-day band program: the Wind Orchestra, the Concert Band, and the chamber winds group AMATI.

Among those who have performed across the decades, there’s a recurring theme: Being part of the Carthage Band legacy is an honor.

“Music is a collective art-making experience that binds people together in unique ways that transcend time,” said Professor James Ripley, director of instrumental music activities. “We value the wonderful music of the past and so are mindful of the fact that all of this has been handed down to us.”

The Homecoming Concert kicked off the sesquicentennial last September, welcoming back former band conductors Woodrow Hodges and Kenneth Winkle. Carthage also convened a 50-member Alumni Band (representing class years from 1979 to 2023) for the occasion.

Euphonium player David Graves ’85 needed no extra incentive to return. He lives in West Bend, Wisconsin, about 70 miles north of campus.

“Although it has been just about 40 years since I was a student,” said Mr. Graves, “coming back and playing or singing on the (A. F. Siebert) Chapel floor, with the organ as backdrop and the views of the stained glass windows and out the chapel doors to Lake

Before an 1873 Carthage Band re-enactment concert in February, the 1st Brigade Band let students examine some of the 19th century instruments from its collection, including this over-the-shoulder tenor horn.

Michigan … No venue anywhere rivals that.”

In November, guest conductor James Garbrecht ’79 infused the annual Lakeside Band Festival with his wit and wisdom. He taught music for 34 years at Hawthorn Middle School South in Vernon Hills, Illinois.

In January, the Carthage Wind Orchestra picked up where the fall portion of the sesquicentennial series left off, touring Japan for the seventh time. Highlighted by a joint concert at Kurashiki Sakuyo University, the J-Term study tour marked 20 years since the orchestra’s first trip to that country in 2004.

Then in February, a re-enactment of the first Carthage Band concert provided a uniquely authentic link to the past. Using Civil War-era instruments on loan from the 1st Brigade Band of Watertown, Wisconsin, Chicago’s renowned Gaudete Brass Quintet and Bryce Bowlin from the Navy Band Great Lakes emulated the sounds that the College’s original six-piece brass band produced that fall in 1873.

The yearlong celebration culminated with a gala 150th Anniversary Concert in May, featuring the premiere of a commissioned piece from award-winning composer Timothy Mahr. “Scene One: FORTITUDE” is based on a musical motif for 142, the band room number in the H. F. Johnson Center for the Fine Arts.

According to Prof. Ripley, the piece “portrays elements of struggle and perseverance that are essential for the growth of our students and society at large — acknowledging the fortitude needed to make a difference.”

Just as they did for the J-Term study tour, Carthage alumni contributed financially toward the commission. The anniversary piece is dedicated to all Carthage band members, past and present, and the title’s reference to “Scene One” indicates that the journey is just beginning.

Overflowing with fortitude, the Carthage band program promises to endure for generations to come.

next: christmas festival turns 150

This fall, one major music-making milestone gives way to another as we celebrate the 150th Annual Carthage Christmas Festival.

In recognition of this anniversary, the 2024 festival will feature a new commissioned work from composer Katherine Webb and lyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri. This year’s theme is “Glory in the Highest!”

Held every year in A. F. Siebert Chapel, the concert features holiday selections from several of Carthage’s acclaimed vocal and instrumental music ensembles. Each performance concludes with the Service of Light and the singing of “Silent Night,” sending audience members forth with joy and reverence.

Performances will be held the weekend of Dec. 6-8. Watch for times and additional details in The Beacon or Parent and Family Connection monthly email newsletters.

Tickets will be available for purchase online beginning Oct. 1: carthage.edu/tickets

Chasing ‘second dream,’ Coach Augie Schmidt IV tops 1,000 wins

Admittedly, Carthage head baseball coach Augie Schmidt IV “was a little bit of a lost soul” after his playing career stalled out.

Selected second overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1982 amateur draft, he played five seasons in the minor leagues. Twice, he reached Class AAA, one level short of the majors.

In 1986, while playing for his hometown Kenosha Twins (then the Class A affiliate for the Minnesota Twins), the weary hitter called it a career.

“Now what?” he wondered.

After putting the bat down for good, coaching was exactly the job he needed.

“It gave me something to sink my teeth into,” Coach Schmidt says. “It’s hard, man, when the only thing you ever wanted to do with your life, and the only dream you ever had, ends in your mid-20s. Carthage gave me an opportunity to have a passion for something else other than trying to play in the big leagues.”

This past spring, the resurgent Firebirds gave Coach Schmidt career victory No. 1,000 in his 37th season. He’s just the 13th coach in NCAA Division III history to reach that milestone, and one of only nine to do it at a single program.

seizing the opportunity

Five years after winning the Golden Spikes Award — the Heisman Trophy of amateur baseball — for his standout play at the University of New Orleans, he enrolled at Carthage to finish his degree.

It was familiar turf for the Kenosha native. His father, Augie Schmidt III ’62, coached baseball here for 19 seasons and later served as the College’s athletic director.

The elder Schmidt helped his son get a job as an assistant on the Carthage baseball staff for 1987. When the head coaching position opened the following season, the 26-year-old Augie IV was a surprising choice.

He’s quick to credit President Emeritus F. Gregory Campbell for signing off on the hire.

“Dr. Campbell took a chance on a guy who bellied up out of pro ball,” says Coach Schmidt. “I was a young guy and didn’t have any experience. He kind of went out on a limb. There were a lot of people who didn’t think that should happen.”

That first season in 1988, Carthage posted a forgettable 4-27-1 record, but the team and its energetic new coach were off and running. With assistant Brian Mosher helping to recruit standout players, the program quickly turned things around and became a national powerhouse.

Coach Schmidt’s teams have won 30 games or more in a season 20 times. He has guided Carthage to nine College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championships and six NCAA Division III regional titles, highlighted by third-place finishes in the national tournament in both 1993 and ’94.

Coach Schmidt instructs his team in 1993.

“We’ve had a lot of success,” he acknowledges. “It took a lot of great players and a lot of really good assistant coaches. My name is on it, but it was everybody doing their part.”

a massive influence

The 1,000th win came on April 24, when the Firebirds defeated the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh 12-10 at Augie Schmidt Field — aptly named for both father and son.

Afterward, Coach Schmidt’s wife, Shelly, daughter Chelsea ’18, and other supporters joined him on the field for a well-deserved celebration.

“My family and friends were all caught up in the 1,000 wins,” he says. “Probably the neatest part about the whole thing was watching my family get so excited about it. Shelly and Chelsea were way more excited about it than I was.

“The second thing is the number of people and former players who reached out to congratulate me — emails, texts, calls. That really makes you feel good. You feel like you had a small part in their lives.”

To hear those alumni tell it, “small” is severely underplaying Coach Schmidt’s impact. An estimated 500 student-athletes have cycled through the program during his time at Carthage.

“I can’t begin to explain what ‘Augs’ means to me,” says Adam Smith ’99, a former Carthage assistant who’s now the head coach at Benedictine University. “As a player, you always knew what to expect from him: ‘Play hard or go sit down. Work hard or be replaced.’ It really was that simple.”

“As a coach working for him, it really was the same. He gave me so much responsibility that really helped me become the coach I am today,” Mr. Smith continued. “He gave me so many positive life lessons throughout the years. I can’t thank him enough for all he’s done for me in my life and how much I value our friendship.”

Beyond the compliments, former players and other fans have shown their gratitude by paying it forward. Gifts toward the baseball program average more than $40,000 per year.

A shoo-in to join his dad in the Carthage Athletic Hall of Fame

at some point, Coach Schmidt has already been inducted into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2013) and the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2014).

“Augie is just built different — always has been and always will be,” says Carthage Hall of Famer Jason Wiertel ’02. “Authentic and true, he makes no apologies for his coaching style, and every one of his players has taken a piece of his approach into their own lives.

“He’s brutally honest, competitive, hard-headed, and legendary. We are all beyond blessed and lucky to have spent time with him on the field and in the dugout.”

The Firebirds finished the 2024 season with 23 wins, their most since 2018. Coach Schmidt’s career victory total stands at 1,002, which ranks fourth among active Division III coaches.

He plans to add to that.

“I think it’s winding down, but I’m for sure back next year,” says Coach Schmidt. “I enjoy the heck out of baseball, and being around college-aged kids is so much fun.”

Given the chance to live out “a second love and a second dream” as a coach, he’s grateful for all of it — from the early days when “it was more about survival than anything” to the banner years.

“Carthage has done more for me than I’ve done for it,” Coach Schmidt insists. “I sure as heck didn’t set out to win 1,000 games, that’s for sure. They really rekindled my love for baseball and gave me something to have passion about, and I’ve had fun ever since. It has been a heck of a ride.”

Coach Schmidt at the 1997 NCAA Division III championship in Salem, Virginia

Players, coaches, and fans celebrate after Coach Augie Schmidt IV got his 1,000th career win — all with Carthage — on April 24.

King of the Firebirds

Joseph White ’24 closes Carthage career with 5 NCAA titles

Adding two more national titles to his track and field resume this past season, Joseph White ’24 graduated as the most decorated male athlete in Carthage history.

On May 24, just a few days after participating in Commencement, Mr. White won the NCAA Division III outdoor championship in shot put. Two months earlier, he stood atop the podium as the indoor weight throw champion.

He concluded his stellar Firebirds career with five NCAA event titles, most of any men’s competitor. Overall at Carthage, Mr. White trails only women’s hurdler and sprinter Shea’na Grigsby ’06, an eight-time national champ.

“When you write it all down, it’s hard to believe what Joseph accomplished in his career,” says Greg Raimondi ’12, a Carthage assistant coach who works with the throwers. “We knew there was potential when he stepped on campus, but he crushed every expectation.”

Dominant among collegiate performers, Mr. White even showed he could compete with the pros. The Firebirds senior qualified for the finals in the weight throw at the 2024 USA Track & Field Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico, placing eighth in an event where winner Daniel Haugh broke the world record.

Showing improved consistency, Mr. White also placed second in the shot put (indoor) and third in the discus (outdoor). That brought the Kenosha resident’s career total to 10 All-America honors.

It was a big year for the senior class as a whole in 2023-24. Three other Firebirds joined Mr. White as D-III track and field All-Americans:

• Chase Upmann ’24 (eighth in the men’s indoor 800-meter run)

• Alexis Mattox, M.Ed. ’24 (seventh in the women’s outdoor hammer throw)

• Aubrey Schoeneman ’24 (fourth in both the women’s indoor and outdoor shot put)

With a well-earned Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Carthage, Mr. White has been accepted to a graduate program at the University of WisconsinMadison beginning this fall. While pursuing a master’s degree in sports leadership, he plans to use his remaining NCAA eligibility to compete for the D-I Badgers.

“While it has been an outstanding journey with him athletically, it’s been equally impressive to see his growth as a person,” says Coach Raimondi.

“His passion, drive, and work ethic will be a huge asset to him accomplishing whatever he sets his mind to in his career and personal life.”

End zones everywhere

Proven winner builds character-driven football culture

“Character is who you are when no one is watching,” the sign in Matt Popino’s office proclaims.

The sign has followed him from place to place, underscoring one of the qualities that Carthage’s new head football coach values most in his players. That philosophy has served him well so far.

Hired in January, “Coach Pop” brings a proven track record of success to the Firebirds. In his five seasons on the staff at Endicott College in Massachusetts, the Gulls went 43-12 and secured three straight conference championships (2021-2023), reaching the NCAA Division III playoffs each time.

“In Coach Popino, we have found a leader whose passion for football is matched only by his dedication to cultivating character, discipline, and brotherhood,” said Ryan Kane, Carthage director of athletics. “We are poised to achieve new heights on and off the field, setting a new standard of excellence that reflects the proud tradition of our Athletic Department.”

As the defensive coordinator for the past three years at Endicott, Coach Popino guided an elite unit. The Gulls gave up the secondfewest points in the country (7.5 per game) in 2022 and the third-fewest (9.7) last season.

He developed 25 all-conference defenders and two All-Americans at Endicott, earning both regional and national recognition — most notably as the 2023 D-III Defensive Coordinator of the Year by Hansen Ratings. With the Firebirds, he succeeds Dustin Hass, who stepped down in November after six seasons. Calling it “the best job in the country,” Coach Popino said the committed staff, passionate student-athletes, and topflight facilities at Carthage all impressed him.

“Carthage College is getting an A+ football coach and, more importantly, an A+ human being, Coach Pop is a passionate, caring, and humble leader. His players will have a coach who has their backs for life.”

ROCCO DIMECO Linebackers Coach – University of Delaware

At an introductory press conference in January, he pledged to instill a winning culture at Carthage while developing “smart, tough, reliable people” who represent the program well in every facet of the college experience.

“If you want different results, you have to have a different mindset — in the weight room, in the classroom, and in the things you do every day,” Coach Popino said. “I think we’ll see that trickle effect through everything we do, once we get the mindset right.”

A committee of Carthage players provided input during the search.

"During his interview, Coach Pop had awesome energy, and his passion for the game was clearly displayed while he explained his philosophies," said Firebirds quarterback Bryce Lowe ’25. "The combination of his confidence and energy will help take the program to the next level. I'm excited for what's to come."

Originally from New Jersey, Coach Popino attended and coached at two universities in Massachusetts. He has a master's degree in applied communications from Fitchburg State and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Worcester State, where he played three positions for the football team.

Except for three years in the Big Ten Conference at D-I Rutgers University in his native New Jersey, Coach Popino has spent his entire career with D-III programs.

“Matt is a hot young coach on the rise. His relentless work ethic will be felt every day by the players and staff,” said Chris Ash, an NFL assistant who was Rutgers’ head coach during Coach Popino’s time on the Scarlet Knights’ staff. “I'm excited to watch him develop Carthage into a program that can consistently compete for championships.”

Firebirds open

NIL marketplace

Car thage recently launched an official NIL marketplace that connects fans and sponsors to their favorite Firebirds. Through the online platform, fans and sponsors can reach out to individual student-athletes to request a personalized video, autograph, event appearance, or other endorsement. Built by Opendorse, the app ensures that all deals comply with name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies laid out by the state of Wisconsin, the NCAA, and other governing bodies.

Athletic director Ryan Kane said the new marketplace empowers Carthage competitors in all 28 varsity sports “to harness the potential” of their NIL value. Student-athletes can share content from games and practices and accept compensation right in the convenient app.

Learn more: carthage.edu/NIL

Note that direct support of individuals such as NIL is not tax-deductible. To make a gift in support of Carthage Athletics that qualifies for a tax deduction, use the Champions Club form: carthage.edu/champions

Baseball

Pitcher recognized nationally

Firebirds ace Bryce Schaum ’25 was named a fourth-team All-American in coaches’ voting. The right-handed starter went 4-0 with a 3.00 earned run average. Bryce struck out a conference-high 113 batters in 2024, setting a Carthage record with 237 career strikeouts.

Men’s Basketball Top freshman honored

Coaches named Firebirds swingman Ryan Johnson ’27 the top first-year player in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Ryan averaged 10.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game and led the team with 21 blocked shots.

Women’s Bowling Accomplished new coach

Dale Lehman came to Carthage as head coach, bringing more than two decades of experience and a history of building successful bowling programs. This past season, his team at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Indiana won three tournaments and reached No. 11 in the national rankings.

Esports

Undefeated in ‘Overwatch 2’

The team competing in “Overwatch 2” went 11-0 in the fall season, the best in the Midwest region. In the process, the Firebirds won the regular season championship and then secured the division title in a grueling seven-match series.

All Sports

Outting raises $80,000+

The Firebird Classic golf outing on June 24 raised more than $80,000 for Carthage Athletics. A total of 136 golfers took part in the 49th annual event, presented by Palmen Motors and held at The Club at Strawberry Creek in Kenosha.

Softball All-America outfielder

Carthage outfielder Clare Rettler ’26, who led the nation in both hits (78) and batting average (.569), made coaches’ All-America second team. Also voted the conference’s top offensive player, she was a nightmare for opposing pitchers this spring with 43 runs scored and 83 RBIs.

Men’s Swimming and Diving

Strong start for diver

Showing his versatility from different heights, Kevin Sarazin ’27 was named CCIW Diver of the Year. Wrapping up the season in February at the conference championships in Pleasant Prairie, the freshman placed second in the 3-meter event and third in the 1-meter event.

Men’s Volleyball

Two individual awards

Carthage, the regular season CCIW co-champion, also won two of the conference’s main individual accolades. Gene McNulty ’24 shared the award for top setter with 8.21 assists per set, while outside hitter Owen Otto ’27 was voted best newcomer with 3.22 kills per set.

Women’s Wrestling

Three-time national qualifier

Natalie Majer ’25 qualified for the national tournament a third straight time. At the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championship in March, Natalie won her opening match in just 11 seconds, ultimately going 1-2 in the 109-pound class in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

homecoming and family weekend

OCT. 4-6, 2024

Three days of on-campus fun for Carthage alumni, families, and friends!

Featuring the 2024 beacon awards

Join us to honor inspirational alumni in four categories:

• Personal Achievement

• Professional Achievement

• Service and Leadership

• Young Alumni Achievement

Watch The Beacon e-newsletter for an announcement of this year’s recipients!

other weekend highlights:

• Alumni and Family Brunch

• Homecoming Parade

• Football Game

• Homecoming Concert

• Biergarten

• Class of 1999 25th Reunion

• Class of 1974 50th Reunion

• And, of course, tailgating!

Contact the alumni office (alumnioffice@carthage.edu) if you would like more information about tailgating to celebrate a reunion.

Let us know you’re coming and get a chance to win Carthage apparel! carthage.edu/homecoming

FACULTY/STAFF NOTES

This year’s distinguished honorees

Continuing with tradition, the campus community celebrated the excellence of Carthage’s faculty and staff at a year-end reception on May 8. These individuals received accolades for their standout service:

distinguished teaching award

Nina Weisling

Associate Professor of Education

Since joining the Carthage faculty in 2019, Professor Nina Weisling has consistently won over students with individualized mentorship.

“What truly sets her apart is her unwavering dedication to her students’ well-being,” said presenter Julie Dawson, associate professor of accounting and finance and last year’s Distinguished Teaching Award winner. “Beyond the confines of the classroom, she serves as a beacon of support, offering guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear to all who seek her counsel.”

Before entering higher education, Prof. Weisling worked in the Chicago and Philadelphia school systems as an educator, case manager, and instructional coach.

Students appreciate how she combines a commitment to culturally responsive instruction with “tireless” advocacy for students’ mental health. One education student nominator said, “She encourages us to be proud of our work and to make a difference in the lives of the students. She is exemplary of everything a teacher should be!”

Joseph Anderson, visiting assistant professor of physics, received the Distinguished Dissertation Award from the Purdue College of Engineering. His thesis explored the fundamental physics of the deformation of solids.

Rick Bingen ’15, assistant professor of computer science, found success as a playwright over the past year. His new play, a computer science-themed drama titled “The Memory Leak,” was a finalist in this year’s Wisconsin Wrights Play Contest and a semifinalist in the Eugene O’Neill National Playwriting Contest. In June, the Batavia (New York) Players produced Prof. Bingen’s first play, “Whirligig of Time.”

distinguished staff award

Steve Janiak

Senior Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy

His role may keep Steve Janiak behind the scenes, but no one’s handiwork on behalf of the College has been more visible.

For 26 years, he has refined Carthage’s visual identity — taking iconic photographs of campus and shaping the look and quality of everything from building signage to award-winning recruiting materials.

“Steve’s work elevates every initiative, office, and academic department across campus,” one colleague wrote. “It’s difficult to imagine Carthage without Steve’s vision, talent, and heart.”

The College’s transition to a new, unifying team name and mascot stands out among thousands of projects in which Mr. Janiak has played an integral role. One of three people who initially suggested “Firebirds,” he then coordinated the athletic rebranding — featuring a bold new logo designed by alumnus Pat Cummings ’04.

Jon Bruning, associate professor of communication and digital media, gave a talk titled “Manchester, City United: Scaling Corporate Social Responsibility in English Club Football” in Chicago at the Popular Culture Association conference in March. The presentation grew out of his 2023 sabbatical in England.

Maggie Burk, assistant professor of music, composed a carol titled “What Cheer?” that was featured in Oxford University Press’ iconic “Carols for Choirs” series. The publisher also selected her setting of the poem “Recuerdo” for its new “Music for Choir and Cello” collection. As guest director for the Kenosha Choral Festival in February, Prof. Burk spent three days working with local students (grades 5-12) on music from Korean folk songs to “Sweet Caroline.”

Kevin Crosby, professor of physics, astronomy, and computer science, secured a $40,000 NASA grant for Carthage to participate in a mission that “aims to demonstrate the possibility of supersonic flight without the typical loud sonic booms.” Students will develop education plans to inform communities in advance of some X-59 test flights. Read more about Prof. Crosby’s work with NASA on page 7.

Vance Dalzin, assistant professor of education, presented “Cultivating Your Career in Educational Leadership” in January at a statewide associate principals conference in Madison, Wisconsin.

Anna Hegland, career specialist for exploratory and undeclared students, contributed to the edited collection “The Theatrical Legacy of Thomas Middleton, 1624-2024,” which was published in April.

Erik Johnson, associate professor of economics, presented at the American Economics Association’s regional meeting. He focused on the electricity grid’s role in redistributing pollution across the United States.

Herschel Kruger, professor of theatre, was recognized with a Gold Medallion award in January at the Kennedy Center’s regional American College Theater Festival.

This prestigious award honors Prof. Kruger for his extraordinary contributions to teaching and producing theatre and his leadership in the theatre community. Carthage has received more than 40 national awards and commendations for productions performed at this theatre festival.

“Every year we have students who are invested and engaged with creating theatre, examining the human condition, and telling stories that elicit both laughter and tears,” says Prof. Kruger. “This is incredibly challenging and fulfilling.”

Debra Minsky-Kelly, clinical assistant professor of social work, served as a mental health specialist for the U.S. delegation at the Pan American Maccabi Games from Dec. 26 to Jan. 4 in Argentina. Her son, Ryan Kelly ’27, competed on the bronze medal-winning U18 boys’ volleyball team. The Maccabi Games are designed to build Jewish pride through sports.

Colleen O’Brien, professor emerita of management and marketing, wrote a manuscript that appeared in the journal Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans. Her research explores how consumers perceive the value of artificial intelligence when interacting with virtual agents.

Colleen Palmer, assistant professor of communication and digital media, presented two accepted works in April at the Central States Communication Association conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. One offered ways for students to apply communication theories to real life, while the other showed PR faculty how to incorporate AI into the classroom.

Patty Rieman, associate professor of education, joined the board of the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English and is the new editor of the Wisconsin English Journal.

Karin Sconzert, professor of education, moderated the Kenosha Unified School Board election forum for the eighth year in a row. She continues to co-host the weekly “Education Matters” program Saturday mornings on local public radio station WGTD.

Joseph Tenuta, assistant professor of management and marketing, wrote a book that’s meant to help young entrepreneurs start a business or side hustle. “The Starting BluPrnt” pulls from his lectures, personal experiences, and stories.

Thomas Van Dahm, professor emeritus of economics, celebrated his 100th birthday in February. Prof. Van Dahm taught at Carthage from 1964 to 1991.

Siovahn Williams, assistant professor of education, presented her innovative work on recruiting and retaining BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other people of color) educators in February at a pair of professional meetings in Denver.

Haley Yaple, associate professor of mathematics, has been selected to represent her department in a pilot program funded by the National Science Foundation that encourages equity and inclusion in mathematics.

New campus pastor

This summer, the Rev. Adam Miller-Stubbendick joined Carthage as campus pastor. Pastor Adam, as he prefers to be called, brings a strong background in intercultural and global ministry rooted in the Lutheran tradition.

His experience includes serving ELCA congregations in Nebraska and western New York as pastor and supporting students at Elon University in North Carolina as assistant chaplain and director of religious and spiritual life.

“I believe in advocating for religious literacy as a part of holistic education, and in building bridges between and within various communities,” Pastor Adam said. “It is a unique privilege to walk with young adults as they figure out their next steps. And, on a college campus, there is a new set of people every four years, which brings fresh energy and viewpoints — which I love.”

Pastor Adam earned a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and a bachelor’s degree from Gustavus Adolphus College. His wife, Jordan, is also an ordained ELCA minister, and they have two young sons. His formal installation is scheduled for March 27, 2025. For a Q&A with Pastor Adam, visit: carthage.edu/pastoradam

retirements (10+ years of service)

33 YEARS

David Steege, senior associate provost

25 YEARS

Cindy Welch, administrative assistant in the Division of Arts and Humanities

22 YEARS

Sue Grover, executive assistant to the provost and senior provost

tenure

The Board of Trustees approved tenure for these faculty members, which takes effect for the 2024-25 year:

Steven Henle (Neuroscience)

Katherine Hilson (Sociology)

Robert Nagel (Engineering)

Melanie Nyhof (Psychological Science)

Jojin Van Winkle (Art)

Nina Weisling (Education)

Graduate Spotlight: Class of 2024 Bold Opening Moves

Knowing they conquered circumstances unlike any in Carthage’s 177-year history, graduates in the Class of 2024 have zero interest in playing it safe.

Many fall 2020 freshmen arrived without a traditional high school graduation, because the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic made traditional gatherings difficult. In their first semester of college, they faced a socially distanced move-in and first semester, toggled between remote and in-person learning, and met their new faculty and friends wearing face masks.

Faculty and staff mentors at Carthage provided the encouragement, and students supplied the perseverance. As a result, the Class of 2024 kept its bearings and resolved to make the world a better place.

Meet some of the promising new Carthage graduates who have emerged ready to lead with confidence and compassion:

Nikkiema Harris

B.A. in English, Religion minor

Healing mind and spirit

Shaped in large part by her religion minor at Carthage, Nikkiema Harris ’24 is pursuing a master’s degree in pastoral care and counseling at FreedHardeman University in Tennessee. There, she can follow the tug she’s always felt toward ministry while using her personal experiences with anxiety to help others with mental health challenges.

“Carthage has helped me get out of my comfort zone by pushing me to meet and become lifelong friends with other students. I’ve also learned to build interpersonal relationships with some of my professors.”

Garrett B. Warner BSN in Nursing

Genuine patient care

Crediting the supportive faculty and immersive clinical training at Carthage, Garrett Warner ’24 secured a prime nursing position on the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit at Ascension Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Excelling academically while extending his football career with the Firebirds made for an “unparalleled experience,” in his words.

“Carthage’s renowned nursing program provided me with a top-tier education, ensuring I was well-prepared for the complexities of my nursing profession. This is not just a job; it’s the beginning of a fulfilling career dedicated to serving others with empathy, expertise, and unwavering commitment.”

Nathan Henkel

B.A. in Accounting / Finance

A proven commodity

Even before his senior year began, Nathan Henkel ’24 knew a full-time position awaited him after graduation at the Milwaukee office of Deloitte, the biggest of the Big Four accounting firms. During a Carthage career fair, Mr. Henkel successfully interviewed for an internship there, and his work in summer 2023 led to this prime job as a corporate tax associate.

“I was able to acquire enough credits in 3 1/2 years to start sitting for my CPA exams before graduation.”

Sydney Olszewski

B.A. in Computer Science, Business Administration minor

Hardwired for the software scene

After completing her studies midyear, Sydney Olszewski ’24 started work in February as a software developer for Equity Creative in Kenosha. Applying the coding, debugging, and general problem-solving skills she acquired at Carthage, Ms. Olszewski works together with colleagues to convert clients’ goals into digital marketing campaigns.

“I have always been a hard-working student eager to provide my best, and I am thankful that my professors at Carthage knew how to challenge me in ways that brought my learning to new heights.”

Amber Redmond

B.A. in Psychology / Studio Art

Difference-maker for youths

Supportive faculty and classmates in the Psychological Science Department provided a transformative experience for Amber Redmond ’24, igniting a passion she’s carried into her first position: youth development specialist at Northwest Passage, a residential mental health facility for adolescents in northwest Wisconsin.

“I’m so excited to be able to use the skills I’ve learned here at Carthage to make a real impact in these kids’ lives. Carthage gave me the most amazing support system and guidance to help me flourish and become the best version of myself.”

Daniel Villalobos

B.A. in Accounting, Economics minor

Small school, huge impact

In August, Daniel Villalobos ’24 will begin a graduate program in urban planning and policy at the University of Illinois Chicago. Rather than choose one of the fields that piqued his interest at Carthage — business, public policy, and economics — Mr. Villalobos was thrilled to discover a niche that combines all three.

“I owe so much to the School of Business and Economics and its professors and mentors, who nurtured my passion for learning and research. I cannot stress enough how incredibly a small school positioned me for success, from the smaller class sizes to the open office hours to the unique J-Term trips.”

Jiayi Geng

B.M. in Piano Performance and Collaborative Piano

Close-knit and connected

Part of a growing international contingent in Carthage’s music program, Jiayi Geng ’24 of Shijiazhuang, China, has enrolled in a Master of Music program at Roosevelt University to continue her growth as a pianist. Professor Deborah Masloski introduced her to a faculty member from the acclaimed Chicago school and guided Ms. Geng through the audition process.

“It is a beautiful campus by the lake, and everybody is nice. I learned a lot, both in knowledge and in life, during my four years at Carthage.”

first stops

Megan Christian

B.A. in Public Relations / Communications

social media specialist and tv host

Discover Mediaworks –Madison, Wis.

Brandon Burries

M.Ed. in Special Education special education teacher and case manager

Bullen Middle School –Kenosha

Jana Ahlstrand

B.A. in Graphic Design graphic designer

Kohl’s – Milwaukee River Rogers

B.A. in Environmental Science

forestry technician – fire

Tahoe Hotshots –Camptonville, Calif.

Ava Serfling Bennett

B.A. in History

graduate student: folklore and ethnology

University of Aberdeen –Scotland

Nina Alfano

B.A. in Sociology graduate student: sociology

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

James Castro

BSN in Nursing

emergency department nurse

Froedtert Hospital –Pleasant Prairie, Wis.

Their time to shine

Carthage turned the spotlight on two of its brightest during the Commencement ceremony May 17.

distinguished alumni award

Evelyn K. Bennett

Carthage presented the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award to Evelyn “Evie” Ellenberger Bennett ’85.

Sensing a talent that hadn’t yet revealed itself, family members persuaded her to study business at the College. Mrs. Bennett went on to thrive in a 31-year career at William Frick and Company — the last eight as co-owner and vice president. Based in Libertyville, Illinois, it makes safety markers and RFID tags.

Unfazed by a heavily male customer base, she helped secure deals with Fortune 500 companies. Even as it outgrew the “small business” label, Mrs. Bennett made sure Frick and Company preserved its family atmosphere. It became a fixture on “Best Places to Work” lists.

Mrs. Bennett served on Carthage’s career services advisory board and now on the President’s Leadership Council. Business partner Jeff Brandt established a scholarship in her name. For loyal and generous support, she and her husband, Jim ’85, are members in the Alford Park and Leadership giving societies.

The couple lives in Lake Forest, Illinois. In retirement, Mrs. Bennett spends time with adult daughter Katie and raises funds toward college scholarships in low-income North Chicago and scooters for disabled veterans.

honorary degree

Aldo Madrigrano

Carthage presented an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree to Aldo Madrigrano.

Learning and perfecting his family’s business niche, beverage distribution, Mr. Madrigrano enjoyed an extremely successful career. As CEO and co-owner of Beer Capitol Distributing Inc., he used efficient operations and strategic mergers to make it the largest beer distributor in Wisconsin.

The work brought Mr. Madrigrano a variety of accolades, including six Miller High Life Achievement Awards and Marquette University’s Family Business Award. He has served on the boards of numerous trade associations, charitable nonprofits, and economic development groups.

In retirement, he and his wife, Dawn, split time between Las Vegas and a summer home in Minocqua, Wisconsin. The couple’s philanthropy supports the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Carthage, heeding a lesson from Mr. Madrigrano’s generous parents: that higher education is the heart of any city.

Part of a family of dedicated Carthaginians, Mr. Madrigrano attended the College in 1981-82 before leaving to enter the business world. He joked that graduation day simply arrived a bit later than expected.

class of 2024

More than 600 students celebrated the culmination of their Carthage journey during Commencement weekend May 17-19. After the formal degree conferral on Friday, students and guests enjoyed a procession and stage walk at assigned times Saturday and Sunday. Earlier in the month, the College held a Pinning Ceremony for nursing graduates and a Multicultural Celebration for underrepresented graduates.

grace chapa Distinguished Senior

rev. guy nave jr. Baccalaureate Speaker

CLASS NOTES

1960

Wendell Olson – Henderson, Nevada, plays trombone with the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, which hosts two concerts a year.

1966

Dr. Steven Gruenau – Tuscon, Arizona, recently published two books of poetry while continuing to practice part-time in endoscopy at Northwest Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. Since moving there from Oklahoma, he has enjoyed hiking in the Catalina Mountains.

1969

Joe Trotter – Pittsburgh, received the 2023 John Lewis Award for History and Social Justice from the American Historical Association. Mr. Trotter is a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, where he also directs the Center for Africanamerican Urban Studies and the Economy.

1971

Ruth Larsen Sonnenberg ’71 and Scott Sonnenberg ’73 – Lansing, Illinois, celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2023.

1973

Barb (Hale) Engstrom ’73 and Gary Engstrom ’72 –Winchester, Wisconsin, celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary in April.

Kurt Hilden – Hancock, Michigan, recently moved to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1975

Jane Slezak Sturgeon – Green Oaks, Illinois, announced that her artwork has been accepted for a 2026 traveling exhibition through the New York Botanical Garden. Titled “Curious Allies: Mutualism in Fungi, Parasites and Carnivores,” the exhibition will appear at various venues around the country. She and her husband, Les, also greeted their first grandson, Balen, who was born May 21, 2023.

1977

John Fricke – Wadsworth, Illinois, made his operatic debut as a priest in Giacomo Puccini’s “Tosca” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He credits his Carthage cultural upbringing, with guidance from professors Richard Sjoerdsma and Greg Berg and classmates like John Shenloogian ’75.

1978

Dr. Gregory Pierangeli – Racine, Wisconsin, accepted a position as clinical market manager for MyEyeDr in Illinois and Wisconsin, supporting 60 offices and approximately 80 doctors.

1987

Debra Hawkins-Anthony –Lansing, Illinois, retired in 2023 after 33 years at various agencies in the Illinois Department of Human Services.

1988

David Kreutz – Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, helped Carthage students form a chapter of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization.

2004

David Maack – Racine, Wisconsin, was elected to the city’s Common Council in April. He previously served as an alderman from 2001 to 2011.

1996

David Reitzel – Plainfield, Illinois, joined Crowe LLP in Chicago as the leader of its healthcare consulting practice. With accessible data, increased transparency, and automation, his team is working to support both patients and providers.

Todd Walther – Keller, Texas, received his championship ring in April as the director of pitching analysis for the 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers. The other photo shows Mr. Walther with his family at the victory parade in November.

Shawn Smith – Holland, Michigan, joined Graduation Alliance, an educational services company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, as chief operating officer in January. He has become a national leader in issues related to digital education.

1997

Jim Johnson – San Diego, is the new owner of Home Brew Mart, a supply store for home brewers. He previously worked there as general manager from 2015 to 2021.

2007

Rev. Jacob Gawlik –Sterling, Illinois, wrote “Because the Church is a Business,” a newly published book that uses satire to explore pastoral life in ways that aren’t often told.

2008

Tom Sakash – Madison, Wisconsin, accepted a position as a strategic consulting officer at Your Credit Union Partner. Based in Sumner, Washington, the company assists small and midsize credit unions with strategic growth.

Vital signs remain strong for grad’s ‘Chicago Med’ role

When “Chicago Med” aired on Jan. 31, it marked the 50th episode for actor Marie Tredway ’17, who plays Nurse Trini on the hit TV series.

Trinidad “Trini” Campos first appeared in 2019, the fifth season of “Chicago Med.” NBC has already renewed the show for the 2024-25 season, and Ms. Tredway is excited to continue as part of the cast. A stable role on a major network show is the dream of many performers.

After reading a brief description of the character, the Carthage Theatre alumna felt she already knew how to portray her. This full-circle moment allows Ms. Tredway to connect to the dream her mother had for her — a career in nursing — through acting, her true passion.

Even after five seasons, Ms. Tredway learns something new every time she steps on set — like how to pretend to administer an IV. Television also requires subtlety to convey emotions through a camera only a few feet away, compared to the exaggerated performance needed to reach a theatre audience.

Ms. Tredway’s family and career fan out from the Illinois-Wisconsin border. “Chicago Med” is, in fact, filmed in the city, adding to the mountain of evidence that performers can access top-tier stage or screen opportunities while living a grounded Midwestern life.

Every year, she returns to Carthage to talk with graduating theatre performance majors. Her advice to anyone looking to break into TV or film is to “find places to create things and hone your craft on a cellular level. It is a hard industry, but focus on what you can control. In the end, it takes some combination of luck and drive.”

Recently, Ms. Tredway has been shadowing female directors as they work on smaller, more intimate indie films. She hopes to direct her own in the near future.

CLASS NOTES

2009

Rob Miller – Mount Prospect, Illinois, and his wife, Brooke, welcomed their first baby, Cory Sue Miller, on Nov. 16.

2010

Caitlin DiGiacomo –Waukegan, Illinois, wrote a play that premiered at Carthage’s Studio Theatre in February. Titled “Wherever You’ve Been,” it takes a critical look at homelessness.

2011

Tiffany (Gould) Hoefler ’11 and Carl Hoefler ’10 –Valparaiso, Indiana, welcomed their second child, Connor Daniel Hoefler, on July 9, 2023 — one day after his father’s birthday.

2012

Kati (Pedersen) Hand, – Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and her husband, Brendan, welcomed daughter Loretta Rae Hand on Sept. 17.

Erika Share – Bozeman, Montana, won Best Mountain Film at the 2023 London Mountain Film Festival as co-director of “Helambu,” a feature documentary about pioneering Himalayan educator Purna Gautam.

2013

Desiree Young – Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, contributed to the book “Broken Chapters,” a faithbased anthology that was published in May 2023. She also founded King’s Glory Publishing House, a company that offers book coaching, editing and marketing services.

2014

Anabel Martinez – Aurora, Illinois, was appointed dean of students at West Aurora High School in May. She previously taught world languages at the school for seven years, in addition to coaching girls’ cross country.

2015

Jacelyn Peabody Lever –Vestavia, Alabama, is completing a physician-scientist track residency in anesthesiology through the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Ashlynn Rickord Werner and Brad Werner – Batavia, Illinois, welcomed their first child, KennedyAnne Nelson Werner, on Jan. 27.

2016

J.D. Fuller – Wonder Lake, Illinois, was inducted into the Woodstock High School Hall of Fame in January. He had a standout running career, qualifying for the state meet in both cross country and track. Mr. Fuller is a teacher and coach in Mequon, Wisconsin.

2017

Ashley Cross – Green Lake, Wisconsin, joined Gould & Ratner as an associate in the Chicago law firm’s corporate practice. According to the firm, she “represents startups and other high-growth entrepreneurial businesses in a variety of complex transactional and corporate governance matters.”

Jillian (Novak) Van Dyck and Matthew Van Dyck –Naperville, Illinois, married on April 21, 2023, their 12-year dating anniversary.

2019

Shannon Walsh – Huntley, Illinois, took on a newly created position as administrator for professional learning partnerships at West Aurora Unit District 129.

2021

Taylor Peterson – Citrus Springs, Florida, received a five-year graduate research fellowship from the National Science Foundation to continue the propellant management research she began in Carthage’s space sciences program. She’s now a Ph.D. student in aerospace engineering at University of Central Florida. The NSF awards funding to fewer than one in six applicants for this major fellowship.

Correction

A photo appeared with the wrong update in the Winter 2024 issue, so we are reprinting the affected class notes here.

1989

Kevin Knight – Clearwater, Florida, was promoted to senior director of global finance strategic planning for TD Synnex, a leading global IT distributor.

1991

Tracy (Lopas) Rossing – Maple Grove, Minnesota, recently became a full-time certified travel agent for AAA Minneapolis Travel. The postpandemic travel resurgence has also benefited her husband, Chris ’89, a captain with Delta Air Lines.

1949

Mary (Murphy) Leamon Lena, Ill. Feb. 15, 2024

1951

Evelyn (Evans) Humphrey Kerrville, Texas May 2, 2024

1953

Cindy Schultz Harvard, Ill. Nov. 9, 2023

1956

Grace McEwen

Lake Zurich, Ill. Nov. 10, 2023

1957

Barbara (Bunnell)

Bowen Casper, Wyo. Dec. 12, 2023

Bob Nordegren

Kissimmee, Fla. Nov. 11, 2023

1958

Larry Krull Lac du Flambeau, Wis. Jan. 7, 2024

1959

Paul Schoenhaar Jr. Chicago Feb. 28, 2024

1961

Bill Guthrie Neponset, Ill. Jan. 23, 2024

Donald Remer

Galesburg, Ill. May 1, 2024

Rosemary Jokisch

Jacksonville, Ill. Dec. 4, 2023

1962

Thomas “Micky” Finn Lee’s Summit, Mo. Jan. 2, 2024

Bill Stolz Winamac, Ind. Sept. 30, 2023

1964

Roger Bonngard

Chandler, Ariz. July 7, 2023

1965

Marilyn Jensen

Corpus Christi, Texas April 16, 2023

1966

David DuBois

Grimes, Iowa Dec. 21, 2023

1967

Kathy (Moeller) Wierzba Walcott, Iowa March 9, 2024

Dennis Zwissler Forest Grove, Ore. Sept. 7, 2023

1968

Alan Stiefel Lewisburg, Pa. Oct. 5, 2023

Judi (Hodell) Zavacke Bristol, Wis. Feb. 3, 2024

1969

Tom Hursh Fort Wayne, Ind. March 29, 2024

Chuck Lange Kenosha Dec. 6, 2023

Brenda (Henkel) McCabe Pontiac, Ill. Feb. 16, 2024

Patti (Clay) Miller Bloomington, Ill. Dec. 23, 2023

1970

Larry Dunn

Chicago June 21, 2023

1971

Chuck Blake

Bella Vista, Ark. Oct. 14, 2023

IN MEMORIAM

Mary Ann Gilray

Park Falls, Wis. May 11, 2024

Dennis Guehler Eugene, Ore. July 17, 2023

Wayne Haberkorn Mundelein, Ill. May 21, 2024

Jeanette Vos Kukla Shelbyville, Ky. Jan. 31, 2024

1972

Rev. Josephine (Prescott) Mosley Covington, Ga. Feb. 7, 2024

Merry Wellman Kenosha Feb. 22, 2024

1976

Howard Cook Antioch, Ill. Feb. 16, 2024

1977

Mike Henderson Denver Oct. 19, 2023

1978

Jane (Nelson) Phelps Loves Park, Ill. Nov. 17, 2023

1979

Ann Serpe (M.Ed.) Elkhorn, Wis. Oct. 26, 2023

1980

Jeff Hogan Milwaukee Jan. 30, 2024

1988

Darla (Cawkins) Wenger Milwaukee Dec. 31, 2023

1998

Judy Lea Davis Winthrop Harbor, Ill. Feb. 17, 2024

1999

Jamie (Walrath) Coberly Jefferson, La. Jan. 8, 2024

2003

Jon Noble Lake Kiowa, Texas Dec. 30, 2023

2022

Genny Clements (M.M.) Franklin, N.C. April 26, 2024

FRIENDS OF CARTHAGE

Rev. Milton Dockery Racine, Wis. April 10, 2024

Joyce Duesing Kenosha Jan. 26, 2024

Shirley Duncan Wellington, Fla. Feb. 27, 2024

Tommy Madrigrano Henderson, Nev. Jan. 29, 2024

Meg McChesney Roseville, Minn. Nov. 29, 2023

Rev. Melvin Miritz Racine, Wis. Nov. 30, 2023

Andrew Parisi Rotterdam, N.Y. March 2, 2024

Carlee Rose Petelle Fort Wayne, Ind. Dec. 1, 2023

Tony Porter Waukegan, Ill. April 6, 2024

Jan Tarble, a true friend of the College whose unmatched philanthropy elevated Carthage facilities and programs to the highest standards, passed away May 1 at age 95.

From afar, the longtime Los Angeles resident became Carthage’s biggest benefactor. Her lifetime giving exceeds $37 million.

Three campus buildings bear the Tarble name, symbolizing a strong, multigenerational connection that her parents, the late Newton and Pat Tarble, formed nearly a half-century ago.

“Jan Tarble’s ongoing commitment to Carthage, supporting our physical plant and later our educational programming, was unparalleled,” said President John Swallow. “She knew in her heart the tremendous difference she could make for Carthage students and always honor her parents. As the millennium turned, she laid a tremendous foundation for Carthage and our students for the 21st century.”

Her multimillion-dollar lead gifts made possible several new and renovated facilities, including the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Natural and Social Sciences, the Campbell Student Union, and Tarble Arena.

Jan’s record-setting $15 million gift through the Tarble Family Foundation also fueled the creation of The Aspire Program in 2019. The award-winning program provides career development from students’ first days on campus.

“Like her parents, Jan never saw the Carthage campus, but her gifts transformed the college life of every Carthage student,” said President Emeritus F. Gregory Campbell. “She proudly put the names of her parents — and mine — onto Carthage buildings but never would allow her own to be honored. Yet, for those who know the truth, it is Jan herself who pervades the campus.”

When Carthage established the Tarble California Scholarship for students from the Golden State who embrace a “spirit of adventure,” the criteria mirrored Jan’s approach to life. Her well-worn passport showed stops in nearly 100 countries.

After studying art at Stanford University and UCLA, she became an accomplished painter and sculptor. Each spring, she spent several weeks roughing it in the Mojave Desert for a national bird count. And she excelled at golf, winning several club championships and the Texas Women’s Open.

“Despite being the only child of extremely wealthy parents, Jan eventually faced challenges that did not make for an easy life,” said Mr. Campbell. “But she developed great force of character that made her a fiercely loyal friend to those she respected.”

Jan’s father, “Newt” Tarble, co-founded Snap-on Inc. in 1920 and

Jan Tarble

In remembrance of Carthage’s biggest benefactor

provided the sales and marketing savvy to substantially expand its reach. Today, the Kenosha toolmaker is an S&P 500 company with $4.7 billion in annual revenue.

Newt retired in his late 40s and put down roots in Los Angeles. As longtime members of the Bel-Air Country Club, the family enjoyed the company of entertainers like Bob Hope and Dean Martin.

In the mid-1970s, Carthage trustee Tom Clausen ’44 — then president and CEO at Bank of America, where Newt and Pat were prominent clients — encouraged President Harold Lentz to meet the couple. Although the Tarbles had spent only a few years in Kenosha, they remained financially and emotionally invested in their former community.

From those seeds, a lasting relationship blossomed. The N. E. Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center (TARC) and Pat Tarble Residence Hall stand tall as lasting testaments to the couple’s generosity. In all, the Tarble family has donated more than $50 million to the College.

Jan’s favorite family photo was taken at an honorary degree ceremony the College held for her father shortly before he died in 1976. Likewise, her mother received an honorary doctorate in 1997.

Both mother and daughter were awarded the Carthage Flame: Pat in 1990, Jan in 2017. Representing the College’s highest honor, only 30 such medallions have been bestowed.

“Jan was a great friend of the College. She and her family supported many, many students through their philanthropy,” said Edward W. Smeds ’57, chair emeritus of the Board of Trustees. “Hers was a generosity of friendship, and she held Carthage in her heart.”

Jan Tarble (center) with President Emeritus F. Gregory Campbell (left) and President John Swallow

The Tarble family (left to right): Pat, Newt, and Jan

Professor Emeritus Tom Noer, who imparted a passion for history to generations of students, passed away March 29.

Joining the faculty in 1973, he combined a dry sense of humor with a culture of high expectations over a 46year career. Prof. Noer won Carthage’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 1980-81.

During his own college years, Prof. Noer took part in Mississippi’s Freedom Summer of 1964. The eye-opening experience at the height of the civil rights movement shaped his career.

Prof. Noer established himself as an authoritative scholar, authoring books about South African apartheid and a definitive biography of flamboyant politician G. Mennen Williams. For mainstream audiences, he wrote guest columns for the Kenosha News and this magazine.

A campus memorial service on May 11 celebrated Prof. Noer’s life. Survivors include his wife, Linda, a professor emerita of social work who taught at Carthage for 33 years.

To create an endowed scholarship in Professor Tom Noer’s name, Carthage seeks to raise $25,000 by GivingTuesday on Dec. 3, 2024. You can make a gift in his memory at: carthage.edu/noer-memorial

Professor Emeritus Vincent P. Hart passed away Nov. 14 in Puyallup, Washington, where he and his wife relocated in retirement.

Despite being the lone physics and astronomy faculty member for much of his time at Carthage (1971 to 1998), Prof. Hart laid the groundwork for the department’s rise. He mentored new colleagues and oversaw the construction of the first campus planetarium in what was then the Library-Auditorium-Science (LAS) Building.

Prof. Hart specialized in nuclear physics research but never lost his sense of wonder, awakening his children when the night sky provided prime views of planets and stars. His other interests ran from music to carpentry to volunteerism.

Loyal alumna Ann (Mullins) Tindall ’62, a charter member of the Carthage Athletic Hall of Fame, died Feb. 21.

Ms. Tindall lettered in five sports as a student-athlete on the previous campus in Carthage, Illinois, and went on to star as a catcher for the Pekin Lettes — an amateur softball team that drew 5,000 fans per game at its peak. For 31 years, she taught physical education and health in Peoria, Illinois.

She’s part of a five-generation family legacy at Carthage that began in the early 1900s, when Ms. Tindall’s grandfather (Frank Ware) briefly took classes. Her mother (the late Mary Mullins ’32), son (Chris ’93), and grandson (Max ’26) have also attended. For consistent financial support, the College awarded Ms. Tindall membership in the Alford Park Loyalty Society.

Trailblazing public servant Katherine Marks ’01 passed away Feb. 14, weeks after receiving Carthage’s inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award for embodying the civil rights leader’s teachings.

When Kenosha voters elected her to the Common Council in 1992, she became the first Black woman in the community to hold public office. She served as an alderwoman for 20 years, spearheading multiple neighborhood revitalization projects, and served on many community boards.

The journey to her degree in business administration and management covered many years, as Ms. Marks balanced classes with family, work, and service commitments. Carthage is a partner in the new Kenosha Emerging Leaders Academy, which fulfills Ms. Marks’ vision for building a local talent pipeline.

Please consider giving to Carthage as a lasting tribute to a mentor or classmate. You may establish a named scholarship or contribute to an existing fund in their memory: carthage.edu/give-today

Tom Noer

Vincent Hart

Ann Tindall

Katherine Marks

Wondering how daily life on campus has changed since you attended? Know high school students who are curious about Carthage? Check out our student-run Instagram account and see the world through our students’ lens.

www.instagram.com/mycarthage

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How a Carthage Christmas tradition came to be

Even with weeks left to soak in the sun’s summertime rays, Carthage performing arts faculty are setting the stage for a December weekend we’ll all remember.

Before the next issue of this magazine comes out, our talented student musicians will dazzle audiences with a special edition of the Carthage Christmas Festival. Let’s look back at the origins of this 150-year tradition.

The first Carthage Christmas concert of record was performed by the Carthage Band on Dec. 24, 1874, in the College’s former home of Carthage, Illinois. For a concert held in a Lutheran church on Christmas Eve, it was conspicuously light on seasonal music. Judging from a brief review in the Carthage Republican newspaper, the audience wasn’t complaining.

“The playing on the new Helicon horns was very good, considering the brief time allotted for practicing since receiving the new instruments,” the reviewer gushed.

Bringing vocal ensembles into the mix, the Christmas concert morphed into a carol service by the early 1900s. The event became a yearly fixture, maintaining a consistent format and location — Trinity Lutheran Church in Carthage — for decades.

For a while, it was accompanied by another distinctive holiday tradition: burning a “crimson candle for old CC” on New Year’s Eve. Started by dean Letta Simmons for students residing in the all-female Denhart Hall, the practice spread to Carthaginians everywhere.

As Carthage itself grew, the christmas festival blossomed into a highly anticipated community-wide event.

In a 1927 article, alumna Carrie Lipe Gardner described the nostalgic feelings it stirred to sit in the candlelight’s glow with her sister and their children.

“I have put on my ‘specs’ and have an inclination to lapse into rhyme to express our sentiments of bygone days (at Carthage),” she said.

As the College settled into its new, permanent Kenosha digs, music faculty continued the rousing holiday performances. The majestic sounds of the Fritsch Memorial Organ filled A. F. Siebert Chapel, which was completed in 1975. A more recent gift, the Isabelle and William Wittig Nativity Star, added to the reverent ambience.

As Carthage itself grew, the Christmas Festival blossomed into a highly anticipated communitywide event. History and enrollment weren’t the only things going for it; articles from the ’80s and ’90s suggested the multicultural and

multidisciplinary approach set it apart, as well, weaving “carols from many lands” together with elements of literature, dance, and theatre.

Performances are now spread across three days, drawing upwards of 2,500 attendees each year. Another 2,200 or so stream it live or watch the replay on Christmas Day. The 150-year anniversary festival will be held Dec. 6-8, 2024, with tickets available beginning Oct. 1 at carthage.edu/tickets.

Buoyed by a $2 million pledge from Grace Kolakowski, who was featured in the Winter 2024 issue of this magazine, the College continues to raise funds for extensive upgrades to Siebert Chapel. So begins yet another heartwarming chapter in the long history of the Carthage Christmas Festival.

To contribute toward this aspect of the Light that Travels campaign, contact Bridget Haggerty at bhaggerty1@carthage.edu or 262-551-6572.

Explore the rich history of Carthage at carthage.edu/archives

CARTHAGE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Wartburg Auditorium, Dec. 15, 1968 -4:00 pH1

THE COLLEGE CONCERT BAND

Arthur Schoenoff, Director

THE COLLEGE CHOIR

THE CHAPEL ��QIR

Henry Veld, Director

BAND PROGRAM

The Sinfonians. .Clifton Williams

Headlines .Carelton Colby

Chorale. Vaclav Nelhybel

The Sentry Boy. . . . • . . John Caicavas

Two Christmas Settings Charles R. Spinney

Carillons at Christmastide . .•J. Baptiste Calkin

A Christmas Festival ... Leroy Anderson

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Last December, audiences were treated to In/Visible Dance, one of Carthage’s two yearly dance productions. While sharing works created by and for the College’s dance minors — the visible — the show celebrated the invisible relationships and connections that hold us together. See the 2024-25 visual and performing arts schedule at: carthage.edu/arts

Upcoming Events

Aug. 24

Find details at: carthage.edu/calendar

Find details at: carthage.edu/calendar

Oct. 4-6

Upcoming Events

New Student Arrival

Sept. 12

Business and Professional Coalition Event:

Beacon of Stability — Preparing Wisconsin’s Grid for Growth

with keynote speaker Susan Crawford

Sept. 20

Spotlight on Sports Conference with keynote speaker Chicago Bears

President Kevin Warren

Homecoming and Family Weekend featuring 2024 Beacon Awards

Oct. 4-6, 10-12

Musical Theatre Production: Xanadu

Nov. 1-3, 7-9

New Play Initiative: Life Cycle of a Star

Nov. 12

Business and Professional Coalition Panel: AI and Cybersecurity

Dec. 3

#GivingTuesday

Dec. 6-8

150th Annual Carthage Christmas Festival (tickets on sale starting Oct. 1)