The Carthaginian, Winter 2020 by Carthage College

IN THIS ISSUE Feature Articles

Voices of Victory

cover story:

International championship fills Carthage Choir with confidence.

The Aspire Program

Alumni preach resilience at the first Aspire Conference as Carthage launches a multifaceted career initiative.

27 20 Leadership Lessons

Greek Tweaks Carthage helps its fraternities and sororities adapt to changing student needs.

For the 150 Years of Carthage Women celebration, alumnae leaders describe hurdles theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve faced â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and cleared.

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IN THIS ISSUE Departments

THE CARTHAGINIAN Volume 99, Number 1

4 8 30 33 48

On Campus

Carthage implements a major tuition reset for 2020-21 to offset sticker shock and better represent the amount families actually pay.

Faculty/Staff Notes

An Emmy to match his Academy Award? Yes, it was a very good year for Professor Perry Kivolowitz.

Athletics

Now leading an NCAA Division I women’s volleyball program, Matt Ulmer ’06 (M.Ed. ’08) didn’t fall far from the family coaching tree.

Located on the shore of Lake Michigan in the thriving Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, Carthage College enrolls 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students. Named a Best Midwestern College by the Princeton Review and a Most Innovative School by U.S. News & World Report, Carthage has been a top producer in the nation of Fulbright U.S. Students for four years running. Carthage is ranked No. 3 in the country among baccalaureate institutions for participation in short-term study abroad. The Aspire Program™, a comprehensive four-year career development initiative for all students, builds on Carthage’s strong history of providing students with the skills they need to succeed after college.

Carthaginian Editorial Team Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications

Photographers/Illustrators

Elizabeth Young

Steve Janiak Sam Payton ’19 Mike Gryniewicz

Tales of past challenges and new momentum filled the first reunion of the Wiggan-Kenniebrew Black Alumni Network.

Managing Editor

Contributing Writers

Mike Moore

Page From the Past

Design/Art Direction

Mike Moore Daniela Avilez ’21 Madeline Paakkonen ’21 Jason Bennett

Class Notes

From the Carthage Class of 1879, Caroline Bartlett Crane blazed trails as a minister and social reformer.

3 President’s Message 11 Pastor’s Message

Steve Janiak Kim King ’06

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Jeff Hamar ’80

President John R. Swallow Vice President for Institutional Advancement Thomas Kline

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

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

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Transparent PMS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Spotlight shines on our impact, affordability T

his fall and winter have been busy seasons for Carthage! For starters, we held our first Aspire Conference, a key component of The Aspire Program™ — our new, comprehensive four-year career development initiative. Students learned from more than 30 visiting speakers during a total of 80 sessions, receiving practical guidance from accomplished alumni and refining their plans for the future. The foundation for The Aspire Program has been laid, and, as we build it, we seek additional support in funds, internships, and mentors. Think of how you can join in making this aspect of a Carthage education second to none. At Homecoming, we kicked off the yearlong celebration of 150 Years of Carthage Women. Carthage has a history of bold decisions, and the prescient decision to enroll women in 1870 was one of the most significant. The evening’s festivities of joy and surprise were a wonder to behold. A mother in the audience was touched when we announced a new endowed scholarship in her honor, given by her three daughters — one of whom was beside her. All of us present were touched when the Carthage

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Treble Choir, interspersed throughout the audience in their regular clothes, rose to perform for the occasion. And we announced that $2.8 million had been raised in gifts and commitments, exceeding the goal and requiring us to set new heights! We also gathered at Homecoming for the first reunion of the Wiggan-Kenniebrew Black Alumni Network, named for the first African-American woman and man to graduate from Carthage. Thanks to the efforts of Alan Mills ’79, Hoyt H. Harper II ’77, and Cynthia Walker ’78, the network has emerged as a powerful and collaborative effort connecting alumni and friends in support of our students. During the evening, a challenge gift was offered, and I am grateful for the support that we continue to receive. Last but not least, we announced a sticker price reset. Considering the generous financial aid we offer, this 30 percent reduction in tuition more accurately reflects what families actually pay. Carthage’s latest bold decision stemmed from a deep dive into higher education pricing. We looked at the growing scrutiny of higher education, the sky-high pricing that has raised the comprehensive fees of some private institutions north of $60,000 and

$70,000, and research showing that twothirds of prospective families rule out colleges based on sticker price alone. The time was right for Carthage to take a leadership position. Carthage became the first institution in Wisconsin to undertake such a significant reduction. The lower sticker price will help to show prospective families that our tuition is affordable. Over four years, the average family at Carthage today pays the same in tuition as the average family paid 10 years ago. Will the tuition reset make a difference? The early indicators of success are strong: Campus visits by prospective students are up 10 percent over last year, and visits by accepted students are up 20 percent. I look forward to realizing my vision for Carthage of educating expansively, integrating regionally, and communicating boldly — extending into the College’s future the greatest characteristics of its past and present — to serve the world through education. Thank you for being with us in this tremendous endeavor, needed now as much as ever before.

John R. Swallow

ON CAMPUS

A glimpse of what’s happening in the Carthage community

Tuition reset alleviates sticker shock Carthage takes lead in cost transparency with 30 percent reduction To give students and their families a clearer picture of the actual cost of attendance, Carthage has decided to “reset” its tuition for the 2020-21 academic year.

65%

of students will stop considering a college based on sticker price alone Sallie Mae survey (2018)

In September, President John Swallow announced that Carthage will lower tuition for next year to $31,500 (from the current $45,100). This tuition reset, which applies to all new and returning undergraduate students, is intended to alleviate prospective students’ concerns about “sticker price.” A 2018 survey by student loan company Sallie Mae revealed that 65 percent of students will eliminate colleges from their search based strictly on the published price, without factoring in financial aid. Nearly all Carthage students receive financial assistance, with more than $20 million in scholarships and grants awarded in 2018-19. “Understanding the true cost of college has become unnecessarily complicated,” said President Swallow. “We hope this tuition reset cuts through the confusion to offer some much-needed transparency for families as they consider Carthage.”

Even as corresponding adjustments are made to financial aid packages, significant need-based and merit-based aid will remain available. Returning students and their families can expect to pay the same net tuition as this year, plus an annual increase for inflation. In addition, the price for housing and meals will hold steady. As the first institution in Wisconsin to implement such a significant tuition reset, Carthage received an abundance of positive media coverage. Administrators say the change is timed to encourage even more students to see they can excel here. “Each year, we’ve made a stronger commitment to affordability, and to making a Carthage education accessible for more students from all backgrounds,” said Nick Mulvey ’02, vice president for enrollment. “The average amount students pay for tuition today, after scholarships and grants are applied, is the same as the average they paid a decade ago.” More information can be found at: carthage.edu/reset

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5 from fall 1 NEW FOOD OPTIONS

To support the many students who spend lunchtime on the north end of campus, Carthage opened Lentz Do Lunch, a kiosk in Lentz Hall that accepts cafeteria meal points. In A. F. Siebert Chapel, nonperishable food donations are fueling Luther’s Lunchbox, a program that provides free on-the-go meals and snacks for students.

2 SPOTLIGHT ON SPORTS

Two NHL leaders, both parents of Carthage graduates, opened the Spotlight on Sports speaker series on Nov. 4: John F. McDonough, president and CEO of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold. Upcoming speakers include Milwaukee Bucks president Peter Feigin and six-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee. See schedule: carthage.edu/pro-sports

3 DIVERSITY SUMMIT

The Office of Equity and Inclusion convened a three-day Diversity Leadership Summit in October. Student leaders, faculty, and staff conducted workshops addressing timely topics in the diversity of race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation.

4 CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

Featuring the theme “Light and Life to All,” the traditional Carthage Christmas Festival took place Dec. 6-8 in A. F. Siebert Chapel, with tickets to all three concerts selling out well in advance. Selected choral works were also performed at the Carthage in Chicago Holiday Concert on Dec. 13 at Orchestra Hall.

NEW MINORS Faculty approved three new Carthage minors: photography (Communication and Digital Media Department), film and new media (CDM/Art departments), and African studies (interdisciplinary).

5 5

ON CAMPUS

Inside Choir’s rise to international champion choir’s name atop the screen was the culmination of an artistic and logistical odyssey.

Versatile and vibrant

It might be too subtle to notice from the audience, but something about the Carthage Choir is markedly different from this time a year ago. After the College’s premier vocal ensemble won a major global competition last summer, there’s an extra layer of confidence behind those voices. The Choir won first place in both categories — folk and open (classical) — at the Spittal International Choir Competition in Austria. Only four U.S. entrants have matched that achievement in the event’s 56-year history. “Everyone came back transformed,” says director Eduardo Garcia-Novelli, professor of music. “We’re not just one more choir, we’re literally an international award-winner now.” Performing in a 16th century castle, Carthage edged top choral groups from universities and communities in nine other countries. Only one choir per nation is accepted each year. For the singers and their director, seeing the

He had seen the competition before as a casual spectator, but, in summer 2018, Prof. Garcia-Novelli made the trip to Spittal an der Drau to do some advance scouting. There, he got a feel for the rules and repertoire the Choir would need to follow. In February 2019, organizers notified Carthage it was in. The group poured just a little extra into rehearsals for spring performances, knowing some of the same works would have to impress European judges down the line. Reconvening in late June, just a few weeks after final exams and (in a few cases) Commencement, Choir members dug in for more intensive preparation and a whirlwind adventure. A missed flight connection led to an unexpected first night in Reykjavik. That scrambled the tightly packed itinerary, but so what? When life gives you lemons, give an impromptu concert in the lobby of the National Theatre of Iceland. After the Carthage contingent made its way to Porcia Castle, day one of the competition focused on home-grown music from competing choirs’ own countries. Dressed in flannel shirts, Carthage performed choral arrangements of a folk song, a gospel hymn, and an African-American spiritual. Afterward, students watched the countdown, not yet comprehending that they might head home with more than a happy-to-be-nominated feeling. Then came the announcement that Carthage had placed first with 95 points (of a possible 100). “There were tears, smiles, laughter, screaming, and hugging. Everyone seemed to be in a sort of euphoria,” recalls Christopher Wojciechowicz ’20. “This lowly choir from a small liberal arts college in the corner of Wisconsin managed to compete against nine other international choirs and win [when] we were not sure it was even possible.” Judges’ comments indicated they liked the Choir’s

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Master plan sets vision for future facility needs range of musical styles, as well as its expressive performance. Looking to add some pep to the standard hands-at-the-sides performance style — derogatorily called “park and bark” in opera — Prof. Garcia-Novelli had hired former music faculty member Matt Boresi to coach the singers in stagecraft. “That was very convincing,” the professor says. “What Matt did was bring the group alive.” The next night, Carthage completed the sweep with top honors in the open category (93.25 points). To do it, the singers had to nail what the director considers the most challenging piece they’ve ever taken on: “Libera me” by Slovenian composer Nana Forte, essentially a conversation between the two halves of the Choir. “We worked relentlessly to make sure we had everything perfect, and apparently the judges saw that too,” Christopher says. Traditionally, the champion in each category sticks around to perform an encore. On top of the prescheduled concerts, that made for some long days. Gathered from far and wide, the choirs fed off one another’s energy. “In a time where there seems to be so much chaos throughout the human race, to have 10 completely different cultures come together in one space and share music with one another is something none of us will ever forget,” says Christopher. The group came home with 2,500 euros — about $2,800, based on the U.S. exchange rate at the time — in prize money. Prof. Garcia-Novelli plans to put it toward expenses for the next major competition. After tasting success on the world scale, the students are thirsty for more. “The win not only fueled our confidence, but our drive, too,” says Christopher. “We now have a new-found belief in one another that goes even deeper than it did before. Winning the competition fired up everyone’s dedication to accomplishing even more, and I think that Carthage Choir will continue to accomplish many international championships to come.”

After gathering extensive input, Carthage has adopted a master plan to guide future development and adaptation of campus facilities. The College partnered with architecture and planning firm Hanbury to develop it. The planners held more than 60 stakeholder meetings and multiple open forums for faculty and staff. It provides a framework to build on Carthage’s unique sense of place and culture, align campus growth and strategic vision, enhance the student experience, promote sustainability, and strengthen connections with Kenosha and the region. At its fall meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the master plan, which lays out a buffet of short, medium, and long-term proposals to consider. The document identifies several of those as priority projects, most notably: ▸ a green space and pedestrian plaza that connects the academic and student life areas, limiting traffic through the heart of campus. ▸ a new softball stadium and multi-use recreational field west of Art Keller Field, which would free up the existing softball diamond (which sits on buildable land outside the floodplain) for future parking or academic use. ▸ an additional residence hall that could house up to 250 students and allow the College to renovate its legacy halls with minimal disruption. The document also categorizes renovations to Lentz Hall and A. F. Siebert Chapel as priorities, with similar updates to the H. F. Johnson Center for the Fine Arts and Wartburg Theatre recommended in the medium term. View the full document: carthage.edu/master-plan

This rendering from Hanbury shows a potential green space and pedestrian plaza at the center of campus.

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FACULTY/STAFF NOTES

Updates on faculty and staff achievements

New faculty long on experience Carthage welcomed seven new full-time faculty members for 2019-20:

Alicia Belant

Nora Nickels

Assistant Professor of Exercise and Sport Science

Assistant Professor of Psychological Science

Taking over as the clinical education coordinator for Carthage’s Athletic Training Education Program, Prof. Belant previously worked as a certified athletic trainer in high school, college, and industrial settings, as well as rehabilitation and orthopedic clinics.

An experimental psychologist, Prof. Nickels studies the neuroendocrine bases of human social decision-making and cooperation, as well as differences in behavior related to sex and stress hormones and personality.

Rick Bingen ’15 Assistant Professor of Computer Science Prof. Bingen returns to the College after rising through the ranks as a software engineer for West Bend (Wisconsin) Mutual Insurance. Active in theatre with his wife, Kaila (Banaszak) Bingen ’15, his favorite Carthage memory was jumping on the Wartburg Theatre stage to propose.

David Brauer Assistant Professor of Management and Marketing Besides higher education, Prof. Brauer has accumulated global experience in the insurance, retail, nonprofit, and financial services sectors. He has particular interest in consumer behavior theory and mixed methods marketing research.

Jeffrey Thomas Assistant Professor of Management and Marketing Prof. Thomas has held leadership positions at Xerox, Dell, Edwards Lifesciences, Bank of America, and Novozymes, as well as multiple nonprofits. As managing director of DeMas Consulting, he assists clients with supply chain, economic development, diversity, and start-up issues.

Nina Weisling Assistant Professor of Education Prof. Weisling brings educational experience from universities in Chicago and Milwaukee, as well as public and charter schools in Chicago and Philadelphia. Her research interests include inclusive education and support for diverse learners and their teachers.

Andrew Funk Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology Prof. Funk teaches introductory biology and genetics. His research has primarily centered on plant biology, but he’s also drawn to the interface between broad sectors of society: science communication, entrepreneurship, and policy.

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Cynthia Allen, assistant professor of exercise and sport science, and Rebekah Johnson,

Perry Kivolowitz, professor of practice in computer science, won a 2019 Engineering Emmy Award for his work on visual effects software. The award ceremony was held Oct. 23 in Los Angeles. This award honors an individual, company, or organization for innovative developments in broadcast technology. The SilhouetteFX technology, which also earned an Academy Award earlier in the year, has been used in popular shows like “Game of Thrones”, “Chicago Med,” and “Black Mirror.” “The award comes immediately after the acquisition of SilhouetteFX by another company,” said Prof. Kivolowitz, “so in a very real way we are going out with a bang!”

Tina Schmitz ’00 joined Carthage’s executive staff in December as vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer. She brings more than 25 years of experience in accounting, finance, and administration to her alma mater. Most recently, Ms. Schmitz worked as chief financial and administrative officer at United Communications Corporation in Kenosha. She previously held leadership positions with Kenosha Unified School District, Kenosha Area Business Alliance, and Gateway Technical College.

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assistant professor of exercise and sport science, presented at the Wisconsin Health and Physical Educators convention in Wisconsin Dells last October. Prof. Allen’s presentation, “An Educator’s Guide to Recognizing and Preventing Burnout,” discussed challenges that K-12 health and physical education teachers face. Prof. Johnson, along with EXSS students Jose Ramirez ’19 and David Milostan ’20, organized fitness activities for sixth- through 12th-grade teachers using Polar heart rate technology.

Anthony Barnhart, assistant professor of psychological science, served as conference chair for the international Science of Magic Conference July 14-16 in Chicago. A professional magician on the side, Prof. Barnhart gave a workshop on the use of magic in the classroom and moderated a question-and-answer session with a fellow presenter. Two of his students gave poster presentations on their research.

Leslie Cameron, professor of psychological science, and Arryn Robins, postdoctoral fellow in psychological science, presented research at the European Conference on Eye Movements last August in Alicante, Spain, with help from departmental fellow Holly Pelnar ’21. The presentation, “Similarities and differences in eye movements between professors and students during graph reading,” discussed preliminary findings from Prof. Cameron’s Wagner Teaching Fellowship. Angela Dassow, assistant professor of biology, was invited to present her extensive research on gray wolves with the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and Monash University in Melbourne, in November. Prof. Dassow also met with other researchers from the Centre of Biodiversity and Conservation Science on efforts to maintain and preserve biodiversity. Jacqueline Easley, professor of education, gave a presentation on her recently published book, “Literacy Moments: Creating Daily Teachable Moments with Beginning Readers,” at the International Literacy Association conference Oct. 11 in New Orleans. It counseled early elementary teachers to integrate authentic reading and writing experiences into a typical school day.

Wael Farouk, director of keyboard studies and assistant professor of music, and the Cairo Symphony Orchestra gave the Egyptian premiere of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in October. With that performance, Prof. Farouk became one of the few pianists to perform the composer’s complete solo works and concertos. A summer performance and instructional tour also took him to China, Mexico, and the Philippines. Fatih Harpci, assistant professor of religion, and the Rev. Kara Baylor, campus pastor and director of congregational relations, received a $3,000 Interfaith Strategic Planning Grant from Interfaith Youth Core. Along with assistance from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the grant is supporting the development of a campus-wide plan for interfaith cooperation. Prof. Harpci also gave a talk at Villanova University’s Nostra Aetate Conference on Nov. 8 in Philadelphia. The conference title refers to a document from the Second Vatican Council that reconsidered the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and non-Christian religions. Diane Levesque, associate professor of art, was selected to exhibit her work in the prestigious Wisconsin Triennial Exhibit at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Six paintings from her “Penny Dreadfuls” project — which she completed on a recent sabbatical — are featured in the exhibition through Feb. 16.

Daniel Miller, professor of neuroscience, was the keynote speaker at the Stress and Behavior Society’s international meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia. Afterward, he was granted an exclusive private tour of Ivan Pavlov’s laboratory and the institute the prominent behavioral researcher founded. Maribel Morales, assistant professor of modern languages, presented a paper titled “Teaching Gender in Peru: Women Empowerment in Tourism and Education” at the North Central Council of Latin Americanists conference Oct. 24-26 in Indianola, Iowa. There, she reconnected with alumna and fellow presenter Kelly Bauer ’08, an assistant professor from Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Barnes & Noble at Carthage is the official campus bookstore. Find Carthage apparel and souvenirs, reading or textbooks, and an assortment of gifts and gift cards, in addition to all of your supply needs!

Visit us in the Campbell Student Union or online at

carthage.bncollege.com

SHOW YOUR

PRIDE!

262-551-5778 • 800-551-6202 • 2001 Alford Park Drive • Kenosha, WI 53140

PASTOR’S MESSAGE

Jan Owens, professor emerita of management and marketing, teamed with two colleagues to win second place at the national Jacobs & Clevenger Case Cup competition in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their case focused on a sponsorship between the Las Vegas Lights professional soccer team and Zappos.

Nicholas Pilarski, assistant professor of communication and digital media, had his co-created film “I, Destini” inducted into the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture as a national treasure. All materials, writings, sketches, scripts, and process materials, along with the film itself, are now archived and part of the museum’s permanent collection. James Ripley, professor of music and director of instrumental music activities, officially became president of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles at its conference in Buñol, Spain, on July 19. During the two-year term, he will oversee the organization’s scholarly journal, magazine, website, competitions, education projects, and conferences. Margaret Wentzell, assistant professor of biology, gave a TEDx talk called “The Anatomy of Bias” in August and reprised it at the College of St. Scholastica’s School of Sciences seminar series. The seminar brought to light the biological origins of human bias in the brain and why people behave in contradiction to societal norms. retirements Ingrid Tiegel, professor emerita of psychological science, retired in September. She joined the Carthage faculty in 1980, and her higher education teaching career spanned 49 years overall. As a developmental psychologist, Prof. Tiegel has frequently provided consultation to programs for the development and education of young children and at-risk youths. She also chaired a community-wide team that worked to prevent serious juvenile delinquency in Kenosha County. Prof. Tiegel won the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1988-89.

Jean Preston ’02, director of the Brainard Writing Center and adjunct assistant professor of English, has retired after a 25-year career at Carthage. She continues to teach in the Western Heritage program. Ms. Preston has published a variety of works, and she served as Kenosha’s poet laureate from 2013 to 2015. carthage.edu

Be alert to hidden vocations As a kid, I didn’t want to be a pastor. Nope. No way. Not me. I remember telling my mom to kick me if I ever said I wanted to be a pastor. She did not follow through on that request. I also remember saying that my goal was to be a really good youth committee member at whatever church I joined in my adult years. It was my way of saying I would be involved, but I didn’t want to be the one doing the theological thinking and leading. Yet here I am, another pastor from the Skatrud family (dad, uncle, cousin, all pastors — oh my). Spending time at Carthage each day gives me an opportunity to think back on my college years, and in hindsight I can see that there were clues that theological education and ministry could be a potential path for me. I didn’t go to chapel often — just being honest — but did go when I could. Every summer, I worked at a different ELCA Bible camp. My second religion class focused on Judaism, and I LOVED IT! In that class, I was introduced to the writings of Chaim Potok, and I finally uncovered my love of reading. There were signs that ministry could be in my future. I was convinced that I would be a caseworker somewhere in the world. However, I felt called to work one more summer at Bible camp, where I would do more theological thinking and leading. The new holistic advising model at Carthage gives students an amazing team of people who can help them to reflect on experiences inside and

outside of the classroom. Faculty, coaches, student success advisors, career specialists, and more will help students look at their upcoming adult years from a variety of perspectives. With that kind of support, students might discover the unimagined possibility of doing X or Y, Q or T. New doors could open to them, and they might develop a better understanding of how their gifts can be used in the world. Maybe with more than one advisor in my life from 1988 to 1992, someone would have seen in me the call to ministry. Thankfully, others who came into my life did help me to find my path of theological thinking and leading. It is a team effort here at Carthage to help students think about who they are called to be as they approach life in the “real world.” It is truly an honor and a blessing to walk alongside them as they reflect on how they will impact the places in the world they end up. Life may play out exactly the way they always planned it in their minds. Most likely, they will find themselves growing in ways they never knew they could. Who knows? A few of them may even end up doing the thing in life they never knew they wanted to do — like be a pastor. Peace,

Rev. Kara (Skatrud) Baylor Campus Pastor

Carthage in Chicago Holiday Concert on Dec. 13 at Orchestra Hall. carthage.edu

entrepreneurship

creativit eadership

areer development

Tessa Rundle 1Ě&#x201C; 6

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COVER STORY

embrace the detour Alumni presenters at first Aspire Conference found blessings disguised as professional obstacles

here are two possible career arcs, Christina Laur-Nuernberger ’09 told a group of students at Carthage’s first Aspire Conference. She illustrated the point with a pair of arrows: one straight, one squiggly. “The messy arrow is the reality,” Ms. LaurNuernberger said. And that’s OK, the accomplished alumna reassured the students. They should embrace — not fear — life’s unexpected twists and turns.

The two-day event in September was the first signature event in The Aspire Program, the College’s new multifaceted career development initiative. This year’s freshmen are the first cohort to follow the program in its entirety. The conference featured small group “fireside chats” with alumni and staff, activity hubs where students could drop in to learn about available programs and technology, and dozens of breakout sessions. Presenters brought some impressive credentials. The graduates — some only a few years older than the students attending the workshops — represented employers like NASA, an NBA team, a promising

startup, and an international development foundation. But job titles, resumes, and LinkedIn profiles only tell snippets of a person’s story, leaving out some of the most important parts. Students left the inaugural conference in September equally compelled by the stories of challenges faced — and overcome. The “real world” presents its own obstacles, but several of the alumni presenters described the detours that confronted them while still in college. Sometimes the detour appears suddenly. As a senior in the music theatre program, Ms. LaurNuernberger contracted a voice disorder. With just weeks to prepare for her capstone recital, she adjusted to suit her suddenly “breathy” voice. That foreshadowed her later work in speech and language pathology. Ms. LaurNuernberger earned a master’s degree from Northwestern University and built a practice Christina Laur-Nuernberger ̓09 with singers, actors, and business leaders among her clients. Just another rewarding pivot in a career that has defied the old Point-A-to-Point-B standard.

toward a national model Built exclusively for Carthage students, The Aspire Program is backed by a $15 million gift from Jan Tarble and supporting gifts from many donors. Alongside traditional career and life skill development, the program incorporates leadership, entrepreneurship, and creativity. “Prospective students and parents are greatly concerned about outcomes,” said Nicholas Mulvey ’02, vice president for enrollment. “They want to make sure the time, financial resources, and effort they invest toward a college education produce a significant return.” Carthage has already: • Assigned students online activities to identify their interests, skills, and values and consider how to put them to use • Hired career specialists who will counsel students as their professional interests crystallize; their areas of expertise include: º arts and culture º business and technology º nonprofit, government, and law º science and pre-health

Ms. Laur-Nuernberger, who’s also worked in music teaching and physical therapy, recently became a consultant to the CEO of Level Agency, a marketing firm in Pittsburgh. “Whatever you think you love now,” she told Aspire Conference attendees, “10 years from now you’ll unlock another door.”

• Developed an internship funding program, providing up to $2,000 to students with unpaid or low-paid internships

Sometimes the detour is the practical route. Living out his childhood dream as a nationally touring illusionist, Bill Blagg ’02 gave the conference’s keynote presentation. He weaved together sleight of hand and some apparent mind-reading with earnest reflections from his own time at Carthage. But he recalled nearly abandoning that dream after an ill-fated attempt at a road show during his sophomore year. Minimal attendance left Mr. Blagg deflated and $25,000 in debt. “I came back to Carthage a beaten man,” he said. Though sympathetic, faculty advisor Eric Margerum dismissed Mr. Blagg’s overreaction and instead urged the aspiring showman to learn the business side of a performance career. An academic plan that had skewed heavily toward theatre and communication classes suddenly stretched into accounting and marketing. Ten years after the initial debacle, Mr. Blagg returned to the site of that first debacle in Elkhart, Indiana, and

• Acquired robust online tools for student and alumni use: º Handshake (job and internship postings) º The Aspire Network (mentoring and networking) º Vault Guides (employer and industry reviews) • Held the first Aspire conference • Begun construction to expand The Aspire Center in Lentz Hall, incorporating space for modern collaboration and employer recruiting

Bill Blagg ̓02

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ativity career developme leadership COVER STORY

performed for a packed house — by then, a common occurrence. To his surprise, Prof. Margerum was in the audience.

Sometimes the detour permanently alters your route. Intending to major in graphic design, Isaac Rothenbaum ’11 thought a class named Build Your Own Robot sounded like a fun diversion for his first J-Term. Building a small autonomous car, he could have surrendered to bad luck when one of the sensors broke. Instead, he successfully designed a workaround. The experience uncovered a hidden passion for coding, and he quickly switched his major to computer science. That worked out pretty well. Based on a job search app he developed, Forbes Magazine recognized him in 2015 as one of “30 Under 30” tech leaders to watch. Recently, Mr. Rothenbaum jumped back into the startup frenzy. Based in New York, he’s the chief technology officer for Akwyar, an emergency response app.

And, every so often, the detour proves to be life-saving. Growing up in a toxic blend of homelessness, abuse, and addiction, Dominique Pritchett ’07 didn’t understand the importance of mental wellness until she enrolled at Carthage. During Ms. Pritchett’s freshman year, a resident assistant found her crying in a closet. Starting with visits to the Health and Counseling Center on campus,

Ms. Pritchett began to sort through the trauma that had accumulated. “Coming here literally saved my life,” she said. Along the way, she found a vocation as a social work major. As a postdoctoral psychology resident and psychotherapist, Ms. Pritchett enjoys helping others to tap into the “reservoir of resilience” that lies within each of them. “Being in a room with a complete stranger and pouring my heart out helped me understand that, through the power of clinical work, people can heal,” she said.

The common thread in the speakers’ messages? Through some combination of expert guidance and sheer determination, they all persevered. “One of The Aspire Program’s primary goals is to cultivate the skills students will need to adapt when their plans inevitably hit a snag,” says Lisa Hinkley, associate vice president and executive director for career and professional development. “The presenters demonstrated that the seeds of Aspire existed even before the program was formally developed.” In his keynote, Mr. Blagg compared his alma mater’s new career initiative to GPS software: a powerful tool that still leaves the student in control. “Google Maps does not drive the car. You do,” he said. “It’s merely the guide, just as The Aspire Program is the guide for you here at Carthage.”

Dominique Pritchett ̓07

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COVER STORY

Log on to the new Aspire Network to expand students’ circles — and yours

arthage is counting on its alumni to play a significant role in The Aspire Program, says Lisa Hinkley, associate vice president and executive director for career and professional development. Besides on-campus events like the conference, alumni now have the flexibility to provide mentoring in other ways. For the first time, graduates have access to an online networking tool that makes it easier to do just that — while continuing to expand their own networks. This winter, the College introduced the Aspire Network. Powered by PeopleGrove, the interactive platform resembles a private LinkedIn-style network for students, alumni, and friends of the College. The Aspire Program calls for students to identify at least three mentors whom they can consult well after graduation. While those can certainly include faculty and supervisors from campus jobs, established professionals are equally strong options. “About 80 percent of jobs are never listed anywhere,” says Ms. Hinkley, “so it’s critical for students and alumni to gain access to that hidden network.” Tom Wood, M.Ed. ’13, joined Carthage last year as a career specialist who assists students interested in business and technology careers. He previously spent 12 years in the Kenosha and Racine school districts, where his work intersected with higher education. “Of the schools I worked with, Carthage had the strongest relationship with its alumni,” he says. “That relationship is absolutely vital for Carthage to build and nurture the culture and community students expect.“

By signing up for a free account, alumni gain access to a variety of customizable features: • Directory: Reconnect with old classmates or expand your professional network by industry or region. • Mentoring: Sign up to mentor a student throughout the academic year or provide “flash mentoring” to those who need quick advice. • Groups: Join a group to engage with fellow Carthaginians by major, interests, industry, fraternity/sorority, and other categories.

Using the web-based tool, Professor Jean Quashnock started a pilot group for physics majors. The enthusiastic response from alumni suggests to him there’s a “latent energy to reconnect with the Carthage they remember.” In 21 years, he’s seen graduates fan out to a range of rewarding careers, and students find their advice particularly credible. Being a mentor doesn’t take a lot of time, and it “The Aspire Network comes at an opportune time to ‘harvest’ the experiences and talents of these isn’t about having all the right answers. It’s about Carthaginians who are making a real difference all over the country and world,” says Prof. Quashnock. Alumni can now register to participate in the spring 2020 mentor program or ongoing mentoring options. Laura Gregorski Tyunaitis ’08 Creating a profile takes only a couple of minutes at: Marketing Director, Kenosha Area Convention and Visitors Bureau aspirenetwork.carthage.edu

leadershi

being a resource and sounding board for your mentee.

creativity 18

Winter Carthaginian 2020

ANNOUNCING AN IMPORTANT NEW WAY TO

SHOW YOUR CARTHAGE PRIDE!

The Alford Park Loyalty Society The Alford Park Loyalty Society provides much-deserved recognition to the donors we can count on to contribute to Carthage every year. Loyal donors provide the consistent base of support needed to fund scholarships, hire exceptional faculty, and invest in the highest-quality learning facilities. In appreciation, we’re launching The Alford Park Loyalty Society. The society recognizes donors who make a gift of any amount to any area of the College for three or more consecutive years. Levels within the society recognize greater consecutive years of giving:

ADVOCATE: PARTNER: STEWARD: BEACON:

3-4 years* 5-9 years 10-19 years 20+ years

*New alumni who give in the first year after graduation are also recognized at this level.

Don’t want to wait? To join the loyalty society immediately and receive a free gift, set up a recurring gift of three or more years at: carthage.edu/give. As a member, you’ll receive special communications, invitations to exclusive events, recognition of your giving, advance notice of campus celebrations, and access to dedicated loyalty society staff.

“I continue to support Carthage for two distinct reasons: because I believe in President Swallow’s vision for the College and am inspired by his intellect and his heart, and because I will never stop feeling grateful to those unnamed supporters who made academic scholarships available to me when a Carthage education would have otherwise been out of reach. Because I don’t know how to pay it back, I will continue to pay it forward.” – Kate (Whiston) Colbert ’96, four consecutive years of giving “Annual giving to Carthage has been important to recognize the nurturing environment at Carthage and the personal growth I experienced during 1971-1975. From a very shy 18-year-old, Carthage helped me develop toward success academically, spiritually, socially, and especially athletically.”

“From the professors who mentored me and guided me to the staff who made me feel at home to the friends who made me laugh until my belly hurt, Carthage became my family. I give to help provide a space for students to learn, grow, explore, and thrive.”

– Jeff D. Koenitzer ’75, 40+ consecutive years of giving

– Ann (O’Leary) Gundlach ’14, seven consecutive years of giving

an evening of praise and possibilities Carthage students, employees, and alumni joined with members of the wider community Oct. 11 to formally open the 150 Years of Carthage Women celebration. President John Swallow’s wife, Cameron, emceed the kickoff event in A. F. Siebert Chapel. Notable alumnae shared updates about past and future initiatives, as well as their hopes for students who follow in their footsteps. “We don’t need to try to do anything special to be women. Being women is enough to already make us remarkable,” said keynote speaker Tammylynne Jonas ’00, global chief information officer for Minnesota-based Self Esteem Brands. About 80 volunteers serve on five committees for the yearlong initiative, supporting Carthage women through celebratory events and four fundraising priorities: estate gifts, professional development, athletics, and scholarships. As the new year began, approximately $3.9 million had been raised toward the updated $5 million goal. The celebration runs through Homecoming 2020. See a list of upcoming events: carthage.edu/women150events

Winter Carthaginian 2020

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Leading ladies Alumnae with top positions detail challenges, lessons of leadership

hether they strode the halls of Lentz Hall or Old Main, thousands of women have sharpened their minds at Carthage since it joined the first wave of higher education institutions to offer co-ed enrollment in 1870. The Summer 2019 issue of The Carthaginian paid tribute to some of the women who shaped the thriving institution we know today. Now that the 150 Years of Carthage Women celebration is underway, we’re highlighting a few of the alumnae whose impact reverberates far beyond the modern campus in Kenosha and its predecessor in western Illinois. Many actively work to improve local and global conditions through policy change, advocacy, and education. We asked alumnae from four different decades to describe the challenges they’ve faced — and overcome — in the government and nonprofit sectors, their approaches to leadership, and their advice to rising women leaders. Here are excerpts from their responses. To read more, visit: carthage.edu/women150/stories-impact

carthage.edu

Christina Bruff ’04 With the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States, Christina (Wright) Bruff leads a team that supports economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean — paralleling her volunteer efforts in the Peace Corps. Carthage taught her to approach unfamiliar topics fearlessly, an essential mindset in her varied public policy roles. As a woman, what challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them? Being a female professional in the U.S. national security field has definitely presented its own set of unique challenges. It is a field that has traditionally been dominated by men, and yet I am proud to be part of a talented, intelligent, and resilient group of women who are establishing themselves as experts on issues such as peacekeeping, sanctions, cybersecurity, and trade. It can be intimidating at times to be the only woman at the table, and to combat implicit (and sometimes very

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explicit) assumptions that you are the note-taker rather than the subject matter expert. Coming to the table prepared and using that confidence to add my perspective to the discussion has helped tremendously, but it can take time to find your voice and not be afraid to use it. Ms. Bruff notes that her own experience mirrors research about the “unique challenges” women face in their path to leadership. The problem is that both men and women have internalized perceptions of who is allowed to exhibit certain characteristics. And, unfortunately, women are expected to be strong (but not too strong), assertive (but not too assertive). A pattern I’ve seen emerge with women — myself included — is caveating strong statements in an effort to strike this balance. For example, instead of, “we need to address this concern immediately,” I’ve been guilty of starting with “This is just my opinion …” or “Maybe we could …” or “Just an idea, but I think …”

What advice do you have for young women as they develop their own careers? Regarding how you approach your work, I really love [Facebook chief operating officer] Sheryl Sandberg’s directive to “sit at the table.” It sounds so simple, but I can’t tell you the number of women who instinctively sit in the back row, even when there are open seats at the table. … The best policy, product, or pitch is a result of a diversity of voices and perspectives, from women, men, people of color, people of different socioeconomic backgrounds and experiences.

Gussie Yonashiro-Daniels ’84 Raised on Japan’s Okinawa Island, Gussie Yonashiro-Daniels came to the United States at 18. Her life’s mission to empower others took shape at Carthage. A fruitful career in nonprofit leadership across the Midwest led Ms. Yonashiro-Daniels

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curriculum streams of design, innovation, and organizational development are taught through the critical concepts of theory, knowledge, application, and continuous learning. Winter

to her position as president and CEO of YWCA Lake County in northeastern Illinois. As a woman, what challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them? My first challenge came from my family. My father felt that education was a waste of time for a woman, because I would eventually get married and have children. Yes, I did get married, have two children, and get my college degree from Carthage. The workforce presented a second challenge. Ms. YonashiroDaniels became the first female executive director at the YMCA in Waukegan, Illinois — on her fourth try. Each time, I was told I lacked a certain skill for the job. Each rejection led me to acquire that skill. I had to work harder than anyone else. I knew I could do this job and never gave up on my dream. … I remember one Y member coming up to me and asking me, how did I (a woman) get this job? I told him “through my qualifications, experience, talent, and plenty of hard work. Is there any other way?” What does leadership mean to you? Leadership is given to you by the people who follow you. If no one wants to follow you, you are not a leader. This is especially true in the nonprofit sector.

Emily McFarland ’07 Last April, voters elected Emily (Cahoon) McFarland mayor of Watertown, Wisconsin, a city of about 24,000 people where she was born and raised. Looking back, she considers Carthage a “catalyst” for a successful career that also has included jobs at the federal, state, and county levels of government. As a woman, what challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them? I’ve had my capacity questioned, as a younger professional, as a mom who has a demanding job, and many other ways, and I overcome it by simply not letting it bother me. I let it come in one ear and out the

carthage.edu

other. I know my capacity, and I know that I won’t operate outside of it. Questions of my intellect are admittedly the toughest. I hate that I have to verify my positions with data and research and others who are different than me don’t, but you know what? It makes me smarter! It makes me look for what their questions could be, it makes me prepare harder, it makes me research more. Acknowledging that not all women can “brush it off,” however, Mayor McFarland feels a duty to address discriminatory words and actions. I’ve taken the approach now of educating rather than assuming the worst in someone. We’re living in an interesting time of multiple generations in the workforce, and our generational norms and values are different, so I try to use my encounters as an opportunity to change the behavior going forward rather than shame someone. Although she ultimately became the first woman to win the seat, Mayor McFarland minimized that during the campaign. Our city has had demographically the same representation in the mayor’s office for my entire life and before that. And I am not knocking that; you won’t catch me saying that I’m doing it better — I always say we’re doing it differently. Those men served the best they could, and our city is a great place to be. So, acknowledging that I was different, I didn’t want to be elected just because of that. I didn’t want people to vote for me because I was younger or I was a woman. I wanted them to vote for me because of my ideas and capacity.

Vivian Onano ’14 A scholarship program allowed Vivian Onano to attend Carthage, and she recently created the Leading Light Foundation to ensure that others in her native Kenya have similar access to education. She won’t forget the flexible professors who supported her global efforts “that most of the time clashed with my studies.”

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As a woman, what challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them? One of the biggest challenges I have faced may also be disguised as a learning opportunity. I am constantly in spaces surrounded by older men, and most of the time they think you are there as a token. At the beginning, everyone overlooks you until it is time for you to deliver — and then they are all surprised. This is because of the perceptions that have been developed about young women and, more so, young African women. Because of this, I take all the opportunities that life presents me with very seriously, knowing that it could open or close doors for other young women behind me. What does leadership mean to you? Leadership is about service and not the glamorous titles that sometimes we are adorned with. It is about empowering others. I have had an interesting and enriching leadership journey since kindergarten up to now as an adult in real life. All these opportunities have enabled me to develop my own voice and self-confidence, and define my purpose in life. You can’t be a great leader if you don’t understand yourself as a person and what your life mission is about.

Julie Elginer ’95 Now teaching at UCLA, Julie Elginer has a long and successful track record of “bringing people together to solve vexing issues in the public health space.” A leader with diverse experience in industry, nonprofits, and public service, Ms. Elginer can appreciate the strides she made at

Carthage while caring for a terminally ill family member and holding three campus jobs. As a woman, what challenges have you faced in your career, and how have you overcome them? Honestly, I don’t really reflect on those challenges. It’s not that I don’t acknowledge them, but rather I don’t see them as any more difficult than my colleagues who have experienced blatant discrimination due to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and more. My challenges are part of my journey. They have made me who I am today: emboldened, a fierce advocate, a person who strives to understand first and make systematic changes when possible. What advice do you have for young women as they develop their own careers? I recently had an opportunity to serve as a guest lecturer to [Carthage nursing professor] Dr. Janet Levey’s nursing class via Zoom. On that call, I spoke with the students about the importance of allowing their authentic selves to guide them. It sounds trite, but authenticity resonates with people. Listening to my authentic self led me to careers in accounting, marketing, strategy, communications, public affairs, advocacy and public health. … Along the way, I developed my own voice and let myself share it, even when it was challenging, difficult, speaking out on issues that were not yet mainstream (human trafficking, microbicides, maternal mental health, etc). When you allow your authentic self to guide you, it allows you to make choices that fuel your passion, and, in turn, you are setting yourself up for tremendous success.

page from the past Read about 1879 alumna Caroline Bartlett Crane’s groundbreaking career as a minister and social reformer – PAGE 48

Winter Carthaginian 2020

multi-generational artistic talent on display

As part of the yearlong celebration, the H. F. Johnson Gallery of Art presented a retrospective exhibition featuring alumnae who majored or minored in studio art. Here are a few examples of work from the Women of Carthage Alumni Exhibition, which took place Oct. 31 through Dec. 14: 1 Andrea Lily ’90 Esperanza (Hope) Acrylic on Canvas 2 BettyAnn Mocek ’78 Ardmore Alley Linoleum Print

3 Juliane Rae (Huley) Mueller ’76 Seiko Sketch One Drawing marker 4 Kimberly Pellikan ’14 Call Me Digital

5 Mary England ’15 Pancake Cat Screenprint 6 Missy Isley-Poltrock ’89 Turtle Owl Guardian Linoleum print 7 Paula Zinngrabe Wendland ’78 Donde esta… Mixed media

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8 Cristal Tucker ’12 La Cara De La Alma (The Face of the Soul) Screenprint sculpture on canvas

Support your

red men and lady reds from anywhere!

Stream events live at

gocarthage.com

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Greek scene rolls with the changes Carthage fraternities and sororities evolve to meet contemporary needs

ollywood has gotten plenty of laughs at the expense of fraternities and sororities. There were the full-time partiers in “National Lampoon’s Animal House,” the overaged frat buddies in “Old School,” and the shallow villainesses in “Sydney White.” No wonder students like Dante Graham ’20 often come to Carthage with a dark view of Greek life. “Coming into college, I had no intent to join a fraternity,” says the neuroscience major from Rio, Wisconsin. “I thought frats were full of guys that didn’t care much for classes and didn’t have respect for people. At least that is how I had seen them portrayed in movies.” There might’ve been times and places where the reality warranted that reputation. But not now, Dante soon discovered, and definitely not here. Drawn to the organization’s colorful, tight-knit membership, he joined Delta Omega Nu as a freshman. Three years later, Dante serves as its treasurer. “Overall, through my experience with the DONs, I have learned that Greek life at Carthage is much more positive and beneficial than the common stigmas about fraternities would lead you to believe,” he says.

If Bluto and Flounder wouldn’t cut it here, neither would their antagonist. Thankfully, Elizabeth Snider is no Dean Wormer. Carthage’s new assistant dean of students and director of student involvement worked closely with Greek organizations during seven years at her alma mater, Lake Forest College in suburban Chicago, and she proudly maintains affiliate membership in international women’s fraternity Alpha Phi. Since joining the Carthage staff in June, Ms. Snider has laid out a list of priorities to keep fraternities and sororities safe, healthy, and thriving. Points of emphasis include liability insurance

carthage.edu

Three of Carthage's Greek organizations teamed up to hold the Heels for Hope Charity Drag Show on Dec. 5.

(required by the Board of Trustees), hazing prevention training, parity in recruitment, financial transparency, and leadership succession planning. “The commitment to robust Greek life at Carthage has been very clear to me, so we’re making sure the experience we offer addresses the modern day challenges and opportunities for fraternities and sororities,” Ms. Snider says. “Chapter leaders' willingness to examine current practices while maintaining meaningful traditions has been a great starting point.” These policy updates come in response to changing student expectations. With the benefit of the long view, Ms. Snider has observed the evolution of Greek life’s role in the college experience.

More residential options As the recruitment process introduced her to the various sororities at Carthage, Autumn Williams ’22 looked for one that could replicate the family feel of her high school theatre program. “I managed to find that with the DOEs,” says the graphic design and marketing major from Union, Missouri. Looking ahead to her junior year, she’s eager to return to the firstfloor wing in Pat Tarble Residence Hall where Delta Theta Epsilon (nicknamed the “DOEs”) has a block of rooms reserved for members.

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“I love living on the sorority floor,” Autumn says. “I’m surrounded by my sisters.” Others feel a tug toward newer campus housing facilities like The Tower Residence Hall and the Oaks Residential Village, which offer suite-style layouts with semi-private bathrooms. “Years ago, it was common for a chapter to fully occupy its designated floor, but, as an institution, we’ve adjusted to students’ changing preferences,” says Ms. Snider. “It’s important to support the chapters that maintain those residential spaces and also provide a welcoming atmosphere for unaffiliated students who live on those floors." Sometimes other commitments dictate where a Greek member lives. Dante works as a resident assistant at Madrigrano Family Residence Hall, where he’s had residents from two other fraternities. “One of my jobs as an RA is to help connect my residents to build a community, but fraternity floors pretty much do that for me,” he says. “Members from the fraternity on each floor already know each other and are personable people, so they have no issue talking to other residents and making them feel welcome.” Since they aren’t next-door neighbors, he’s got to work a little harder to stay connected to his own brothers. The DONs hang out informally after weekly chapter meetings or meet for lunch at The Caf.

Accommodating diverse interests In years past, Greek affiliation typically dominated students’ attention outside of class. Finding the shelves bulging with extracurricular options, today’s students are building more diverse identities at Carthage. The menu of registered student organizations on campus now tops 130. This fall, the athletics lineup will expand to 27 NCAA Division III sports. When he’s not making the rounds at Madrigrano, Dante might be supervising student researchers in the Neuroscience Laboratory. Or else sprinting around the track, looking to squeeze some extra speed out of the legs that contributed to a third-place finish in the

400-meter relay at the outdoor conference meet last May. "Years ago, fraternity or sorority membership really served as the cornerstone of a student's social and co-curricular experience,” says Ms. Snider. “Today’s students view Greek membership as a great supplement to the college experience. In fact, it provides a strong support network for their other activities." As vice president of Phi Kappa Sigma, Jackson Larson ’21 estimates his executive board duties take between 10 and 15 hours each week. He’s been fighting the tendency to overload his schedule since high school. Of course, as students divvy up their waking hours, classes and homework still take precedence. Each Greek organization sets a strict minimum GPA for students to maintain active membership, and regular study sessions are common. “We understand everyone’s a student first,” says Jackson, a marketing major from Monticello, Minnesota. Even with supportive brothers in the same boat, he has a simple tip: Be disciplined. “You can’t be worried about ‘What will people think of me if I miss one meeting?’”

Collaboration over competition Fourteen organizations are still categorized as “social fraternities and sororities,” and, certainly, the social aspect of Greek life is still a major draw. Introverted when she first arrived, Autumn credits Delta Theta Epsilon for the push to “break out of my shell” and even plan chapter outings during a term as sisterhood chair. She’s also station manager for campus radio outlet WAVE, president of first-generation student group 1G, and membership director for the Carthage Activities Board. The sorority’s emphasis on conservation aligned with Autumn’s own values, sealing the deal. The DOEs have held a series of EcoWeek activities the past couple of springs. Carthage’s online calendar is filled with service projects organized by the fraternal chapters. And they’re increasingly joining forces to maximize the impact.

Winter Carthaginian 2020

A prime example of that collaboration came in December at the third annual Heels for Hope Charity Drag Show. Women’s (Kappa Phi Eta), men’s (Phi Kappa Sigma), and co-ed (Tau Sigma Chi) organizations joined to put on the fundraiser for Courage MKE, a nonprofit that provides housing and services for displaced LGBTQ youths. “We all initially wanted to be a part of something bigger than ourselves,” says Adalee Chapa ’21, social chair for Kappa Phi Eta. “That is why many people join Greek life to begin with.” The social work major from Aurora, Illinois, also serves on the Panhellenic Council. Overseeing sorority activities at Carthage, that governing body is composed of two representatives from each chapter. In the men’s counterpart, the Intrafraternity Council, Jackson holds one of Phi Kappa Sigma’s two seats. As chair of the Greek Week Committee, he’s aiming to incorporate a service project into each day of the weeklong celebration. Whether he’s wearing his Skulls hat or his IFC hat, Jackson doesn’t think twice about teaming up with Tekes, Turtles, or whoever has a good idea. On such a small campus, he figures it’s impossible to avoid those interactions. When he attended the fraternity’s national leadership institute, members from other campuses told a different story. “It’s not the baseline everywhere,” Jackson learned. “At most universities, Greek life doesn’t get along.”

With active chapters ranging from six to 67 years old, Greek life at Carthage collectively boasts thousands of graduates. In 2018, President John Swallow convened a small Greek Alumni Advisory Council to benefit from their perspective. “The group has helped us to ensure good communication with chapter leadership and advisors,” he says, “as well as to consider ways to involve Greek alumni in the success of their chapters.” Both for professional networking and personal growth, the chance to connect with like-minded people across the miles — and the years — remains another strong selling point for Carthage’s fraternities and sororities. “Whether you graduate in 1962 or 2025,” Jackson says, “you’re all part of the same brotherhood.”

carthage.edu

18.5%

of Carthage students belonged to fraternities or sororities * as of Spring 2019

cumulative gpa

3.29

3.18

Fraternities All students and sororities * Carthage undergraduates as of Fall 2019

active greek chapters Alpha Chi Omega (Sorority) – 2005 Chi Omega (Sorority) – 1996 Delta Omega Nu (Fraternity) – 1956 Delta Sigma Theta (Sorority) – 1997 Delta Theta Epsilon (Sorority) – 2013 Delta Upsilon (Fraternity) – 1994 Kappa Phi Eta (Sorority) – 1965 Phi Kappa Sigma (Fraternity) – 1984 Pi Theta (Sorority) – 1965 Sigma Alpha Chi (Sorority) – 1967 Sigma Omega Sigma (Sorority) – 1999 Tau Kappa Epsilon (Fraternity) – 1998 Tau Sigma Chi (Coed Fraternity) – 1953 Zeta Tau Sigma (Sorority) – 2014

ATHLETICS

A coach off the old block At Division I Oregon, Matt Ulmer copies his mom’s Carthage volleyball recipe

ntering the coaching profession, Matt Ulmer ’06, M.Ed. ’08 saw no need to experiment. He already had a tried-andtrue family recipe for success.

At 28, he became the youngest coach to win a national volleyball title when his Long Beach State University women’s sand volleyball team was crowned champion in 2013. Five years later, he guided the University of Oregon to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Division I women’s indoor volleyball tournament, matching the Ducks’ deepest postseason run ever. Matt can easily pinpoint the source of his coaching chops: his mom, Leanne, the head women’s volleyball coach at Carthage since 2001. “There’s nothing I intentionally do differently

than her as a coach,” he says. “Mom is one of the best volleyball coaches around. She knows how to treat people. She makes connections with players, [asking] ‘What can a coach do to help them?’” Rather than photocopying the winning recipe, you could say Matt committed the steps to memory until they became second nature. He was around the sport long before starting competitive play at 13. “I grew up in the gym,” he says. “I was always at practice with [Mom], learning the game, learning how to work hard. She’s one of the hardest-working people you’ll ever meet.” Matt first competed for TNT Volleyball Club in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, which Leanne has codirected since 1995. He then excelled at Stevenson

High School, where she coached both the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams for several years. Two years before Matt graduated from high school, Leanne moved on to Carthage. While coaching the Lady Reds, she started a men’s volleyball club with the intent to turn it into an NCAA program. It was no foregone conclusion that Matt would follow. Lacking the size that collegiate volleyball programs typically want, he drew only faint interest from recruiters. Matt initially considered setting aside athletics to attend a huge school he’d admired since his early years in Southern California. “He wanted to go to UCLA,” Leanne says. “But, when he visited Carthage, his grandfather helped

Winter Carthaginian 2020

“There’s nothing I intentionally do differently than her as a coach.”

Photos (left and above) courtesy of University of Oregon

him realize this was the place for him. He was a peanut coming out of high school. If he had gone to UCLA, he wouldn’t have gotten to play volleyball. Carthage really enabled his success.” Enrolling in time to join the College’s first varsity men’s volleyball team in 2005, Matt twice helped the Red Men reach the national tournament. The setter earned first-team NCAA Division III AllAmerica recognition as a senior. “At the D-III level, you play because you love it,” he says. “It was such a great experience for me. I worked hard, watched a ton of film, and it was great having Mom there. I wouldn’t have traded my time at Carthage for anything.” At that point, Leanne was just laying the foundation for long-term success at Carthage. Now that she’s amassed 542 wins, 11 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championships, and 12 NCAA berths with the program, the numbers bear out what Matt knew all along. “She does as much as is possible on every level,” he says. “She’s one of the greats.” Here, Matt further developed the passion and instincts to coach. He assisted his mom with the women’s team for five years — four as an undergraduate, then one more as a graduate assistant while he completed Carthage’s Master of Education program. “His mind was always coaching,” Leanne says. “He has a knack for really picking things up — a great eye for talent and technique.” Primarily an assistant coach during seven years at Long Beach State, Matt joined the staff at the University of Oregon in 2014. Since his promotion to head coach in 2017, the Ducks have reached the NCAA tournament in two of those three seasons. “None of his success surprises me,” says Leanne. “He has worked extremely hard, and he’s one of the most competitive people I know.” In 2015, Leanne got to present him for induction

carthage.edu

Lady Reds reach Final Four

into the Carthage Athletic Hall of Fame. Unable to attend the ceremony in person, Matt recorded a heartfelt video. “You want your kids to be successful, and watching him do what he loves and be so good at it is the greatest feeling in the world,” Leanne says. Predictably, the two often talk volleyball — just “not the X’s and O’s,” she says. “It’s fun for me to hear what he’s thinking. He doesn’t need my help as a coach, but it’s always good to have someone who will listen.” That cooperative spirit doesn’t extend to all corners of their relationship, though. “I always think I can do better than everyone,” Matt says. “For example, if we ever play cards, I win. But, if we play golf, she wins.” Keep in mind, Leanne is a versatile athlete. After helping the University of California, Riverside, win the national volleyball championship in 1979, she briefly played pro basketball and later competed on the LPGA mini-tour from 1989 to 1991. “He’s getting close in golf,” she says. “He can’t beat me yet, but maybe someday he will.”

For the third time since 2011, the Carthage women’s volleyball team advanced to the Final Four at the NCAA Division III tournament. Pushing top-seeded Emory University to five sets on Nov. 22, the Lady Reds came within two points of advancing to the national championship match. They finished 31-4, going undefeated in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play to sweep the regular season and tournament titles. The American Volleyball Coaches Association voted three Carthage women to the 2019 AllAmerica team: Ellie LeCount ’20 (first team), Megan Behrendt ’20 (third team), and Haley Horner ’21 (honorable mention). In conference accolades, Megan earned Player of the Year honors and Leanne Ulmer won Coach of the Year for the ninth time.

ATHLETICS

Board asks task force to re-examine nicknames, mascot In October, the Carthage Board of Trustees decided to convene a Task Force on Team Names and Mascot. The task force — which includes alumni, students, faculty, staff, and board members — has begun a consultative process to evaluate whether the varsity team nicknames (Red Men and Lady Reds) and the mascot, Torchie, should be changed. In the coming months, the task force will consult with alumni, students, faculty, and staff. Through this careful and collaborative work, the task force will make a recommendation on whether these are the right nicknames and mascot for Carthage in the future. If the recommendation is for a change, the task force will conduct a similar process to invite nickname suggestions. Feedback is welcome; to share your thoughts, contact the task force by email at: ourteam@carthage.edu

AD moves east for family reasons After 17 months as Carthage’s director of athletics, Michelle Manning accepted a position as senior associate athletic director at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The move in December allowed her to be closer to family. Under Ms. Manning’s leadership, Carthage added three sports and employed zero-based budgeting to improve the student-athlete experience without raising expenses. She also implemented a Faculty Athletic Mentor program, matching each team with a designated professor. President John Swallow appointed Kelsey Peterson, associate director of athletics, as interim director. A task force has begun the search for a permanent leader.

Coaches hired for newest sports Carthage hired head coaches for the three new athletic teams that will begin play in 2020-21, as well as several other coaches who took over existing programs in 2019-20.

New Sports • W omen’s Bowling: Katelyn Zwiefelhofer, who spent four years as an assistant with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater • M en’s and Women’s Wrestling: Alberto Quiros, who headed both wrestling programs at MacMurray College for two years in Jacksonville, Illinois

Existing Sports • W omen’s Golf: Brandy Johnston, who coached high school boys’ and girls’ golf from 2013 to 2019 • M en’s Volleyball: JW Kieckhefer, previously an assistant for five years at Purdue University Fort Wayne • W omen’s Water Polo: Ryan Castle, who held the same position at NCAA Division I Indiana University from 2017 to 2019

Women’s Golf

Lady Reds return to top Carthage won its first CCIW title since 2014, coming from behind in the three-day event in September at Brighton Dale Links in western Kenosha County. With a final-round total of 305, the best of their fall season, the Lady Reds surged past Illinois Wesleyan University. Coach Johnston was named CCIW Coach of the Year in her first season.

Women’s Tennis

Conference’s best freshman Giana Apostoli ’23 earned the CCIW’s Newcomer of the Year award, compiling a 7-1 conference record in singles and 6-2 in doubles with fellow freshman Jen Ptak ’23. Giana reached the CCIW championship match at No. 1 singles.

Winter Carthaginian 2020

CLASS NOTES

Black Alumni Network holds first reunion Carthage hosted the first reunion of the Wiggan-Kenniebrew Black Alumni Network from Oct. 11 to 13, a weekend filled with stories of past challenges and growing momentum. As part of the Homecoming 2019 celebration, reunion organizers welcomed AfricanAmerican and biracial alumni, those who participated in Black Student Union, and all others who support the W-K Network’s efforts to support students of color through fundraising, mentoring, career development, and advocacy. Although many attended the College at a time when the black student population was significantly smaller than today’s, they instead focused on the quality of the people they met. From their widely dispersed hometowns, network co-founder Alan Mills ’79 said he and five fellow Carthaginians still make a point to gather nearly every year. “Those were friendships for life,” Mr. Mills, a partner at Barnes & Thornburg law firm in Indianapolis, said during a reunion dinner program. “They happened because I was at Carthage College at that time.” The three-day event opened with an alumni panel that offered career tips for students. In a way, the panelists agreed, being a distinct minority on campus solidified the confidence

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CLASS NOTES

they’ve needed to become pioneers in fields where racial diversity continues to lag. Jamin McGinnis ’06, a marketing manager for Breakthru Beverage Group, advised African-American students to “make sure that, no matter what room you’re in, you’re heard and you’re comfortable and you’re being your authentic self.” Speakers applauded the major strides Carthage has made toward an inclusive culture in recent years. President John Swallow highlighted some of the ongoing initiatives, including the hiring of Roger Moreano as director of equity and inclusion; the DEIL Fellows Program; and new requirements in the faculty hiring process. Panelists shared some of the support systems they developed here. Now a licensed psychotherapist, Dominique Pritchett ’07 called the late Ruth Fangmeier both her social work faculty mentor and her “interim grandmother” in the college years. Jaime Fluker ’03, a four-year letterwinner for the women’s track and field team, gravitated to her coaches. “In this small community, people were family,”

said Ms. Fluker, now a doctoral student at Chicago Theological Seminary. “It wasn’t just about me being an athlete. It wasn’t just about me being a student. It was about me being a person.” The Saturday evening dinner honored some of the trailblazing individuals at Carthage, plus long-standing campus organizations such as Black Student Union and United Women of Color and new men’s leadership group My Brother’s Keeper. The W-K Network, Carthage’s first official affinitybased alumni group, is named for its first AfricanAmerican female and male graduates: Lorraine Wiggan ’46 and Alonzo Kenniebrew ’54. As of Homecoming, 117 donors had contributed more than $125,000 to the network’s scholarship and experiential learning funds. Mr. Mills and Hoyt H. Harper II ’77, both trustees of the College, issued a fundraising challenge. Together, they pledged to match up to $10,000 in future contributions to the W-K funds. “This generation is looking up to us,” said Shebaniah Muhammad ’98. “Set that bar high, then help them achieve and overcome it.”

Winter Carthaginian 2020

Cast and crew reprise ‘Room Service’ 10 years later When 20 students joined the Carthage Theatre production of “Room Service” in 2009, they had no idea how profoundly the play would affect their lives. Last fall, members of the cast and crew fulfilled a pact they made when the show closed. They returned to campus Sept. 21 for a lively staged reading of the play. Tommy Novak ’11, now an adjunct professor of music theatre at Carthage, organized and directed the reunion event. “We all joked upon the closing of this show that in 10 years we would all get back together and read the script aloud, even if it was someone’s living room,” said Prof. Novak. “I tried to get in touch with everyone who was involved with this show. Every single person I got in contact with said ‘Yes, I’ll be there without question — when and where?’”

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“Room Service” is a wild comedy about a group of actors attempting to make it big while urgently trying to pay off a lofty hotel bill. But, to those alumni, it became a symbol for their friendship, love of theatre, and appreciation for their time at Carthage. “‘Room Service’ is my favorite production we’ve ever done,” said Brigette Estola ’11, a New Yorkbased writer, producer, and director. “I am so happy to experience it again.” Carthage theatre professor Martin McClendon, who oversaw the original production, joined his former students on stage as hotel manager Joseph Gribble. “It was fantastic to see all the faces of our former students coming together for this,” he said. “It really was a unique event; we haven’t done anything like this before. It was a great reason to get

together and hear about all the amazing things our students have done since graduation.” Mr. Novak summed up the reasons that show was so impactful. “I feel that it was the point where I grew so much as an actor, felt safe to take risks, and dug deep into researching the life of the character and the world of the play that Prof. McClendon was trying to construct,” he said.

Cubs-Brewers Alumni Event Computer Science Reunion

snapshots from events for alumni, parents, and supporters

Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Recognition Dinner Illinois Campus Reunion

Winter Carthaginian 2020

Homecoming

Family Weekend

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CLASS NOTES

1960 John and Nancy (Dorner) George – Munster, Indiana, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Aug. 16 at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island (Michigan), where they also celebrated their honeymoon. They’re both retired teachers.

1966 Al “Sonny” Leemhuis – Freeport, Illinois, has retired from a 53-year career as a high school teacher and coach in Illinois and Iowa. He spent the final 11 years at Beckman Catholic School in Dyersville, Iowa.

1969 Thomas Abbott – Colorado Springs, Colorado, continues to expand his various business ventures in the research, development, and distribution of hemp and CBD products. Jay Ohlrich – Austin, Texas, retired from an award-winning 40year career in the professional beauty industry. Most recently, he was vice president of sales for The Burmax Company in Holtsville, New York. 1

Tim Yanacheck – Oregon,

1970 Tom Mortenson – Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, wrote “Scandinavians for Suffrage,” a feature article that was published in Viking Magazine. Inspired by his grandmother’s efforts in the women’s suffrage movement, Mr. Mortenson has also given numerous presentations as the centennial of the 19th Amendment approaches. He serves on the board of the Turning Point National Suffragist Memorial and coordinates the Women’s Historical Trail in Minnesota.

1971 William Johnsen – St. Charles, Illinois, is retiring from Virginia Beach City Public Schools, where he spent nearly 45 years. Starting his career as a U.S. Navy musician, Mr. Johnsen later held roles as band director and assistant principal before becoming the Virginia Beach system’s director of instructional technology in 2002.

1972

1973

David Mack Endres – Leander,

Rev. Richard Perry Jr. –

Texas, helped to set the Guinness World Record for the largest clarinet choir (367 members) in July at the University of Tennessee. Since retiring from Schlumberger Limited after 30 years, Mr. Endres has worked as a technical advisor with i2k Connect, which uses artificial intelligence to create value from unstructured data.

Chicago, retired from full-time teaching in the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago after 22 years.

Bob McCormac – Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, retired from full-time teaching in May and took a part-time position as a Holocaust education coordinator for the Jewish Federation of Tulsa. He arranges speakers for annual Yom HaShoah and Kristallnacht commemorations, administers an annual essay contest, and speaks at schools in the region.

1974 Kent Gaertner – Aurora, Illinois, received the Ralph A. Gabric Award from the DuPage County Bar Association on June 7. The annual award recognizes character, leadership, and legal professionalism. Mr. Gaertner practices bankruptcy law and commercial litigation with Pfeiffer Law Offices in Wheaton, Illinois. 4

John Vitkus – Kenosha, has retired as vice president of Powerbrace Corporation, a division of Miner Enterprises, after 44 years.

Jack Zelienka ’71 and Romona (Becker) Zelienka ’72 – Coloma, Wisconsin, hosted the biennial “Tau Sigs Old Farts Reunion” at their Caribou Bay retreat. Tau Sigma Phi alumni from the classes of 1981 and earlier gathered in September to celebrate the fraternity’s 57-year chain of brotherhood at Carthage.

Wisconsin, has taken up acting, singing, and dancing in community theater after more than 40 years of practicing law. In June, he played Grandpa Potts for the Verona Area Community Theater production of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” 2

Winter Carthaginian 2020

1975

1977

Todd Patterson – Wooster,

Rev. Peter Beckstrand –

Scott Hodal – Kenosha, retired

Viroqua, Wisconsin, retired from ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on June 2 after serving for more than 35 years in three congregations.

Sept. 30 as director of human resources at Pactiv Corporation, capping a 42-year career that spanned a variety of industries and markets.

Ohio, was inducted into the Wooster High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame in April. He recently retired after 42 years as an educator. Along the way, he also coached athletics and directed the drama club.

1978

1976 J. Nelson Wood – Mount Vernon, Illinois, was appointed commissioner of the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, a state Supreme Court agency that investigates allegations of lawyer wrongdoing. Mr. Wood is CEO and legal counsel of Wood Energy Inc., an independent oil and gas exploration company.

Joel Borgardt – Racine, Wisconsin, has become chairman of the board at Carma Labs, a company known for its Carmex lip balm.

Sue (Hochsprung) Miller ’78 and the Rev. Charles Miller – Avon, Indiana, celebrated their 40th anniversary Aug. 11. They trace the roots of their relationship back to Ms. Miller’s sorority sisters, who insisted she invite Pastor Miller to a Carthage formal.

1979 Diana (Sahagian) Booth – Zion, Illinois, has been promoted to registrar at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, where she recently celebrated 20 years. Ms. Booth is also studying toward a master’s degree in science management.

Penelope LeFew-Blake – Harvard, Illinois, has retired from her professorship at Rock Valley College after 40 years of teaching. 5

1980 John Danley Jr. – Silverado, California, published a new book, “Dimensions of Leadership: Create Your Leadership Legacy.” In it, Mr. Danley describes how to empower others to succeed by creating an inclusive environment.

Jim Eisfeller – Byron, Illinois, published his first book, “Grace From Above,” which addresses topics such as interfaith harmony, social justice, and grief and recovery. He notes that all royalties go to Darkhorse Lodge, a veterans’ retreat that’s being built in Tennessee.

1982 James Inendino – returned to the Chicago office of Roetzel & Andress in May, where he previously practiced from 2013 to 2018. Mr. Inendino has been recognized as an Illinois Leading Lawyer for real estate law since 2008 and is involved in various legal associations. 6

1979 Alan Mills –

carthage.edu

Indianapolis, received the Rabb Emison Award at the Indiana State Bar Association’s annual reception on Aug. 29. The award recognizes contributions to diversity and equality in the legal profession. While serving on the board of visitors at Indiana University’s law school, Mr. Mills encouraged the law school to become more diverse and has actively recruited minority lawyers to Barnes & Thornburg, the firm where he’s a partner specializing in business law.

1981 Ramona Fullmer – Kenora, Ontario, hosted several classmates for a mini-reunion in July. Front row: Tom Hemling, Cindy Czarnik-Niemayer, Ramona Fullmer, Brenda (Schrecongost) Angle, John Nelson, and Steve Riedel — all from the Class of 1981. Back row: Former Carthage faculty member Marla Selvidge and Ms. Fullmer’s spouse, Dennis Anderson.

CLASS NOTES

As a park ranger for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Jason Taylor ’11 gets to ride ATVs, help with stranded whales, assist injured foxes, perform search-and-rescue operations, and hang out with Smokey the Bear. “There really isn’t anything I don’t enjoy,” he says. “What’s not to love about this job?”

See other alumni submissions and submit your own: carthage.edu/six-pics

the class of 2020 needs your help! Support future Carthaginians and help seniors break the fundraising record for a class gift. Make your gift to the Class of 2020 Endowed Scholarship: carthage.edu/ClassGift2020

Winter Carthaginian 2020

Charles Krey – Kenosha, retired after 36 years of teaching history at the middle and high school levels. His wife, Karen (Meyer) Krey ’81, is semi-retired but remains engaged in educational consulting at the national level. 7

1985 Leslie (Siordia) Dehn – Brookfield, Wisconsin, was hired as a marketing and business development maven for The Lash Lounge, a premium eyelash salon.

1989 John Gehring – Kenosha, created and sold 2020 calendars featuring his sketches of rock musicians from the 1960s and ’70s such as Phil Collins, Stevie Nicks, Sting, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin.

1992 Rhonda (Plachetka) Watton – Jackson, Wisconsin, completed a graduate program in American history and government last spring through Ashland (Ohio) University. It’s the second master’s degree for Ms. Watton, who teaches eighthgrade social studies in Sussex, Wisconsin.

1994 Rebecca (Schmierer) Weyenberg – joined Astec

Valerie (Arquilla) Karpeck – Darien, Illinois, joined hearing aid

Industries as chief financial officer in December. Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the family of companies manufactures equipment for road building; aggregate processing; oil, gas, and water well drilling; and wood processing.

manufacturer Widex as a regional vice president of sales.

1995 Chris Ballman – Elmhurst, Illinois, joined the American Society of Safety Professionals as director of professional development, overseeing educational offerings for occupational safety and health professionals. Charmayne Horton – Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, spent 26 days in Cuba as a tourist, an opportunity she arranged with an Australian tour organization.

Michelle Vant – Palatine, Illinois, was awarded the Fellow of American College of Healthcare Executives credential in January 2019. The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) FACHE is the premier credential that builds mastery around a core body of knowledge needed for effective healthcare management.

1996 Kate Colbert – Kenosha, wrote

Lots of red on the green Several Carthaginians converged in July at the Hazeltine National Golf Club Invitational in Chaska, Minnesota: (left to right) Scott Muschewske ‘92, Chad Black ‘92, John Thompson ‘93, Louie Maiorano ‘95, Steve Felder ‘92, and Dave Ruegg ‘91.

carthage.edu

1997

an Amazon best-selling book, “Think Like a Marketer: How a Shift in Mindset Can Change Everything for Your Business.”

Rev. Erik Schmidt – Saginaw, Michigan, accepted a call to become lead pastor of Peace Lutheran Ministries. Along with his wife, Heidi (Collins) Schmidt ’97, and their two children, he relocated after previously serving as administrative pastor and circuit visitor at Community Lutheran Church in Flat Rock, Michigan.

1999 Alyson (Turner) Eisch – Racine, Wisconsin, accepted dual appointments as principal and superintendent of Woods School in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Chandra LeGue – Eugene, Oregon, recently published a book titled “Oregon’s Ancient Forests: A Hiking Guide.” Ms. LeGue has worked for environmental nonprofit Oregon Wild since 2003.

Jamey (Toftey) Mulvenna – graduated in June from Regis University in Denver, completing a master’s program in nonprofit management.

Shannon Rose-Peterson – Eugene, Oregon, earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Oregon.

2000 Jason Beddigs – Flossmoor, Illinois, and Lisa Cardarelli had their first child, Julianna, on Aug. 12. 8

IN MEMORIAM 1943 John Dorch

1955 Tom Langan

1959 Thomas McGuine

1968 Robert Felber

1990 Frank Matrise Jr.

Sun City West, Ariz. July 11, 2019

Carthage, Ill. Aug. 23, 2019

Woodstock, Ill. May 2, 2019

Wendell, N.C. July 30, 2019

Kenosha | July 11, 2019

1944 Joan (Main) Swope Grass Lake, Mich. July 4, 2019

1946 William Pipas

Harry Robertson Collinsville, Ill. June 21, 2019

1956 Joan (Gedde) Lechner

Mobile, Ala. March 13, 2019

McHenry, Ill. June 2, 2019

1949 Calvin Claus

Evelyn (Hurst) Menzel

Arlington Heights, Ill. Oct. 15, 2019

Las Vegas April 8, 2019

Freda (Taylor) Rampley

Neysa (Vass) Wilt

Augusta, Ill. Sept. 7, 2019

1950 Robert Little

New Castle, Ind. Aug. 21, 2019

1957 Maurine (Anderson) Donnelly

1962 Joseph Roland Crivitz, Wis. Oct. 16, 2019

1963 Yvonne (Pfabe) Juhl St. Louis Sept. 13, 2019

Roger Risberg Palm Harbor, Fla. April 5, 2019

1964 Kay Ivarson Palatine, Ill. June 16, 2019

Grace (Dovemuehle) Parkhurst Lisle, Ill. | Oct. 14, 2019

Ottawa, Ill. Aug. 7, 2019

Center Moriches, N.Y. July 10, 2019

Rev. William Stewart

1951 Lois (Strobel) Anderson

Justin Silvius

Amery, Wis. Nov. 4, 2019

Ballwin, Mo. Jan. 29, 2019

1954 Dawn (DeBraal) Rodgers

Kenosha | May 18, 2019

1958 Troy Hedrick Rockford, Ill. Sept. 28, 2019

Tuscaloosa, Ala. Sept. 18, 2019

1966 Mary (Gross) Clark Quincy, Ill. Nov. 2, 2019

Elaine (Petersen) Lucht Racine, Wis. July 23, 2019

1969 Donald Mathson Racine, Wis. Sept. 21, 2019

1971 Catherine Butterfield Urban

1991 Ruth Grayson Racine, Wis. June 19, 2019

1996 Karen RuhlePeterson

Kenosha | May 26, 2019

Pleasant Prairie, Wis. June 7, 2019

1973 Ross Meader

2000 Ryan Hoskinson

Washington Island, Wis. Aug. 22, 2019

1975 Dorothy DeVolt Racine, Wis. July 15, 2019

Jean Hockett Sonora, Calif. April 11, 2019

1978 Chris Behm Agoura Hills, Calif. May 23, 2019

1981 Roger Jeffery Hilton Head Island, S.C. | Aug. 5, 2019

Rockford, Ill. May 11, 2019

2018 John Larsen Sioux Falls, S.D. July 24, 2019 friends of carthage

Helen (Stipanuk) Goll

Holly Graf – Kenosha, became principal at Bristol (Wisconsin) School in July.

2003 Cynthia (Fitzsimmons) Krueger – Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, donated her kidney (which she affectionately calls “Lefty”) to the mother of a former colleague in January 2019. She reported that both donor and recipient are thriving. 9

Carrie (Pinter) Wright – Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, was appointed principal for 7th through 12th grades at Christian Life School in Kenosha.

Kenosha | June 9, 2019

John Markin Kenosha | May 10, 2019

Edwin Tyler Twin Lakes, Wis. May 6, 2019

Dorothy Ziesemer

2004 Patrick Cummings – Portland, Oregon, and his wife, Kristen, welcomed a son, James, on Dec. 26, 2018. 10

Kenosha | June 16, 2019

2005 Steven Frenk – Harvard, Illinois, became a certified Project Management Professional in May.

David A. Straz Jr. Trustee Emeritus David A. Straz Jr., whose leadership and philanthropy garnered international respect, passed away Nov. 18 near his hometown of Tampa, Florida. He was 77. He achieved prominence both for his success in banking and his generous support of higher education and the arts in Wisconsin, Florida, and abroad. Also committed to diplomacy, he served as a Liberian ambassador-at-large and honorary consul general for both Liberia and Honduras.

2002

Ambassador Straz served on the Carthage Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2018, including the last four years as chairman. During that period, the College reached record enrollment, launched two new degree programs, and invested $100 million in campus facilities. The David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Natural and Social Sciences stands as a testament to his major contributions. Besides that facility, Ambassador Straz and his wife, Catherine (who preceded him on the board), gave freely toward the College’s theatre program and other campus priorities. The couple was awarded the Carthage Flame in 2007.

Kayla Kully – Florence, Arizona, received recognition from the Florence Unified School District for her work as STEM Coordinator at Poston Butte High School in San Tan Valley, Arizona.

Winter Carthaginian 2020

CLASS NOTES

2006 Casey Griffiths – Greenfield, Wisconsin, was appointed administrator and clerk-treasurer for the village of Wind Point in May. He previously held administrative positions at the villages of Sussex and Elm Grove.

Wisconsin, received a doctorate in health sciences in May after completing a program at A.T. Still University.

Amanda (Superczynski) and Mark Hoover – Kenosha,

July 12 at San Francisco City Hall. Participants in the ceremony included 2008 Carthage alumni Bryan and Catie (Bougie) Anderson. 11

2008 Marie (Balfanz) Sliwinski – Milwaukee, and her husband, Scott, welcomed their second child, Wyatt, on Sept. 28, 2018. He joins big brother Miles. 12

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Matt Monroe – Bristol,

2010

The Rev. Daniel Ross-Jones ’06 and Andrew Patton ’10 – Palo Alto, California, married

2009 Wisconsin, became vice president for commercial lending at Heartland Bank and Trust Company, based at a bank branch in Antioch, Illinois.

Ryan Romeo – Whitewater,

Chris Trella – Des Plaines, Illinois, took over as head coach of the boys’ swim team at his alma mater, Maine West High School.

welcomed their first child, Leah, on April 29. 13

Laura Kaeppeler-Fleiss – Hanalei, Hawaii, joined the board of trustees of Freedom House Reentry Education and Employment Corporation, a nonprofit that provides wraparound services to formerly incarcerated adults and their children.

Allison (Schwartz) Strickland – North Liberty, Iowa, and her husband, Joey, welcomed James “Jamie” Strickland on May 5. He joins big brother Shea. 14

2011 Stephanie Drymalski – Liberal, Kansas, was a regional semifinalist for the 2020 Teacher of the Year award, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education. She teaches music at the elementary level.

Brad Fortney – Kenosha, became a special education teacher, girls’ track coach, and assistant football coach at Enterprise (Alabama) High School.

Sarah (Goldsworthy) Anderson – Wonder Lake, Illinois, and her husband, Ian, had their first child, Charlotte “Charlie” Anderson, on April 10.

Amber Bakkum – Milwaukee, graduated in May from a Ph.D. program in biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Janet Elrod, M.Ed. ’16 – Winthrop Harbor, Illinois, was hired as principal at Randall Consolidated School in Burlington, Wisconsin.

Matt and Lindsey (Reith) Weber – Sun Prairie, Wisconsin,

Kelly (Munger) Hinck – South Beloit, Illinois, and Rem Hinck were married July 6 in Rockford, Illinois. The wedding party also included Taylor Blenderman ‘12 and Glen Nielsen ’12. 16

welcomed a son, Theodore, on June 24. 15

Rhiannon McHugh – Milwaukee, celebrated her 30th birthday in August, “cruising the riverways” with fellow alumni Matt Lawler ’11 and Sammy Newman ’11.

2012

16 43

IN MEMORIAM Betty Kendall Public Services Librarian Emerita Betty C. Kendall, who taught at Carthage from 1970 to 1985, passed away at 99 on July 24. At the time, Prof. Kendall was one of several tenured faculty members in the former Ruthrauff Library who introduced freshmen to the library’s services and assisted graduate students with their Master of Education theses. A cancer survivor, Prof. Kendall swam competitively into her 80s, contributing to two national record-setting relays. She lived her final years in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Bill Montemayor – Elk Grove Village, Illinois, was promoted to head coach of the baseball team at Buffalo Grove High School. Marie Sarantakis – Hinsdale, Illinois, Sarantakis earned distinction as a 2019 Rising Star in Super Lawyers, a rating service run by Thomson Reuters. Miss Sarantakis, principal attorney at Sarantakis Law Group, concentrates on family law. 17

Rev. William Wittig The Rev. William Wittig ’45, a longtime Lutheran pastor and Carthage supporter, died July 23 in Oregon, Illinois. He was 94. Ordained in 1949, Pastor Wittig served several congregations in Illinois and Ohio. He retired from active ministry in 1997 and, along with his wife, the late Isabelle (Nelson) Wittig ’45, became involved in global mission work. They received the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Service Award. Adorning the A. F. Siebert Chapel during the Christmas Festival, the Isabelle and William Wittig Nativity Star is named in their honor. Pastor Wittig also contributed heavily toward the J-Term study and service tour to Namibia, the Oaks Residential Village, and other College priorities.

2013 Bree Beelow – Mundelein, Illinois, brought Marie Antionette to the stage in “The Revolutionists,” a production at Next Act Theatre in Milwaukee. A comedy set during the French Revolution, the show ran from Sept. 26 to Oct. 20.

Sadie Buboltz-Dubs – DePere, Wisconsin, gave birth to a son, Silas, on June 6. 18

Margaret (Knowles) Kamm – Lockport, Illinois, graduated magna cum laude from Chicago-Kent College of Law and joined ReedSmith LLP as an associate in the firm’s Wealth Planning and Private Client Services Group. 19

Katarina McGuire – Monroe, Wisconsin, enrolled in the School of Justice Studies at Eastern Kentucky University to pursue a master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice and work as a graduate assistant. Ms. McGuire previously earned a Master of Science in innovation management and entrepreneurship from the University of Manchester (England).

Rev. Louis Tillman IV – Lawrenceville, Georgia, was installed Nov. 23 as pastor of St. Philip’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baltimore, the oldest African American Lutheran congregation in North America. Pastor Tillman, the youngest ordained African American in the ELCA at the time of his calling, had been serving as an Air Force Reserve chaplain stationed in Hampton, Virginia. 20

Ray Watson Ray Watson ’21, a dedicated performer majoring in music theatre, died Dec. 13 from injuries suffered in an accident in Illinois. Ray was active in campus organizations from Cosplay Club to Carthage Chorale, taking on a dual role as a singer and reader at the 2019 Christmas Festival. In addition, Ray worked at the Center for Faith and Spirituality, helping to launch a supplemental food program for students known as Luther’s Lunchbox. See fullThe obituaries carthage.edu/alumni/inmemoriam/ Collegeat plans to celebrate Ray’s life and legacy at an event in February.

Winter Carthaginian 2020

CLASS NOTES

2014 Cammie (Antonetti) Bergman and Josh Bergman ’15 – Waukesha, Wisconsin, welcomed Royce David Bergman on Sept. 10.

Taylor (McAdams) Lange – Sycamore, Illinois, and Grant Lange were married June 15 in Neenah, Wisconsin. 22

Kasey (Dallman) Paulos – Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and Hurue Paulos were married June 9 at the Racine Zoo with fellow Carthaginians in attendance. 23

Amanda (Garrigan) and Joshua Duncan – Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, married July 13 in Palos Hills, Illinois. They both work as teachers in Kenosha. Mr. Duncan’s parents, Annette and David, are Carthage faculty members.

Nicholas Huff – Dousman, Wisconsin, joined the Florida Grand Opera of Miami for its 2019-20 season, highlighted by leading roles in “Don Giovanni” and “Il matrimonio segreto.” Mr. Huff also created the lead tenor role in the premiere of “If I Were You” by leading opera composer Jake Heggie for Merola Opera of San Francisco.

Allison Mann ’15 and Josh Hamms ’17 – Racine, Wisconsin,

2015 Sharon Ciskowski – Kenosha,

married Sept. 28 in Cambridge, Wisconsin. 25

and her husband, Andy, welcomed a baby girl, Charlotte, on March 20. 24

Kaylie (McCormick) Merrill – Grand Ridge, Illinois, married Samuel Merrill on Oct. 12 in Kenosha. 26

2016 Susan (Marion) Jensen – earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago Divinity School.

2017 Marina Awes – Fitchburg, Wisconsin, was hired as a development associate for the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, a nonprofit that provides accessible music education to more than 16,000 students each year.

2018 Austin Nelson – Bolingbrook, Illinois, wowed Chicago audiences in two recent musicals. He was part of a quartet in ”Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre and played Jackie Robinson in a workshop production of “A Big Day for Baseball” at Victory Gardens Theatre.

2019 Emmett Trost – Boulder Junction, Wisconsin, joined McHugh Construction in Nashville, Tennessee, as a project engineer. 28

Andrew Rewerts ’17 and Catherine Malone ’18 – DeKalb, Illinois, married on July 19 in Racine, Wisconsin. 27

“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it!” - Ezra 10:4

carthage.edu

Thank you, Christine Hobbs ’71, for making Carthage one of your philanthropic priorities. As Christine Hobbs ’71 became the first in her family to attend a four-year college, her father — Kenosha mayor Wallace Burkee — fell seriously ill. Knowing he wanted nothing more than to see her graduate, Mrs. Hobbs rushed to complete her degree in only three years. That pursuit of higher education inspired her mother, Jean Burkee ’75, to take night classes at Carthage. Years later, Mrs. Hobbs’ son Mike ’15 transferred here and graduated in computer science.

Christine ’71 and Richard Hobbs

“Not one of the three of us were typical students, but somehow Carthage was the perfect place for each of us at the perfect time,” says Mrs. Hobbs, who went on to work as a K-6 art teacher in the Kenosha Unified School District. “To honor the three generations who attended Carthage College, my husband and I decided to donate funds to endow the Hobbs-Burkee Computer Science Scholarship.” Mrs. Hobbs joined the Carthage Board of Trustees in 2016 and serves on the committee for the 150 Years of Carthage Women celebration. She and her husband, Richard, are members of all four giving societies.

leaders in philanthropy Leadership Giving Society members give $1,000 or more in the most recent fiscal year. Tiers within the society recognize higher levels of giving, and graduated giving levels are available for recent alumni. Membership is renewable annually. Members of the Enduring Gift Society have cumulative lifetime giving totaling $100,000 or more (exclusive of estate commitments). Tiers within the society recognize higher levels of giving. Membership is lifetime. The Alford Park Loyalty Society recognizes donors who contribute to the College at any level for three or more years in a row. Tiers within the society will recognize greater consecutive years of giving and receive graduated levels of courtesies. The Denhart Society recognizes those who have made Carthage a part of their legacy through estate commitments and planned gifts. Membership is lifetime.

See honor rolls and learn more about all levels of giving at carthage.edu/give/recognition

Class Notes Submission Form

Deadline for the next issue is April 1, 2020

Name (first/maiden/current last name)

Professional Title

Spouse’s Name (first/maiden/current last name)

Class Year

Employer

Class Year

SPRE ADING THE WORD

Street Address

City

Home Phone

State ZIP

Business Phone

Marriage Announcement News

(attach additional sheets as necessary)

Photos are welcome! (Please send non-returnable photos) Besides family updates, here are some other examples of news for alumni to share: • Job changes, promotions, or retirements • Awards and other milestones (professional or recreational) • Publications, studio recordings, art exhibitions, etc. • New service projects, civic appointments, etc. • Third-generation (or more) Carthage students

Name (first/maiden/current last name)

Class Year

Spouse’s Name (first/maiden/current last name)

Class Year

Date of Marriage

City and State of Current Residence

Birth/Adoption Announcement Mother’s Name (first/maiden/current last name)

Class Year

Father’s Name (first/last)

Class Year

Daughter’s Name (first/middle/last)

Son’s Name (first/middle/last)

Date of Birth

Place of Birth

Death Announcement Name of Deceased (first/maiden/current last name)

City and State of Residence

Class Year

Date of Death

Survivor (first/maiden/current last name)

Relationship

Class Year

Survivor (first/maiden/current last name)

Relationship

Class Year

Tear off this form along the perforated edge and mail back to: Carthage College, Alumni Relations, 2001 Alford Park Drive, Kenosha WI 53140 Class notes and photos also may be submitted online: carthage.edu/alumni/class-notes

PAGE FROM THE PAST

A slice of Carthage history from the Staubitz Archives

Blazer of trails at 19th century Carthage and beyond If any single woman exemplified the power of Carthage’s bold decision to adopt a gender-blind admissions policy in 1870, it was Caroline Bartlett Crane. Encouraged by her father, a steamboat captain, she excelled in school from the start. Lorenzo Bartlett negotiated his daughter’s admission into the College in 1876, not long after its move to Carthage, Illinois. Rather than the lighter course of study women had undertaken to that point, Ms. Crane secured permission to pursue the rigorous classical curriculum. Instruction in Greek, the original language of the New Testament, was particularly important in her quest to join the Unitarian ministry. Finishing her studies in three years, Ms. Crane graduated as valedictorian in 1879. Initially the doors to ministry remained closed, so she landed jobs as a school principal and a newspaper reporter. Skeptical of her tales of

riverboat life on the Mississippi River, Mark Twain granted a rare interview to Ms. Crane when he failed to stump the young writer. Although journalism offered her another outlet to help people, Ms. Crane could no longer repress her dream of religious life. Her father, who had long refused to give his blessing, finally relented. After ordination and a first pastoral assignment in what’s now South Dakota, Ms. Crane became pastor of First Unitarian Church of Kalamazoo (Michigan) in 1889. She immediately began to reform the church, opening a free public kindergarten, a gym for women, and a child-care center, and establishing a literary club for AfricanAmerican youths. The resulting growth led the pastor to authorize a larger facility, accompanied by a new name that aligned with its social justice focus: People’s Church. Ms. Crane actively supported various causes, including women’s suffrage — counting Susan B. Anthony among her acquaintances. An ailing Ms. Crane resigned from the ministry in 1898. When her health improved, she dove into

civic reform, shedding light on unsanitary practices in Michigan’s slaughterhouses and successfully lobbying for meat-packing regulations. The campaign branched out nationwide, as Ms. Crane worked with local groups to conduct public health inspections. By 1917, she had helped 62 cities across 14 states survey the condition of drinking water, sewer, and waste management systems. Ms. Crane became a mother in her mid-50s, as she and her husband welcomed two adopted children into their home. Shifting her attention toward affordable housing, the reformer drew praise from two U.S. presidents. In 1924, her efficient Everyman’s House won a nationwide Better Homes in America design contest. By the time she died in 1935, Ms. Crane’s reputation as “America’s Housekeeper” was wellestablished. On the surface, that might sound like an ill-fitting nickname for a trend-setter whose influence stretched far beyond domestic affairs, but it accurately described her dogged efforts to clean up the nation’s dirtiest institutions.

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

Winter Carthaginian 2020