CLASS NOTES

PHOTO BY KURT WEHDE Furthering Ethics in Medicine

Trustee William A. Nelson ’68, H ’06, has been appointed to the Elizabeth DeCamp McInerny Professorship at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College. A health care ethicist, Nelson is a professor of community and family medicine, of medical education and of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice. “Through this professorship I will seek to expand the scope of ethics scholarship while growing the visibility and permanence of ethics education at Geisel,” Nelson said, according to the school’s website. As an ethicist, Nelson works to increase the understanding of ethics as foundational to the delivery of health care.

Gregory Stanley Black ’73 has been uncovering uncomfortable truths about marginalized groups through photo, film and music for decades. His most recent work, a “docu-story” chronicling the lives of Black people in Oregon, earned him a Black Lives Matter Artist Grant from the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art in Eugene, Ore. “I wanted to contrast the ‘heaviness’ of daily racism with the behind-the-scenes humanity that often goes unnoticed in mainstream America,” said Black, who began filming the project in 1992. “It was my focus, as a Black filmmaker, to capture and reveal the unvarnished truth of the daily lives and struggles of Black folks.” He continues to film African Americans born and raised in the 1920s and ’30s in Oregon for the Oregon Black Pioneers historical society. He’s also working on a documentary of Otis Davis, the first Black track athlete from the University of Oregon to compete in the Olympics.

Telling the Stories of the Marginalized 1950s, 1960s & 1970s

Rev. Dr. John Modschiedler ’59 writes that he has fond memories from his time on campus and is proud to be an Elmhurst alum. His long family history at Elmhurst dates back to the late 1890s, when his grandfather studied to be a pastor at the Elmhurst Proseminary. Modschiedler’s wife, Christa, also graduated from Elmhurst.

US Ambassador Jacques Paul Klein ’61, H ’02, has been awarded the Commemorative Cross of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, First Class. Klein was honored for his outstanding leadership in the United Nations’ efforts in Croatia and his direction of the international mineclearing effort to remove more than 500,000 mines planted during the conflict along the zone of separation.

Gail Schreiber ’61 has sold her condo and moved into a retirement community in San Diego. She has her own cottage but enjoys dining, exercising and engaging in social activities with the other residents.

Liz Dudek ’73, an Elmhurst University trustee and the director of health care affairs in the Tallahassee, Fla., office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, received the 2021 Sid Rosenblatt Excellence in Leadership Award from the Florida Assisted Living Association. The award, the highest level of recog-

CLASS NOTES

nition presented by FALA, is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities within the assisted living industry as well as within the community.

Doug Mayfield ’73 published his second novel, The Saint Patrick’s Day Hero (Grendel’s Fen Press) in January. Midwest Book Review describes the novel as “a powerfully relevant story that will leave you thinking long after the story concludes.” Mayfield’s awardwinning first novel, Angle of Declination (Two Harbors Press), coauthored with Sally Mayfield, was published in 2012.

1980s

Michael Gilmartin ’83 recently retired from his 25-year career at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Gilmartin began his career at UIC as the head athletic trainer before being promoted to assistant athletic director for sports medicine and then finally associate athletic director.

Raymond Semple ’83 recently retired from the board of trustees of the Village of Mundelein, Ill., after serving for 26 years. Mayor Steve Lentz, fellow trustees and village staff honored Semple at his final board meeting on April 26 for being the longest-serving trustee in Mundelein history. They also named a street in his honor.

Ellen Roberts ’86 was recently named vice president for administrative affairs at the College of DuPage. Roberts brings nearly 40 years of senior leadership, sales and operations management expertise to her new role, where she will spearhead the implementation of the college’s facilities master plan and continuity of operations plan.

Rosanna Klepper ’87 published her first children’s book, Sir Pyes (Orange Hat Publishing), in November 2019. The book tells the story of two knights who help a village with an abundance of vegetables.

Patrick Donahue ’88 published The Power of Genuine Leadership: How Authentic Leaders Earn Trust in November 2020. To write the book, Donahue drew on his doctoral research and real-life stories from his experiences as a vice president in leadership development at two global corporations.

1990s

Kara Patrick ’91 was recently named assistant director of health services for East Aurora School District 131. Patrick brings 15 years of nursing experience to the job.

Dan Christian ’93 was recently named logistics and supply chain vice president for Bird Buddy, a startup that has created the world’s first smart bird feeder. In his new role, Christian will create shipping and tracking systems for the product.

Kym Franklin ’96 was recently hired to compose choral parts for “Walk with Us,” a folk song written and performed by Chicagoan Willa Moore. A collaborative project complete with dancers, musicians, videographers, photographers and artists from across the country, the music video for “Walk with Us” has been accepted into a wellknown international film festival.

Paul Lubenkov ’96 wrote a manuscript, Songs Along Cermak Road, which was a finalist for the prestigious Iowa Review Award for fiction.

2000s

Kymberly Grosvenor ’00 was named Nurse of the Year 2020 at Loyola Hospital, where she works in the intensive

care unit. To celebrate the occasion, her mother surprised her with a new Elmhurst University Nursing pin to replace one that she had lost.

Jordin Clark ’15 recently joined Wabash College as a visiting professor of rhetoric. Clark hopes to encourage students to think critically and apply their knowledge to everyday life.

Hannah Brummer ’20 has joined 102.3 WXLC-FM as afternoon host. Brummer, whose on-air nickname is Hannah B, was active on 88.7 WRSEFM at Elmhurst and hosts a weekly podcast, Monday Motivation with Hannah B. Chicago media journalist Robert Feder quoted Brummer as saying, “My dream has finally come true, and I can’t stop smiling about it because I get to do what I love most every day!”

Creating the Workplaces of Tomorrow

Angela Howard ’13 has spent more than a decade reinventing organizations’ human resources roles and creating human-centric workplaces. Howard, who earned a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology, was the recipient of Elmhurst’s 2021 Distinguished Graduate Alumni Award, which recognizes an alumna or alumnus of a graduate program for outstanding achievement in community service, career accomplishments and/or loyalty to the University.

Howard is vice president of people development and human experience at Dober, a chemistry and technology company in Woodridge, and founder of Angela R. Howard Consulting. She has worked with companies large and small, including Beam Suntory, Kaiser Permanente, Rotary International and Walgreens Boots Alliance. Howard also has served as an adjunct faculty member in industrial/organizational psychology at Elmhurst.

Becoming Victor E.

When Carter Rosenthal ’20 transferred to Elmhurst in 2017, a studentjob listing caught his eye: serving as the University’s mascot. As Victor E. Bluejay, the communications major brought Bluejay spirit to everything from soccer games and Homecoming events to the Chicago Pride Parade. He enjoyed the work so much that he continued to portray the mascot past graduation, traveling to campus from his home in Wisconsin for admissions events and other special occasions. “Socializing can make me nervous,” said Rosenthal, who is autistic. “But dressing up as a fun character made it easier to connect with people—and it allowed me to find a job I love.”

A DECORATED LIFE OF MINISTRY

Former University trustee and alumni board director the Rev. Dr. William Koshewa ’45, H ’68 died June 19, 2021. He was 98. Rev. Koshewa lived the values of the University’s United Church of Christ identity. He earned his master of divinity from Eden Theological Seminary near St. Louis in 1947 before being ordained in the UCC and serving pastorates in Illinois, Ohio, Florida and Indiana. In 1968, the University awarded Rev. Koshewa an honorary doctor of divinity for outstanding service to church and community. While at Elmhurst, he was a three-sport star, earning letters in basketball, football and track and field. Rev. Koshewa met Elmhurst classmate Elizabeth Hammond ’45 on December 7, 1941. They were married 74 years and remained lovingly devoted to their five daughters and their families.

ROLE MODEL

Longtime biology professor Frank Mittermeyer died on Sept. 15, 2021, at the age of 78. An enthusiastic teacher and mentor to generations of Elmhurst students, Mittermeyer joined the then-Elmhurst College faculty in 1969 and retired 44 years later. At Elmhurst, he was the chair of the Department of Biology and played an integral role in developing advising services and resources for students pursuing careers in health care. He frequently engaged students in hands-on research, including a project involving tomato seeds that had been sent to the International Space Station. In 2017, Elmhurst presented Mittermeyer with the Dr. Andrew K. Prinz Faculty and Staff Merit Award. “When I think about the teachers who have had the biggest impact on me, Dr. Mittermeyer is the first one I think of,” wrote Brenda Fann ’88 in 2013. “He was a great role model, and so supportive. You could always go to him and know that you would get help.”

VILLAGE PRESIDENT

Kevin M. Quinlan ’88 passed away on Sept. 7, 2021, at the age of 54. A former marketing executive, Quinlan spent 15 years working for Coca-Cola, including two years in Ireland, where he helped launch the company’s Fanta brand. He served as village president of Oak Brook from 2003 to 2007. At Elmhurst, where he majored in marketing, he was president of the student body during his senior year and was active in the ATO fraternity.

Rev. John W. Frank ’43 June 11, 2021, Claremont, Calif.

Rev. Dr. Donald Buckthal ’45 May 28, 2021, Carmel, Ind.

Helen M. Lancaster ’47 May 27, 2021, Chelsea, Mich.

Margaret J. (Waite) Miller ’47 June 26, 2021, Lombard, Ill.

Elaine V. (Warner) Yuhas ’49 June 23, 2021, Dallas, Texas

Mary L. (Mernitz) Wright ’52 May 4, 2021, Augusta, Maine

Michael F. Kelly ’53 June 30, 2021, Ocean City, N.J.

Rev. David B. Hackmann ’54 May 7, 2021, Iowa City, Iowa

Rozella (Utlaut) Nagy ’54 Aug. 14, 2021, Saint Charles, Ill.

Shirley M. (Klosterman) Lowe ’55 May 30, 2021, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Rev. Dr. Paul D. Schippel ’56 Aug. 19, 2021, Centralia, Ill.

Joanne L. (Hamann) Sargeant ’57 July 30, 2021, Cabery, Ill.

Robert C. Lartz ’58 May 8, 2021, Saint Petersburg, Fla.

Nancy J. Croson ’59 May 13, 2021, Washington, Mo.

Ralph L. Blust ’60 July 28, 2021, Galena, Ill.

Charles M. Kanute ’61 May 10, 2021, Saint Charles, Ill.

Rev. Delbert K. Miller ’62 Aug. 20, 2021, St. Louis, Mo.

Doreen Tuxbury ’63 April 19, 2021, Manchester, N.H.

Martha V. Klybert ’66 Sept. 6, 2021, LaGrange, Ill.

Ruth B. (Boardman) Lucht ’66 May 4, 2021, Bartlesville, Okla.

Dr. Philip L. Cargill ’68 Aug. 24, 2021, Lafayette, Ind.

Carolyn C. Potter-Klein ’69 July 18, 2021, Wheaton, Ill.

Carolann S. Slanina ’69 May 14, 2021, Woodridge, Ill.

Salvatore J. Anzalone ’70 Aug. 26, 2021, Carol Stream, Ill.

Edward M. Mendrick ’70 June 1, 2021, High Point, N.C.

Janet A. (Ackerman) Frazer ’71 May 29, 2021, Crossville, Tenn.

John G. Bosche ’74 July 14, 2021, Sutton, N.H.

Deborah A. Dudley ’75 July 19, 2021, Dallas, Texas

Dr. Barbra L. Gabriel ’75 May 17, 2021, Harrisonburg, Va.

Warren W. Logan ’78 Aug. 21, 2021, Pleasant Hill, Mo.

Maureen A. (Conley) Bean ’86 July 19, 2021, Lombard, Ill.

Janice L. Gill ’86 May 1, 2021, Orland Park, Ill.

Betty J. Holland ’86 May 1, 2021, LaGrange Park, Ill.

Helja Inkeri Herranen ’89 July 18, 2021, Amesbury, Mass.

David F. Frasca ’94 Aug. 13, 2021, Naperville, Ill.

Robert J. Zemko ’02 May 16, 2021, Kenosha, Wis. Robert “Bob” Goltermann, father-in-law of Board Chair Ed Momkus ’74, passed away on Sept. 28, 2021, at age 90. With his wife, Marcia, Bob was a longtime donor who broadly supported the University. The Goltermanns provided scholarships for art students for many years, and Bob supported the Schade Lecture by underwriting speakers and thought leaders. In recognition of the Goltermanns’ deep ties to the institution, Elmhurst awarded them the Founders Medal in 2006. A CPA and entrepreneur, Bob founded a number of businesses in Illinois. He loved to travel, and he and Marcia developed a number of real estate projects in Sedona, Ariz.

ADMIRED EDUCATOR

Kimberly Hayes ’85 died Oct. 1 at age 58. A respected teacher at Riverside-Brookfield High School in Riverside, Ill., for 33 years, Hayes was known for her encouraging nature. In addition to teaching English, she helped with the school’s newspaper and instilled a love of reading in her students. “She was one of the first teachers to make reading fun in school,” former student Joey Vitek told the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark in 2019. After leaving Riverside in 2019, Hayes taught English in the Florida Keys. She also was a mentor with the University’s Weigand Center for Professional Excellence.

LONGTIME UNIVERSITY CHAPLAIN

The Rev. Dr. Robert Schieler, the University’s chaplain from 1964 to 1976, died July 20, 2021, at the age of 86. During his time as chaplain, Rev. Schieler was known for overseeing innovative services, teaching classes and leading ecumenical retreats with nearby schools. He and a group of students also traveled to Selma, Ala., to march for justice with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Rev. H. Scott Matheney, University chaplain, remembered Rev. Schieler as an important fixture at Elmhurst. “He played a critical and vital role in the life of the community and the College/University,” Rev. Matheney said. Rev. Schieler enjoyed golfing, boating, fishing, water skiing, snow skiing, camping and playing team sports. He also had a lifelong appreciation of music and dance.