Lawrence Magazine Fall/Winter 2024-25

LAWRENCE

CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC

Building careers in music fueled by innovation, inspiration

Members of the First-Year Choir

sing on the stage of Memorial Chapel during the Matriculation Convocation, which kicked off the 2024-25 academic year.

LAWRENCE

TO SUBMIT IDEAS:

Lawrence University Office of Communications 711 E. Boldt Way Appleton, WI 54911-5690 communications@lawrence.edu

Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent Lawrence University policy.

Lawrence (USPS 012-683) is published by the Lawrence University Office of Communications. Nonprofit postage paid at Appleton, Wis., and additional mailing offices.

EDITOR: Ed Berthiaume ed.c.berthiaume@lawrence.edu

CONTRIBUTORS: Deanna Kolell, Joe Vanden Acker, A.J. Kaiser ’25, Alex Alden ’25, Taylor Hughes ’25

PHOTOGAPHY: Danny Damiani, Paul Wilke, Aaron Lindeman ’27, Ken Cobb, Image Studios

CLASS NOTES: Taylor Lang

FOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS: go.lawrence.edu/profile 920-832-6548 • alumni@lawrence.edu

Meet our cover musicians

Seckou Soumare ’25, a vocalist, is a Bachelor of Arts student from Bronx, New York, studying music and creative writing. He leads the student band, NOIR.

Cindy Kaiser ’25 on flute is a dual degree student from Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, studying music performance (flute) and psychology.

11 INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH

Quynh Anh Cao Le spends summer with Swisspeace

16 ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Celebrating 150 years of musical excellence, innovation

24 WATER AS A THEME

First-Year Studies gets faculty-led makeover

Graduates dive deep into remarkable careers

Ornella Hills ’12 returns with major research grant 35 STAFF PROFILE

Jacklyn John Fischer has elevated faculty advising 42 ATHLETES ABROAD

Encouraging student-athletes to study abroad

Asher Perlman ’08 is all about the humor 48

Marjorie Liu ’00 finds her niche in comic books

NOTES

Catch up with your fellow Lawrentians

Nicole Frias ’26 on cello is a Bachelor of Music student from Skokie, Illinois, studying music education. Tomas Aviles ’26 on violin is a dual degree student from Bogota, Columbia, studying music performance (violin) and neuroscience.

Sofie Cunliffe-Owen ’27 on French horn is a Bachelor of Music student from Kohler, Wisconsin, studying music performance (horn).

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

Dear Lawrentians,

As we move through this academic year, I am filled with profound optimism about Lawrence University’s future. Our community stands at a remarkable intersection of tradition and innovation, honoring our rich legacy while embracing new opportunities for growth and transformation.

This year is particularly special as we celebrate 150 years of both the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and the Lawrence Community Music School. This milestone highlights our historical significance and showcases the enduring impact our institution has had on generations of musicians, educators, and community members. In this magazine, you will discover insights into our vibrant history and reflect with our alumni on how their experiences, the dedication of our faculty, and the nurturing environment have shaped their careers.

We are excited to share the investments we are making to drive progress within the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music. Among these initiatives are the expansions of the Lawrence campus into the heart of downtown. These new co-curricular spaces demonstrate our commitment to enhancing the student experience by providing expanded academic opportunities and fresh avenues for career exploration.

A significant step in our progress is the recent opening of the Business and Entrepreneurship Center, featuring a multipurpose room for lectures and workshops, a platform for music performances and pitch competitions, and a finance lab equipped with cutting-edge technology. Next summer, we will introduce the Pre-Health Commons, designed to support our academic programs and career development, with collaborative training spaces and a test kitchen focused on nutrition and wellness. These new venues will foster meaningful collaborations with regional businesses like Mosaic Family Health, Prevea Health, and gener8tor, creating experiences that directly benefit our students.

Progress continues at our new West Campus location. The second floor will feature state-of-theart academic spaces for math, computer science, data science, the humanities, and the Conservatory, including a soundproof classroom, teaching studios, and a production studio to support

collaboration among the disciplines. We recently saw the installation of 46 modular units to create market-rate apartments on the third and fourth floors. All spaces are slated to open in summer 2025.

I want to acknowledge the dedication of our faculty, whose commitment to teaching and scholarship has been instrumental in shaping these initiatives and inspiring our students. Their work and vision will pay dividends for our students today and long into the future.

I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated alumni and supporters. Your contributions help sustain our mission, as evidenced by our recent Giving Day—our 11th annual—which raised more than $1.72 million. It takes our collective commitment to build a community where students can thrive and explore their passions.

Reflecting on the insights of former President Richard Warch, we recognize that a liberal arts education presents both privilege and challenge. It offers transformative opportunities through open inquiry, dedication to excellence, and character development. The investments we are making today—coupled with our ongoing commitment to the liberal arts—allow us to honor these traditions while preparing students for the careers of tomorrow.

The good news is that studying the liberal arts and preparing for successful careers go hand in hand. Whether students pursue degrees in business, fine arts, music, humanities, social sciences, or physical sciences, these investments are designed to enhance their career readiness and equip them to face future challenges with confidence.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Lawrence community. Together, let’s continue to build a vibrant community where students can thrive, explore their passions, and achieve incredible things.

Warm regards,

Laurie A. Carter President, Lawrence University

CAMPUS NEWS

Junior Nico Manzanera speaks to the audience that gathered for the opening of the Business and Entrepreneurship Center in Fox Commons.

President Laurie A. Carter said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Business and Entrepreneurship Center, located on the second floor of Fox Commons, one of two events held this fall.

Independent living with campus connection

The opening of Fox Commons’ residential spaces in September marked a historic moment for Lawrence and its students. These modern, spacious apartments offer students the chance to experience independent living just a short walk from campus.

“Students at Lawrence have been wanting this for a long time,” said Mattigan Haller, a senior from Eau Claire, a member of the President’s Advisory Council, and one of the inaugural residents. “While we love the residence halls, many of us are ready for apartment living by the time we get to be juniors and seniors. Fox Commons offers us the best of both worlds.”

Welcome to Fox Commons

Connecting campus to community

In higher education, advancing the student experience is about providing opportunities that blend learning with real-world application.

Lawrence University is bringing this to life through Fox Commons, a dynamic mixed-use development in downtown Appleton. This space connects students with the broader community, offering opportunities for growth, collaboration, and hands-on learning.

“Lawrence is strengthening the student experience, extending the reach of the classroom, and deepening connections between the campus and the community,”

Currently, the new apartments house 86 students, with room for an additional 88 when the next phase opens in 2025. This expansion will increase housing options and further integrate students into the local community.

New centers—innovative education

Along with the apartments, students are already benefiting from the new Business and Entrepreneurship Center also located in Fox Commons. Designed to foster collaboration between students, faculty, and local business leaders, the center features a large multipurpose room with configurable furniture, a platform for lectures, performances, and pitch competitions, and a finance lab equipped with data analysis and finance terminals.

“Our vision for the Center is to create learning experiences through connecting the campus and the business community,” said Adam Galambos, the Dwight and Marjorie Peterson Professor of Innovation and associate professor of economics and the inaugural director of the Business and Entrepreneurship Center. “This space would be wonderful anywhere, but I especially love that it is right in the middle of downtown.”

This new center complements the university's popular business and

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

entrepreneurship major, which blends business skills with the creativity and critical thinking of a liberal arts education to prepare students for success in a changing job market. Nico Manzanera, a junior business and entrepreneurship major from Bogotá, Colombia, sees the center as a pathway to students’ future careers.

“As an entrepreneur, you are constantly changing your career path, you are constantly changing your perspective on the world, and you are constantly trying to change the world,” he said. “The best way to learn is through experience.”

Continued investments— lasting impact

As Fox Commons evolves, it will become an even more central part of the Lawrence experience. By Fall Term 2025, the third floor will feature additional student apartments and the Pre-Health Commons. Like the Business and Entrepreneurship Center, the Pre-Health Commons will offer collaborative

“The best way to learn is through experience.”

— Nico Manzanera ’26

spaces, including a test kitchen providing opportunities to focus on nutrition and wellness. These new spaces will support academic programs and career development, further enhancing the student experience.

The expansion of Fox Commons also brings valuable opportunities for students to connect with local organizations, including gener8tor, a business accelerator, and healthcare providers such as Prevea Health and Mosaic Family Health. These partnerships will provide students with hands-on experience, access to industry leaders, and opportunities to build the networks and skills needed to succeed in a range of fields.

On the Horizon

In addition to the Fox Commons developments, Lawrence is preparing to open a state-of-the-art Humanities Center next summer in the new West Campus building at the corner of E. College Avenue and Drew Street. Provost and Dean of Faculty Peter Blitstein explains that these spaces “bring Lawrence into the community and the community into Lawrence.”

“Together, these three centers represent our commitment to a contemporary education in the arts and sciences that draws on the best traditions of liberal education to prepare students to thrive in an uncertain and changing world,” he said.

Students tour the apartments in Fox Commons.

Lawrence and community members at the opening of the B&E Center.

CAMPUS NEWS

Robert Battle joins Lawrence as inaugural Creator in Residence

Robert Battle, an acclaimed choreographer and former artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has been appointed the inaugural Creator in Residence at Lawrence University. This pioneering role, made possible through a gift from Harold ’72 and Mary Donn ’73 Jordan, will enrich the university's commitment to academic and creative excellence.

“At Lawrence, we believe that creativity fosters creativity, and that principle is at the heart of our educational experience,” said President Laurie A. Carter.

Battle's residency began with a visit in midOctober, where he engaged with students and faculty across multiple disciplines, including dance, music, and visual arts. His focus is on fostering collaboration and planning for a more extensive residency in February, culminating in a performance in April.

“I am honored to be Lawrence University's first Creator in Residence,” Battle said. “This role represents a unique opportunity to share

my passion for dance and creativity, and I look forward to inspiring students and engaging with the community in meaningful ways.”

The Creator in Residence program will continue to feature diverse creators— including musicians, scientists, and more—who will lead engaging programs, collaborate with faculty, and participate in events that enhance the academic and creative vibrancy of Lawrence. This initiative reflects the institution's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation within the community.

Battle became the artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2011. A visionary in the dance world, he is known for championing diverse artists and expanding the Ailey repertory. An accomplished choreographer, educator, and public speaker, Battle has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Dance Magazine Award and the Statue Award from the Princess Grace Foundation.

Robert Battle leads students in a dance session in Warch Campus Center.

Scan for details of Creator in Residence program

Boldt installs modular units to form the top two floors of the West Campus building.

West Campus on schedule for a Summer 2025 opening

Construction of West Campus, the four-story building rising at the corner of E. College Avenue and Drew Street on the western edge of campus, continues to progress toward a Summer 2025 opening.

The building, which will house the new Humanities Center as well as modern offices and teaching spaces for mathematics, computer science, data science, and music, is among projects being developed to grow Lawrence’s academic programming and enhance career exploration and discernment.

“West Campus is the first building on campus intentionally designed to integrate disciplines across the divisions,” President Laurie A. Carter said in her Matriculation Convocation address.

The building will house the nonprofit Trout Museum of Art on the ground floor, Lawrence academic spaces on the second floor, and market-rate apartments on the upper two floors.

Progress has been visible throughout the summer and fall. In October, Boldt installed 46 modular units, each approximately 72 feet long by 13 feet wide, to form the top two floors of the building. These units were connected and stacked to create fully constructed apartments, which will be available for rent in the fall of 2025. The modular units were transported along College Avenue and staged between Durkee and Drew streets before being lifted into place by crane.

Lawrence at Night connects with lifelong learners

Lawrence University launched Lawrence at Night, a series of evening seminars, workshops, and talks designed for lifelong learners in northeast Wisconsin. It kicked off Nov. 1, offering community members the opportunity to explore a diverse range of topics in a welcoming and interactive environment.

“We’re delighted to bring Lawrence at Night to the greater Fox Valley region, providing individuals a chance to expand their knowledge while connecting with fellow community members," President Laurie A. Carter said. “Led by our distinguished faculty and guest speakers, these seminars promise thought-provoking discussions across a variety of subjects.”

Scan to see a timelapse video of West Campus construction

The inaugural series featured 12 programs available on the Lawrence campus or online and covered topics ranging from climate change to contemporary poetry, history, wellness techniques, and conflict resolution. Additional sessions are being planned for 2025 and beyond. See details at www.lawrence.edu/lan.

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

CAMPUS NEWS

Giving Day generosity continues

Lawrence University’s 11th annual Giving Day once again spotlighted love and generosity across the Lawrence community. The day of giving to support the Lawrence Fund, held Oct. 22, brought in $1.72 million from 1,757 donors, providing support for current and future Lawrentians.

The day-long event—online, in-person, and on social media—was a collaborative effort, with students joining with Lawrence faculty, staff, and alumni in a day of celebration.

Taylor Lang, associate director of annual

giving, led efforts to engage alumni, parents, and friends globally, while also organizing on-campus activities for students, faculty, and staff. These included a lacrosse-themed competition to celebrate the debut of men’s and women’s lacrosse and gratitude walls where the campus community shared messages of thanks.

Amy Wilson, vice president of advancement, called it a fantastic outpouring of support. There was a record response from donors serving as Game Changers—providing

matching funds that helped spur more gifts.

“So many people participated in this effort, from students, to staff and faculty, to the LUAA board members and other amazing alumni,” Wilson said. “It was a great day for Lawrence, and we are truly grateful.”

Kourtney Mercer, a senior biology major from Mazomanie, Wisconsin, was among the students participating in Giving Day.

"This event brings our community together to support the areas we love most about our college,” she said.

PHOTO BY

Students take part in Giving Day games on campus.

Lawrence leads the way in Wisconsin

Lawrence University is once again the No. 1 liberal arts college in Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings.

In the annual rankings, released Sept. 24, Lawrence increased its placement in five key categories—including best undergraduate teaching—while continuing to be the highest ranked liberal arts college in the state. Overall, Lawrence ranks 69th among all liberal arts colleges in the nation, up from 75 in the 2024 rankings. It is the only Wisconsin college in the top 89.

Other categories where Lawrence placed:

• In Best Value colleges—measuring affordability, including financial aid, and academic quality— Lawrence came in at 38 among national liberal arts colleges, up from 41.

• Lawrence placed 56th in Best Undergraduate Teaching among liberal arts colleges, making that list for the fifth time since 2016.

• In a ranking of Best Social Mobility among all colleges—measuring the success of a

college advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating students who qualify for Pell Grants—Lawrence placed 112, up from 155.

• Lawrence also placed 255th among all colleges in Best Undergraduate Economics programs, marking the first time Lawrence has been listed in that category.

The U.S. News rankings evaluate nearly 1,500 four-year bachelor’s degree-granting institutions that are regionally accredited, including 211 national liberal arts colleges.

Meanwhile, the Princeton Review named Lawrence University as one of the Best Value Colleges in the country in a 2024 report.

Lawrence is one of only two universities in Wisconsin to make the list. The annual report, released in late June by the education services company, places Lawrence among 209 best-value colleges in the nation—public and private—based on 40 data points that broadly cover academics, affordability, and career outcomes of graduates. The project does not rank the 209 in any order.

Becket, Gandre join Lawrence’s Board of Trustees

alumni Lisa Becket ’88 and Dr. James Gandre ’81 to its Board of Trustees. Both esteemed leaders bring a wealth of

experience and a deep commitment to education, which will enhance the university’s mission and strategic goals.

"I am thrilled to welcome Lisa and James back to the Lawrence community as trustees," said President Laurie A. Carter. "Their diverse backgrounds and commitment to excellence in their respective fields will bring invaluable perspectives to our board. I am confident they will help us further our mission, and advance our pursuit of academic excellence, student outcomes, and financial sustainability."

Becket currently serves as Executive Vice President of Global Marketing for Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products. With over two decades at Disney, Becket oversees global marketing efforts that promote the company’s destinations and experiences.

"I am honored to join the Board of Trustees at Lawrence University," said Becket. "As an

alumna, I have always cherished the values and education I received here. I look forward to contributing to the university's mission and supporting its commitment to academic excellence and a vibrant community."

Gandre, recognized as Lawrence University’s 2024 Baccalaureate speaker, has served as president of the Manhattan School of Music since 2013, following a distinguished career in various leadership roles within higher education. He has led significant campus improvements and launched innovative programs, including an undergraduate degree in musical theatre. "I look forward to contributing to the continued success of Lawrence University and supporting its commitment to academic excellence and inclusivity," said Gandre.

Both Becket and Gandre will serve three-year terms on the Board of Trustees and are eligible for re-election for four consecutive terms.

Lawrence University is pleased to announce the election of

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

Lisa Becket ’88

James Gandre ’81

Student-led Pep Band celebrates talents of musicians, athletes

BY ALEX ALDEN ’25

“We do have high expectations in our band: we want you guys to have fun and we want to sound awesome,” said Lawrence University senior Rebecca Reynolds, a dual degree student pursuing a Bachelor of Music in flute performance and a Bachelor of Arts in environmental science.

In January 2024, Reynolds formally revived the Lawrence University Pep Band alongside her co-president, Ella Lysne, a senior soccer player seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in biology and environmental studies. The group has already seen successes at a variety of campus sporting events, but they’re just getting started in this musical collaboration.

“It’s important to mention that Pep Band has been around in many iterations over the years, and this is just the most recent,” Lysne said.

The duo researched earlier variants, “trying to find the ghost of the old pep band,” as Reynolds put it.

While a pep band is similar to a marching band, it is highly distinctive. A marching

PHOTO BY AARON LINDEMAN ’27

STUDENTS

“We want our athletes to be able to hear the talents of musicians on campus and our musicians to see the talents of our athletes.”

— Ella Lysne, Lawrence senior

band is typically a mobile ensemble that plays during breaks in the action at sporting events. In contrast, a pep band is stationary and plays throughout the game, generally for a wider variety of sporting events.

“We noticed that there wasn’t a pep band at Lawrence, but that it would be really fun to play in,” said Reynolds, of Gaylord, Michigan. “We knew there was a lot of interest.”

The co-presidents had a vision: A low-stress ensemble that valued collaboration, inclusivity, and opportunities above all else.

“We want to keep this fun and light-hearted,” Reynolds said.

Members are paid through the Office of the President and given both manageable repertoire and flexible rehearsal expectations. Facilitating collaboration between the Athletics Department, College of Arts and Sciences, and the Conservatory is central to the ensemble’s identity.

“Collaboration was a big part of our story when we created this group,” said Lysne, of

La Crosse, Wisconsin. “Rebecca is a dual degree student and a high-level flute player, and I am a student-athlete as a goalkeeper on the women's soccer team. We worked together to create this group in order to foster more connection between the different aspects of Lawrence. We want our athletes to be able to hear the talents of musicians on campus and our musicians to see the talents of our athletes.”

Their approach worked. The Lawrence University Pep Band now includes about 30 regular members, featuring a wide variety of woodwinds, brass, and percussion instrumentalists from all parts of the university.

“We have a team—it's a team effort for sure, it’s not something we’d be able to do by ourselves,” Lysne said.

Such a large ensemble requires careful planning and organization. That’s where the Pep Band’s leadership team comes in, including an equipment manager, treasurer, social media coordinator, secretary, and music librarian.

Lawrence University Pep Band made its debut at a women’s hockey game.

Global perspectives

Swisspeace brings experience for international relations major

BY A.J. KAISER ’25

Quynh Anh Cao Le, a Lawrence University junior, said her passion for history and diplomacy made the decision to major in international relations an easy one.

This summer, she headed to Basel, Switzerland, where she put those interests to work as a research assistant at Swisspeace, a practice and research institute affiliated with the University of Basel that researches international peacemaking solutions. Most of her fellow researchers were graduate students. Participation in the project was made possible for her by Lawrence’s Class of 1968 Fund for Peace and Social Justice, which covered her cost of travel.

Cao Le and the other researchers worked on deals in the practice of peace negotiations in five different countries: Cameroon, Colombia, Mali, Myanmar, and Thailand. Cao Le focused on Myanmar. With full access to the University of Basel’s library, she spent the summer pursuing in-depth research on Myanmar’s peace process and ethnic conflict.

“My summer adventure has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both academically and personally,” she said. “I enjoyed and benefited from thought-provoking conversations and global perspectives on the future path of peacebuilding and the institution’s advocacy for locally driven and adaptive peacebuilding efforts.”

Cao Le said the researchers she worked with and the resources she had available to her made the experience a deeply rewarding one, and that she has been made a better global citizen by the project.

“I had the chance to work, learn, and broaden my understanding of international

conflict and peacebuilding within a truly global and inclusive environment,” she said.

Cao Le is interested in East Asian studies and international conflict resolution within her major. She has a particular interest in China, South Korea, and her home country of Vietnam.

She has had a deep love for international relations for a long time. She spent a year studying at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam before she came to Lawrence, and she declared her major Fall Term of her first year.

In her time at Lawrence, Cao Le has been busy with a handful of research projects. She worked on researching Vietnamese foreign policy in a remote internship with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. She spent time in Vietnam studying cooperation between the United States and Vietnamese governments at Fulbright University Vietnam, and she acted as a Vietnamese delegate at the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations Conference in Hong Kong.

“I had the chance to work, learn, and broaden my understanding of international conflict and peacebuilding within a truly global and inclusive environment.”

— Quynh Anh Cao Le ’26

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

Mattigan Haller finds ideal fit with mix of sciences, Spanish

BY DEANNA KOLELL

Mattigan Haller didn’t intend on becoming a triple major. But while on her academic journey at Lawrence University, it just fell into place.

Already planning on double majoring in biochemistry and Spanish and starting on the premedicine track, Haller found that

Mattigan Haller ’25 speaks at the opening of Fox Commons.

with a few additional classes, she could seamlessly add a biology major. The combination, for her, was perfect.

“I’m looking at pediatric anesthesiology, and I want to use my Spanish,” said Haller, a senior. “Being able to communicate more with patients, colleagues, the world as a whole—that’s really important to me.”

Haller, a native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is a first-generation student. She’s also a student-athlete, competing on Lawrence’s softball team. On her college search, she and her parents toured 22 colleges and universities across the country before she decided to call Lawrence home.

“I knew I wanted the small liberal arts experience,” Haller said. “I knew I wanted to know my professors by name rather than just being a number in a class. We came—me, my mom, and my dad— and fell in love with it.”

Lawrence, she said, was a place where she could pursue three majors, play a sport, study abroad, and still have time to participate in several clubs and organizations.

“The Business and Entrepreneur Center and Pre-Health Commons are going to add all sorts of opportunities for collaboration with professionals in business, nonprofits, and health care,” Haller said. “And not just for residents in Fox Commons. I have no doubt other students will come here to use the space and make those connections. As someone who is pursuing a career in health care, I know how valuable this space will be.”

Experience abroad

Haller’s love for and choice to study Spanish in college was long founded. For years, her family hosted exchange students through the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The first student

Madera Allan, associate professor of Spanish and Haller’s Spanish advisor, also helped her design the experience. While in Mexico, Haller was able to participate in more than 50 different procedures.

A love of athletics

In addition to her rigorous academic load, Haller also thrives on the softball diamond. The ability to compete in her sport and still pursue other academic and personal endeavors aided her decision to attend Lawrence.

“There’s an emphasis here at Lawrence on, you’re a student (first), then you're an athlete,” Haller said. “That’s something that really made me want to come to Lawrence, because I wasn’t ready to stop playing. There’s a really good balance here at Lawrence.”

“Being able to communicate more with patients, colleagues, the world as a whole—that’s really important to me.” — Mattigan Haller ’25

In the fall, she became one of the inaugural students living in Fox Commons, the new housing option for upper-year students in downtown Appleton. She was chosen to speak at a ribbon-cutting event that opened the first phase of the development that blends cocurricular spaces—the Business and Entrepreneurship Center and the Pre-Health Commons—with student apartments. She is a member of the President’s Student Advisory Council that helped plan the student spaces.

they hosted was from Mexico, and Haller and her family are still in contact with her today.

It was through this exchange student that Haller was able to develop a study abroad experience in San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

“Her husband is an anesthesiologist, and that was what kind of formed the connection,” Haller said. “From there, I was able to shadow and assist in surgeries, intubate patients, give anesthesia.”

Haller also got involved in clubs and organizations on campus, including the President’s Student Advisory Council, where she meets with President Laurie A. Carter to discuss a broad range of topics. She also is involved with the Pre-Health Living Learning Community Board and LIGHT (Lawrentians Inspiring Global Change Together).

Haller, who will graduate in June, is busy planning for her future, a prerequisite, she said, for being a pre-med student. She spent much of the summer studying for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).

CAMPUS SCENES

1 Seniors Sarah Ruiz and Andrew Bowers sing as the Opera Theatre ensemble performs during Kaleidoscope 8 in October at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.

2 Students meet with business representatives at a Business, Entrepreneurship, Technology, and Data Sciences Job & Internship Showcase held on campus in October.

3 The Cheer Team brings energy to the Blue & White Homecoming celebration at Banta Bowl.

4 Students enjoy Casino Night as part of Welcome Week activities aimed at building bonds as new students settle into campus life.

5 Ellie Kane, a senior studio art major, creates bike racks from scrap metal as part of summer research with Rob Neilson, Frederick R. Layton Professor of Studio Art and professor of art.

6 Members of the Class of 2028 pose for a class photo outside of the Wriston Art Center.

Music

is Light

As Lawrence’s Conservatory of Music marks 150 years, alumni speak of its enduring influences

BY ED BERTHIAUME

Picture this: a saxophonist stepping onto the campus of Lawrence University, wide-eyed and bursting with dreams. That was Javier Arau ’98 back in 1993, and his excitement was just the beginning.

“I was ready for anything,” he recalls, remembering the dedicated professors who welcomed him like family. “I never took this for granted, but I also didn’t really have an idea just how special this was until much later in my life.”

Fast forward, and Arau is now the mastermind behind the New York Jazz Academy, traveling the globe and sharing his love for music. His story is one of many that define the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music’s 150-year legacy.

A momentous celebration

As the Lawrence Conservatory of Music hits its 150th year, there’s a palpable buzz in the air. This isn’t just a celebration of the past; it’s a launchpad into the future. With more than 25 areas of study and 360 students ready to make

waves, the Conservatory is a vibrant hub of creativity and talent.

“This is a momentous event,” said Conservatory Dean Brian Pertl ’86. “Throughout our 150 years, the Lawrence Conservatory has produced exceptional musicians, scholars, and educators whose influence has extended across the nation and across the globe.”

Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, performances are showcasing both current students and proud alumni who’ve carried the Conservatory’s spirit into the world. This includes Nicolas Bizub '16, who contributed a composition, Musica est lux (Music is Light), to celebrate the spirit of the Conservatory.

“I think you start to really uncover at Lawrence this full picture of the musical field, and I find that extremely important in everything that I do,” Bizub said. “I work in marketing for the New York Philharmonic; I wouldn't be able to do that job without having gone through all of the musical training that I did because I think, fundamentally, Lawrence

really teaches you how to think for yourself and develop your own voice.”

A tapestry of talent rooted in the liberal arts

Since its founding in 1874, the Conservatory has blended music into Lawrence’s liberal arts mission. Provost Peter Blitstein: “We are committed to developing the habits of mind and skills that prepare you for life after you leave here—for lives of accomplishment and personal fulfillment; for engagement with the world; for lifelong learning necessary in a world of constant change and uncertainty.”

Today’s Conservatory weaves together music performance, education, composition, dance, technology, and arts leadership. Students can explore modern recording, engineering, and production techniques and participate in ensembles that span classical, jazz, and world music. Internships at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall and the Lyric Opera of Chicago offer real-world experience, all within the supportive embrace of a liberal arts education.

Alexander York ’14, who now shines as Papageno in The Magic Flute in Austria, speaks to the transformative power of his experience.

“In addition to the world-class training in the techniques and theories of music, I benefited from a group of professors who really lifted me up and gave me the tools that I personally needed to move forward in my career,” he said.

Kirsten Lies-Warfield ’94, a retired trombonist from the U.S. Army Band, fondly remembers the supportive culture of the Conservatory. After graduating from Lawrence, she earned a master’s degree at Indiana University, then became the first female trombonist hired by the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own.”

“The faculty and my peers gave me room to

1874

While some music instruction was part of the Lawrence curriculum dating back to the 1850s, it is in 1874 that President George McKendree Steele proposes to the Board of Trustees that a Conservatory of Music be established. Four years of study would now lead to a diploma in music. There is one faculty member.

1874

The formal beginning of the music program includes the launch of music instruction in the wider community, a school that today is known as the Lawrence Community Music School. It was a preparatory school for much of its history.

find my way and inspiration as to what was possible,” she said.

A legacy of excellence and innovation

As the Conservatory expanded from its early days, it became a vital part of both Lawrence and the surrounding Fox Cities community.

Performances by Lawrence faculty and students, as well as visiting artists such as Marian Anderson, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Bell, and Marilyn Horne, have long been open to the public.

The past 50 years have seen significant evolution. The jazz program, launched in the ’70s, has gained national acclaim.

The opera program, bolstered by generous support from a family foundation, allowed for the Conservatory’s first director of opera studies and has produced awardwinning alumni who are gracing stages worldwide. Recent innovations like the Bachelor of Musical Arts degree, added in 2019, allow students to audition with nonclassical repertoire and focus on jazz and contemporary improvisation.

The Conservatory’s Presto! tours have taken students to Chicago, the Twin Cities, and Houston for a blend of music-making and community outreach. Kaleidoscope concerts are held at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center to showcase the breadth of music within the Conservatory—the eighth edition was held in October as part of the 150th celebration. Dance instruction has been introduced, arts entrepreneurship has been embedded into courses, and world music instruction has expanded.

1887

Bachelor of Music degree program is introduced, along with an expanded music course of study.

1894 Lawrence adds music faculty and expands the curriculum in a major reorganization. This marks the reestablishment of the Conservatory of Music name.

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

In addition, numerous community partnerships—most notably with the Mile of Music festival, the Music for All program, the Appleton Area School District, and two newly launched summer music programs—have added layers to the Conservatory’s relationship with Appleton and the wider Fox Cities.

Alumni voices

Conservatory alumni often praise how their experiences shaped their musical journeys. James Gandre ’81, president of the Manhattan School of Music and an accomplished tenor, highlights three key aspects of his time at the Conservatory: detailed faculty instruction, a broad exposure to music, and a culture of support.

“We all wanted everyone to succeed and flourish,” he said.

continues on page 20

Composing our future

As you explore Lawrence’s campus, the evolution of the Conservatory of Music comes alive. Each initiative— from program expansions to modern facilities—plays a crucial role in shaping a future where students thrive and faculty inspire the next generation of musical talent.

New faculty

Over the past two years, Lawrence has welcomed 10 new full-time faculty members to the Conservatory. Their diverse expertise and fresh perspectives enrich programs, providing students with invaluable learning opportunities that are essential in today’s dynamic music landscape.

Boosting student outcomes

In response to the evolving music industry, Lawrence has embraced interdisciplinary approaches. The Business and Entrepreneurship major, alongside the new Business and Entrepreneurship Center, equips students with essential skills to navigate their careers effectively. This initiative prepares them for roles in performance, education, arts administration, and more, blending artistic training with practical business acumen to empower successful and fulfilling careers.

1908

William Harper is appointed director of the Conservatory. Enrollment grows from 86 students in his first year to 233 by 1910-11.

1908

The Artist Series is launched, bringing guest artists to campus for public performances, a tradition that continues to this day. Notable artists through the years have included Marilyn Horne, Joshua Bell, and Yo-Yo Ma (pictured), among many others.

Enhancing Conservatory spaces

This December, Harper Hall will undergo significant renovations to modernize its performance space with state-of-the-art projection and sound equipment. These upgrades will enhance functionality and attract diverse performances, helping to prepare students for expansive careers in the music industry.

New collaborative environments

The new performance space at the Business and Entrepreneurship Center, located in Fox Commons, offers a welcoming atmosphere for recitals and community events, further embedding the Conservatory into the broader community.

The upcoming West Campus facility represents an exciting development. Designed to encourage collaboration, it will house academic spaces for the Conservatory alongside programs in the humanities and sciences. This integrated approach aims to enrich the learning experience and foster interdisciplinary connections among faculty and students, equipping them for diverse career paths in music, education, and beyond.

1916

Property on the north side of East College Avenue is purchased by Lawrence to eventually house Conservatory facilities. Contributions from friends of the college and a fundraising campaign in the community would lead to the construction of Memorial Chapel.

1919

Hailed as a community partnership, the nearly 1,200-seat Memorial Chapel opens.

‘MUSIC

Scan for more voices from the Conservatory and details of the 150th celebration

“Our professors would be there for us at our concerts on and off campus, for lunches and dinners; that is an environment that is just so, so rare.”

— Javier Arau ’98

1924

John Philip Sousa, the famed American composer and conductor, is among the first major musical draws to perform on the stage of Memorial Chapel. He would return in 1926.

1941

Marian Anderson, the celebrated contralto who paved the way for other Black artists, performs to an overflow crowd at Memorial Chapel. In 2014, Lawrence would hold a concert in honor of Anderson, recreating the 1941 repertoire.

1959

The Music-Drama Center, adjacent to Memorial Chapel, opens. In addition to faculty offices and studios, it houses Stansbury Theater, Harper Hall, Cloak Theater, recording spaces, and more.

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

1971

The jazz studies program is introduced, first led by John Harmon ’57, followed by the late Fred Sturm ’73, and now José L. Encarnación. It has grown into a widely respected jazz program.

Evan Williams ’10, a rising composer teaching at Berklee College of Music, wrote a commissioned piece for the Conservatory’s 150th celebration, reflecting his respect for Lawrence.

“I love the emphasis they’re putting on contemporary music and research and writing and entrepreneurship,” Williams said. “They’re learning how to be working, thriving musicians in the world today.”

Praise for the faculty is a common theme among alumni, whether they graduated 40 years ago or just a year ago. Schuyler Thornton ’14, a flutist with the Les Misérables North American Broadway Tour and a lecturer at Muhlenberg College, still feels the Conservatory’s supportive culture.

“It is rare to find the sense of identity and community that exists at Lawrence, especially in the Conservatory,” she said. “Many musicians have conservatory experiences that are cutthroat and competitive—Lawrence provided a nurturing environment that still pushed me to be my best.”

The Conservatory faculty also lead by example, performing nationally and internationally. Voice professor Estelí Gomez won her second Grammy Award in 2024 with the ensemble Roomful of Teeth, which returns to Lawrence for a performance on April 4 as part of the 2024-25 Performing Arts Series.

Pianist Michael Mizrahi released his third solo album, Dreamspace, in 2024. Trombone professor Tim Albright is featured on acclaimed albums by Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens, and The National. Catherine Kautsky regularly performs in major venues such as Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Recital Hall. Violinist

1974

The Conservatory recognizes and celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Wen-Lei Gu balances teaching with a vibrant performance career, including appearances at Carnegie Hall’s Bach Festival and the Kennedy Center. The list goes on.

Student inspiration

Faculty achievements, like that of Gomez, inspire students like senior Damian Islas, who see them as reminders of the dedication needed to push artistic boundaries.

“Aside from her nurturing persona, she has put in so much hard work into mastering the art of singing and knowing her voice and body inside and out,” Islas said. “With one beautiful soprano note, Prof Gomez shows us all that she has cracked the code.”

This spirit of inspiration and dedication also lives in students who are weaving together diverse passions. Annika Schmidt ’25, a dual-degree student in cello performance and linguistics, embodies the Conservatory's commitment to fostering creativity and crossdisciplinary thinking.

“I found that analyzing language changes the way I think about music,” Schmidt said. “Thinking about music as speech ... analyzing how the phrase is put together or thinking about it in terms of words in a sentence.”

As we celebrate 150 years of the Lawrence Conservatory of Music, it is clear that the heart of its legacy lies in the students—who, through their dedication and creativity, continue to shape the future of the Conservatory. With each new generation, the story of innovation, excellence, and limitless potential carries on. That has been a familiar tune in the Conservatory for 150 years and counting. Alex Alden ’25 contributed to this report.

1981

Jazz Celebration Weekend is launched. Now known as Fred Sturm Jazz Celebration Weekend, the non-competitive music event annually brings together high school musicians, Conservatory faculty, and guest artists for a weekend of instruction and performances.

Harmonies of connection: The heart of Lawrence Community Music School for 150 years

BY A.J. KAISER ’25

As the community-facing arm of the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, the Lawrence Community Music School (LCMS) has enriched both the Lawrence campus and the greater Fox Valley region for 150 years. Serving as both an educational hub and a community resource, LCMS reflects the Conservatory’s commitment to nurturing musical talent across generations.

“Bringing together students with like-minded interests and shared artistic goals builds connections across the region, and their semi-annual concerts showcase their hard work and artistic achievements,” said Mary Van De Loo ’89, director of LCMS.

Serving as an outreach extension of the Conservatory (shared performance spaces, faculty interactions) since 1874, LCMS has evolved from a preparatory school into a community institution. Previously known as the Arts Academy and Lawrence Academy

1990

The preparatory school, still a part of Lawrence, becomes the Arts Academy and moves into its current location, the former executive offices of the Fox River Paper Company.

of Music, it embraced its current name in 2020. Today, LCMS serves approximately 900 students of all ages via private lessons and ensembles, presenting more than 40 public concerts annually.

Over the years, LCMS has expanded its offerings to include early childhood education, music theory, and chamber music classes. With six girl choirs, two bands, and a string orchestra, the school nurtures a diverse community of young musicians. Its popular summer camps—focused on piano, chamber music, jazz, and band—reflect LCMS’ commitment to broadening access to music education.

“Music is a lifelong experience, and our teachers are dedicated to providing opportunities to all ages and levels,” Van De Loo said. “Whether it’s a student aspiring to become a

professional musician, a parent wanting to create a musical bond or stimulate neural development with their baby, or an adult looking to explore an instrument or sing with other community members, we have skilled teachers for all.”

The impact of LCMS extends beyond the classroom. The school actively participates in community events like the Appleton Farmer’s Market and Mile of Music. Ensembles also perform at retirement communities and nursing homes, bringing the joy of music to all corners of the community.

1991

Construction begins on Shattuck Hall, an expansion that connects the MusicDrama Center with Memorial Chapel. The new studio, classroom, and rehearsal spaces allow the Conservatory to expand to 350 students.

1995

The 33-foot-tall Brombaugh Organ is installed in Memorial Chapel. It debuts with an opening recital by Professor George Damp on May 5, 1995.

2002

The Arts Academy is renamed the Lawrence Academy of Music to clarify its role as a provider of music education.

Among the dedicated faculty is Jessica Jensen ‘10, a proud Lawrence University alumna who grew up in the Fox Valley. Her early experiences with private lessons and ensemble performances inspired her to pursue a degree in music performance (trumpet), leading to a master’s and doctorate. Now, she teaches trumpet lessons at LCMS.

“In a world where we can feel disconnected, making music with others is a reminder that we share common ground,” Jensen said. “I see the Community Music School as a place where everyone can and should create music.

2019

A Bachelor of Musical Arts degree is added to Lawrence’s degree options, providing new musical paths into and through Lawrence while complementing the existing Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts , and dual degree options.

Come celebrate with us

Coming back to campus to celebrate 150 years of the Conservatory of Music? Here are anniversarythemed student performances to put on your calendar:

8 PM JAN. 23

HARPER HALL

Viking Clarinet Ensemble (ViCE) presents a premiere of Andrew Hannon’s Every Path a Tributary, commissioned for the Conservatory 150.

7:30 PM FEB. 28

MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Lawrence Choirs presents a premiere from Alex John ’12.

7:30 PM MARCH 1

MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Lawrence University

Wind Ensemble presents “Homegrown,” featuring Arclight Alley, a commissioned piece from

It makes the world a better place.”

David Werfelmann ’06, and tributes to Conservatory teaching legends Fred Schroeder, Fred Sturm ’73, and John Harmon ’57.

3 PM MARCH 2

MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Lawrence University Percussion Ensemble (LUPE) presents “All Duos,” featuring a premiere from Alexander Paster-Zwiebach ’26.

8 PM MARCH 5

MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Lawrence University Jazz Ensemble (LUJE) presents a Conservatory 150 celebration concert.

7:30 PM MARCH 8

MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Symphonic Band presents a concert with the premiere version of Symphony No. 1

The Eternal Present from Isaac Mayhew ’17 and arranged by Josh Trentadue.

Paul Hauer also began his musical journey at LCMS, starting piano lessons at 11 before taking on chamber music, theory, and violin. He participated in recitals, competitions, and festivals, praising these opportunities and the privilege of seeing ensembles like the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Inspired by those performances, Hauer is now in his eighth season as a violinist with the symphony. He’s also taken his education forward into the Fulton Music Society, where he continues to educate young musicians.

2020

The Lawrence Academy of Music is renamed Lawrence Community Music School to better define its role in the community.

7:30 PM MAY 22

STANSBURY THEATER

Spring Opera Scenes presents a premiere of Evan Mack’s A Nearer Mother (Scenes 3 and 4).

3 PM JUNE 1

MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Lawrence University Percussion Ensemble (LUPE) presents Robert Maggio’s Everything I Thought I Wanted, a Consortium commission.

3:10 PM JUNE 2

HARPER HALL

Jazz Workshop presents Consortium commission premieres.

7:30 PM JUNE 6

MEMORIAL CHAPEL

Lawrence Symphony Orchestra features a premiere of Matthew Forte’s Head Up

“The character traits and good habits that I developed from passionate teachers, including those at LCMS, put me on a path of growth that has allowed my life to be wonderfully rewarding,” Hauer said. “I would wish that for every child in the Fox Cities and the world.”

As LCMS continues to grow, Van De Loo and her team are committed to evolving their programs to meet the community's needs.

“We have a wealth of expertise and artistry here,” she said. “Sharing that with as many students as possible fosters community and creativity, enriching lives of all involved.”

2023

An announcement is made for the new fourstory West Campus building to be constructed in the 300 block of E. College Avenue, housing modern Conservatory faculty offices and teaching studios on the second floor. It is scheduled to open in the summer of 2025.

2024

Lawrence begins a year-long celebration of the Conservatory of Music’s 150th anniversary, with more than 360 students pursuing a music degree in one of four options: B.Mus., B.A., B.M.A., and dual degree.

The Lawrence Youth String Orchestra performs at Memorial Chapel

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

First-Year Studies puts focus on water with new thematic approach

BY ED BERTHIAUME

First-Year Studies, a staple of the academic experience at Lawrence University since 1945, continues to evolve. Beginning in Fall 2024, the course required for all first-year students underwent a significant realignment, all aimed at making the program more focused while keeping its intent of a collective introduction to the liberal arts.

The changes stem from recommendations made by a faculty task force that began its work in spring of 2022. It was approved in a faculty vote in May 2023. The revamped course, now lasting one term instead of two, will have a theme that stitches together the seven works to be studied. “Water” is the theme for the next four years, then giving way to a new theme. The writing curriculum has been reshaped with a sequence aimed at better preparing students for effective analytical writing.

“The First-Year Studies program has undergone many changes since its initial introduction in 1945,” said First-Year Studies

Task Force Chair Scott Corry, the Patricia Hamar Boldt Professor of Liberal Studies and professor of mathematics. “I, and many other faculty, felt that the time has come for substantial rethinking of the course. A guiding principle for me was to provide more coherence to the course, moving away from the current model in which the primary requirement is to feature works from all divisions of the university with little planning for connections between the works.”

The works selected for the water-focused thematic course include:

• USGS Water Cycle Diagram (basic science of the hydrologic cycle)

• Death and Life of the Great Lakes (by Dan Egan)

• Flood narratives (Gilgamesh and Noah)

• Selection of music in the Delta Blues tradition (various musical artists)

• Blood Dazzler (poetry by Patricia Smith)

• The Interesting Narrative (autobiography of Olaudah Equiano)

• Rising: New Dispatches from the American Shore (by Elizabeth Rush)

Since its establishment almost 80 years ago, the First-Year Studies (formerly Freshman Studies) syllabus has been continuously revised to introduce a changing student body to the intellectual challenges of a liberal arts education, and to the resulting benefits of the interdisciplinary thinking it embraces. The

course has gone through many iterations through the years. The earliest version of the course, launched by then-President Nathan Pusey, included a film, a laboratory component, and participation in music, art, or creative writing, along with the study of classic works by Plato, Machiavelli, and Thoreau. It was scaled back in the late 1960s, then discontinued for several years in the mid1970s before returning in 1978. It then went through major revisions in 1986, 1997, and the early 2000s.

The new version of the course marks the first time it has been designed with a thematic structure.

“We surveyed students and faculty and used the responses to inform our work,” Corry said. “We were committed to retaining a common curriculum for all sections of the course, as well as retaining the tradition of selecting works from a variety of disciplines and a diversity of viewpoints.”

Jeff Clark, professor of geosciences, is serving as director of First-Year Studies during this iteration of the course. The water theme, he said, is more focused while still having broad appeal, touching on the sciences, social sciences, music and art, and the humanities.

“Lawrence is situated on the Fox River and is in the Great Lakes drainage basin—it is intensely local, yet at the same time global,” Clark said of the water theme.

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

Grant puts eyes on career exploration in the humanities

Lawrence University is the recipient of a nearly $48,000 grant to support faculty in strengthening career exploration in humanities courses.

The two-year NetVUE grant from the Council of Independent Colleges, in collaboration with Lilly Endowment Inc., will assist faculty in building tools to help students discern their values, passions, and skills as they consider potential career paths.

“Faculty are aware that humanities courses help to prepare students for life after Lawrence in important ways, but we do not always explain this to students in ways that are readily apparent,” said Constance Kassor, associate professor of religious studies and special assistant to the president. “Many

students only come to recognize the benefits of their humanities training—learning how to think critically and communicate effectively, exploring issues from multiple viewpoints, working as part of a team—long after they have moved into careers after graduation. The work that we are doing with faculty through this NetVUE grant aims to make those skills more explicit while students are still in the classroom.”

The two-year grant extends through spring 2026, with plans being built to continue the project beyond the grant window.

Kassor will lead the project in its first year.

Stephanie Burdick-Shepherd, director of the Center for Teaching Excellence and associate professor of education, will assume leadership in the second year. Kevin Gaw, Riaz Waraich Dean of the Career Center, and Garrett Singer, special assistant to the president, joined Kassor and Burdick-Shepherd on the planning team that developed the program. Gaw, a career exploration and development professional, will assist Kassor and Burdick-Shepherd across the two-year grant cycle.

“Spending time deeply considering one’s values, interests, and motivations, among many other factors, is critical for the career

discernment process,” Gaw said. “Experience lends significantly to this, as well, and this especially includes career exploration and discernment experiences they have in academic courses with faculty.”

The first year includes the creation of a cohort-based faculty development program that prepares faculty to embed vocational discernment activities and course content in existing courses. Eight faculty, representing disciplines across the college, have been selected as the first cohort—Elizabeth Becker, psychology; Claire Chen, Chinese; Jake Frederick, history; Alexander Heaton, math; Victoria Kononova, Russian; Rosa Tapia, Spanish; Brigid Vance, history and East Asian studies; and Petra Watzke, German.

While the planning committee is focusing on humanities faculty for the project, they have included a couple faculty from outside of the humanities because programming is so intertwined.

“The humanities are an important part of the liberal arts education that students receive at Lawrence, and we want to help students understand the real-world impacts that their humanities courses have on their futures,” Kassor said.

History professor Jake Frederick teaches the Emergence of the Modern World course.

ACADEMICS

Marine Term students dive in the waters of Bonaire during a spring 2024 research trip.

Deep Dive

Marine Term continues to build remarkable pathways to careers in marine, freshwater sciences

BY ED BERTHIAUME

Amanda Dwyer ’13 recalls the adrenaline rush of crossing paths with an octopus as she and other Lawrence University students dove in the waters of Grand Cayman in the spring of 2012, doing research on coral reefs as part of the long-running Lawrence University Marine Program (LUMP).

An octopus sighting is rare.

“I’ll never forget how magical it was to observe it camouflaging in real time and beautifully blending in with its surroundings each time it stopped,” Dwyer said.

If she wasn’t convinced a career in marine science was for her before that Marine Term experience, she certainly was by the time her

group, led by Professor Bart De Stasio ’82, returned to campus following two weeks of research on the Caribbean island. Dwyer went on to earn a Ph.D. in coral reef ecology at Northeastern University and is now a grants management specialist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the federal agency that brings leadership to the development of ocean, fisheries, climate, space, and weather policies and supports cutting-edge research across the sciences.

“The opportunity as an undergrad to spend two weeks dedicated to diving, contributing to long-term marine research, and developing our

own experiments led me to realize that this was something I could see myself doing for the rest of my life,” Dwyer said.

A growing list

Dwyer is one of 90 alumni of Lawrence’s Marine Term program who are now working in marine or aquatics careers or related fields or are working toward those careers in graduate school programs.

LUMP has provided a hands-on undergraduate experience in marine biology—mostly every other year—since 1978, when the late Sumner Richman launched the program. Students spend time during

Marine Term learning about coral reef ecosystems, ecology, and human effects on reef environments before embarking on the twoweek research trip to the Caribbean.

De Stasio, the Dennis and Charlot Nelson Singleton Professor of Biological Sciences and professor of biology, has led these trips since 1996. The most recent excursion, which took 14 students to the western shore of Bonaire during Spring Term 2024, was De Stasio’s last. He is retiring in June and is handing off leadership of the program to Brian Piasecki, associate professor of biology, who has partnered with him on LUMP since 2014.

De Stasio was a student at Lawrence in 1980 when he was invited to join a Marine Term trip to Grand Cayman.

“That really set me on the path of going to graduate school for aquatic studies,” he said.

That path would eventually lead back to Lawrence, where De Stasio would join the biology faculty and take over leadership of the program following Richman’s retirement.

The program, he said, is centered on the premise that students doing research on coral reefs can apply that experience to a range of aquatic systems. That makes the Marine Term work as relevant in the Midwest as it is in the waters of the Caribbean.

“The challenges are all the same,” De Stasio said. “It doesn’t matter if you are in Green Bay or Lake Baikal or in the Gulf of Finland or in the coral reefs, an animal in an aquatic environment has to worry about getting eaten by something that is bigger than it. So, those food relationships are really what drive it.”

A course on microbiology and studies of local aquatic ecosystems allow students to investigate the similarities and differences between marine and freshwater environments.

That approach has helped Lawrence alumni seamlessly traverse related fields—Gretchen Gerrish ’98 is director of the University of Wisconsin’s Trout Lake Station, a year-round research operation of the school’s Center for Limnology; Amina Pollard ’95, a limnologist and ecologist, is coordinator of freshwater research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Devin Burri ’14 is a program analyst at NOAA who received a prestigious 2023 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship to combine interests in marine science and environmental policy. The list goes on.

Christopher Acy ’15, an aquatic invasive species coordinator with the nonprofit Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, said the Marine Term experience remains relevant as he continues to build a career in applied biology. His current position is a mix of education and field work focused on preventing and/or removing invasive species from the Fox and Wolf rivers in Wisconsin.

“My job now includes field days where I'm on the waters of northeast Wisconsin documenting invasive species populations and implementing plans to remove invasive species where they become a problem,” he said.

A draw to Lawrence

It is not unusual for students or alumni to point to Marine Term as a deciding factor in attending Lawrence.

“The uniqueness of going to a small liberal arts college where I could study both music and biology while getting hands-on experience in marine biology is unrivaled,” Acy said.

Emma Moya, a junior biology major from Chicago, was one of the 14 Lawrence

students on the Marine Term trip to Bonaire in the spring. She had come to Lawrence in part because of Marine Term. She called the experience “impactful” and said it solidified her plans to pursue marine biology as a career.

“Marine Term made me more motivated than I was before,” Moya said. “It became even more of an obsession of wanting to spend more time in the ocean, wanting to continue research on corals and marine mammals, to pursue outreach while ensuring that communities from all over are involved; that these communities are aware of the power they carry to help our oceans.”

Bonaire is one of three islands off the coast of Venezuela, with nearby Aruba and Curaçao. This marked the second time Bonaire has been the destination for Marine Term.

The first week in Bonaire was focused on gathering data of fish and coral diversity at seven sites. During the second week, students worked in small groups on research projects of their own design. In a twist, the group was accompanied by the Conservatory of Music’s José Encarnación, associate professor of music and director of jazz studies, who spent the two weeks studying the music of Bonaire and later coordinated a Lawrence University Jazz Band concert in Memorial Chapel that featured both the music of the island and research testimonials from the Marine Term students.

“We always try to make this trip more holistic,” De Stasio said of the music collaboration. “We want our students to understand how the coral reefs are really a part of the society that’s there.”

Besides Bonaire, LUMP students have studied reefs in the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands.

Bart De Stasio (right) has led Marine Term since 1996.

He was joined in Bonaire by fellow faculty members

Brian Piasecki (left) and José Encarnación.

Amanda Dwyer ’13 Christopher Acy ’15

On Main Hall Green With… Anthony Padilla: Culture and collaboration in music-making

On Main Hall Green With … is an ongoing series that features Lawrence faculty sharing insights in and out of the classroom. It’s the same six questions with wonderfully varied answers. We’ve showcased more than 70 faculty thus far in the series, found under Profiles on the News page at lawrence.edu.

Anthony Padilla, a member of the Lawrence Conservatory of Music faculty since 1997, is a widely acclaimed piano teacher and performer. He received Lawrence University’s Award for Excellent Teaching in 2017, praised for his encouragement of students to strengthen their technique and develop their individual style and artistic voice. He has brought that same yearning for exploration and creativity to collaborations across academic disciplines in recent years, most notably in studying the cultures of

Latin America and the Asian Pacific Islands.

An American pianist of Filipino-Chinese ancestry, Padilla has performed as a guest artist across North America, Europe, and Asia. His artistry on the piano has been praised for its “enormous freshness, vitality, and poetry” (Chicago Tribune).

A protégé of the legendary pianist Jorge Bolet, Padilla was awarded the prestigious Beethoven Fellowship by the American Pianists Association and top prize at the Concert Artists Guild International Competition. He is a founding member of the Arcos Piano Trio.

Padilla earned his Bachelor of Music in piano performance at the Curtis Institute of Music and Northern Illinois University and a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance and literature at Eastman School of Music.

We caught up with him to talk about interests in and out of the classroom.

Anthony Padilla

In the classroom

Inside info: What’s one thing you want every student coming into your classes to know about you?

I am committed not only to helping students hone their technical skills at the keyboard, but to direct these skills toward developing their own individual voice and musical personality. In addition to guiding students’ understanding of the centuries of Western classical tradition, I enthusiastically encourage their celebration of historically under-represented and marginalized composers, especially those from indigenous cultures, in efforts to include more of these voices in concert halls and to move our art forward.

Getting energized: What work have you done or will you be doing at Lawrence that gets you the most excited?

Over the last dozen years or so, I have enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with members of the Spanish and Latin American Studies departments on grant

projects exploring music, art, literature, and food from South/Central America and the Caribbean. These projects provided fascinating opportunities to celebrate Latinx culture via a dynamic interaction of creative fields. More recently, I have enjoyed coaching Filipino music students on a program of Kundíman (Filipino folk songs) and collaborating with Filipino composers and performers on a Lawrence University Research Fellowship project transcribing indigenous music from the Asian Pacific Islands. My students and I have been invigorated by the opportunity to delve into music from our shared API heritage. I’m also excited by the chance to advise my current international students on exploring music from their own heritage, including music from Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam, Japan, and China. Going places: Is there an example of somewhere your career has taken you (either a physical space or something more intellectual, emotional, or spiritual) that took you by surprise?

During my first overseas trip to perform at international music festivals in Europe, I arrived in Rome and spent my first day there wandering into various churches throughout the city. In one of the first churches I entered, I inadvertently found myself face to face with Caravaggio’s dramatic painting of St. Paul’s conversion on the way to Damascus in the church of Santa Maria del Popolo’s Cerasi Chapel. It brought me to my knees and left an indelible image in my memory.

Out of the classroom

This or that: If you weren’t teaching for a living, what would you be doing?

Teaching, like performing, is more of a passion for me rather than merely a means to making a paycheck, so I would want to continue teaching and performing on a freelance basis, regardless of making a living at it. Taking a break from musical activities, I’d love the chance to camp and hike the Alaskan wilderness with my wife, two sons, and our dog, Polo, savoring the evening light of the summer solstice together.

Right at home: Whether for work, relaxation or reflection, what’s your favorite spot on campus?

Stepping onto the Chapel stage, with its magical acoustics, I feel the haunting presence of ghosts from past performances, and I draw inspiration for creative music-making.

One book, one recording, one film: Name one of each that speaks to your soul? Or you would recommend to a friend? Or both?

Book: Constantin Stanislavski’s An Actor Prepares – Stanislavsky’s method for training actors to “live” their roles directly parallels the challenge of performing artists to inhabit the vast range of characters and emotions explored in musical works.

Recording: Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion performed live by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Willem Mengelberg in 1939 – musicmaking so profoundly human that it moves me to tears every time I hear it.

Film: Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator –Chaplin’s model of humility and humanity in his final speech provides a crucial message for all of us during this troubling time of rising authoritarianism in the world.

PHOTO BY AARON LINDEMAN '27

ACADEMICS

Meet the new faculty

Lawrence University welcomes 13 new tenure-track faculty and one three-year appointment for the 2024-25 academic year.

Kivie Cahn-Lipman, associate professor of music (cello): Cahn-Lipman comes to Lawrence from Youngstown State University, where he has taught cello since 2017. He previously taught at The College of New Jersey, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College. He earned a DMA from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, a master’s from The Juilliard School, and a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music.

Rachel Dyer, assistant professor of psychology: Dyer arrives at Lawrence following a pre-doctoral internship at University Counseling Center at the University of Utah. Dyer received a Ph.D. in counseling psychology. She earned a master’s degree in counseling and a bachelor’s degree with majors in psychology and neurobiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Lucero Estrella, assistant professor of ethnic studies: Estrella recently finished a Ph.D. in American studies at Yale University. She earned her M.A. and M.Phil. in American studies at Yale and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin with majors in Mexican American & Latina/o studies and Asian cultures and languages.

Víctor Garre León, assistant professor of Spanish and linguistics: Garre León comes to Lawrence from the University of Texas at Austin, where he completed his Ph.D. in Hispanic linguistics. He earned his master’s degrees in Hispanic linguistics at the

University of Texas at Austin. He taught Spanish as a foreign language at Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo in Santander, Spain, and Hispanic literatures at West Virginia University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English studies at Universidad de Murcia, Spain.

Shannon Gravelle, assistant professor of music (choral studies): Gravelle comes to Lawrence from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where she served as director of choral activities since 2021. Before that Gravelle was director of choral activities/ coordinator of music education at Meredith College. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Iowa, a Master of Music from California State University Long Beach, and a bachelor’s degree with a major in music from Luther College.

Ornella Hills ’12, Mark Burstein Assistant Professor of Global and Public Health: Hills is the inaugural Mark Burstein Assistant Professor of Global and Public Health at Lawrence University. She returns to her alma mater from the University of WisconsinStevens Point, where she had served on the faculty since 2022. She majored in biochemistry at Lawrence. She went on to earn a master’s in population health and a Ph.D. in mass communication, both at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Gregory Hitch, assistant professor of environmental studies: Hitch is already a familiar face on campus. He served as the Jill Beck NEH Postdoctoral Fellow in the Humanities in the Department of Ethnic Studies the past two years. He has now been

hired as an assistant professor of environmental studies. He works with Indigenous communities fighting for environmental justice and sovereignty, in addition to researching the environmental history of settler colonialism in the United States. He received his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Brown University. As an undergraduate, he studied history, environmental studies, and American Indian studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Estéfani Marín, assistant professor of ethnic studies:

Marin joins the Lawrence faculty after finishing her Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California, Irvine. She earned a master’s in sociology from UC Irvine and a bachelor’s degree with majors in sociology and Latin American, Latino & Caribbean studies from Dartmouth College. Marin’s research interests include race and ethnicity, education, family, youth, qualitative methods, and criminology.

Zachary Marley, instructor of music (tuba): Marley joins Lawrence’s Conservatory of Music on a three-year appointment. He has taught as an instructor of low brass at the University of Minnesota-Duluth since 2023 and previously worked as an adjunct professor at Tarleton State University and an adjunct instructor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in music performance (tuba) at the University of North Texas. He holds a master’s in music performance from Northwestern University and bachelor’s degrees in music performance from the University of North Texas.

Hilary Miller-Goldwater, assistant professor of psychology: Miller-Goldwater comes to Lawrence after serving as a post-doctoral fellow at Emory University since 2018. She earned a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with areas of focus in cognition and cognitive neuroscience. She earned a bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology from UW. In 2020, she received a three-year Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.

Nadje Noordhuis, assistant professor of music: An accomplished trumpeter and composer, Noordhuis joins the Conservatory faculty with an impressive performance resume. She has been a trumpeter for the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, and others. She has been an instructor at Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, and Hunter College. She holds a Master of Music in Jazz Trumpet from Manhattan School of Music and bachelor’s degrees from Victorian College of the Arts and Southern Cross University.

Anne Ratnoff, assistant professor of French and Francophone studies: Ratnoff comes to Lawrence after serving the past academic year as a visiting assistant professor of French at Kenyon College. She holds a Ph.D. in French from Harvard University. She earned a master’s degree in French from Middlebury College in Paris and a bachelor’s degree with a double major in French and cognitive and linguistic sciences from Wellesley College.

Jennifer Snyder Kozoroz, assistant professor of music (viola): Snyder Kozoroz joins the Conservatory faculty after serving the past five years as an adjunct teacher of violin and viola at Brevard College. She previously served as director and viola instructor for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Progressions Program and taught at West Texas A&M University, Old Dominion University, and Christopher Newport University. She holds a Master of Music in viola performance from The Juilliard School and a bachelor’s degree with a major in viola performance from The Ohio State University.

Kurt Wilson, assistant professor of anthropology: Wilson comes to Lawrence after two years as a National Science Foundation SBE Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Geography at the University of Utah, focused on social, behavioral, and economic sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Utah. He earned a master’s in anthropology and an M.Ed. in higher education at Iowa State University and a bachelor’s degree with a major in history from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Ornella Hills ’12

New professor arrives with $250K grant to bolster support for community health workers

Ornella J. Hills ’12, the inaugural Mark Burstein Assistant Professor of Global and Public Health at Lawrence University, arrived on campus this fall with a six-figure grant to study secondary traumatic stress among community health workers serving minoritized populations in central Wisconsin.

Hills began the process of securing the $250,000 Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin (AHW) Endowment grant while teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The grant moved with her as she joined her alma mater in the newly endowed faculty position that will further the teaching of global and public health. The position is endowed in the name of Mark Burstein, who served as Lawrence’s 16th president from 2013 to 2021.

Hills’ work in combatting secondary trauma is one of 40 new projects being funded by AHW grants, all aimed at improving health in Wisconsin. AHW’s Momentum Grants support efforts to address Wisconsin’s most pressing health challenges. Grant applications underwent a rigorous review process before approval of a final slate of projects by the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Consortium on Public and Community Health, the AHW Research and Education Advisory Committee, and the MCW Board of Trustees.

Hills’ project aims to empower community health workers with a toolkit of culturally responsive, evidence-based, low-cost approaches to mental health promotion focused on the high-need communities of central Wisconsin, including the Hmong, Hispanic, and refugee populations. It will include developing and implementing workshops, creating advocacy tools to highlight secondary traumatic stress (STS) and burnout, and providing resources for health care workers and their employers to support mental health in the workplace.

“We went into this because poor mental health both before and after the pandemic has been something that’s been so persistent for many individuals,” Hills said. “Take the Hmong community, for example. In a recently published study, a research team at UW-Madison and Johns Hopkins found that over 80% of Hmong individuals in their Wisconsin sample had experienced prior trauma.”

Community health workers operate as the bridge between a patient and their medical providers. In minoritized communities, they often serve as the only person community members trust, and in many cases the only person they can communicate with, as many health workers are bilingual and double as translators. The trauma and stress can come from multiple directions, often piling up and becoming a heavy load.

“When you are hearing the stories of someone else’s trauma, you can experience secondary or indirect trauma,” Hills said. “That can have really negative effects on your own mental health. Currently, we don’t have solid procedures for helping health workers manage their mental health and the consequences and stresses of their position. So, you tend to have higher burnout and people leaving the position. When you have one Hmong or Hispanic health worker serving the entire community, this can be a tremendous loss to the community.”

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

Bjornerud’s latest book blends personal reflections with grander story of our rocky planet ACADEMICS

BY ED BERTHIAUME

Geosciences professor Marcia Bjornerud, one of Lawrence University’s most prolific authors and scholars—a student, teacher, and storyteller of Earth’s past, present, and future— has added a new point of interest in her justreleased book.

Herself.

In Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks, released in August by Flatiron Books, Bjornerud weaves her personal footprint into the exploration of Earth’s geologic history, channeling a desire for her fellow earthlings to join her in better understanding where we’ve been and where we’re going. It is her

Marcia Bjornerud at Cactus Rock in New London, Wisconsin

fourth book, following Reading the Rocks in 2005, Timefulness: How Thinking Like a Geologist Can Help Save the World in 2018, and Geopedia in 2022, all critically lauded.

The memoir approach for Turning to Stone is one Bjornerud, the Walter Schober Professor of Environmental Studies and professor of geosciences, was not immediately comfortable with. Following the release of Timefulness, an editor suggested she write a memoir about her life as a geologist.

“At first I recoiled from the idea because I’m a private person by nature, and also because my purpose in writing books for popular audiences is not for readers to get to know me but to share with them essential ideas about how their planet works,” Bjornerud said.

In the end, she found value in telling her story, from growing up in western Wisconsin, to her trials and tribulations in becoming a geology scholar, to how her drive to learn and share all she can about our planet infused all aspects of her life, including parenthood, friendships, and her research and teaching since joining the Lawrence faculty in 1995.

“In my earlier books, I had incorporated short personal anecdotes as entry points into geologic concepts, but nothing really autobiographical,” she said. “I finally realized that I could use the arc of my own life— specifically, my deepening understanding of the earth over my career—as a way to ease people into a geologic worldview. With this book, I'm trusting readers to stick with me through some scientific concepts that are more subtle than those I've talked about in my previous books. People may not realize it, but we are currently in a golden age for the geosciences, in which we finally have the conceptual frameworks, instrumentation, and computational capacity to grapple with the immense complexity of the Earth system in four dimensions, including time.”

The book drew a glowing review from The New Yorker, featured online and in the Sept. 2 edition of its print magazine.

“In its pages, what Bjornerud has learned serves to illuminate what she already knew:

each of the book’s ten chapters is structured around a variety of rock that provides the context for a particular era of her life, from childhood to the present day,” the review reads.

“The result is one of the more unusual memoirs of recent memory, combining personal history with a detailed account of the building blocks of the planet. What the two halves of this tale share is an interest in the evolution of existence—in the forces, both quotidian and cosmic, that shape us.”

In the book’s prologue, Bjornerud speaks to her relationship with geology that has grown from her time as an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota and a graduate student at the University of WisconsinMadison. She calls the book an invitation into her “geo-centric” worldview, in which we have much to learn from the rocks.

“If my initial relationship with geology was purely intellectual, it has become over time a philosophical and even spiritual worldview, imbuing my life with meaning,” she writes. “My work as a field geologist has led to unlikely connections with people from across the world—friendships rooted in a shared sense of humility and wonder in the presence of nature. I also have a feeling of amity with rocks, after spending such a large fraction of my waking hours with them over many years, immersed in their narratives.”

In addition to her four books, Bjornerud’s storytelling has been showcased frequently in the pages of The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, and other publications.

When Timefulness was released six years

ago, it drew notable honors. It was named to the 2019 Phi Beta Kappa Book Awards Short List; selected as a finalist in the Science and Technology category for the 2018 Los Angeles Times Book Prize; given a PROSE Award from the American Association of Publishers in the category of popular science and mathematics; and long-listed for the PEN America Awards, among the nation’s most prestigious literary awards.

In addition to The New Yorker review, Turning to Stone has already drawn praise from other outlets. Publisher’s Weekly calls it a “remarkably human take on the geological world.” Science News calls it “part memoir, part geology explainer, part meditation on science and society.”

“Bjornerud’s life scaffolds each chapter; the rocks set the scene,” the Science News review reads. “The book is largely chronological, from Bjornerud’s childhood to the present day. Each chapter features a titular rock type that holds some significance to her life.”

Bjornerud hopes blending her “small human story” with those of the rocks will allow readers to see themselves as being part of Earth’s ecosystem.

“The absence of rigorous geoscience classes in schools means that most people spend their entire lives on Earth like bad tourists, enjoying the planet's hospitality without ever learning much about its language and history,” she said. “While not everyone can or should become a geologist, I believe that geologic habits of mind—an instinct for Earth’s rhythms, a feeling for our place in its story— are essential to the physical and psychic wellbeing of humankind.”

"My experience at Lawrence has been nothing short of spectacular. It is hard to put into words how thankful I am for how much my life has changed in the last 2 years. Without the constant and loyal support from Lawrence’s community, none of it would be possible.”

—

Nico

Manzanera '26

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia

Major: Business & Entrepreneurship

Fund

920-832-6548 • lawrence.edu/giving

Fellowship allows Colón time to focus on climate justice research

Sigma Colón, assistant professor of environmental studies and ethnic studies at Lawrence University, has been named one of 20 Career Enhancement Fellows for the 2024-25 academic year by the Institute for Citizens & Scholars.

The Career Enhancement Fellowship, funded by the Mellon Foundation and administered by Citizens & Scholars, seeks to increase the presence of outstanding junior faculty committed to campus diversity and innovative research in the humanities and humanistic social sciences.

Colón, on the Lawrence faculty since 2017 and promoted to a tenuretrack position in 2021, will receive a one-year supplemental sabbatical stipend of $35,000 to allow her to complete a book of her research focused on the intersections of water, settler colonialism, race-based nationalism, and immigration, with an emphasis on how they impact climate justice.

“I am grateful to Citizens & Scholars for the time this fellowship gives me to dedicate to my research,” Colón said. “I appreciate the mentorship and sense of community it facilitates to support meaningful work and career advancement.”

The Career Enhancement Fellows’ research advances disciplines such as history, Chicana and Chicano studies, religious studies, gender and women’s studies, literature, African diaspora studies, and more. Beyond academic diversity, the 2024 Fellows come from an equally diverse range of institutions from across the country. Selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants, Fellows are expanding perspectives within their disciplines and are committed to research and service that increases engagement and inclusion on campus.

Administered at Citizens & Scholars since 2001, the Career Enhancement Fellowship has supported more than 500 junior faculty members, creating a robust network of scholars committed to eradicating racial disparities in core fields in the arts and humanities.

Colón came to Lawrence via postdoctoral National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) fellowships in geography and history, then worked as a visiting assistant professor of environmental and ethnic studies before earning a tenure-track appointment three years ago. She teaches in both ethnic studies and environmental studies, developing courses that address the geopolitics of inequality and linking racial and environmental justice.

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

Sigma Colón

Fischer works to strengthen academic advising

BY A.J. KAISER ’25

Jacklyn John Fischer has taken on an expanded leadership role, guiding Lawrence University’s improvements in academic advising while also overseeing the academic coaching team in the Center for Academic Success.

It is a dual position—associate dean of academic success and director of academic advising—that has Fischer bolstering students’ academic experiences in critical ways.

“My favorite part of the job is identifying advising ‘pain points’ and working collaboratively with colleagues to find solutions that improve the student experience,” Fischer said. “I love having the opportunity to bring people together to help our systems work more effectively in the ever-changing higher education landscape.”

Much of her work thus far has focused on reforming the academic advising process— gathering data, researching best practices, and collaborating with campus stakeholders. One of her key partners has been the university’s Academic Advising Committee. Together, they have made improvements that include overhauling the advising experience for new students, developing student learning outcomes for academic advising, and launching an expanded training program for all new faculty advisors.

“Academic advising helps students make the most of their college experience,” Fischer said. “With effective academic advising, students are given space to reflect upon their goals and interests with someone who can help them think through plans for realizing those goals.”

Fischer is responsible for assigning students their “pre-major advisor” before they arrive on campus for their first year, and she helps ensure students are matched with a “major advisor” once they declare a major. The “pre-major advisor” helps guide the student through the liberal arts education at Lawrence, discusses interests and goals, assists with course registration, and helps with the adjustment to college-level academic expectations. Once a major in declared, the “major advisor” will continue to help the student reflect upon interests and goals while offering support for course planning within the major.

exploratory students as they chart their academic paths. One example is the “Meet Your Major” series, in which students can learn about various majors and minors by meeting faculty and other students involved in different departments and programs in an informal setting.

“My favorite part of the job is . . . working collaboratively with colleagues to find solutions that improve the student experience.”

— Jacklyn John Fischer

In her recently expanded role as the associate dean of academic success, Fischer is now guiding the academic coaching team in the Center for Academic Success. Academic coaches meet with students to talk about mindset and motivation, values, and goals, and how to overcome

hurdles to academic success. The combined position allows her greater perspective on how faculty academic advisors and academic coaches can effectively collaborate to promote student success.

Fischer also works with campus partners to develop resources for undecided and

Fischer, who joined Lawrence in 2021, holds a Master of Education in Higher Education from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

Jacklyn John Fischer

BOOKS & WORKS

-FROM FACULTY AND ALUMNI-

Retired flute professor

Ernestine Whitman releases memoir, ‘Countermelodies’

Ernestine Whitman, a flute professor on the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music faculty for 33 years before retiring in 2011, has written a memoir that explores a harrowing time in her life, when unrelenting psychological harassment from a teacherturned-colleague in Atlanta threatened to unravel her dreams of a musical life.

Countermelodies: A Memoir in Sonata Form, published by She Writes Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster, was released Sept. 24. Whitman read passages from the book and led discussion during a campus visit in early October.

Whitman was halfway through her undergraduate years at Emory University in

Atlanta when she won an audition for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. As second flute, she would sit beside a former teacher, the principal flute, who had been a father figure to her in her teen years, a time when her relationship with her father was strained. When her former teacher—her long-time hero—turned on her and began to relentlessly harass her, it set Whitman on an often-painful years-long journey in which she would have to fight for both her art and her mental health. One low point, she said, came when he covertly flashed a switchblade knife at her in the middle of a concert, attempting to ruin her solo.

While she then left Atlanta—and her harasser—to earn her master’s at New England Conservatory and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in flute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she continued to battle self-doubt, often turning to men who would exploit her. Through it all, she kept her music alive. The skills that landed her in a major symphony orchestra in her early 20s continued to flourish.

In 1978, Whitman applied for a position on the Lawrence faculty, which proved to be the much-needed start of a new chapter.

“I knew Lawrence’s reputation for excellence in both academics and music, and that it was one of only a few schools with a conservatory attached to a small liberal arts college,” Whitman writes in Countermelodies.

She got the position of flute professor and relocated to Appleton. The fit, she said, “turned out to be just right,” and teaching flute would become her “second calling.”

Her love for teaching grew with each passing year.

“The constant search for a richer flute tone guided my teaching, and nothing thrilled

me more than hearing a student’s gorgeous sound soar above other instruments in the student orchestra,” Whitman writes. “Even the less ambitious students—those who wouldn’t get into the orchestra—had breakthrough lessons when, after months of painstaking work that seemed to yield no results, their sound would burst forth with color, beauty, and depth.”

Alumnus Harry MacLean continues to channel law career into true crime novels

With the release of his newest book, Starkweather: The Untold Story of a Killing Spree That Changed America, true crime author and Lawrence University alumnus Harry MacLean ’64 adds another title to his list of critically lauded books.

MacLean, who transitioned from a successful law career to become a true crime writer, has always credited his Lawrence education with giving him the tools to learn and adapt. Sixty years after graduating, that remains true.

“I was always curious, but Lawrence showed me how to live with curiosity as a lifestyle, to always wonder what lay over the far horizon,” he said.

MacLean returned to his alma mater as part of Blue & White Homecoming in early November, giving a presentation on his latest book.

MacLean excelled in law, working in a range of positions including as a magistrate judge in juvenile court, first assistant attorney

Ernestine Whitman

Harry MacLean ’64

general for the State of Colorado, and a position in the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C., where he was involved in enforcement on Wall Street. He also worked as general counsel of the Peace Corps in the Carter administration and served as special counsel to Colorado Gov. Richard Lamm.

It was after that lengthy law career that MacLean decided to pursue more creative endeavors, and he wrote his first book.

In Broad Daylight, released in 1988, is a narrative account of the 1981 vigilante killing of Ken Rex McElroy, the murder of a small town’s bully that went unsolved despite having been witnessed by more than50 people.

“One of the things I studied was the impact of trauma on small towns,” MacLean said. “That’s one perspective I brought to this story.”

The book was a success, going on to win an Edgar Award for best true crime writing and charting on the New York Times bestseller list for 12 weeks. The book also inspired a film by the same name starring Brian Dennehy.

Established as a true crime author, MacLean went on to write six more books. His most recent, Starkweather, recounts the 1958 killing spree of 19-year-old Charles Starkweather and his 14-year-old companion, Caril Ann Fugate. MacLean describes Starkweather as the “first mass murderer of the modern age.” The book drew significant praise, including being selected by the Washington Post as Best Nonfiction Book of 2023.

MacLean grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, where seven of the 11 Starkweather murders took place, giving him special insight in writing an account of the story. The book delves into a side of the story that’s seldom been explored—the guilt or innocence of Fugate.

The book takes a look at the case from a modern lens and its impact on culture in the decades to follow. The Starkweather murders inspired books and movies, including Natural Born Killers and Badlands. It even inspired Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska At the time of the murders, the late 1950s, the evening news was becoming widespread for the first time across the United States, and the coverage of the killing spree held the country transfixed. There had been no broadcast stories before this one of random murders, and it created a new fear for the American public.

“Television hit just as Charlie hit,” MacLean said. “That changed the whole picture of homicide in this country.”

MacLean has extensive experience in law, which he takes into his work as an author, but his approach to writing true crime such as Starkweather is inspired by the idea of the nonfiction novel: accounts of real events through narrative storytelling.

“You have to put the reader in the car with Charlie and Caril on the killing spree,” MacLean said. “You want them to feel the ruts in the rough country road, see the fear in their victim’s faces. You can’t make up or infer facts, but, unlike a newspaper account, you can shape the story to fit your vision.”

MacLean puts heavy emphasis on writing according to the people who were there at the time, experiencing the traumatic events that took place. He says the first and most important thing he does in researching a new book is visit the town he’s writing about and talk to people.

“Every book I’ve written involves heavy legal issues,” MacLean said. “But research happens person-to-person. As a writer, you are entitled to ask anybody almost anything. A lot of doors open when you sit down and have a coffee with someone.”

Eric Simonson explores reluctant return to stage with ‘Between the Lines’

Writer and director Eric Simonson ’82 released Between the Lines: Steppenwolf’s Seagull and a Reluctant Actor’s Journey Back to the Stage (Blue Jay Ink), a tale of his return to the stage after three decades.

Despite his chronic stage fright, the playwright (Lombardi, Run Bambi Run) went back on stage as an actor — at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre. The Milwaukee native and Lawrence University grad turns this adventure into a smart and sober reflection on that production, working on a show and the “golden age” of Chicago theater, which he defines as 1980-1995.

In the spring of 2022, the renowned Steppenwolf Theatre Company re-emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic with a new, $43 million state-of-the-art theatre. Director Yasen Peyankov insisted he cast the premiere production—an adaption of The Seagull—with as many Steppenwolf ensemble members as possible. This meant coaxing one nonactor, Simonson, into coming back to the stage after a 33-year absence. Taking a leap in the dark, and battling the demons of stage-fright, confidence, and homesickness, Simonson took up the challenge and started on a journey into the theatrical unknown. Part diary, part history of the Chicago Theatre Renaissance, this memoir takes the reader behind the scenes of a Steppenwolf classic, and inside the head of a man desperate to rediscover the joy and craft of acting.

Simonson, an accomplished writer and director who was honored in 2022 with a Lawrence University Alumni Award, has a resume that includes an Oscar win (A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin, 2005), a Tony nomination (The Song of Jacob Zulu, 1993), and an eight-month-plus run on Broadway of a play he wrote (Lombardi, 2010-11). He continues to present the annual Door Kinetic Arts Festival at Björklunden, a celebration of artists and the artistic life.

“You have to remain curious to succeed in this business I’m in, and Lawrence gave me that curiosity; Lawrence gave me the idea that you didn’t have to be a child to remain curious and learn something,” Simonson said previously. “It’s an ongoing education. I don’t feel like what I’m doing with my life is any different than what I did when I was at Lawrence. I find something that interests me, and I really dig into it.”

Eric Simonson ’82

ATHLETICS

Lacrosse ready to debut during Winter Term

Lacrosse is about to take off at Lawrence University. The men’s and women’s programs are set to make their debuts during Winter Term, with the men opening their inaugural schedule at Trine University on Feb. 23. They’ll make their home debut at Banta Bowl on March 9 vs. Augustana College. The women, meanwhile, will launch their season March 12 at Elmhurst College and will host their home opener at the Banta Bowl on March 29 against Edgewood College.

The Banta Bowl got its first taste of lacrosse in late October. The men’s program kicked off a series of scrimmages when they hosted the University of Minnesota and then the College of DuPage on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Both Lawrence teams will compete in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). The men are led by head coach Mikey Zadroga; the women by head coach Ben Morhac.

Lawrence’s men’s lacrosse team competed against the University of Minnesota in a scrimmage at the Banta Bowl.

Cristyn Oliver leads cross country team to title

Lawrence University cross country star Cristyn Oliver made history as the Vikings won the team title at the Midwest Conference Championships, hosted by Lawrence at Reid Golf Course in Appleton. Oliver became the first female runner in conference history to win three individual cross country titles, capping off a stunning career for the Vikings.

Earlier in the year Oliver, a senior from Redondo Beach, California, ran the fastest 6,000 meters in school history and then lowered that record a week later. She now holds the record with a time of 21:38.6.

It was Lawrence's fifth Midwest Conference team championship and its second in the last four seasons.

Lawrence had six all-conference performers en route to the team title. Coach Jason Fast was named the conference’s coach of the year.

Women’s soccer qualifies for NCAA Tournament

The Lawrence University women’s soccer team punched its ticket to the Big Dance. Izzy Robertson’s goal in overtime lifted Lawrence to a 2-1 victory over Lake Forest College in the championship game of the Midwest Conference Tournament at Mohr Field inLake Forest, Illinois—securing a spot in the NCAA Division III Tournament. It was the Vikings’ fourth NCAA Tournament appearance. They fell in the opening round to the University of Chicago.

Lawrence claimed its first regular-season Midwest Conference championship in program history when it beat Grinnell College 6-0 on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl during Homecoming Weekend. They finished the conference season with a 7-0-1 record and tied for the title with Lake Forest College.

They then took care of business in the conference tournament, with the dramatic overtime win at Lake Forest.

“We found a way," Lawrence coach Joe Sagar said. “Very emotional right now.”

Sagar was named the conference’s coach of the year.

The Vikings went into the NCAA Tournament with a 13-4-2 overall record, tying the school record for wins in a season.

New coaches to lead Lawrence programs

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S HOCKEY: Both Lawrence University hockey teams saw a change in leadership before kicking off their 2024-25 campaigns in November. Greg Moore was tabbed to lead the Lawrence women’s program while Rylee Orr was selected as the new men’s coach.

Moore comes to the Vikings from Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan, where he started the women's hockey program in 2020.

He takes the reins from Kevin Dessart, who coached the Vikings for the past two seasons.

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

Dessart is now the associate head coach at the University of Vermont, a NCAA Division I program.

Orr made the short trip north on Interstate 41 to take leadership of the men’s hockey program. He was serving as the assistant coach at Marian University.

A native of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Orr brings head coaching experience to the Lawrence program. For five seasons, he served as the head coach of the American Collegiate Hockey Association team at the University of Oregon. Under Orr's guidance, the Ducks won three Pac 8 Conference championships.

He replaced Brett Wall, who stepped down to coach the Janesville Jets of the North American Hockey League.

BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL:

Lawrence University baseball and softball will have new faces in the dugout when those seasons open in 2025. Trent Whitcomb is the interim head baseball coach while Korey Krueger ’95 will return to the university as the new head softball coach.

Whitcomb has been part of the Lawrence program since 2018 and takes over for Chris Krepline, who moved to the NCAA Division I program at the University of Cincinnati as director of player development.

Whitcomb played a key role in the resurgence of the Lawrence program over the past six years. With Whitcomb as the team's top assistant, the

Vikings went 72-46 over the past three seasons and won Midwest Conference championships in 2022 and 2024. The Vikings won the 2022 Midwest Conference Tournament and played in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time since 1979. Lawrence set a school record with 26 victories in 2022 and broke that record with 31 wins in 2024.

In softball, Krueger replaces Tracy Cromer, who is now serving as assistant athletic director for compliance at NCAA Division II McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois.

Krueger coached the Lawrence baseball team for 10 seasons (1998-2007). An All-Midwest Conference performer in baseball and football while a student at Lawrence, he went on to own highly successful sports business ventures in the Fox Valley after coaching the Vikings. He currently owns and operates The School in Kaukauna, the foremost softball training facility in the area.

TRACK AND FIELD: Lawrence

University’s track and field programs got a boost with the addition of head coach Elizabeth Krug.

Krug will serve as the head coach for both programs while current coach Jason Fast will coach the distance runners and continue to serve as head coach for men’s and women’s cross country and as assistant director of athletics.

Krug came to Lawrence from St. Norbert

College. She had coached at St. Norbert since 2017, first as assistant coach and for the last three seasons as associate head coach for both track and field and cross country.

“Lawrence has been such a welcoming environment," Krug said.

An accomplished athlete at Hendrix College in Arkansas, Krug won the NCAA Division III national championship in the heptathlon in 2013.

Lawrence opens the 2025 indoor track and field season in January.

SWIMMING AND DIVING:

Jody Riskowski was tabbed to be the new leader of the Lawrence University swimming and diving programs.

A native of Kearney, Nebraska, Riskowski is Lawrence's new head coach after working at Pius X High School in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she served as the head swimming and diving coach since 2022.

“I was looking to work with a collegiate program that had a solid base and a program where you could continue to build upon what was already there,” Riskowski said.

A standout swimmer at the University of Wyoming, Riskowski was a sprinter in both freestyle and backstroke. Her name is still all over Wyoming's top-10 list two decades after she graduated. She was a two-time team captain at Wyoming and the Mountain West Conference Swimmer of the Year in 2003.

Cristyn Oliver

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

ATHLETICS

Hall of Fame induction celebrates three-year run of ‘greatness’ for men’s basketball

The calendar said November, but the madness of March was on full display as three Lawrence University men's basketball teams that set a new standard of excellence were inducted Nov. 1 into the Lawrence Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame.

Players and coaches were celebrated at a banquet during Blue & White Homecoming Weekend. They also were honored at halftime of the Homecoming football game.

The 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 teams won five NCAA Division III Tournament games and advanced deeper in the national tournament than any program in Midwest Conference history. How stellar was this run? Consider:

• Over this three-year period, the Vikings put together the best record in the nation with a mark of 69-12 for a sparkling .852 winning percentage.

• Lawrence won three consecutive Midwest Conference championships and Midwest Conference Tournament titles.

• The Vikings became the first Midwest Conference team to reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

• The Vikings became just the second team in league history to be ranked No. 1 in the national poll.

• Lawrence also became the first team in conference history to post an undefeated regular season in the modern era.  Chris Braier, the All-America forward and Jostens Player of the Year, was the unquestioned star of that run. He was joined by a talented, versatile, and unselfish group of players who made these teams go from outstanding to extraordinary. The teams

included All-Midwest Conference players Kyle MacGillis, Jason Holinbeck, Chris MacGillis, Dan Evans, Rob Nenahlo, and Keven Bradley. Leading the team was head coach John Tharp.

“The greatness of that run wasn’t necessarily just the wins,” Tharp said earlier. “The greatness of the run was the collection of people that we had in the program at that time. You want to epitomize what a student-athlete is, it was the collection of guys that were on that basketball team.”

2003-04: Lawrence finished the regular season 19-4 and won the league title.

Lawrence won the Midwest Conference Tournament to claim a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. Lawrence beat Lakeland College 86-51 in the opening round

at Alexander Gymnasium before beating Buena Vista University 72-66 in Storm Lake, Iowa, advancing to the Sweet 16.

The Vikings then headed to the West Coast for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games in Tacoma, Washington. Lawrence rallied in the second half, forcing overtime before pulling out an 86-79 victory, advancing to the Elite Eight. The run would come to an end in a heartbreaking loss, 82-81, to eventual national champion UW-Stevens Point.

2004-05: The team again advanced to the NCAA Tournament. They won the opening game against Gustavus Adolphus College before falling to UW-Stevens Point. Lawrence completed the season with a 20-6 record—the third 20-win season in school history.

2005-06: This team was perfect for more than three months. The Vikings’ win streak reached 14 games with a 79-68 victory at St. Norbert on Nov. 21, and Lawrence stood alone as the only undefeated team in the nation. Lawrence would ascend to the No. 1 ranking a month later while sporting a 22-0 record. The Vikings wrapped up their third consecutive conference title. They advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where they eventually lost in the Sweet 16. Lawrence finished the season 25-1 for the best record in the nation.

Third row: assistant coach Pat Juckem, assistant coach Joel DePagter, head coach John Tharp, assistant coach Pete McCauley, Tommy Schmidt, Ryan Knox, Nick Grahovac, Matt Stewart, Ben Klekamp, assistant coach Jon Meyer, Andy Hurley, Tony Olson, Rob Nenahlo, Matt Osland, Keven Bradley, Chris MacGillis, Brendan Falls, B.J. Harry, Dylan Fogel.

Front row, from left: Ben Rosenblatt, Jason Holinbeck, Brett Sjoberg, assistant coach Lee Rabas, Dustin Lee; Second row: Kyle MacGillis (holding big head of Dan Evans), Ryan Wendel, Ryan Kroeger, Doug Kadison, George Hogen, Jayce Apelgren, Erik Megow, Brent Vandermause, Steve Vicenteno;

VIKINGS IN ACTION

1 Women’s soccer celebrates a Midwest Conference championship at Banta Bowl.

2 Senior Salvador Villalobos pursues the ball in a soccer match at Banta Bowl.

3 First-year Hazel Cook digs for a ball in Alexander Gym.

4 Blu leads the Vikings football team onto the field at Banta Bowl.

5 Lawrence fencer Sophia Kelley, a junior, reacts during the Lawrence Duals in the Buchanan Kiewit Wellness Center.

Lawrence student-athletes embrace opportunities to study abroad

BY ED BERTHIAUME

A first-team all-conference player in high school, Makenzy Dreher ’25 had options as to where she would play college soccer. She wanted a soccer program that was competitive and welcoming, and she wanted to study biology with a focus on marine science. Lawrence University checked the box on both. But it was the third item on her checklist that sealed the deal—she wanted a chance to study abroad, something that isn’t a given for student-athletes at many schools.

“One reason I specifically came to Lawrence was because I could play soccer at a collegiate level and have the opportunity to study abroad,” said Dreher, a biology major from Johnstown, Colorado, who spent Spring Term studying in New Zealand. “It is a big reason why I knew Lawrence was the perfect fit for me.”

Rain Orsi ’24, an international relations major from Fitchburg, Wisconsin, who graduated in June following four years competing in track and field and cross country, sings a similar tune. She spent two terms studying in a Spanish immersion program in Argentina. Having that opportunity as a student-athlete was a priority. It’s a key reason she chose Lawrence.

“I knew that if I chose to continue my athletics into college, I wanted to make sure I did so in a way that still allowed me to do other things that were important to me,” Orsi said. “I am a student-athlete, but I am many other things besides, and it was important to me to be somewhere that I could develop not only as an athlete but as a student and a person.

In downtown Auckland, New Zealand, from left: Maya Alberts ’25, Natalie Linebarger ’25, Sophia Morin ’25, and Makenzy Dreher ’25.

“I am a student-athlete, but I am many other things besides, and it was important to me to be somewhere that I could develop not only as an athlete but as a student and a person.”

— Rain Orsi ’24

Lawrence wound up being the school that allowed me all three of those things.”

Study abroad takes student-athletes away from their team, away from their training regimen. At many schools, that’s a dealbreaker. At Lawrence, it’s a promise made during the recruiting process. Athletes are not only allowed to go abroad; they are encouraged to do so.

Jason Imperati, director of athletics at Lawrence, calls it a “major recruiting tool.” Joe Sagar, Lawrence’s women’s soccer coach, points to Lawrence’s trimester system as an advantage. It allows student-athletes to be abroad for one 10-week term rather than half the academic year. 20% of his roster this past year studied abroad in either Winter or Spring terms.

“Studying abroad is a major opportunity for a young person to grow themselves in terms of experiences and cultural awareness, experiencing things they have never done before,” Sagar said. “It is a huge part of the women’s soccer program.”

London, where Lawrence has featured the London Centre for more than 50 years, remains the most popular study abroad destination for Lawrentians, but there are many options. Nearly 50 programs in 30 countries are available to Lawrence students.

Studying in New Zealand

Dreher joined three of her soccer teammates from the Class of 2025—Maya Alberts, Natalie Linebarger, and Sophia Morin—at

the University of Auckland in New Zealand for Spring Term. She took classes in marine science and marine organisms, building on work she’s done at Lawrence in preparation for a graduate program in marine biology.

She said New Zealand was on her radar after a soccer teammate raved about her study abroad experience there.

“The classes offered were different and specifically for marine science,” Dreher said. “The program in Auckland is very popular as the country is surrounded by the ocean. I wanted to experience the environment that New Zealand had to offer—things such as surfing, going on amazing hikes, always being less than a 10-minute walk to the ocean. It has been an unreal experience.”

Dreher and the others also trained and competed with the University of Auckland soccer team, allowing them to stay connected to the game. Her Lawrence coaches remained mostly hands-off while she and her teammates were abroad, asking only for sensible decisions when it comes to training.

“Being in the Lawrence women’s soccer program, our team instills that we are not only working and training for ourselves but for the players next to you on the field, so continuing to weight-lift, condition, and get touches on the ball is something that we do as much as we can,” Dreher said.

The Argentina experience

Orsi said she chose to study in Argentina because everything was in Spanish.

“Between living with my host family and the classes I selected, I ended up in almost a full language-immersion environment, which is what I wanted out of studying abroad,” she said. “It was a wonderful experience.”

Orsi said her term studying abroad came following cross country and track seasons in which she was battling injuries. While she was still training in Argentina, it was at a less intense pace.

“My study abroad was a well-timed step back,” she said. “I took the time I was going to be abroad to focus on running consistent mileage again, even if it was lower than I would run normally, and building up my strength again in a way that wouldn’t reinjure me. When I came back to Wisconsin, I ended up having one of the best outdoor track seasons of my career, and I think in large part that was because I got to take a step back from competing while I was abroad and just focus on training for the long term.”

Scan for details of study abroad opportunities

Rain Orsi ’24

in the Journey

From ‘Late Show’ to New Yorker cartoons, Asher Perlman is laughing with you

BY ED BERTHIAUME

Asher Perlman ’08 wants to make people laugh. And think.

The Lawrence University alumnus does it as a writer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert; he does it as part of improv and sketch comedy troupes, skills honed on the stages of Chicago’s famed Second City; he does it in standup gigs across New York; and he does it via single-panel cartoons that have become regular fodder in The New Yorker and are now the subject material for his debut book

Asher Perlman ’08

of cartoons, Well, This is Me, released by Simon & Schuster.

“Performer, writer, cartoonist—I try to do it all,” Perlman said in a Zoom interview from the Brooklyn neighborhood he’s called home for seven years.

In many ways, the liberal arts approach to education that Perlman embraced as an undergraduate at Lawrence mirrors his burgeoning career as an entertainer. A government major at Lawrence, Perlman performed in theater productions for four years, and he embraced lessons taught in philosophy courses, even working as a student tutor in symbolic logic.

Now, he said, he takes a “liberal arts approach to creativity,” built on his ability to be a critical thinker.

“One of the strengths of a liberal arts education is you can sort of dabble in a handful of different disciplines,” he said. “I took all the acting classes I could at Lawrence. I took a directing class. One thing I really liked about Lawrence is there wasn’t this hard line between departments, where you only know people in your own discipline. I liked living between the different fields.”

That philosophy pays off in the comedy work he’s doing now.

“I do think being well-educated and knowledgeable and following public events makes you a stronger comedian,” he said. “That’s the strength of a liberal arts education; it recognizes the intersection of everything.”

Perlman has been on the writing staff for The Late Show for six years. Colbert gave Perlman’s book an on-air shout-out when it was released in June.

put out the cartoon books of his childhood— Calvin and Hobbes, Far Side, and Fox Trot, among others.

“I’m honored to be part of that family,” he said.

The book quickly sold out of its initial order, meaning Perlman’s book tour was abbreviated as they awaited a new shipment. He made appearances in New York, Chicago, and his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin.

A funny thing

When Perlman graduated from Lawrence, he knew he wanted to try his hand in entertainment. Having sampled comedy as

your freshman class. You take classes together and you work your way through. It’s a ladder you’re climbing.”

He caught the attention of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, which flew him to New York for a screening. While he didn’t get the job, he fell in love with the city. He made the move, shortly thereafter, landing a writing job with a Comedy Central show that lasted nine months. That led to an offer to join the writing team at Colbert’s The Late Show.

“I like all kinds of writing,” Perlman said. “Comedy writing is a big muscle with a lot of different supporting muscles. It feels good to work all those different muscles. Improv and

“That’s the strength of a liberal arts education; it recognizes the intersection of everything.”

— Asher Perlman ’08

part of a student improv group, he opted to immerse himself in Chicago’s comedy scene.

Second City became a sort of grad school program for Perlman. He took classes, performed on house teams, joined touring groups, toured on a cruise ship, and finally landed on one of their prized Resident Stages. He was doing upwards of 10 shows a week.

“I feel like the improv world in Chicago was my second college,” Perlman said. “You have a group of people you come up with, sort of like

sketch and cartooning, it’s all part of the same thing. I love doing it all.”

Perlman credits Lawrence faculty in the government, theater, and philosophy departments with honing his critical thinking, writing, and performance skills. In particular, he singles out Steven Wulf, associate professor of government.

“Probably more than anyone, Professor Wulf taught me to be a writer,” Perlman said.

“It’s full of some of my favorite cartoons,” Colbert said on his show, highlighting a particular favorite where a genie says to a dog with a stick, “I mean, I can throw it a third time.”

Cartooning became part of Perlman’s comedy repertoire in 2020 when the COVID pandemic set in and his standup comedy was put on pause. A lifelong doodler, he committed himself to the art and found a receptive audience at The New Yorker, where his cartoons have gotten consistent play.

Four years later, Perlman joined forces with Simon & Schuster, the same publisher that

Those Lawrence faculty also pushed him to be attuned to the world around him—to push boundaries, be curious, be flexible. All that comes into play on The Late Show and in his ongoing work in cartooning.

“A lot of things in life you don’t have control over,” Perlman said. “So, it’s important to be able to flex and make the best decision in the moment. I think being a good critical thinker who is able to stay calm has a lot to do with that. I think Lawrence set me up to be a thoughtful person who can approach situations clearly and think through them critically and deliberately. That’s been a real strength.”

Mile of Music a homecoming for alumni Blair, Murphy

BY DEANNA KOLELL

Mile of Music is a haven for music lovers. The popular all-original music festival that annually takes over downtown Appleton the first weekend of August has become a destination for up-and-coming artists, drawn to the welcoming environment that builds bonds between musician and community.

Two Lawrence University alumni had the 2024 festival dates circled on the calendar. Julia Blair ’11 and Michael Murphy ’23 both took the stage multiple times during the 11th Mile of Music.

For Murphy, a Neenah native now living in Nashville, the chance to perform at Mile had been a longtime dream—for him and his family. Since they were young, Murphy performed with brothers Jack and David, forming the family band Murphy’s Law.

“All we would do all the time was play music,” Murphy said. “That was the origin of our love for the Mile—maybe someday our little family band would be able to play the festival. This festival that we had in our back yard growing up, to be able to now perform is such a blessing.”

Murphy, playing a 1970s-inspired blend of Americana and rock, performed alongside two other Lawrence alumni: older brother Jack Murphy ’21, and Ryan Erdmann ’22, playing tracks off his debut solo album, Indigo Jones.

“I get to play guitar a little bit and feature that, but I also get to write some beautiful melodies that people can relate to,” Murphy said.   Blair, an Appleton native, also found her passion for music at a young age, including

Michael Murphy ’23 plays his first Mile of Music.

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

a love for chamber music. So, when Michael Mizrahi, Frank C. Shattuck Professor of Music at Lawrence, approached her about performing with the inaugural Lawrence Chamber Music Festival as part of Mile of Music, it seemed like a perfect opportunity.

“I grew up playing viola,” Blair said. “The first group I ever performed in independently was a string quartet in high school. On my first record, I have a string quartet for one of my songs. I was really excited by the idea of arranging my songs that way.”

The Chamber Music Festival, designed for advanced instrumentalists and ensembles, allowed Blair to perform her music in a different way. She also performed solo at several Mile of Music venues.

About a year after graduating from Lawrence, Blair formed the band Holy Sheboygan! She now also plays with the band DUSK. Her first solo album, Better Out Than In, was released in 2022.

Blair and Murphy took slightly unconventional routes through music during their time at Lawrence.

Blair, a religious studies and music major,

was unsure what her career path would be after graduation. She was drawn to Buddhism and was encouraged to explore that interest while at Lawrence.

Some of her main influences were nowretired professors Dirck Vorenkamp and Gene Biringer. Blair recalled a course taught by Biringer that looked at the connection between music and mindfulness.

“There was a meditation element to the class,” she said. “There was also modern, mindful music and historical music and mysticism. We also went on a meditation retreat to Björklunden. It was a really cool class.”

Michael Murphy also thought his Lawrence experience would go in a different direction, entering school intending to study neuroscience.

“About halfway through my first year, I had a massive self-reflective intervention and realized my passion was in music and creation,” Murphy said.

Murphy made the switch to the Bachelor of Musical Arts (B.M.A.) program, which began at Lawrence at the start of his first year in 2019. The new degree allowed students

to audition with non-classical music and to explore a wide range of alternate musicmaking opportunities. B.M.A. students could also choose a cognate—a non-musical area of study—to pursue; Murphy’s choice was innovation and entrepreneurship.

Because the B.M.A. program was new, Murphy said he was like a “guinea pig,” which worked in his favor.

“I got to try a lot of different things; I took a lot of lessons and as many random classes as I could to piece together this major,” Murphy said. “I studied classical voice, jazz guitar, upright and electric bass, jazz comp—all of that stuff.”

He released his debut album just weeks before he graduated.

One of the biggest things Murphy took away from his college experience was the relationships he created with faculty and staff.

“I’m incredibly grateful for all the faculty and teachers here,” Murphy said. “To make the most out of it, it’s important to make those relationships, where it’s not just the teacherstudent thing. If a student has the drive to do something, they will be excited to offer the resources.”

Julia Blair ’11 performs at Mile of Music with the Lawrence Chamber Music Festival.

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

MARVEL TO ‘MONSTRESS’ ALUMNI

Liu finds ‘unexpected’ joy, success in world of comic books, graphic novels

BY ED BERTHIAUME

Marjorie Liu ’00 calls it her “unexpected life.”

The Lawrence University alumna has crafted an impressive career as a bestselling author, writing comic book titles for Marvel, creating the popular Monstress series of graphic novels for Image Comics, and launching The Night Eaters horror series for Abrams Books. She has won five Eisner Awards (creative achievement in American comic books) and two Hugo Awards (literary award for best science fiction or fantasy works) along the way.

Unexpected, she said, because she was already into a promising law career, having earned a law degree at the University of Wisconsin following her graduation from Lawrence.

“I’m the daughter of an immigrant—I thought I was going to be a lawyer, or something equally practical, because that’s how I was raised,” Liu said.

But shortly after graduating from law school, Liu began exploring interests that first stirred during her undergraduate days in Appleton. It was while at Lawrence—she majored in East Asian Languages and Culture and minored in biomedical ethics—that Liu found herself making weekly sojourns down College Avenue to her favorite shop, Power House Comics. She was feeding a growing passion—comic books. Back on campus, she was embracing

English literature courses, being mentored by faculty who helped hone her writing skills.

“I thrived in Lawrence’s small classes, thrived under the mentorship of my professors, expanded my ideas of what life could look like and what mattered to me,” Liu said.

A major pivot

The creative juices nurtured in that liberal arts environment beckoned as she hit a crossroads following law school. Liu at first eyed writing as a side hustle. But not for long. In 2004, she wrote—and sold—a paranormal romance novel, Tiger Eye, which drew a favorable response and set her on a creative adventure. Her journey would soon include a relationship with Marvel, the publisher that dominates the comic book and movie industry. Her titles such as Dark Wolverine, X-23, and Black Widow: The Name of the Rose became top sellers.

Becoming part of the Marvel family was “sort of like winning the lottery,” Liu said.

The Marvel success would lead to her 2015 launch of the critically acclaimed Monstress series—a sprawling epic fantasy—and then The Night Eaters, both in partnership with illustrator and comic book artist Sana Takeda.

“Sana is my creative co-pilot, whose art is more or less my muse,” Liu said.

By 2018, Liu was in heady company.

She became the first woman to win an Eisner Award in the Best Writer category for Monstress Vol. 2: The Blood. As an Asian-American—her father is Taiwanese—she said she also took pride in being the first woman of color to win the award. The novel also won an Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series, was named Best Graphic Novel in three other 2018 award competitions—British Fantasy Awards, Hugo Awards, and National Cartoonist Society Awards—and was named 2018 Book of the Year in the Harvey Awards.

In the past six years, she has won or been nominated for 14 of the industry’s major awards. She’s been featured in media outlets ranging from CNN to The Atlantic Entertainment Weekly included Liu’s Monstress in its “Best Comics of the Decade” list in 2019, writing: “The epic fantasyhorror saga from Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda has fused disparate influences—the animal spirits of Hayao Miyazaki films, the cosmic monsters of H.P. Lovecraft stories, the inventive technology of steampunk—into a moving story about mothers and daughters, war and peace, and how divisions can be bridged.”

“Everything has been a surprise,” Liu said of her success. “When I was at Lawrence, if you'd told me that this is where I'd end up—writing for a living; specifically, comic books—I would have had a very difficult time imagining that future. … None of this was planned, or part of ‘the dream,’ but one opportunity naturally led to another, and suddenly 20 years passed by and here I am.”

Finding an audience

Liu has built a devoted following as her characters have developed and evolved. She points to moments such as Warbird becoming an artist at the end of Astonishing X-Men #58, or Zuli from the Wingbearer series never losing her sense of compassion despite challenges, or Maika in Monstress being damaged and rageful from surviving unspeakable atrocities but still being capable of healing.

“What these storylines and characters all have in common is that they're threaded through with my own deep belief that hope, courage, and friendship can transform lives,” Liu said. While sharing similarities, comic books and graphic novels are different publishing formats. The graphic novel builds on the comic book—still blending storytelling with visual art but doing so in a longer, more complex setting. The medium has exploded in popularity over the past decade—in fiction and nonfiction and with young adult and adult

“None of this was planned, or part of ‘the dream,’ but one opportunity naturally led to another, and suddenly 20 years passed by and here I am.”

— Marjorie Liu ’00

Liu ’00

audiences. Liu has been in the middle of it all. She said it was early in her career when she had that “aha” moment when she believed she could make a living as a writer. She was promoting her debut novel at the Romance Writers of America convention when readers started approaching her with enthusiasm for Tiger Eye.

“It was a lovely affirmation, but it also made me want to work even harder to become a better writer and artist,” Liu said. “I still feel like that—I’m constantly hungry to push and challenge myself to do more in my work, whether it’s experimenting with new mediums or genres.”

That desire to push boundaries, she said, also has its roots in her Lawrence education. She had been shy as a student, always fearing putting herself out there. But her professors at Lawrence—she singles out the late Peter Fritzell from the English faculty— encouraged her to go deeper, take chances.

“I learned that there are no half-measures when it comes to writing, no short-cuts, no way to escape yourself or the work,” Liu said. “And, that language is a gift that evolves with you, that deepens as you deepen. I never intended to make my living as a writer, but Professor Fritzell helped me develop the skills I needed for this career.”

Those lessons still resonate 24 years after she graduated.

“The thing is, being a writer, or an artist of any kind, is about one of the most difficult career choices a person could possibly make,” Liu said. “It's not glamorous or financially secure, no matter what anyone tells you or what you see on television, and it's a lot of hard work. But ultimately that's the case with most jobs, and what drives me is that love of telling stories—a love of words—a need to express myself that began when I was young but that shaped itself more formally at Lawrence.”

These are busy days for Liu. Wingborn, the second offering in her middle-grade graphic novel series, and Monstress Vol. 9 were recently released, and the third Night Eaters book—part of a horror trilogy—will be released in early 2025.

“It’s been the honor of a lifetime to have the opportunity to tell stories, and an honor that anyone would take their valuable time to read them,” Liu said. “I am so very grateful for this unexpected life.”

Marjorie

Mike Spofford embraces ‘Insider’ connections with NFL’s Green Bay Packers

BY ED BERTHIAUME

As he scans the memories of more than 18 years as one of the signature voices at packers. com, the Green Bay Packers’ official website, Mike Spofford ’94 stops on a moment during Super Bowl XLV in February 2011. He’s seated next to then-general manager Ted Thompson in the press box in Cowboys Stadium—now AT&T Stadium—as the Packers’ Nick Collins returns a first-half interception for a touchdown. “When in the press box, everyone is charged with staying professional,” Spofford said.

“You don’t cheer, you keep your emotions in check. I’ll never forget that interception. Ted is containing himself, but he stands up and he’s watching Nick Collins weave through the Steelers and get the ball across the goal line for the touchdown. You could tell how excited he was. He sat down real quietly, looked around, and he put out his fist and we fist-bumped right there in the press box.”

The interception is a moment that brings chills to Packers’ fans everywhere. And it is a

Super Bowl moment the Lawrence University alumnus puts at the top of a lengthy list of golden moments as one of the featured storytellers for one of professional sports’ most successful and tradition-rich franchises. The Packers would win that game, their fourth Super Bowl championship, and Spofford, along with other full-time employees of the Packers’ organization, would receive a Super Bowl ring.

An English and Spanish double major when he graduated from Lawrence 30 years ago, Spofford is in his 19th season with the Packers. He now serves as editor of packers. com, joining senior writer Wes Hodkiewicz as the “Insiders” for Packers fans around the world. From daily fan interaction columns, to podcasts, to live-blogging, to video insights, to locker room coverage, to social media, Spofford and his expansive multimedia team provide a year-round avalanche of coverage from their offices at Lambeau Field, located 30 miles north of the Lawrence campus.

The evolution of the job into an interactive,

Mike Spofford ’94 makes Lambeau Field his office.

multimedia experience reflects what media consumers now demand. Look for even heightened interest as Green Bay prepares to host the NFL Draft in April 2025, bringing upwards of 250,000 football fans to northeast Wisconsin.

If you want to connect with someone in the know, Spofford is your guy. The interactive “Insider” columns can draw 30,000 views on a given day during the season. His gameday live blog reaches 5,000 or more fans, and the “5 Takeaways” recap he posts shortly after games routinely surpasses 50,000 views.

“They want to talk with somebody who is on the inside,” Spofford said of the insatiable interest in all things Packers. “They want to talk to somebody who is knowledgeable and can analyze the details. They want to have that extra connection to the team.”

From the start of training camp to the close of the season, the hours are unrelenting. Fun, yes. Easy, no.

When Spofford started in 2006, the Packers were just dipping their toes into what their

“I don’t want our daily interaction with our fans on the website to sound like a sports talk radio show. I want to provide different perspectives.”

— Mike Spofford ’94

internet presence might look like.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree at Lawrence and a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University, Spofford spent eight years in newspapers, including five years covering mostly high school and college sports at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. He joined packers.com as the website’s first full-time writer.

As reflected everywhere in media, the digital demands and creative possibilities have since exploded. And it is there, Spofford said, in the navigating of an ever-changing landscape, that he reflects on lessons learned as an undergraduate at Lawrence.

“First it was the writing,” he said. “As an English major, it was about learning how to write; learning how to think critically and get those thoughts on paper and communicate them effectively. There was a transition from taking those very hard-core academic writing skills I learned as an English major and transferring those into the journalism world— how to communicate with news stories and

feature stories. It’s a different kind of writing, but sound writing principles apply universally. I felt like I became a good writer at Lawrence and then refined those skills in the journalism world as I went along.”

The evolution of digital media—and the expectations of those who consume it—brought new challenges. The world of professional sports has been at the forefront of much of that change. Again, Spofford leaned into his Lawrence experiences as he soaked up knowledge from mentors and embraced the frequent change.

“I feel the Lawrence influence in that I am always aware of different perspectives,” he said. “I don’t want to write the same stories that everybody else is writing. I want to try to find a different angle. And I don’t want our daily interaction with our fans on the website to sound like a sports talk radio show. I want to provide different perspectives, different angles to give people—whether they are reading the mailbag column or listening to the podcast— different things to think about. I think that’s what a liberal arts education like Lawrence has helped me with; I apply that every day in what I do.”

Both of Spofford’s parents are Lawrence alumni—William Spofford ’66 and Sandra McDonald Spofford ’66.

Lawrence, he said, felt right when he made his college visit. A native of Platteville, he played baseball and golf and studied abroad in Spain during his Lawrence years. He worked at The Lawrentian for four years, the final two as the sports editor.

“Sports has always been my thing,” Spofford said. “I always had an eye toward sports journalism.”

His experiences at Lawrence and then Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism set him up to tell stories as a respected “Insider” at the highest levels of professional sports. And, he hopes, to get a second Super Bowl ring. The fans he connects with each day are along for the ride.

“Once you open those doors and you establish that interaction with the fans and that relationship with the fans, there is no going back; you give them something new to come to every single day,” Spofford said. “It grows exponentially from there.”

Mike Spofford ’94 shows off his Super Bowl ring.

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

ALUMNI

‘DEEPLY MOVED’

Donated rare book collection adds to Lawrence’s academic resources

BY ALEX ALDEN ’25

Lawrence University recently welcomed the permanent addition of the Richmond Rare Book Collection. This highly prized assortment of valuable books and illuminated manuscripts has quickly become a highlight among the university’s resources.

It was initially loaned to Lawrence by Ann Nelson, a Milwaukee-Downer alumna from the class of 1941, explained Beth Zinsli ’02, assistant professor of art history, curator of the Wriston Art Center Galleries, and director of the Museum Studies Interdisciplinary Area Program. Nelson’s daughter, Susan Goldsmith ’65, is a Lawrence alumna.

“There is a strong Lawrence-Milwaukee-

Downer connection to the collection,” Zinsli said.

Nelson reached out to Lawrence in 2016 about the collection, which she received from family friends, the namesake bibliophiles Earl and Aubrey Richmond of La Crosse. Initially on long-term loan to Lawrence, the collection was donated recently in memory of Ann Nelson by Susan and Richard N. Goldsmith ’64 and Eric Nelson.

Zinsli remembers the excitement amid the collection’s initial acquisition in 2016.

“Right when I heard, former Assistant Professor of Art History Ben Tilghman and I packed it up in boxes and drove it up to

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

Appleton in a Penske truck,” she said.

The collection’s official count numbers 228 books, two extensive illuminated manuscripts, along with a host of letters and other archival material from the Richmond brothers.

"The books are in good enough condition for students to handle, with proper support," Zinsli said. "They're here to be used, not just viewed."

The collection quickly became popular among faculty: its depth and variety make it an invaluable pedagogical resource.

“We immediately started connecting with faculty who might be interested in using the books in their classes,” Zinsli said. “Associate Professor of English Garth Bond was a natural first person because he teaches the History of the Book class, and then Associate Professor of English Celia Barnes because she teaches 18th-century topics.”

Barnes said she loves taking her students to see the books, especially the first editions of 18th-century texts.

“It’s so difficult sometimes to convince students that the texts in early-modern literature courses aren’t simply old, dusty, and—it pains me to say—boring,” Barnes said. “But I find that when I take my students to see the first editions of the very books we’re reading, they come away deeply moved.”

Barnes and Bond incorporated the books into their lesson plans, where they remain as curriculum staples. Other professors found different uses: Associate Professor of Art History Danielle Joyner brought students to investigate the authentic medieval manuscripts, while Associate Professor of Chemistry Allison Fleshman had classes conduct non-invasive chemical analysis.

Highlights of the collection include a first edition printing of Samuel Johnson’s influential two-volume Dictionary of the English Language. It is often considered among the most outstanding scholarly achievements from the work of a single author.

Other notable holdings include first editions of both James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The collection also features a signed first edition of Laurence Sterne’s Tristram Shandy.

Beth Zinsli ’02 oversees the Richmond Rare Book Collection in the Wriston Art Center.

Generosity, renewed connections highlight Reunion 2024

Laughter, joy, generosity, and deep conversation were all in play as nearly 800 Lawrence University alumni returned to campus for Reunion 2024.

They came from 43 states and 13 countries for the mid-June gathering. The weekend featured dinners, receptions, beer gardens, a 5K run, Alumni College presentations, the annual Parade of Classes, and a convocation in Memorial Chapel that celebrated Lawrence’s past while supporting its future.

“We hope you’ll enjoy the memories of shared experiences and the excitement of catching up with old friends,” President Laurie A. Carter said in her Reunion Convocation address. “We also hope you’ll use this weekend to look forward—to nurture your relationship with Lawrence and strengthen and deepen the bonds with a place that has played such a transformational role in your life.”

The Convocation included the annual presentation of class gifts. The Class of 1974 led the way, presenting a class gift in honor of their 50-year reunion—$3.1 million, with $475,000

dedicated to a new fund to support Lawrence’s exploration of strategies and programs focused on teaching about the uses, possibilities, and ethics of artificial intelligence (AI).

In all, the classes presented $6.8 million in gifts to the university, most of it supporting the Lawrence Fund.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is thanking Lawrentians for their investments in this university,” Carter said. “Your time, talent, and resources truly make a difference. Lawrence thrives because of your leadership and support.”

The growth of AI was one topic in a series of Alumni College sessions that had alumni briefly returning to the classroom. A mix of alumni and faculty members led the sessions.

Led by a panel of alumni from the Class of 1974 and joined by Constance Kassor, associate professor of religious studies and special assistant to the president, the AI session explored how AI has quickly changed the landscape in everything from academia to music to law.

“This is an amazing, shape-shifting topic,” said Mark T. Nelson ’74, CEO and president of Microscopy Innovations in Marshfield.

He said he and the other panelists from the class—Thomas M. Baer '74, executive director of the Stanford University Photonics Research Center (retired) and adjunct professor in the Department of Applied Physics at Stanford; Gail J. Sonnemann '74, a career librarian who served as an information systems specialist (retired) with the U.S. Copyright Office; and Joseph J. Bruce '74, a retired Illinois 17th Circuit Court judge—started talking about AI over Zoom calls during the pandemic.

“The more we talked the more we realized this was a big thing that wasn’t going away,” Nelson said. “It will affect all of us, our beloved alma mater, and all the students who graduate from here. So, we set out trying to learn more.”

Scan for details of Reunion 2025

SAVE THE DATE FOR REUNION 2025: JUNE 19-22

Celebrating Reunions for the following classes and clusters in 2025. Details at lawrence.edu/alumni/reunion

10th Reunion: Class of 2015

15th Cluster Reunion: Classes of 2009, 2010, 2011

25th Reunion: Class of 2000

35th Reunion: Classes of 1989, 1990, 1991

40th Reunion: Class of 1985

50th Reunion: Class of 1975

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

BJORKLUNDEN

Internships, Net Zero progress highlight busy year at Björklunden

These have been busy days at Björklunden, Lawrence University’s Door County retreat— growing attendance for the robust roster of summer and fall seminars, continuing to make strides with the Net Zero Björklunden Initiative, and collaborating with Lawrence’s Career Center to partner student interns with nearby arts organizations.

Located south of Baileys Harbor in Door County, Björklunden features 441 acres of picturesque meadows and woods along the pristine Lake Michigan shoreline.

Director Tom McKenzie ’95 gives a tour of the garden at Björklunden where Door Shakespeare productions come alive each summer.

“Door County can provide important pathways into the creative workforce,” McKenzie said of the growing internship program. “With no less than four professional equity theaters along with numerous galleries and nonprofit arts and culture organizations, summer internships offer an important springboard for launching a creative career.”

Net Zero progress

Björklunden continues to move forward on its Net Zero Björklunden Initiative. McKenzie reports that a 30% design plan was completed for a geothermal system for heating, cooling, and hot water at the lodge. With reduced reliance on fossil fuels, the geothermal project would:

• Make data available to faculty, students, and other researchers, along with tools, events, and resources for learning about sustainability.

Internship opportunities

The Björklunden lodge hosted seven Lawrence students who had summer internships with Door County arts organizations. Joining them was Lexi Praxl ’22, a former Door Shakespeare intern who returned for her second summer in the professional role of box office manager.

“In many ways, Lexi is the inspiration and model for the additional internships we prototyped in summer 2024,” said Tom McKenzie ’95, director of Björklunden. “She demonstrates how students can transition from their internships into meaningful jobs in their chosen career after graduation.”

Senior Jana Casey and sophomores Aimsley Shearer and Auden Svoboda interned at Door Shakespeare. Two of the positions were funded through the Career Center’s internship program. The third was part of the Career Center’s program but funded by Door Shakespeare.

Junior James Curry and seniors Wren Chlystek and Izzy Puello were summer interns at Peninsula School of Art. Like Door Shakespeare, two of these positions were funded through the Career Center’s internship program; the third was funded by Peninsula School of Art.

Senior Elizabeth Rienstra, meanwhile, interned with the Door County Historical Society.

• Decrease carbon emissions on the Björklunden campus by eliminating most uses of LP gas in the older half of the lodge.

• Reduce Björklunden’s carbon footprint by more than 36 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually by halting the yearly burning of more than 6,500 gallons of LP gas.

Net-Zero Björklunden allows students to study the effects of three energy sources—wind, solar, and geothermal—in one location. To date, the Net-Zero Björklunden Initiative has facilitated numerous energy efficient upgrades to the lodge, including LED lighting and new windows; the refurbishing of the wind turbine; and the installation of a solar array.

Seminar attendance grows

McKenzie reports that attendance at the summer and fall seminars at Björklunden took a significant jump this year. The 35 seminars in 2024 drew more than 500 attendees, an increase from about 400 in 2023.

Open to the public and led by academic, artistic, and cultural leaders, the seminars engage participants in a wide range of subjects, including history, literature, arts, sciences, contemporary society, and more. The roster of upcoming seminars will be released in early 2025.

PHOTO BY DANNY DAMIANI

Come travel with us.

The Lawrence University Alumni Association is your gateway to see the world with fellow Lawrentians.

UPCOMING ADVENTURES INCLUDE:

ENCHANTED COTSWOLDS: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND GARDENS

June 2-10, 2025

This tour invites travelers to immerse themselves in the timeless beauty and rich history of the Cotswolds. From the opulent gardens of Malverleys to the enchanting villages like Lacock and Castle Combe, each day unfolds a new chapter of discovery. Led by Kimberly Olson Peterson ’82, who has spent years studying gardens in England.

SICILY & ITS ISLANDS

Aug. 31-Sept. 12, 2025

Explore Sicily – an island paradise nestled amongst the deep blue waves of the Mediterranean. Sample specialties in Palermo’s colorful food market; taste award-winning olive oil and learn about the Slow Food movement at a local farm; explore Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples (UNESCO) with a guide; discover how ancient traditions blend into modern society as you travel along Sicily and two of its beloved isles. Art history professor Danielle Joyner will accompany the tour.

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS OF FINLAND

March 19-30, 2026

Hunt for the elusive northern lights and discover fascinating Finland, “Daughter of the Baltic.” Come to know Finnish culture and history on a tour of Helsinki with a local expert; savor the local cuisine in Helsinki’s restaurants; experience rugged Lapland during a three-night stay in the north of Finland; overnight surrounded by wilderness in a glass igloo and a Finnish log cabin. Government professor Claudena Skran will accompany the tour.

“For us, Lawrence will always be a special place. We met there and made lifelong friends. The liberal education we received has provided a solid foundation for our careers and personal lives, sparking professional and personal interests we pursue to this day. This is why we joined the Lawrence-Downer Legacy Circle.

We also want to support Lawrence during our lifetime. Use of the required minimum distribution from a tax-deferred retirement account is a particularly effective way to support Lawrence. Our contributions from these funds are not taxed, so we can contribute the full amount to Lawrence, not just the amount after taxes.”

—Jean Lampert Woy ’65, J. Richard Woy ’64

Join Jean and Dick in the Lawrence-Downer Legacy Circle. Visit legacygiving.lawrence.edu to learn more.

CLASS NOTES

CLASS NOTES IN LAWRENCE MAGAZINE!

Lawrence magazine features individual classes once each year, alternating even and odd years, plus Milwaukee-Downer, to allow adequate space for the rich details of your lives. Submit your Class Note using our directory. Learn more at lawrence.edu/profile. (Class Notes key: M-D=Milwaukee-Downer graduate; P=parent of a graduate.)

MILWAUKEE-DOWNER

Julien Minard M-D’65: In October, I turned 80— along with many of my classmates! I live in Long Beach, CA. I retired in 2012 after teaching in California’s public schools for 12 years, working for the California Federation of Teachers as a labor representative; 11 years as a mediator for the City of Portland, OR; and, finally back to CA to work for the CFT as its training director. Now I sponsor house concerts, travel, read and occasionally carry a picket sign. My first trip in 2024 was to Vietnam for 3.5 weeks: it was beautiful, meaningful, and grueling. My son Erik and his wife Carmela live in northern CA. My three grandchildren are young adults.

LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY

1954

Jane Shonts Horstman: I am in my home of 55 years and thankful to live in Western Australia. I meet my daughter midway between, this year in the French Polynesia and Honolulu. It is a 10-hour flight back to Sydney plus 5 hours to Perth. I have an extensive art collection of paintings/artifacts, Aboriginal (40) and other countries (112). I visit art galleries wherever I go.

Kenneth J. Krueger: Although the pace of my life has slowed, l am still quite active. I still live in my own home, prepare my meals, do a little gardening and drive my own car. I am blessed to have good local friends and neighbors. I am saddened by the loss of my old classmates and military friends, but time does its thing. Regards to remaining classmates!

Jack Nilles: The documentary Work Different, produced by Canada’s National Film Board, is now online at: www.nfb.ca/film/work-different/. I am continuing my blog on telework and climate change, as well as working on my memoir, as outlined on the Fall/Winter 2023 edition of the Lawrence magazine. Other than that, it’s a fairly quiet life.

1956

Joan Timmermann Anderson: Steve and I enjoyed our summer in Door County, which included several visits to Björklunden. We are planning to support the geothermal project, a key step in Björklunden becoming carbon neutral. We will come back in the fall; in the meantime, we will be happy in our condo in Muncie, IN watching someone else rake the leaves and shovel the snow.

QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), also known as an IRA Charitable Rollover, is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA custodian payable to Lawrence. If you are considering a QCD, please view more information on Lawrence’s gift planning website at: legacygiving.lawrence.edu or contact Laurie Yingling at 920-832-6843.

Judith Walworth Bare: I am living now in Port Charlotte, Florida. Due to a family illness, I have been unable to return to Wisconsin during the summers. It is a new world in this heat and humidity, but I still play tennis twice a week and enjoy quilting. We hope to resume taking cruises.

Shirley Cox Seefeld: I don’t remember whether I shared that I am now living at a senior development, in the Independent Living section. Ken and I moved here before he passed away, so that was good. Life is pretty routine, but it is OK. Some family is in Spokane, some in Boise and some in Prescott, AZ. Life is about as expected for someone turning 90

1958

Mary Potter Ackermann P’90: Still shlepping pottery with my artist husband to art shows in the area! Keeps us young or are we crazy!! Still traveling to the West coast to visit our musician son and his family.

Patricia Gode Bell: Patricia Gode Bell and Sue Fortney Walby, longtime friends and college roommates, along with Sue’s husband, Peter, met for a mini reunion in June.

William R. Blask: Bill Blask’s newest interest is being a ground controller at airports. He says, “I’m the guy with the vest and two paddles directing aircraft where to taxi park.” Bill and his wife, Paulette, spent July in the Fox Valley where he volunteered at the EAA show in Oshkosh.

Dr. Philip J. Burck: Phil Burck writes that he met Bob Martin for breakfast while coming up to Elmhurst, Illinois, to visit Phil’s grandchildren. It is always good to see Bob and get caught up on the doings of our classmates.

Jacklyn Anderson Challoner P’82: Jacki Anderson Challenor reports that she and her husband, Dave ’56, are on their first marriage and fourth dog, a Beagle puppy. They enjoy living at Oak Hammock, an active retirement community associated with the University of Florida and located in southwest Gainesville.

James B. Davis, Jr.: Jim Davis relates that pickleball games are getting more competitive for octogenarians, as younger players are taking up the game. Jim was in Appleton over the summer and was impressed by the construction going on along College Avenue.

Dr. Robert A. De Lapp: Bob De Lapp and his wife, Deloris, had an enjoyable cruise on the Danube last fall. They boarded the ship at Engelhartzell with stops at Vienna, Eztergom and Budapest. Returning, they stopped at Bratiislava and Melk.

Shirley Carter DeLorme: Shirley Carter Delorme has been living at The Village at Eden Vista, 279 E. St. Joseph Road, Green Bay, WI 54301 since October 2023. Friends and family have made living at The Village “rather delightful.”

Marilyn Olson Erickson P’84: Marilyn Olson Erickson and her husband, John ’84, are living In Panorama, a “full service” retirement community in Lacey, Washington. They have a house on the lake and are enjoying retirement there.

Rev. Frank R. Gaylord: Frank Gaylord enjoyed a cruise on the Rhine River earlier this year. He was intrigued by the vast vineyards along with learning about the cultivations of grapes. The cathedrals in Cologne were especially impressive.

Rev. Richard E. Iwick: Dick Iwick writes that he has been living in an independent living facility in White Lake, Michigan for several years. Dick lost his second wife in March and is adjusting back to bachelor living.

LTC David L. Mann: Dave Mann and his wife, Margie, enjoyed a January cruise to Australia. From Los Angeles there were stops at Catalina Island, four in the Hawaiian Islands, three stops in American Samoa and four in New Zealand. Their final stop was Sydney, Australia.

J. Robert Martin: Bob Martin writes that he is part of an informal luncheon group along with classmate Jack Scambler and Paul Tuteur ’59 Bob had lunch with Bill Blask in late July as Bill drove back to his home in South Carolina after volunteering at the EAA show in Oshkosh.

Ruthann Boucher Stolzman: Ruthann Boucher Stolzman reports that after her heart attack in March that she had stents inserted in her heart. The doctor told her she now had the heart of a 40-year-old. As a result, Ruthann feels she has more energy now.

Patricia Minger Vorenberg: Pat Minger Vorenberg reports that her traveling days and cat ownership days are over. She enjoys reading and activities that sharpen the mind such as crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles and Jeopardy to name a few. Her favorite book remains War and Peace by Tolstoy.

Susanna Fortney Walby P’00 ’99 ’97: Sue Fortney Walby and their daughter, Catherine, performed at the Alumni Recital at the Reunion in June. Catherine is on the Lawrence Conservatory faculty. Sue is still giving piano lessons in Viroqua. She plays the organ and is director of music at the 1st Presbyterian Church in La Crosse.

David J. Wege: Dave Wege and his wife, Dottie, moved to Lancaster, PA in August. Their new address is 240 Lancaster Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17663. This move puts them closer to their son and his family. It was hard to leave the many friends they have made in Crystal Lake over the years.

David C. Wiese: Dave Wiese’s recent flight to visit his sons in Colorado had some speed bumps. When he got to Atlanta, his seat on the flight to Colorado was gone due to a Delta foul-up. He got his luggage off the cart and returned to Gainesville. Dave successfully flew to Colorado three days later.

Dr. Elisabeth S. Wilton: Elisabeth Wilton reports that it has been a warm summer in the Washington D.C. area but without any hurricanes. She recently finished a late August cruise from Boston to Quebec City with her son and grandson. The weather on the trip was excellent.

Lee E. Wolf: Lee Wolf is enjoying retirement in Colorado Springs. A favorite activity is hiking in the Rockies. Lee has two children and five grandchildren.

1960

Dr. John J. Beck: After Barbara passed, I thought, “At 85, what should I do with the rest of my life?” So, I bought a 41-foot Dickerson ketch. In late August, two friends and I sailed her on Lake Michigan from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin to Fayette, Michigan, then on the bay of Green Bay to Jackson Harbor on Washington Island, then home to Sturgeon Bay.

Kathleen Karst Larson: This is Roger and my 57th year living in the RGV of TX. We live in an independent living facility in Pharr. As Roger says, “We are hanging in there.” It was an adjustment. We love the Mexican food, the tropical living and the Mariachi music. However, we still cheer for Packers, Brewers, and Bucks.

Tad B. Pinkerton: Hannah and I still reside in the Madison, WI area and have been able so far to continue our hobbies as we age. We moved to a one-story house 15 years ago where we have enjoyed working in Hannah’s flower gardens and making wooden bowls. Moving to a retirement center in the next year or so is next.

Rev. R. Scott Sherman: I have just released my Florida condo to move to a son and family cluster at Deer Lake near Boyne City, MI. Right next door is my former wife, Judy Schroeder ’61, and her husband. Grandsons are downstate in Ann Arbor. I am quite well considering my 85 years and I can still play reasonably good golf in season.

Joan Paddock Steck: I’m still living in South Haven, MI, on the eastern shore of the lake, alternating with time spent in New York and Texas, spending time with kids and grandkids. I’m a regular volunteer at my local library, most recently with the children’s summer reading program. Sharon Heald and I continue to visit one another.

Arthur E. von Plachecki P’84: Not much new to report from here in Sherman, CT. Margot and I celebrated our 63rd wedding anniversary in June. I can still stand up and move forward when Margot points me in the right direction. Still in contact with Chuck Wurster and Bill Perkins and have good memories of time at LC.

1962

Gordon A. Becker: Fond memories of LC that was with the greats: Chaney, Beck, and Povolny. Learning at its best, especially the privilege of living in the de facto honors North House are now only a memory.

Bonnie Glidden Buchanan P’94: Once again, three ’62 members attended Björklunden in August: Ann Nordeen Henry took a painting class, Bonnie Glidden Buchanan took a mythology class and Bob Buchanan was a ’wanderer’ among the academics. It’s a grand way to both connect with Lawrentians and to study a subject without taking an exam!! And a gorgeous setting on a Great Lake.

Rev. Mary Schindel Harris: It’s amazing that there are those of us who have made it into the 80s. I remain married to H,A. (Mike) Harris class ’60. We are both remaining upright, taking nourishment, and living in Tucson, AZ. Our two sons honor us with their achievements: Walter has a Ph.D. in astronomy at the University of Arizona and David is head of the theater at Folsom Lake, CA.

Richard H. Price: We, Mary and Rick Price, Class of 1962, are happily into the “elder” stage of our partnership. We just returned to our beloved Barnard, Vermont where we celebrated our 60th anniversary with our family. We often talk about how much we learned in our Lawrentian lives. We remember fondly how Freshman Studies introduced us to the liberal arts and opened our understanding of the world. It was a special delight to read about Lawrence’s own Marcia BjØrnerud’s new book describing how a geologist reflects on her life. We still encounter Lawrence alums and delight in the memories that arise in those chance meetings.

Sarah Daubert Seidel: We’ve moved from Stretch Island to Silverdale, Washington on Puget Sound. Senior Independent Living, 16OO NW Crista Shores Lane, #211, Silverdale, WA 98383; jsseidel83@gmail.com, 425.213.9856. For Joel’s 80th birthday last year we went to Esbjerg, Denmark. I am legally blind but still reading with my ears.

1964

Virginia Allen: Since I last wrote, my red wheels and I have traded Capitol Hill in Denver for a group home in Parker, a small town, more or less south of Denver and significantly higher. When you leave here in a car you see very high mountains at very close range. Whisper “Star of India” in my ear and I might just be on my way.

Peter W. Barile: Still working every day at my two factories making chairs for the hospitality market. Just finished my yearlong construction of elaborate She Shed for wife Sami. We had four calves this year. Now have 14 cows on our 32-acre farm. Cows belong to farmers who lease the fields, but the cows beg for “treats” at the fence when I am out.

Kathleen Dinham Davis P’89: Life marches on, even without beloved Ross. I walk a lot, sing and play the piano often, read voraciously, and enjoy the quiet days of retirement. I will travel to Croatia September 18–October 3. I enjoy family times, especially grandchildren, and reasonably good health. I’m grateful to Lawrence for a fine education and lasting friendships.

Barbara Isely Dedo: Besides an engaging schedule of events at home, I have been fortunate to travel with both friends and family. Scandinavia was on the docket this past summer. Coming up in ’25 are Switzerland, France, and England. Day to day I keep busy singing, quilting, walking, working out, solving crossword puzzles, assembling jigsaw puzzles and building Legos!

Linda Raasch Feldt P’92: No major changes for the two of us. Bruce and I have enjoyed our musical experiences through our grandson, a graduate of UW–Eau Claire, and now in grad school at Ohio U in Athens, OH, and is a teaching assistant and violist in the quartet. Our daughters are in charge of the family cottage in the Upper Peninsula. Family is great!

Alice Darling Heyer: May grad celebrations for grandsons Reed-HS & Blake-FSU with Sept. jobs in construction and finance. Granddaughter Brooke—2nd year med school. Such a joy to be alive, sharing their lives with son Scott. It’s the BEST gift. In Tampa CCRC involved with Florida Orch. and a few volunteer activities while grateful each day to be upright and vertical!

Catheryn E. Hoehn: I hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful summer. Having spent three months at the lake in Indiana, I loved volunteering with the Lake Conservancy. In Chicago, I saw Sue Vevang and Polly Novak (who is now on a cruise in Croatia). Now back in CA, I return to part-time counseling and look forward to time in Palm Desert in the winter. Best wishes!

Walter J. Isaac P’88: We continue to enjoy good health out here in the Rockies! Regular Spring trips to AZ have been kicking off each year. We continue our choir and church activities. We enjoyed a nice visit with classmate Judy Bezanson Maples at her family lake summer home near Hayward, WI in September. Visits to our kids in NC help us keep up with now adult grands.

Ann Leverenz Keckonen P’91: Jon’s solo trips included a NG trip to Svalbard Island, north of Norway, to photograph polar bears and a bike trip in Puglia in southern Italy. We’ve both been enjoying working with Jane Sterert and Darlene and Denny Walsh in planning a Class of 1964 60th reunion during Homecoming 2024. We are thankful for good health and an opportunity to stay active.

Jon C. Keckonen P’91: The last couple years have been both busy and enjoyable for Ann and me. They’ve included some interesting travels and fun times at our cottage in Northern Wisconsin. Joint travel has included a trip to Spain and Portugal cut short by bad weather, and a luxury barge trip on the Thames to celebrate our 60th anniversary.

Mary Tharinger Kokernot: Sixty years after graduating finds me still doing what I love best: teaching. I’m currently tutoring at Minneapolis College, a community college in the center of the city with the most amazing and diverse student body. I’m also making a stab at keeping up with two book clubs each month and enjoying the adventures of my four grandchildren.

Gwendolyn Law Lane: I continue to miss my husband, Bob Lane, but I keep busy. I am currently tutoring a lovely woman from Mexico in ESL twice a week through a program called Project Second

Chance. I also serve on the board of a foundation here at Trilogy that raises funds to help needy students who attend Los Medanos College, located next door to Trilogy.

Susan M. Swinehart: Still working for the U.S. Army as a psychotherapist considering retirement next December. I’m enjoying life and watching my two children grow. Maya is working on her Doctorate of Nursing Practice and just completed the BSN part of the program; Jesse is in the final stage of applying to go to OCS with the Army. Hope all is well for the class of 1964!

J. Richard Woy: Jean (Lampert ’65) and I still live in Brookline, MA and spend time at our Vermont place. I do some consulting and play a lot of tennis. Jeannie volunteers with the Brookline Historical Society and on archaeological digs in Boston. We continue to travel, including a walk on the Cornwall coast and visits to Mayan sites in Mexico and Belize.

1965

Carolyn Stickney Beck, Ph.D.: I am now buddied up with Janine Yanisch ’87. We are both members of Study Club, a Rochester women’s group dating to the 1890s. Janine recently invited me to assist with First Players, a concert band she directs for middle school students. It is a joy to play with these young musicians and to revitalize my fluting. Jay is honing his acting skills as a simulated patient at the Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Center. He is aiming to shoot his age on the golf course.

1966

Dr. T. Michael Anger: As I write this it has been seven months since my wife, Ida, passed away after a very brief illness with a very aggressive widespread cancer. To borrow a cliche from medicine, I would say I am doing as well as could be expected. Lots of support from family and classmates at Old Town School of Folk Music.

Jane Nelson Azzi: Still in Appleton and still going to LU, especially the Kiewit Buchanan Center to work my upper body. Lots of old friends and some new ones, i.e. students on campus! College starts soon and the Vikings play a football game at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota— my genealogical roots are there but are Anglican. That’s a long story.

Judy Bezanson ’64 and Barbara and Walter Isaac ’64 enjoy a Wisconsin dinner out near Hayward. (Submitted by Walter Isaac)

1968

W. David Chambers: After 30 years at The Yale School of Drama and a twoyear stint at Harvard I returned to Yale in the Theatre Dance and Performance Studies department. This June I was honored in London with a launch of my book, Analysis through Action for Actors and Directors (Routledge). Not a day goes by when I don’t think about Professor Ted Cloak.

Elizabeth Conrad LaVelle: Hi, everyone. We are still here, coping with some health issues, but enjoying life. Still volunteering for Community Main Street and active in my PEO chapter. (We sponsored my former cleaner for a continuing education grant).

Anthony D. Beadell: Married to Prilla Larsen for 57 years, three grandchildren. I am still actively managing money for clients, which I have done for 50 years as A.D. Beadell Investment Counsel. Additionally, I love painting in oils in my spare time and at long last finished my book, The Consummate Collector in Pursuit of Truth in Art, Antiques and Antiquities.

Dr. David K. Glidden: Are we octogenarians wiser than we were as callow youth at Lawrence? Or are we simply different and yet, paradoxically, more or less the same? I do know that we are running out of time: “Time for you and time for me, And time yet for a hundred indecisions, And for a hundred visions and revisions, Before the taking of a toast and tea.” (T.S. Eliot)

Patrick R. Kroos: Our focus is on the family. A reunion was held in Aruba in January and a follow up gathering was in Vail this summer. With us still living in Hong Kong it was delightful to share quality time together.

Wendy McClure McCalvy: I live in my condo in Caledonia, WI. I’m active in my Unitarian Church “good trouble” activities and local village issues like regulation of horse facilities. Sold my farm in 2012, but still have one horse, although may have to stop riding due to recent fall. Very active in Caledonia Conservancy Land Trust, which I helped found. At 80, becoming historian.

Dr. Edward Rath: My wife, Lois (Beck ’67), and I continue to enjoy retirement in Champaign IL. In spring 2023, we spent 10 days in Germany touring sites dealing with Franz Liszt, and three weeks in Austria for concerts. A stroke in late June 2023 curtailed my piano playing. The month of October 2024, we will be in Vienna for concerts and operas, and to see friends.

Robert H. Schoenwetter: Bob and Kathy (Wilson) Schoenwetter report all is well. We’re still “snowbirds” migrating between Glenview, IL. and Tucson depending upon the season. We particularly enjoy following our two sons’ and grandsons’ activities. Lawrence Crowdfunding has kept us in contact with several Lawrence friends. We’re always proud to promote LU whenever possible!

Carolyn Withee Scott: I’m the Liturgist at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Richard L. Crandall: Emi and I spent close to a month this summer in Kenya visiting our daughter’s family now living in Nairobi. We also visited Nanyuki, Abedares, and Mt. Kenya areas with them. Now back in Honolulu, I’ve reduced teaching this fall to a single psych class.

Lesley Mentgen Delmenico: This fall I’m in Evanston, IL, entering my final year of senior faculty status in the theatre department at Grinnell College. It is a good time to work on theatre and film projects that were postponed while I taught full-time. My documentary, At Home in Evanston, is now in workshop showings to foster discussion between diverse groups of Evanstonians.

Nancy Kleiner DeYoung Holmes: I’m still living on the shore of Lake Michigan due west of Grand Rapids. After 19 years it really feels like home. I spend winters in my RV in Quartzsite, AZ. My second husband passed away in 2020, just before Covid hit the U.S. I’ve started learning silversmithing at our Gem and Mineral Club in Quartzite and love it.

Shaun E. Donnelly: Shaun Donnelly and wife, Kathryn, continue enjoying retirement in Thurmont, Maryland, an hour north of Washington DC, home of the Camp David Presidential Retreat. Shaun is a member of the International Advisory Council to the “America 250” commission coordinating the USA’s 250th birthday in 2026.

Dr. Jim B. Freim: The long hot summer. I’ve been living on the edge of this canyon at 6,000 ft for 19 years. Never ever before have I experienced such problems with the weather and critters, including mountain lions, bears, huge snakes, tarantulas and scorpions. I think I need to move! I continue to be the oldest competitor/finisher in the mountain trail races!

Mary Lee Huber: All is well here in the old family farmhouse in Ellsworth where I enjoy my gardens and time with family and friends each summer. Frequent trips to see my grandsons in Colorado bring incredible joy. Every morning I tell myself, “today is my new favorite day.” Greetings to all!!

David G. Johnson: Life is good. I’ve been retired for 12 years and never experienced severe boredom. My wife Kathy and I are still living in Wilmette, IL. We have a son and two daughters. Two out of three have escaped to California. (What’s wrong with winters?) We have one grandson (4), a granddaughter (5 mos.) and a third grandchild expected in December. Cheers!

Kenneth E. Luckhardt: On April 30, 2024, I was honored to receive the Order of South Africa award, presented in Pretoria, South by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. The award was in recognition of the over 12 years of full-time solidarity work with South African movement, led by the African National Congress (ANC).

Brent Wm. Primus, J.D.: In 1973, I began working for Primus Law Office, and 51 years later, I still am. As a side gig, in the spring of 2020 I created and took on the role of Director of Virtual Education for the Transportation and Logistics Council. In March of 2024, I published my most recent text: Motor Carrier Contracts Annotated, 2nd Edition.

Alexa Abercrombie Ross: Busy seeking a grant to promote tree planting in neglected Nelsonville, Ohio. I cover the town’s crazy politics for the League of Women Voters. I anticipate directing a French farce next summer, Feydeau’s The French Have a Word for It. Weekly writer’s group has me filling notebooks for 10 years. A cappella group, gardening, cats, canvassing voters!

Robert L. Suettinger: Robert Suettinger ’68 is pleased to announce the publication by Harvard University Press of The Conscience of the Party: Hu Yaobang, China’s Communist Reformer, a biography and study of elite politics in the People’s Republic of China. The product of nearly 10 years of research, it is available as of October 15 on most bookseller websites.

1970

Paul B. Bauck: We continue to live a quiet life in Seattle with lots of reading and neighborhood walks. Paul continues to play and sing live as well as on his YouTube channel. Our travel highlight this year was spending the month of June in a small cottage on Vancouver Island. Dolphins, otters, eagles, and deer for companions.

Sandy Laufer Blake: The news is that my daughter Callie and I earned our Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology last year and we are both employed as Associate Marriage & Family therapists. We see clients in person and online, are fully supported by my dear Tony, and continue to make a difference in our world. Callie moved to the Madison, WI area and we miss her a lot.

Kristin Jensen Bryan P’12: We’re still in Appleton, appreciating the freedom of condo living. I enjoy my volunteer work at Hearthstone Historic House Museum, occasional horn playing, and performing with a local recorder consort. We make frequent trips to Sun Prairie to visit our twin granddaughters born this past January to our daughter, Erin (LU ’12).

Alice Darling Heyer ’64 shares graduation celebrations with (from left) grandson Blake Heyer, son Scott Heyer, grandson Reed Heyer, and granddaughter Brooke Heyer.

Julia Walfoort DeCock: I’m afraid we are at that stratum of the demographic where no news is good news. So I’m pleased to report no news! We are still living in our townhouse in Evanston— healthy except for some senior maladies—and our 3 kids and their families are all in good places. I hope I will be cutting and pasting that report for the next newsletter!

Dr. Gregory J. Exarhos P’12 ’07: A Lab Fellow, emeritus at PNNL, Greg is treasurer of an AIP physics society and U.S. Councilor for an international physics organization. Greg and Cathy toured Marseilles, Burgos, Harrogate, and Scotland, where biking on the Isle of Skye was a blast. We play music for church functions and have joined mid-Columbia Mastersingers. Riding bicycles to local wine cellars, swing dancing and visiting kids keep us active.

John R. Fease P’99: I have moved to Mishicot, about 8 miles from Lake Michigan, where I share a happy life with Ginny Finnel. I have become much more diligent in exercising, including walking, using an elliptical and riding my recumbent trike. I continue advocating for Planned Parenthood, the LGBTQ+ community and People of Color. Reunion 55 next year?

Judith Pugh Meyer: Paul and I celebrated our 50th anniversary with an 18-day trip to London with son Matthew, his wife Olivia and our three granddaughters Sophie, Gwen and Holly (13, 10 and 7). Son Timothy and his wife Kristen stayed home as their first baby, our first grandson, is due Sept. 12. One highlight: I went to a Taylor Swift concert there!

Peter E. Saving: Linda and I were thrilled that our daughter, Allegra, and family were moving back to Milwaukee from Louisville, KY where they lived for the last seven years. Three years ago, we sold our UP Michigan lake home and purchased a condo in Menomonee Falls. Now they are across town in Shorewood. Summers with the grandsons!

Col. Richard L. Stocchetti: Retired April 1 after 30 years active duty in Air Force and 23+ years as a civilian at Langley AFB in Air Combat Command HQ /A4 in aircraft maintenance management. We are settled in here in Hampton Roads, VA. Enjoying free time. So much history and so much to do with the mountains and the ocean. God Bless.

Judith Stanfield Young P’00: Tim and Judy hold steady in Oshkosh with two daughters, Jill, M.D. and Katie, J.D., and five good grandkids. Judy has recovered nicely from a ruptured appendix. Tim took a part-time gig as an assistant D.A. We feel the loss of Joe Patterson but are happy that Minoo Adenwalla is still with us.

1972

David P. Brown: We moved back to Maine to be closer to my lung transplant doctors… and closer to family. After 36 years teaching, I’m now living off my retirement income and Susan’s (my wife) work-at-home salary. I regret losing touch with friends and Sig Ep brothers. I’m looking forward to hearing about all of you.

Theodore S. Chapin: Well, I failed at retirement. Having left Rodgers & Hammerstein three years ago, I found projects that interested me, and then out of the blue I was asked to become CEO of Broadway Licensing, the youngest and scrappiest of the theatrical licensing houses. In addition, the show I created at the 92Y on Bobby Darin is working its way to Broadway.

Dr. Patrick D. Eagan: I continue to volunteer for the Santa Catalina Volunteer Patrol when we are in Tucson. Trying to keep people wearing flip flops safe in the desert. We mostly patrol in Sabino Canyon—Forest Service. I see Steve Gloe regularly and do a lot of photography. Looking forward to trying to catch up with Scotty Gregory and Cliff Zeliff this winter.

Christine Luedeman Fenner: As I write this in September, I am a week away from the LU trip to Paris, France. Deb Buesing, ’72 and I will be joining other alums to explore the city and surrounding areas. The Olympics will be over, but maybe the ʻrings’ will still be on the Eiffel Tower? By the time you read this, we will have returned with wonderful memories of the ʻCity of Light’, and an answer to the question about the ʻrings’!

Steven G. Hall: All is well here. Splitting time between home in the Willamette Valley (Tigard, Oregon) and High Desert (Sunriver, Oregon). Some travel: Scotland geology trip with LU group. I did not know the difference between a rock and a hard place, but I do now! Croatia this past spring. I was there on the Russian trip in ’71 but did not recognize a thing!

Dr. Cheryl Wilson Kopecky: Husband Rob and I had a stellar seminar experience at Björklunden. Think of your very best learning experience at Lawrence, and you can have that feeling again at summer and fall seminars shared with Lawrentians and non-Lawrentians from around the country. Will enjoy a vacation with a purpose in beautiful Door Co. next, schedule due around January.

Jerome A. Langer, Ph.D.: My wife, Pam Dorman, and I are finally both retired. Our plan this year is to remain very flexible, since we’re excited that both of our daughters, one in Philadelphia and one in Tel Aviv, are pregnant, due in the next few months, and we’ll be helping them. In the coming year, we’re also hoping for more trips in the U.S. to catch up with friends.

W. Pierson: Covid finally ushered in my retirement. Beth, 10 years my junior, will still be working till 2025. We both long to travel in retirement but for now are planning a 3-week trip to London and Paris in December 2024. Our sons, Luke and Thomas, returned from college near the start of COVID and remain with us in our multigenerational household, for now!

L. Keith Reed: Lisa and I became first-time grandparents when our daughter delivered a baby boy on April 5! Now enjoying those moments so many of you have been experiencing for years, even though they live in L.A. and we’re in Montana. I guess we’ll finally get our status back on United with visits.

Nancy J. Rigg: I continue to advocate for firerescue and law enforcement first responders globally to receive swiftwater and flood rescue training. Promoting water safety for children is also vital. “Drowning is a leading cause of death for children in the United States”: www.cdc.gov/ drowning/data-research/facts. Enjoy the water, but please be safe!

Marilyn Schwinn Smith: The only change here is the daily increase in age. Number of grandchildren holds steady at 5. I continue as an independent researcher, presenting primarily in conferences via Zoom. I also remain eager to visit with any Lawrentians who find themselves in western MA.

Margy Upton Trumbull: I’ve enjoyed summer at my home in St. Joseph, MI. When not with family and friends and chasing/visiting my 9 grands, I fill my day with birds and art as I am still involved with the Black Swamp Bird Observatory and the Toledo Museum of Art. Big trips planned to Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire (oldest son and family of 6 moved in August) and the Amazon.

Cynthia White: Dan and I are enjoying being basically retired. We’re splitting time between Seattle and Appalachian Virginia where daughter Kate’s family is. Life on the personal level is good and I would love to have visitors in Wise or Seattle!

Judy and Paul Meyer on their 50th wedding anniversary, August 17, 2024 at their hotel in London (submitted by Judith Pugh Meyer ’70).

Dr. Augustin K. Fosu P’13: Although I am formally retired from the UN, I teach/research as: Prof., U of Ghana; Distinguished Vis. Prof., U of Johannesburg; Extraordinary Prof., U of Pretoria; and Research Assoc. (CSAE), U of Oxford. I serve on the UN Comm. of Experts on Public Admin. (UN-CEPA), on Ghana President’s Fiscal Council, and on the nominating committee for the ’Economics Nobel Prize’. I am also Editor-inChief, Journal of African Trade (AFREXIMBANK) and Managing Editor, Journal of African Economies (Oxford). In 2023, I was pleased to attend my LU 50th anniversary (my son’s 10th) and to speak on Ghana’s development evolution. I was also guest speaker at my Ghana high school’s 60th anniversary in 2023.

1974

Deborah Busch: After moving around 18 times, I’ve ended up retiring (from my career in linguistics) in Monterey, CA. My oboist husband Peter Lemberg and I perform with SF Bay professional orchestras, travel a lot in the U.S. and abroad, and babysit our only grandchild in Palo Alto, where my son works for TESLA. In the summers, I work for the Carmel Bach Festival.

Brian T. Farmer: I had hand surgery for Duypetren’s contracture today (August 27). It’s a real hassle to type with one hand, among many other things! I’ve had this surgery several times before, but the problem keeps coming back. My wife (Mariko) and I spent a of couple days on Washington Island in Door County earlier this month.

Judy Frater: I’m publishing Artisans by Design: An Odyssey of Education for Textile Artisans in India with Schiffer Publishing LTD on October 28, 2024. The book chronicles the journey of developing the first design school for artisans in India and 15 years of artisans learning design. I will be doing a book tour in November.

Heidi Jacobson Knudsen P’07: It was wonderful seeing so many former classmates at our 50th reunion in June! In July our family enjoyed a double reunion at the wedding in Charleston, S.C., of our younger son. Many from my husband’s family in Denmark made the trip across the “big pond” along with my family members from across the U.S.

Nan

(Submitted

Dr. Sarah S. Larson: Probably the most pertinent news is that I was able to attend our 50th Reunion, thanks to the generosity of David and Jane Duperrault and Joe Bruce. I had such fun reconnecting with people I hadn’t seen for half a century, falling right back into the highly entertaining discussions we used to have over tea and English muffins in the Student Union!

Kenneth E. Richter: My wife (Cynda) and I are wandering back into work to keep some structure in our lives. Our current project, as contractors, is the environmental impact of pulling Exxon’s platforms and pipeline out, off of Melbourne AU. The hard substrate of the structures provides more pros than the cons of yanking it all out.

George W. Steed III: Travel, quilting and aviation continue to be our (Amy and myself) retirement activities. Amy quilts and plans trips for us (Germany, England and Oregon). I’m on several state aviation boards and fly as often as possible. Recently Nan Fey ’74, a former glider pilot, and I flew in the B2Osh mass arrival into AirVenture ’24

Thomas J. Stewart III: Had a major health scare (descending aortic aneurysm), but was repaired, although we caught covid in the ER. We are back to good health. Oldest grandson started college (engineering) this month. Youngest grandson (2) is speaking in long complete sentences. Lori and I are vacationing in N.C. this October with both dogs. Life is still really good.

W. Lawrence Topp: My wife Kathy and I are retired in the San Diego area. We plan to share a kiss atop the Eiffel tower on our 45th wedding anniversary Sept 22. We finally have a grandson who is now 9 months old, and Kathy is happy playing Grandma part time. I watch MMA, cycling, and read numerous obscure scientific papers. If you come to SoCal let us know!

Jonathan M. Ulsh: After 25 years in Portland, getting an A+ in retirement here in Walla Walla for the past four years. (120 wineries, what’s not to like!) Married for 15 years to my wonderful wife, Chris. We both serve on local nonprofit boards, enjoy our six kids and grandson, traveling, road biking, pickleball, rooting for the Ducks and just generally being active.

1975

Hon. Scot M. Faulkner: Co-authored the book Decade of Transition with Dr. Madhav Nalapat focusing on the role of India in the world and the geopolitical challenges facing the IndoPacific region.

Stephanie H. Jed: This may be my first update! After Lawrence, I got a Ph.D. in Italian literature (Yale,1982). I taught in the Department of Literature at UC San Diego for 40 years (1981–2021). I have had some exciting retirement activities, including volunteering at Freedom University in Atlanta and working as a teaching artist for the San Diego Opera. Cheers!

Nancy Butler Kuhn: Still loving our retirement life in Charlotte, NC. It’s great to have all our immediate family in town. We survived our 2023 major kitchen remodel and patio rebuild by travelling during the worst of the chaos. Flooding in Zermatt during our stay, but what a spectacular place to be stranded! Working out while at home so we can continue to travel.

Thomas C. Meyers: After four years as a PGA golf professional and 45 years as a realtor in the Twin Cities, Tom is very close to retiring to spend more time at their home in northern Minnesota and travel. Tom and Meg have worked together at Edina Realty since 2004. They plan to play more golf and pickleball and enjoy their 5 grandchildren.

Thomas L. Neff: I am relaunching Documentary Channel as a streaming network, and everybody PLEASE sign up (it is all of a single charge of $1.99) to help us show people will watch it: https://documentarychannel.com/. Finishing a doc, “Clemmie Unfiltered,” which I have been shooting over 20 years. Recent short film I did: https://vimeo.com/ 751880024/feee96e2f5.

Margot Visher: I have lived on Bainbridge Island, Washington, for the past 35 years. I have 3 children who all live near me (3 grandchildren and 1 on the way). I love hiking in the PNW and exploring the outdoors with my partner, family, and friends. I still work as a RN at a family practice clinic on the island one day a week. Life is full.

Janice Woodward: Chuck is a mediator for the City and County of Denver and on the board of the Mediation Association of Colorado. I volunteer with an anti-hunger agency and love my new role in urban agriculture. Our summer trip to the Canadian Rockies was great—we ended at the Calgary Stampede—cowboys and fun! Hope to see many folks at our 50th reunion.

Kathi (Slater) Hamar ’72 and Ellie Stein ’72 in Phippsburg, Maine in September 2024. (Submitted by Kathi Hamar ’72)

Fey ’74 and George Steed ’74 prepare to fly in the mass arrival into AirVenture 2024 in Oshkosh.

by George Steed ’74)

1976

Dr. Mark R. Aschliman: My wife, Patty, and I are enjoying fall on Geneva Lake. Several Delt bros have met for golf, baseball, meals, and camaraderie. The bonds formed 50+ years ago remain strong. Winter takes us to Naples for golf and the beach. One daughter has our 2 grandkids in MN, while our other 3 remain single and employed. All visit frequently. My best to you all.

Randall B. Colton: I am entering my 44th year as a violinist with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. Currently a board member in the organization, I do CWSO outreach to schools. My partner Barbara and I continue to enjoy overseas travel in our retirement! When home, we enjoy paddling, pedaling, camping, and international cooking.

John R. Davis: Not a lot has changed since my last update. I’m still working my personal training business with 12 very loyal clients ranging in ages from 56 to 96. Many whom I’ve worked with for over 20 years. They are more like family. Our grandkid count is holding steady at 4 and accounts for most of our travels between California and Milwaukee. Hi to all of ’76

Dr. Robert G. Gillio: I had three major spine surgeries and have had to learn to walk again. Every week is an improvement. I am living in State College, PA with my wife, Beth. We have 5 grandchildren and love to zoom or see them in person. I continue to try to advance www. theforceforhealth.com and will share it with any of you for your family or school. Come visit!

Patricia B. Miller: I live in the Fisher Building, the oldest 18+ story building still standing in Chicago. My old collie mutt Peony is thriving. I still work part-time as a market research consultant—I love it. I’ve volunteered at the Field Museum for 22 years, hanging out in the bird hall with dead bird specimens and talking to people about birds. Y’all come!

Samuel Morris, Esq.: Samuel is beginning his 44th year of representing labor unions in the South with his law firm in Memphis, Tennessee. His son, Gabriel, is CEO of a start-up in the Bay Area, and his daughter, Celeste, is a professor at the Mizzou Vet School specializing in food animal production.

Dr. Diane Macutha Savage: The best decision I ever made was to move to beautiful Seattle 39 years ago for dental school, because here is where I met my great husband to whom I’ve been happily married for 36 years.

Dr. Nancy Putnam Schilling: I retired from active practice and moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. I live near my daughter and son-in-law and have a wonderful granddaughter to play and learn with. We traveled east last Thanksgiving to introduce her to family and I hope to do more traveling this year and into the future.

Debra S. Schwoch-Swoboda: After retiring from a 35-year career with the National Ed Assoc. to care for my spouse, Armin, who passed away in 2020, I became and remain a partner in an executive recruiting firm, while enjoying life from my home in Siesta Key, FL. I attended the joyful wedding of Sue Karow ’76 along with Ellen Cutter ’77 this past summer.

Kim D. Sherman: Just when I thought things would start to slow down, they picked up. My “Bridge to Peace: Invocation” was recorded in Lviv, Ukraine by the Lviv National Philharmonic & US soloists. It was released in August by Lexicon Classics. I’m also writing an opera, a musical, a string quartet, and a song cycle. Retirement: not in my dictionary apparently.

Dorothy Goodsmith Stiles: Jim Stiles (’73) and I just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We are both retired, keep busy with family and friends, and are proud parents of 3, and have 6 exceptional grandchildren, one of whom just started college this year! We continue to sing with our concert chorus. We are very blessed. Here’s to the next 50!!!

1978

Deanne L. Amaden: Healthy, happy and grateful, I enjoyed a COVID-postponed spring trip to the Netherlands and Belgium (tulips!) with my sister followed by a visit to England to see more family. I also enjoyed two short trips to the Midwest for a high school reunion AND our fantastic LU reunion. So good to see so many classmates! Meet me in Appleton in 2028!

Daniel R. Baillie: Dan Baillie ’78, James Gedge ’79 and Paul Hearn ’94 –’95 raised their voices this summer (’24) at the Cambridge Choral Academy. Performing with about 30 other singers from around the world they performed in a number of chapels in Cambridge, UK. Danbaillie@mindspring.com

Dr. Mark S. Burrows: After teaching for nine years in Germany, I returned to midcoast Maine. Recent books include a translation of Rilke’s Sonnets to Orpheus (2024) and You Are the Future: Living the Questions with Rainer Maria Rilke (2024). I lecture on spirituality and the arts across the U.S. and in Europe, and I direct the Camden Festival of Poetry (May 17, 2025).

Maria Kaiser Dietrich P’10 ’06: We recently marked one year as grandparents of sweet baby Paige. Enjoying semi-retirement and fitting some fun travel in between teaching piano lessons and doing music at church. We had great fun on the LU “Medieval Delights” trip to Spain in March 2024 with Professors Danielle Joyner, Sara Ceballos, and Madera Allan. Looking forward to more adventures!

Christine Siewert Edgecomb: What a great reunion! Such fun to reconnect with some after 40 years and just be with friends who have meant so much over the years. Can’t wait for our 50th! If you find yourself in central Florida, specifically near the

Villages, the lanai light is on and visitors are welcome!

Dr. Basil D. Georgiadis: I’m in the home stretch of my second career as a HS Spanish teacher in Louisa County, VA. My son works spinal surgeries for his medical equipment company and Sophie is enjoying SEC life at UT-K studying business and Alpha Delta Pi. Shout out to my ’77 buddies Kurt Link, Brian Meunière, Eric Veazy and Phil Frigo, for all that jazz and memories.

Jeanette Kohr Gowen: Victor and I had our first wedding anniversary July 22. Victor is retired. I am still working four days a week. We enjoy our long weekends plus traveling. Caribbean cruise in March, Canadian Rocky Mountaineer train trip in August, and going to Italy for a week followed by a Greece cruise from Rome to Athens. Elise, 33, is doing well at the CDC!

Marynelle Teumer Losin: Peter just retired from NEH after 30+ years. We are the delighted grandparents of Aldo, age 6, and Elise, 16 months! I play piano, write and exercise every day, Peter gardens and cooks (I’m SO lucky!) and we enjoy the flora and fauna of Virginia, though we dearly miss Wisconsin.

Julie A. Manning: I decided I needed to go to a Rolling Stones concert before either they died or I died. They came to Denver in June (sponsored by AARP) and Bill Eggbeer ’76 joined me in the adventure. It wasn’t just gray hairs, there was a 7-year-old boy rocking out in front of us. They put on a fantastic show and a great time was had by all. BTW—I’m still blonde.

John L. Martin: My husband and I continue to love living in San Francisco. I retired in 2016 from a long career at San Francisco International Airport. I now teach Buddhist study/practice programs and lead silent meditation retreats at Spirit Rock. I sure feel a lot of gratitude for all that I have in my life!

Michael K. Powers: What a reunion! And such increasingly precious gatherings. Apologies for not finishing conversations with Peggy Zola ’78, Carol Snook ’78, Amy Bell ’78, Dave Hill ’78, Dave Thome ’78, ’Hap’ Polzin ’78, Cindy Estlund ’78, Rob Stevens ’79, John O’Connor ’77, George & Amy Steed ’74 and Rich Agness ’67. So many friends every time we turned around!

Dan Baillie ’78, James Gedge ’79, and Paul Hearn ’94-’95 raised their voices this summer at the Cambridge Choral Academy. (Submitted by Dan Baillie ’78)

Michael S. Sigman: I’m a recurrent “lab rat” for UW–L graduate OT & PT students for past 21 years. They don’t learn from their mistakes, so invite me back yearly! My wife portrays the 2nd most infamous bordello madame in La Crosse history. Our rescue 13# dog Clyde never stops barking. My father is only 94, nevertheless remains a flight instructor, but drives to see us.

David B. Solomon: Working overseas in Madagascar in Peace Corps management and we are loving it.

Julie A. Stoneman: Took two incredible trips this year: Africa (boomers on safari) and Appleton. It was wonderful celebrating the 45th Reunion with so many, including first year Kohler Hall dorm mates (here’s to 50 years!), DG sisters and fellow geology majors, including time with Profs Ron Tank and John Palmquist. Truly special—looking forward to the 50th!

1980

Rick Davis: Enjoyed giving an Alumni College talk on “The 100th Meridian Project” and was honored to be one of the Alumni Award winners at our 45th Cluster Reunion! Great to see alums, faculty, and LU thriving. Closer to home, the song cycle for which I wrote the libretto, Stations of Mychal, was released in late August by Centaur Records on CD and streaming.

Jeffrey M. Griese: Jayne (Merwin ’80) and I continued to love living the retired life! We still reside in Barrington, IL, but spend almost half our time on the road exploring and adventuring! We spent 3 weeks in Alaska this summer, visiting all 8 National Parks there! We are both into fitness and yes, like many others, have been bitten by the pickleball craze!

Susan Lawrence McCardell: I’m enjoying teaching First-Year Studies at Lawrence along with teaching bassoon at the Lawrence Community Music School and teaching and performing at other nearby colleges and universities. Loved spending time with dear classmate friends and meeting new alums at the 2024 reunion!

Ellen A. Meyers: In retirement, I have been working on the Dr. Barbara Seifert Meyers Collection at the Indiana University School of Dentistry Library. I have also been working with the George A. Meyers Collection at Frostburg University in Maryland. My wife Elena Yatzeck and I are looking forward to the October marriage of our daughter Cosima.

James I. Scheuer: I stay busy in retirement by staying involved in music education. I selfpublish many arrangements and compositions for band and various solos & ensembles through J.W.Pepper. Many of these are for non-standard instrument combinations, a specialty of mine in my teaching days. I also work as an adjudicator at WSMA music festivals and honors auditions.

Jane E. Thessin: I’m still cruising. In fact, I just booked another one to join a sorority sister (AXO) and her husband and father-in-law on a cruise in January.

1982

Dr. Jeffrey W. Bissell: I’m in year 15 as head of the Chinese American International School in San Francisco, an independent Mandarin immersion school, the oldest of its type in the U.S. I was remarried last year to Yangyang Han, and I’m a super happy guy! I have attended two LU events in the Bay Area; at one of them I won an LU beanie as a raffle prize, a 2024 highlight.

Dr. Charles DeMets P’19 ’14: After 30 years at UW–Madison, I retired as a named professor of geoscience in mid-2021. Since then, my wife Lynn and I have been converting some of our rural WI property to prairie, fly fishing, hiking,and trailer camping in the West, traveling widely and playing pickleball.

Reverend Catherine B. Dempesy-Sims: I continue to live in western New York where the summers are glorious, the winters long and the quality of life with good hard-working folks who help each other out. In other words, it’s a lot like the upper Midwest. I continue to work in the Episcopal Diocese with an emphasis on regional ministries— making following the Golden Rule cool again.

Marilyn J. Fisher: Gigi Plautz ’82 and I spent the weekend at my home in Fitchburg, WI, going out to hear music and a Mesmerica planetarium show. Splurged on eating out, entertainment and, of course, shopping!! Had a wonderful time together and really appreciate how our friendship has endured these twenty (ha, ha) plus years!!

Andrew W. Hazucha: It’s over. The life-sized papiermâché sculpture of Jeff Wisser that I’ve been working on for over 40 years under the artistic tutelage of Carol Lawton is finally complete, and it will be unveiled at the Carrie A. Nation Home and Museum in Medicine Lodge, KS in February 2025 Hope to see y’all there for the toga party and open bar.

Dr. Linda Berger Hellmich: Retirement is great. I’m busy traveling to see family and friends, cerebrating weddings and milestone birthdays, enjoying my in-law’s 70th wedding anniversary and anticipating the upcoming birth of our 4th grandchild. I’m busy with volunteer activities when I’m home and navigating the weird aches and pains of getting old. Life is good.

Kimberly Peterson Krueger: Greetings! Tom and I enjoy being unemployed (!) and volunteering for local groups in Sturgeon Bay, WI. I was thrilled to see my Pi Phi pals Andrea Schauer Hamm, Barb Kloehn Gresik, Carol Johnson Polivka, and Cindy Carlson Dobberke this summer. Life is pretty good! Despite 2 fake knees, I still like to get down to “Rock Lobster”! Cheers to all.

Elizabeth Read Loder: Bruce Loder ’82 and I just celebrated our 40th anniversary; where did the time go? I recently started a three-year course of study in lay ministry training through the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches. I am forever grateful for the hours spent in Doc Waring’s office discussing theology that put me on this path.

Andrew L. Marshall: I was fortunate to be named a Minnesota Attorney of the Year for my pro bono representation of the Town of Trade Lake, Wisconsin, a town of less than 700 residents, in its battle against an industrial hog operation that sought to locate the largest hog concentrated animal feed operation (CAFO) in Wisconsin to its back yard.

Joelle J. Rabion: Very busy in the cannabis industry! At George Washington Center for Integrative Medicine as a Provider (Cannabis Coaching), consulting on a cannabis + cancer research product with Georgetown University Lombardi Cancer Center (funded by the Nat’l Institute of Health & National Cancer Institute) and working with patients at Takoma Wellness Center, DC.

Mark J. Rose: I’ve been both a successful journalist and violinist, and I had a short stint as a paralegal. I’m still playing tennis, jogging, walking and lifting weights. I got married in 2003 and am enjoying life. I would love to hear from some of my friends from LU classes of ’82–’83; my cell phone number is 301-452-1205

David C. Trimble: I retired this past spring. 38 great years with the feds! Who knew a philosophy major could get paid working on illegal arms exports, nuclear weapons, EPA and the Postal Service! Another big event this year: I got to see John Dewey’s grave in June at my daughter’s graduation. He is buried on the UVM campus! Gave me fundraising ideas for LU!

Scott Alwin ’85 and Steve Miller ’85 attended a Jason Isbell concert in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in March 2024. (Submitted by Scott Alwin ’85)

1984

Dr. Thomas D. Brucker: My wife of 32 years, Debbie, and I still live in Brookfield, WI. Our younger daughter Margaret will be in her final year at UC–Boulder. Like her older sister, Liz, we anticipate she’ll stay out there after graduation. I became chief of pathology at the VA medical center in Milwaukee. I’m still enjoying work. Feel fortunate and blessed in life.

Robert H. Ott: Robert Howard Ott ’84 and Jose Padilla live in Santa Rosa, California. Since 2017, Rob has actively composed spiritual music, releasing “Sound Offering” in 2020 and winning the Individual Artist Award for Arts & Accessibility from National Arts and Disability Center at UCLA and three ASCAP PLUS+ Awards for Liturgical Music. www.roberthowardmusic.com

Irene Serewicz-Redman P’23: My husband Chris and I are still hard at work and enjoying our jobs in the UK. I have been traveling a lot for work (Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, South Africa) so non-stop. Our two sons (one of whom started at LU but Covid disruption resulted in switching to a UK university), are both starting their final year at university.

William A. Thorman III: Sorry I missed the 40th Reunion. My life remains consistently chaotic. I remain unmarried, am managing partner of a small Columbus, OH law firm specializing in Workers Compensation and Social Security disability claims for injured parties, and rather than “winding down,” I am taking on more. I just accepted an appointment as Magistrate/Judge too.

Katherine van Beuningen-Newkirk: I have been designing and building pieces for my next culturethemed exhibits at regional public libraries. I have presented over 3 dozen exhibitions of my works since ’02. I hope my creations will inspire the magic of creativity, wonder and the power of story in children of all ages. Keep up with me on FB @ galaxiesinfabric and www.pinterest.com/kvanb.

Todd E. Wexman: Three years ago, my wife and I purchased a catamaran. We picked up the boat in Florida and sailed up and down the East Coast and the Bahamas. Then we sailed across the Atlantic and into the Mediterranean where we sailed for two years visiting cities, towns and remote locations. We plan to sail back across this Atlantic this winter.

1985

Kathleen A. Abromeit: I recently became the Head of the Oberlin Conservatory Library and published a co-edited book, Music Information Literacy Inclusion and Advocacy, with Dyani Sabin (Library Juice Press). My life partner, John Sabin, still has his psychotherapy practice and works as a regional director for Citizen’s Climate Lobby, advocating for carbon pricing.

Scott D. Alwin: I continue to work in corporate communications, commuting to Chicago a couple days a week from Miller Beach, Indiana. I treasure each warm day and swim in Lake Michigan into October. My son Wesley just started at Beloit College and loves it. Classmate Steve Miller and I saw a fantastic Jason Isbell show in Fort Wayne in March. See you in June!

Resli E. Costabell: I’ve spent more money on stray kittens & cats than on myself this month. I normally volunteer for a charity, as a short-term foster carer for elderly people’s pets. But in August, I had three kittens and one cat staying with me one at a time. They weren’t through the charity: they just showed up and meowed for help.

Dr. John C. Deo, M.D.: Elizabeth and I and the girls are doing well. Alana is in last year at UCSB as a premed and doing well. She recently published a paper relating to head and neck cancer. Annamarie is going to start at UCLA as a physics major. She’s into dark matter. Liz and I continue our busy practices at University of Miami. We are grateful for God’s blessings.

Tammie L. Follett: Enjoy catching up with my Lawrence friends throughout the year! After a long career at Thomson Reuters, I accepted a new position in January 2024 as the Director of Advancement at Lawyers Without Borders, global NGO. Www.lawyerswithoutborders.org. I love to travel and look forward to my trip to Uruguay and Brazil this November. Enjoying life!

Rebecca Wright Gaw: Hi fellow Lawrence classmates! I haven’t submitted any updates since my husband Steve retired and we relocated to Lewes, DE in July 2021. We have some happy news to share this year! Our youngest daughter Colleen got engaged on St. Patrick’s Day this year and will be getting married in March 2025. Steve and I are over the moon, needless to say.

Anne Strass Gustafson: I am teaching art to kids in Pre-K through 4th grade at Madison Country Day School. In the summer months I work at Sunborn Flower Farm in Mt. Horeb, WI. I spend my free time fishing, painting, hiking with my dog and getting together with my family.

James D. Houser: I continue to run my college counseling firm, Educ8Fit Consulting. I recently published my second article for my peer counselors; it’s about state-based financial aid. I have an extensive website at www.educ8fit.com. Since I hold Lawrence near to my heart, I continue to look for students who would thrive at Lawrence.

Lisa Muller Johnson: I moved to Denver 3 years ago and love living here. I’ve joined a women’s hiking group, made good friends and love being outdoors all the time. I also enjoy photography and have gone on many photography workshops to Moab, Big Sur, Grand Tetons and more. This fall I will be hiking the Camino Francés across Spain. Hoping to make it to the reunion.

Stephen G. Miller: To honor our 40th anniversary, I feel like I should re-read As I Lay Dying. Try to get a handle on the impermanence of existence, the vagaries of time and the nature of sanity. You know, for fun! Failing that, I might do the ol’ listening to Dark Side of the Moon whilst watching The Wizard of Oz thing. That’s a wild ride, baby. As is life.

Kristi A. Ross-Clausen: Enjoying the new job as Director of Education for ModTruss and the travel benefits which come when working for a global company. Presented at Educational Theater Festival and INFOcomm this summer. By the time this is published, I should have my first book on theater safety available on Amazon. Looking forward to seeing you all at reunion in June!

Dr. Timothy M. Sievers: Greetings from snowy NH. I am enjoying retirement from my career in medicine. Last year I took up painting and it has blossomed into a business and recognition with shows and gallery placements. My website is barefootkineticarts.com. My wife got her real estate license and has been going strong ever since. Kids all grown up. 3 dogs, 2 cats. No complaints.

1986

Kristin Vorpahl Erickson: After more than 30 years in the social worker world, I “retired” and took a position in insurance; now two years in and loving the change, which allows more time with friends and family (including our “MN daughter” Madeleine—thanks for sharing, Lexie and Tom Stevenson!) and our two Springer Spaniels. Love to catch up with LU friends when I can.

John K. Hellermann: Dear friends, as my university considers how many faculty to cut because of declining enrollment, I continue to make the case for the liberal arts education, which I got from Lawrence. Best wishes to you all from Portland.

Kevin A. Walch: My wife and I still reside near Atlanta, GA, we travel up to Chicago/Wisconsin area Christmas time and late summer to stay at our condo in Door County (rent it out when we aren’t there). With 5 years left of work, starting to think about retirement—Door County in the summer, Atlanta area the rest of the year.

Andrew G. Wermuth: Still in Denver 16 years after thinking we’d be here for a three-year job stint. Many years of age development work in Africa and Asia has turned into remote work on Web3 from the sofa to EU, Nigeria, and India. Maybe three more years? OK. Meantime, the children have gotten us skiing and riding again. Beekeeping, honey and mead. Cheers, everyone!

1988

John S. Day: John Day ’87 is enjoying his volunteer jobs at CASA and the MS Society. My wife, Julie, and I were happy to move our daughter Penelope into Yale University as a freshman. Julie is celebrating her 20th year as a fifth-grade teacher in her current school. I am amazed that it has now been 40 years since I started at Lawrence.

Lisa Shuster Janairo P’18 ’15: In 2021, I retired from the Council of State Governments after 29 years of working on policies related to the Great Lakes and also our nation’s nuclear waste disposal program. In my “second chapter,” I’m in my third year serving on the Middleton (WI) city council. I love it! Two of my three kids graduated from LU and #3 may wind up there, too.

Eric S. Langlois: Living the good life in Orange County, CA. Still teaching at the college and hitting the racetrack on the weekends. I also enjoy spending time with my Japanese wife and Nanday conure. Cheers!

David Larkin: It’s been a very long while since I’ve submitted class notes. Eight years ago, after a long-ish career in software, I made a hard left turn towards my enduring interest. I had been teaching flying for 15 years, and now I am a captain of a regional jet, based in Seattle. My son is now 21 years old, and I recently got married to Bonnie Endsley.

Michael W. Taylor: Have a grandson from son August and Rachel—Theodore Ronald Taylor. Promoted to full professor of Education at the University of Mary. Author of three books: Black Elk’s Life Speaks: That Much More; Perpetuating Joy Through Affinity Spaces with Intercultural Pedagogy; and An Autoethnographic Journey to the Self; also Saints & Scholars Journal.

Louis J. Wool: Last year of teaching high school law before I retire from Wheeling High School. Definitely bittersweet emotions, but I have loved teaching. I plan on probably returning to the school to work as a tutor or teacher’s aide in a supportive role. Healthy, happy, and cruising along the pathway of life.

1989

Dr. Richard D. Hornung: Greetings! I have been a computer scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for 28 years. I was recently promoted to Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, an honor held by less than 1% of the science and engineering staff. My wife Dawn and I enjoy spending time with our beagles, Darwin and Pele, and home improvement projects.

Christopher Lynch: I am grateful to not only my time at Lawrence, but also to WLFM. My experience hosting and producing radio shows was the foundation that led me to podcasts. I co-host the Windy City Historians podcast, which is a deep dive into Chicago history. The show begins in 1673, since as a history major, I couldn’t resist!

Kelly Carroll Rhodes: I’m happy to serve on the 35th Reunion Committee with Sandy Saltzstein, Soozung Sa, Pete Bredlau and several from the classes of 1990 & 1991 too. Save the date for the reunion—June 19–22, 2025!! Let us know if you would like to join the planning committee.

Richard A. Strobel: I live with my wife in a small village in the South of France. I teach classes in adult education centers to students changing careers, getting back into the job market or who are war refugees. I am an interpreter for classes given by the French Office of Immigration and Integration. I enjoy hiking with my dog in the mountains surrounding my home.

Swazi B.N. Tshabalala: I want to share that in the last six years, I have been living in Abijdan, the capital of Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa. In the last three years, I have been the Senior Vice President of the African Development Bank as number two to the President of the Bank. It’s been a very rewarding experience.

1990

Kelli Elizabeth Dornfeld: After over 3 decades teaching in the public schools, I am now working for Missouri NEA as a UniServ director. I do advocacy, negotiate contracts and support public school educators. My husband Chris and I are adjusting to our “empty nest.” I look forward to catching up with fellow Lawrentians at the reunion in 2025!

Mark A. Green: Continuing work in real estate development in Washington, DC and raising our three, now teenage, daughters. They are avid equestrians and have gotten me riding as well! Hard to believe that Michael and I celebrated 32 years in May and now we have our 35th Reunion this summer. Looking forward to reunion weekend in June!

Kim Kimberly Holland: I have had some fun trips lately, the best being Antarctica last January. The scenery and penguins were spectacular. The icebergs were unbelievable. I am still enjoying photography: landscapes, flowers, selling my work, entering competitions and taking portraits. I am really looking forward to seeing everyone at our reunion next summer.

Craig H. Kellenberger: I am entering my 31st year of teaching orchestra, my 14th in Appleton. I am the WSMA Honors Orchestra Coordinator and first violin coach and play viola in the Civic Symphony of Green Bay.

Gail Feldman Micheau: Tim and I are adjusting to being empty nesters and looking to retirement in four years! Highlights this year were seeing the Solar Eclipse in totality, a week in Hilton Head, a mini LU Kappa reunion on the Maryland shore, camping and a couple of visits to Madison, WI. I am excited for our 35th reunion next June and hope to see many of you there!

Eric Schacht: After returning to Lawrence as University Counsel in 2022, I was given the opportunity and honor to also assume the positions of Men’s and Women’s Head Tennis Coach. I will perpetually be endeavoring to give back to this amazing institution that has given me so much.

Laura Vosika Powell: My husband Chris and I live in Tennessee where we raise sheep, chickens, and rabbits. I continue to write and do my podcast Books & Brews. You can find my work at www. lauravosika.com, www.booksandbrews.net and www.glenmirrilfarms.wordpress.com.

1991

Bliss Elizabeth Cohen: Paul and I are now official empty nesters having gotten our youngest daughter, Leah, off to college this fall. I am happy, sad and relieved. The impact of this new transition hasn’t fully hit me yet. But part of the struggle is wrestling with the brutal fact that I am old enough to be an empty nester!

Steven A. Houghton: We are entering a new chapter in life. As of January 2025, we will move to San Jose, Costa Rica for my new position with the U.S. State Department. All four kids are excited to learn Spanish and make new friends in school there. I will be a diplomat working as a Consular Adjudicator.

Sherrill Weller Knezel: I retired in June after 32 years of teaching art in the Wauwatosa Public Schools and am excited to continue working as the founder of my graphic recording and illustration business, Meaningful Marks LLC. My mission is to uplift and amplify generative and transformative work being done in community. Here’s to new connections and adventures.

Jennifer Wood Ward: Huge gratitude for lifelong friends from Lawrence. Scott and I celebrate 30 years together this December. Our daughter is an RA at NYU Shanghai and loves it! Our son is much closer at Mizzou studying biomedical engineering. Am loving helping people feel better with botanical wellness, energy medicine and happy events at our farm. Come visit any time!

1992

Jennifer L. Baumgardner: I’m the Lakes Writer-inResidence at Smith College this year (but living most of the time in NYC still). My son (Skuli) is a sophomore at Oberlin, which means I get to see my former roommate Shelley Davis much more since her daughter is a junior there—a bonus!

Gregory Steven Lee: Gregory has resumed walking, after a nine-month hiatus due to a severe spinal cord injury. Favorite walks are to the Mudd to research Edna Ferber, BK for the cardio loft and sauna and Dollar Tree for the value. And Hunan-1 for the General’s Chicken.

Elizabeth Anne Pall: As a DoD USAF civilian I have had several unique opportunities to sharpen my skills and stay current with training in Data Analytics (DA) and Operations Research. In 2023, I completed my graduate certificate in DA from The Air Force Institute of Technology, and just this year completed a 4 -month in-person Ops Res program meant for officers (OASIS).

Timothy Riley: I am now in my eighth year directing America’s National Churchill Museum at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. In the past year, I’ve been fortunate to speak about Winston Churchill throughout the United States, Scotland, and England. My wife Kris has traveled with me on a few occasions most notably to London in June. Greetings to all!

1994

Adam D. Demers: I live in Minneapolis with my wife Andrea, work as a senior visual designer at an architecture, interior design, and branding firm and play the guitar in a persistently aspirational manner.

Kirsten R. Lies-Warfield: Last summer, Patrick Warfield ’94 and I moved to Minneapolis and Pat started his new job as Director of the School of Music at the University of Minnesota. I am freelancing with my trombone, volunteering with dog rescue, and serving as a board member of the Cedar Cultural Center. We are happy to be back in the Midwest!

Yoriko Morita P’24: It’s been quite the LU-filled year for our household, as our son Aki graduated with the class of 2024 and our daughter Emi just joined the class of 2028 and the women’s soccer team. Our house rebuild after the Marshall Fire should be completed in Q1 of 2025. Karl (c/o 1993) and I continue to toil at our jobs to pay for all of these life changes!

Andy Pearsons: Hi! I’m living in the Charlotte, N.C. area, where I’ve been teaching for 10 years (after 12 in Chicago). My son started kindergarten this year, and my daughter is in 5th. I’m married to a wonderful woman; she works closely with Cathy Linn (also ’94) at Wise Acres Organic Strawberry Farm, where she’s started a wood-fired, organic pizza kitchen. Pax!

Pawel T. Pomianowski, M.D.: Hello. Since graduation, I ended up going to Medical School (Poznan, Poland), followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at Penn State. Marriage and kids happened in the interim (I have 3 boys). I then did a fellowship in Medical Genetics and Genomics at Yale School of Medicine. Now I am a Director of Medical Genetics and Genomics at UMMC.

1996

Kari J. Dietzler: My wife and I have relocated from Oakland, CA to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico—a longtime goal. After 21 years, I retired from my career in HR for healthcare organizations. Terry continues

her part-time personal finance coaching business. We are enjoying the adventures of living abroad and wish everyone well!

Angela J. Digmann: After living in Colorado for 10 years, hubby Patrick and I have moved back to the Midwest. He took a job opportunity in Maple Grove, MN, and I continue to work remotely as a manager of talent and career development for Intermountain Health. The move brings us closer to family and to our goal of building on our land on Lake Superior.

Jennifer Crawford Renstrom: I am still in Minnesota working at Annunciation Catholic School as the office manager, where I manage tuition, financial aid, title funds, ordering, marketing, communications and enrollment. My son Parker is a sophomore Civil Engineering major at U of M Duluth and my daughter Audrey is a high school senior heading to college in 2025 to study OT.

Jonathan Glenn Reynolds: I’m continually excited by infinite possibilities ... life in the SF Bay Area is so rewarding! My son started driving, my dogs are happy and lazy, and I’m enjoying meeting new friends in the singles, dance and yoga communities. In 2024 my company launched an online marketplace for thoughtful and intentional products: mindswellmarket.com.

Dr. Robert M. Seiser: Tricia (Toledo-Seiser, ’97) and I are still enjoying life in Schaumburg, IL. Our son is a trombone-playing HS junior, and our daughter is now in 4th grade. Tricia continues to run a vocal studio with over 40 students; I am in my second term as science department chair and was recently promoted to full professor at Roosevelt University.

Jessica Wherry: I started a new tenure-track job this summer at the University of Baltimore School of Law. I continue to do pro bono work for veterans seeking disability compensation or discharge upgrades. My 14 -year-old twin boys started high school in Baltimore this fall so we’ve had a lot of transitions this year!

1998

Rachel R. Beck: I’m helping lead classes at a senior center in San Francisco. My coworkers and clients are delightful and a good reminder of how important it is to build community and learn new things as we age. I’m still hospice volunteering in my spare time, focusing on bereavement care for people who have lost a loved one.

Louis Clark IV: Alissa and I celebrated 25 years of marriage this year. We’ve built a life that now finds us immersed in the Twin Cities, surrounded by three beautiful kids who are growing too fast. Our girls, Addison and Camryn, are looking at colleges, and Noah is looking under his pillow for visits from the tooth fairy.

Brian D. Johnson: After 30 years since my freshman (and only) year at LU, I will receive my bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead in University Studies and a certificate in Professional Writing. I’ve spent the last 8+ years working at Wells Fargo, however, upon graduation I plan to pursue my advance degree in applied ethics.

Peter C. Kolkay: I have released a new album of music for bassoon and strings on Bridge Records, recorded with the Calidore String Quartet. The record contains premiere recordings of works by Joan Tower, Mark-Anthony Turnage, Russell Platt and Judith Weir. The album is out and available in hard copy or via all the streaming sites. bridgerecords.com/collections/catalog-all/ products/9587

Dr. Anu Whisenhunt: Came back to Appleton August 2024! Walked through the campus with my parents. They had never been to campus before and were impressed. I showed them where I lived and worked during my memorable and impactful years at LU. This year I have started at a new hospital to allow for more time with the family and my aging parents. It’s been a great change.

1999

Dr. Aaron W. Marrs: I have published my second book, The American Transportation Revolution: A Social and Cultural History (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2024).

2000

Erin Chudacoff: Josh and I continue to live in Appleton and work in education. Josh is the Principal of Appleton West High School, and I am the Executive Director of Donor Engagement here at Lawrence University. We sent our son off to college this fall at the University of Tampa and our daughter started a Ph.D. program in chemistry at the University of Iowa.

Dr. Vanessa A. Curtis: We are clinical professors of pediatrics at the University of Iowa. In addition to our clinical practices, Andy serves as head team physician for the Hawkeyes, while Vanessa is the

Kate Okenatez-Mahoney ’02 and family (Kate, Pete, Joslyn) on safari this summer. (Submitted by Kate Okenatez-Mahoney ’02)

Jennifer Renstrom ’96, Heather Brown-Palsgrove ’96, and Kala Peebles ’96 in Minneapolis. (Submitted by Jennifer Renstrom)

director of the Division of Child and Community Health. In our quest for work-life balance, we enjoy cycling long distances, camping and spoiling our dog, Newton.

Katherine Moore Milella: I am currently teaching literacy and French at Horning Middle School in Waukesha. In my free time, I try to travel as much as I can, see family and friends, and spend time with our three wonderful cats.

Sarah Bjella Montes: Sarah (Bjella) Montes lives in New Orleans with her family and has worked for over 16 years at Tulane University while continuing to play music and mentor young people. Her two sons are also musicians as well as scientists. Her oldest graduated from Tulane in May 2024 and is applying to medical school. Her youngest is a high school senior.

2002

Nathan S. Heffel: Nathan is a senior host at Colorado Public Radio News, and the co-host of Real Talk, a weekly public-affairs TV show on Denver’s local ABC affiliate. This year the show was Emmy nominated, and his radio work earned him a regional Edward R. Murrow award. He lives in Denver with his husband, William, 7-year-old daughter Maya and two lovely dogs.

Carly Kreuziger Konecny: I am still working as a nurse. I recently started in an ENT clinic, which is a very nice change of pace (especially post pandemic). My son and I adopted a husky, and we are thankful for family that doesn’t mind caring for her while we travel! Last year was the Galápagos islands and this year, we were in New Orleans. Always up for travel suggestions!

Jonah C. Nigh: I started my new job as vice president/chief advancement officer at The Juilliard School. It’s a homecoming of sorts; I worked at Lincoln Center 14 years ago, and some of my vocal coaches from my singing days are on faculty. I have also been doing standup and have gotten to tour around the world. Hope to see you out there! www.jonahnigh.com.

Kathryn N. Okenatez-Mahoney: My husband Pete and I have been exploring together for 21 great years. Our daughter turned 16 this summer and is now a junior in high school. After 25 years in corporate, I (finally!) went full-time this year in my 10-year-old business—planning and photographing adventure elopements & microweddings in beautiful and wild nature across the U.S. We home-base in Atlanta, GA.

Members of the Class of 1964 take in a soccer game at Banta Bowl during Blue & White Homecoming Weekend. (Submitted by Jane Stewart ’64)

Joslyn E. Vandermause: At age 42, my husband and I had a baby girl in September 2022. She is an unexpected miracle in our lives after many years of being unable to conceive. When she was 2 months old, we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary! Esther Irene turns 2 this September, and I am enjoying a motherhood sabbatical after 20 years of full-time teaching piano.

Beth A. Zinsli: I have been back at LU since 2013 as curator of the Wriston Art Galleries; I teach Art History classes and direct the Museum Studies Interdisciplinary Area, too. Visit me in Wriston the next time you are on campus!

2003

Daniel H. Perelstein: Dan Perelstein won the Manilow Foundation Music Education Award! This award is given out to one teacher in each of the cities that Barry Manilow is visiting on his farewell tour. It comes with $5,000 of new instruments for my school, a $5,000 cash prize and a chance to meet Barry Manilow backstage at his concert on August 2nd in St. Paul, MN.

2004

Christopher M. Chan: Chris Chan was one of the winners of the 2023 Temple Grandin Award, given “to individuals with autism who have made a major accomplishment in the past year.” His novel, She Ruined Our Lives, the second in the Funderburke and Kaiming series, was published in February 2024. His non-fiction book, The Autistic Sleuth, was published in September 2024.

Jesse W. Guillen: Jesse (Belcher) is the Deputy Director for Board and Commissions for Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico. He and his wife, Natalie, have three kids (Rafael–7, Zahara–6, and Elianah–2). In between the kids’ hockey, baseball, soccer, and dance practices, Jesse continues to play soccer himself.

Tiffany M. Hortin: It’s crazy to think that I’m about to enter my 20th year with the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah. I’m the Administrative Manager for the department overseeing seven staff members. My family and I are usually at our cabin in the summer and on the ski hill in the winter. Stop by if you are in Salt Lake!

Rachel LaBash Mitchell: 2024 has been a big year for me; I participated in a 5km run (after a 20-year hiatus from running), and I have published a collection of short stories based on my travels, And the world came tumbling out. Other than that, I’m keeping busy with my son and university work. I’d love to reconnect with alumni if anyone travels to Melbourne, Australia!

Kyle M. Simpson: This summer featured a great deal of exciting things for me career-wise: I premiered a new symphonic composition with the Brazilian National Theater Symphony in Brasilia, Brazil in August. I also had a composition residency in June at the Visby International Centre for Composers, in Visby, Sweden. Exciting summer!

2006

Madeleine G. Kaudy: Maddy Kaudy is a secondyear Master of Fine Arts candidate at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2025. She will celebrate her 10th year as co-founder and COO of Taking Stock Foods, an organic food company, in January 2025.

Laura K. Muller: Friends! Gosh I sure miss you. We’re in the thick of potty training our 2-year-old. How I miss the halcyon days of college when I only had to worry about my own I & O. In other news, I recently made the jump into administration at UW–Madison, taking the position of Deputy HIPAA Privacy Officer. It feels like a real “big girl pants” kind of position.

Lauren Roznowski Hayden: Lauren Roznowski Hayden is still teaching orchestra in Wauwatosa, WI. Last year she was awarded a Kohl Teaching Fellowship Award and a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching, Short Term Exchange. She spent six weeks in San Pedro Sula, Honduras this summer, working with teachers and students at Victoriano Lopez Escuela de Musica.

Serene R. Sahar: Hi all! I am a partner in the Intellectual Property Group at Michael Best. I am a patent attorney specializing in mechanical and electrical engineering, control systems, imaging and medical technologies and design patents. I help inventors to protect their inventions or design around competitor patents. I hope to see you at an alumni event!

Sarah Schmidt: Divorced—quite happily for the last 15 years. Have two kids with ASD. 20-yearold son attends college in California. 17-yearold daughter waiting group home placement. Published a book on Amazon in 2021–101 Ways to Kill Your Ex-husband. Did the cover art for it too. Got a Kindle Vella series going. Diagnosed with ADD and ASD in May 2024. Fully disabled.

Allison Yakel: Allison is currently working as a Conversation Design Engineer as a contractor with Apple (via The Select Group). Simultaneously, she is working toward a certificate in Data Science for Natural Language Processing. Allison currently lives near Houston with her partner Chinwe and their two dogs.

2008

Caitlin E. Gallogly: I’m marrying my fiance, Sam, in November; we welcomed a future Lawrentian, our son, Sean, to the world on May 8, 2024

Mallory J. Giesen: After two years of studying (three if you include the year I took off while at the end of my pregnancy and postpartum) I have finally earned my Certified Financial Planner designation!

Teresa R. Hardison: Hi, Lawrence alumni! I’m happy to report that I’m being processed to become a Chicago Police Department Associate. My processing day is scheduled for Saturday, September 7 as of this school year. Other news is that I’ve been chatting with a man from Nigeria for three years.

Corey J. Lehnert: I married my lovely wife, Lia, in 2021. We’ve settled in Madison, where I completed my psychiatry residency at UW. Since then, I’ve been working as a clinical assistant professor and psychiatrist in the UW Department of Psychiatry. I’ve spent my free time trying to figure out if I’m inside or outside Plato’s cave. The warmest wishes to you all.

Maria Giere Marquis: We are expecting our first child any day now, and we’re excited for Maria signing with a literary agent for her debut novel.

Kelsey K. McNellis: Finished my Masters in Hospitality and Tourism from Purdue and starting a new job with Flik Hospitality as the General Manager of the United Polaris lounge at SFO. My 4 -year-old, Madolyn, is in her 3rd year at La Scuola, an IB Italian immersion school here in San Francisco.

Aleksandra A. Turek: When Manhattan City Hall reopened for in-person wedding ceremonies in the fall of 2022, Gregory House and I made it official; the one allowed guest, our photographer, was the witness. We continue to live in New York City with our crazy pup, Saki. Career-wise, I recently made it to Carnegie Hall as a product manager for their IT team.

2009

Jayce E. Apelgren: Katee and I welcomed our second baby girl, Madelyn, into our lives on May 1, 2024. Older sister Elodie, 2.5 years old, couldn’t be more excited to have a lifelong playmate. We recently celebrated our 5th year as owners of Apelgren Dental. I am looking forward to returning to campus for the Hall of Fame celebrations this fall.

Dr. Alison Blegan Below: Lucas and I welcomed our second child, Adler, in September. Big brother Asher has been a great little helper and loves his new playmate.

Stephen X. Flynn: After quitting my middle school teaching job of 7 years and going through a software engineering bootcamp, I was offered a software engineering role at JPMorgan Chase in Columbus, Ohio and started April 2024

Hanah J. McCarthy: I recently married the love of my life, Mitchell Blaszczyk, at my childhood home in Bozeman, MT. The day/week was absolutely perfect, and we felt so incredibly loved by all our family and friends. Thank you to my Lawrence family that made it out for the celebration. It wouldn’t be the same without you.

Solveig Smithback Schroerlucke: I am celebrating my fifth year running my real estate business and was nominated for Small Business of the Year by my city’s Chamber of Commerce. My daughter is going into 2nd grade and fully a Potterhead like her mom and dad. Next stop, the Wizarding World! 2010

Dr. Sara Donnell Beck: After about 14 years in Germany (an MA, a family, a home and a Ph.D.), I’ve decided to move to Milwaukee for a bit with my husband, daughter (4), and our dog. I’ve left academia for a new non-profit adventure, and I’m happy to be back. But: rebuilding a community is daunting, so please reach out if you’re in the area!

Vitaly Lorman: It’s been a big year: my wife, Claire, and I moved from Philadelphia to Chicago in summer 2023 and our daughter Emma was born this past summer! Since 2021, I’ve been working at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as a data scientist in clinical informatics research with a focus on pediatric long COVID.

Melody J. Moberg: I am doing a residency program at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN as an interfaith hospital chaplain.

Lindsay Rachel Schwartz Miller: I am still teaching orchestra in West Fargo, North Dakota, but now with my former student and LU alumnus Matthew Jahnke ’22, I also still play cello in the local symphony and conduct the middle group of the youth symphony. My husband and I welcomed our second child, Felix, this past July. Our daughter, Hazel, loves being a big sister!

Dr. Paul R. Stevens: Elizabeth Hoffman Stevens (2010) and I went on an amazing trip to southern Africa with Rebecca and Oliver Zornow (2010) and our kids. The Zornows were visiting the community in eSwatini where they served in the Peace Corps over a decade ago. We explored Kruger National Park in South Africa, where we saw lots of awesome African animals.

April J. Verser: This spring (’24), I graduated with my DMA in Woodwind Performance (Bassoon) from Boston University! I look forward to staying in Boston for the time-being and continuing to work as a free-lance bassoonist/contrabassoonist, private lesson teacher, and the Camp Director and Director of Admissions at MathPath (www.mathpath.org).

2011

Frederick M. Breslow: After eight years overseas with the U.S. Army, I am moving to DC to attend The McCourt School of Public Policy. Hit me up if you’re in DC. Vikings!

John W. Crawford: Catherine Albright Crawford (’11) and I welcomed William Eoin in May of 2024! We are still living in Madison, WI.

Katherine E. Cummings: I got my first pair of pit vipers.

Emily (Galvin) Flood and Sam Flood: We welcomed baby Stellan in spring of 2024!

Andrew R. Hawley: Living in Greendale, WI with my Life Accessory Eric. We live in a Greendale original with our two dogs Lulu and Mona as well with our two cats Ope and Smudge. I’m currently working as the Lead Wedding and Event Designer for Flowers for Dreams. I’m following my artistic passion through the medium of floral.

Amelia B. Lerch: I went on to get a Masters in Biotechnology at Rush and then to medical school. I am currently a resident physician in Family Medicine at Cook County Hospital and President of the House Staff Association Resident Union.

Benjamin M. Levine: I’m working as an attorney in private funds, specializing in hedge funds. My wife and I welcomed our first son earlier this year, and I’ve been enjoying fatherhood. In my free time, I’ve been catching up on reading, trying new restaurants around Chicago, and watching plenty of NFL football.

Ell Li: I’ve worked as an actor on several notable projects within the past year, including General Hospital, Starfield, Fallout 76, and the English dubs of Godzilla Minus One and Pachinko

Caitlin E. Williamson: I just celebrated my 10th year in my dream job with the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, where I serve as director of conservation, helping to protect Wisconsin’s lands, waters and wildlife and connect people to nature. I’m really looking forward to seeing folks at reunion next summer!

Elizabeth and Paul Stevens ’10, Rebecca and Oliver Zornow ’10. (Submitted by Elizabeth Stevens ’10)

Teresa Hardison ’08 (Submitted by Teresa Hardison ’08)

2012

Dr. Cameron D. Blegen: Maggie is now medical director of the local ED and I have added teaching residents to the medical students I take from our med school alma mater, UW–Madison. This fall will be weddings, travel and the Cali International Marathon in December. The boys are growing and started school, Warren will be 5 in February and Jay is 3 this fall (Bucky the dog is now 7).

Gwendolyn E. Curtis-Ehrhart: Absolutely delighted to announce that Alex Pergams ’12 successfully defended his doctorate in biology this summer and has taken on a postdoctoral position as a LEAD faculty fellow at Harper College in Palatine.

Dr. Stephen A. Exarhos: Melissa Klocke ’12, my partner since our first year together at Lawrence, passed away in December of 2023 from cancer. Left behind in her home in NE Minneapolis are myself and our two cats. I am doing my best to pick up the pieces of my life and reassemble them around my memories of her. Any well-wishes or memories would be happily received!

Dr. Alexander Podruch Johnson: My beloved partner Amy and I tied the knot on August 8, 2024, in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge in front of friends and family. We then spent 11 magical days in France for our honeymoon, exploring historical sites and enjoying delicious French food and wine. We can’t wait to begin this next chapter together!

Diana H. Jurand: Hi fellow Lawrentians. My partner and I are now in Nashville for his job, a city undergoing growing pains. I continue to do voiceover work professionally for commercials, explainers and animation, occasionally traveling to LA. Still doing on camera and stage work, too. We have a dog, a small garden and an ice cream maker. Life is good—come visit anytime.

Samuel R. Lewin: I’m living in Columbus, Ohio. Let me know if you pass by!

Valerie R. Nelson-Ray: Valerie started a new role as VP of Business Operations for an education tech SaaS company, working remotely from Denver. Caleb is still working as a transaction and litigation attorney. Caleb, Valerie, their 5-year-old, and dogs always love and welcome visitors to the mountains!

Samantha Nimmer Puckett: My husband, Derek, and I reside in Appleton with our 2-year-old son (Landon Drue) and 5-year-old corgi (Leroy). This will be my 9th year teaching social studies at Freedom High School. I also am the Head Varsity Volleyball Coach, Student Council Advisor, Senior Class Advisor, and Sources of Strength Adult Leader.

Margaret H. Schmidt: In December 2023, I started a position with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights as an attorney. My partner and I live in Maryland and enjoy life between D.C. and Baltimore with our two furbabies. I am excited to step into the role as the next LUAA President in April 2025

Alexander L. Wilson: Alex, his wife Sabrina, and their French Bulldog, Canela, now call Marquette, Michigan their home, after moving there from Fort Worth, TX, in early 2024. The Romero-Wilsons are expecting their first child, baby girl, Sofia Lynn, in January 2025. Alex is currently a Marketing Director at the healthcare marketing agency, Health+Commerce.

2014

Madeline L. Bunke: Still in Chicago, still working as a medical editor, still learning wacky new things about the human body every day, still auditioning for and occasionally booking goofy commercials and slightly less goofy plays.

Samuel D. Clary: Currently working in the Dean of Student’s Office in support services at Purdue University. Works on following up with students of concern and those who are in crisis. Outside of the work, help run two game groups for DnD and have gotten into biking long distances. Thankful for the nearby nature to hike, rock climb and engage in photography.

Polly E. Dalton: Oren Jakobson (2011), 7-year-old sister Sam, and I welcomed new baby boy—Iro— into this universe on August 23

Brenna L. Decker: This year I successfully defended my dissertation at Utah State University, which covered wasp genomics and teaching pedagogy. With the many teaching opportunities I’ve had at USU, I’ve developed a teaching philosophy that will guide me in my new position as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Entomology at Purdue University in 2025!

Meghan G. Keenan: My husband, Antonio, and I live in Robbinsdale, MN. We had an amazing baby boy, Gabriel, on January 1—what a special way to celebrate the new year! We enjoyed seeing everyone at the 2014 reunion.

Schuyler T. Thornton: I am enjoying my third year of playing in the orchestra for the Les Misérables Broadway Tour (I recently celebrated my 500th show!) and teaching flute at Muhlenberg College— all with my incredibly cute cat, Benedict, by my side! When not on tour, NYC continues to be home. Say hello whenever you’re around!

Nicholas R. Waldner: I’m enjoying working as an emergency medicine physician in beautiful South Carolina. In my free time, my wife, Caroline, and I are busy chasing our 18-month-old daughter Lucy around, with her favorite stuffed animal “Yaya” in tow.

2015

Dr. Ashley R. Coenen: Settled in Atlanta with a partner and a doggo!

Najja R. Gay: I currently work as a Quality Control Microbiologist for Astrazeneca in Maryland where I live with my partner and cat, Nebula.

Conor James Henningson: Hello from Minneapolis! My husband and I recently moved into a 100-year-old home in the Kingfield neighborhood, so we’re here for the foreseeable future. I’m very much looking forward to reconnecting with the class of 2015 at our 10-year reunion this coming June!

Zoe E. Psarouthakis: I am thriving in New Zealand, and I will soon apply for citizenship before the end of the 2024 year. I am working as a Freshwater and Marine Ecologist with a consulting firm. My husband and I have recently moved from Dunedin to Wellington, the country’s capital. Sending love to LU and alumni!

Allison M. Williams: After 5 years in D.C., Jonah Laursen ’16 and I are very happy to be back in Detroit for the foreseeable future. In 2022, I finished a dual-degree graduate program in public health and health sciences. I also co-authored a paper on the impact of urban gentrification on access to harm reduction services. I work clinically as an ER physician assistant.

2016

Emily A. Allen: Em Allen is living and working in Milwaukee, WI as a full-time freelance Scenic and Properties Designer, designing for many of the major theaters in the area and expanding their work to Door County, Madison, Michigan, and beyond. Em is also excited to return to Lawrence this year to instruct on and design the shows for the Gaines Playwright Series!

Amber E. Bochte: I am the proud owner of my very own dance studio in Brookfield, Wisconsin (Milwaukee area). Just opened this summer!

Sarah E. Coffman: I am now one year into my gender transition, and I run a Sunday School program at a Boston-area church that mainly caters to LGBTQ+ children and those from nontraditional family structures. I also run “lazy polyphony”, the Boston equivalent of Dr. Ceballos’ “Harmonia” club from LU!

Justin Dickerson ’16 and his wife, Emma, in Puerto Vallarta (Submitted by Justin Dickerson ’16)

Justin G. Dickerson: We’ve had a lot of changes in our personal lives recently. My wife, Emma, and I got married in Puerto Vallarta, MX in October of 2023. I’ve recently completed my Series 7 & 66 licenses and now work as a Financial Advisor in St. Louis, MO. We’re hoping to map out a new home purchase in the next 3–5 years, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.

Galen W. Dods: Galen has habituated to the arctic north that is Minneapolis. He’s still helping build the future of American manufacturing at BioMADE. While bracing for the coming winter (a little part of him misses sunny California), he’s been volunteering with neighborhood clean-ups and voter engagement.

Taylor R. Dodson: A string of unexpected life changes have brought me into a new era! I’ve embraced an opportunity to work for Caterpillar as a Community Manager for Social Care. My work in this field all stems from the chance I took in applying to be an RLA—that experience shaped the entire course of my professional career in ways I never could have anticipated!

Jonathan P. Hanrahan: Solomon saith, “There is no new thing upon the earth.” Sarah Axtell ’17 and I saith, “Same.”

Alissa M. Heiring: I recently got to celebrate the marriage of fellow LU alumna Christina Schaupp in Door County! Many happy congratulations to her and her husband Ryan! Am currently living in Los Angeles but was so fun stopping by campus and seeing College Ave.

Abigail C. Hindson: Hi everyone from sunny San José, CA! My partner Rathin and I have been living here for two years with crazy cats Clover and Noodle. I’m working at an urban farm but am applying to agroecology grad school programs for fall 2025. I spend lots of time hiking and exploring with Nicole Mitchell ’17 and Sophie Whitehead ’19. Sending you all big hugs!

Matthew W. Johnson: This past summer I was cast in my first professional show, Peter and the Starcatcher, with the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL. I performed as part of the ensemble every night, but I also went on as the understudy for a principal role numerous times. I’ve since found representation and an agent. I’m so thankful for the support from y’all!

Alison R. Kleppin: Alison Kleppin and Ben Clark (2016) recently celebrated their engagement— nearly 12 years after meeting in Trever Hall! This fall Ben began his second year teaching high school math while Alison rounds out her third year as a fully licensed therapist. They remain grateful to call the Twin Cities home, accompanied by their slightly needy cat, Beans.

Jonah H. Laursen: I am over the moon to be back in Detroit with Allie Williams ’15 and our cat Ernie after a five-year hiatus in Washington D.C. We’re looking forward to attending Tigers games, eating coneys and pizza and being closer to family. We’ll miss the public transit and the spring season but we’re looking forward to the Midwest vibe and a real wintertime.

Albert K. Marshall: Life has been good. Been living in St. Louis working as a web developer and project lead. Also still doing music which has been great. Gotten to share the same bill as Herbie Hancock, Snarky Puppy, Thundercat, Smino, Tank and the bangas etc. Even getting to open for Digable Planets later this year!

Charles G. Martin: I was ordained deacon in March, graduated from seminary in Sewanee, Tenn., in May, traveled to Germany in June, and was ordained priest in September. This year, I am pursuing a Master of Sacred Theology in liturgical studies at Yale Divinity School and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and serving part-time at an Episcopal parish in Connecticut.

Kayden Schumacher: I’m completing a Trailblazers Studentship Scholarship Ph.D. in Global Learning under the theme gender, equality and diversity at Coventry University, United Kingdom. My submission of my doctoral thesis “Transcribing the Trans Experience: Trans Embodiment in the English Education System” is in December, and I am actively on the job market.

Wesley S. Varughese: My wife, Melissa, and I are enjoying our last year in Washington D.C. as I wrap up my M.B.A. at Georgetown University. We’ll be moving to New York City in the summer of 2025 Please reach out if you find yourself on the east coast!

Alek J. Wasserman: My wife, Angel, and I got married last November, and we’re currently under contract for our first home in Pfafftown, North Carolina. On the professional side, Triad Music Academy has grown to 122 active students and 12 instructors, at time of writing. We now offer piano, voice, and guitar.

Nathan T. Whiteman: This fall I’m starting at McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern as a master’s candidate in Energy and Sustainability.

2018

Anna E. Arnade: Not so much a cheery update but a call for awareness. I am currently living with serious long Covid for 2+ years and it has debilitated me. There are no treatments yet. I encourage everyone to learn about this condition and perhaps contribute to research and support so we can get treatment!

Emmylou T. de Meij: Hello! Currently I am living in Vermont working as lead cybersecurity analyst for a Fortune 500. I spend my precious spare time reading, writing, riding my bike and swimming in lakes.

Helena Dryjanski: Hi! I recently converted to Judaism and received my Hebrew name; and am planning on having my b’nai mitzvah within the next year or so. Following that, I am planning on applying/auditioning to Cantorial school!

Aedan R. Gardill: Last year, I completed my doctoral degree in physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and was offered a job in product development and technical sales at Mad City Labs, a small local scientific equipment company, allowing my spouse and me to stay here in Madison with our wonderful friends, family, and community.

Sean D. Goldman: After spending 2.5 years in Nashville as the Orchestra Production Manager for the Nashville Symphony, in January I moved back to Milwaukee to be Director of Operations for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra!

Oswaldo Gomez: Howdy gang. This year I left a job working at an immigration legal service organization that supports asylum seekers. I’m now working for an independent police accountability and reform watchdog here in Chicago. I also started to learn Portuguese and alongside my partner, rescued a pup in my neighborhood. Her name is Biscuit!

Anmol Gupta: Living in the Bay Area with my partner and our dog, about to go into second year of grad school! Woohoo

Theodore H. Kortenhof: I’ve been having a blast teaching 8th grade math and science in Kimberly, Wisconsin. With any luck, some of my 8th graders will eventually wind up at Lawrence!

Augustus J. Lowry: Reach out if you come through Durham, NC. Should be around for at least another year before (hopefully) moving back up to the DMV post-grad.

Abigail E. North: Abbi Merz (’18) and Nate Merz (’19): We proudly joined the Lawrentian 11% club when we got married last fall. Now we are packing up our bags and cat and moving across the pond to London—cheers! COYS!

Isabel A. Vazquez-Thorpe: I recently moved to Chicago with my brother this summer with our two elderly cats. Working on applying to a master’s program to become a pathologists’ assistant. In the meantime, I’m continuing to work as an EMT and having fun exploring the city. There’s so much to see!

2019

Anna G. Cohen: I continue to work towards my Ph.D. in Art History, advancing to candidacy in August 2023. One month later, I moved to Belgium to begin my Fulbright year as a research fellow. My research examines the decoration of late 15th– and 16th-century religious chant manuscripts created in the Low Countries. I am seeking to further clarify the emergence and impact of a grotesque and macabre decorative style and its relationship to the texts and music contained within these manuscripts.

2020

Floreal V. Crubaugh: Eight years after meeting in Freshman Studies, Clay Knoll ’20 and I are getting married. Thank you, Plato!

Danielle J. Dixon: Tyler and I are expecting our first baby in January. We are so excited for this next chapter!

Willa J. Dworschack: On June 22, Aaron Arthur and I got married outside my hometown of Soldiers Grove, WI. It was a day full of thunderstorms, whimsy, and joy! Three generations of Lawrentians were in attendance, too.

Alexis Shannon Goldon: I got married to my fellow Lawrence alum Tom Goldberg ’20. Though now we are the Goldons! We took a non-traditional approach and smooshed our last names together (Goldberg + Shannon = Goldon). We have lived in LA since 2021 with our three cats and our pup Broccoli. I currently work in an admin role with a data processing company and am on track to graduate with my MS Marketing in May.

Georgia R. Greenberg: I am proud to share that my best friend Molly Reese started medical school this fall at OHSU! Congratulations, Molly!

Alexander D. Hadlich: I married my best friend in October this year—she supported me from afar throughout four years of a long-distance relationship during my time at Lawrence. We are ecstatic to be starting a life together.

Cynfor C. Lu: Hey all! I just started a part-time online grad program at Georgia Tech! I’m looking to get a master’s degree in data science. It’s been a transition with continuing to work full time but also getting back in the academic mindset, but it is going well so far. I’m still based in Chicago and recently moved to Roscoe Village. Hope you all are well!

Bianca C. Pratte: I am thrilled to start my second year teaching in the Music Theory department at our dear alma mater! This job is truly a dream come true, and I am so grateful to my former professors (now colleagues!) who have welcomed me in. I am also happy to announce that I’ll be getting married to my longtime partner James Harrington in June 2025!

Molly C. Reese: Hey everyone! Long time no see! I’m still in Portland with my partner Duncan. Since school, I was an MA in a lovely GYN clinic (woo repro access!). We’re thrilled to stay in pdx BECAUSE I just started at OHSU to pursue my MD! If you’re visiting Portland, come say hi! And, yes, since you’re wondering, Georgia Greenberg ’20 and I are still BFFL.

2022

Julia P. Hackler: I am starting my second year of the MPhil in Modern Languages in Russian at the University of Oxford!

Lauren R. Kelly: Hi, everyone! I have been living in Menasha, WI for the last few months with my senior cat Gabby. I am currently the Museum Educator at Hearthstone Museum and I enjoy working evenings at a local movie theater. I am hoping to combine my interests in either film festival programming or movie museums—please reach out if you know of any opportunities.

Sara M. Klemme: I accepted a full-time track and field coaching position with Purdue University Northwest!

Dylan S. McMurray: This past year was all about growth. I was working as a research assistant in Alzheimer’s research at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. Well, I recently traded in my winter boots for the sunny skies of Los Angeles where I have started pharmacy school at the University of Southern California. I recently had my white coat ceremony.

Alexander J. Rothstein: After graduation, my partner and I moved to Pittsburgh where I began medical school at University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine. I’m currently in my 2nd year, and I love it! It’s been wonderful to keep playing saxophone and singing with my musical classmates too.

Helen E. Threlkeld: I am currently splitting my time between two dream careers! I have a permanent seasonal position as a wildland firefighter in Silverthorne, CO. I fought fires in Bears Ears National Monument on the first all-womxn hand crew from my region. This winter, I will start my rookie season as a ski patroller with Winter Park, CO—where I learned to ski!

2024

Nina Bernadette D. Austria: Nina Austria has returned to her alma mater, Stuart Country Day School, as an Upper School Computer Science Teacher, Technology Integration Specialist and Middle School Science Teacher. She attended Stuart from grades 6–12 and is excited to inspire the next generation of students in her new role!

Benjamin B. Campbell: I have just begun my first semester as a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison! I’m pursuing my master’s degree in violin performance and am having a blast as a member of the Rabin String Quartet, Madison’s graduate chamber ensemble.

Taylor S. DeCastro: I am currently attending the University of Washington for my MM but took a quick break to return to Appleton to reunite with my violin quartet—comprised of Ben Campbell ’24, Mia Kraker ’25, Thea Weinbeck ’25 and myself. Together, we performed Ben’s composition, “Earworm,” at Kaleidoscope 8 and it was such a sweet reunion!

Jacob Fisher: It was an amazing four years at Lawrence! Truly loved every minute of it. I am working at Sysco Foods as a sales consultant in the Chicagoland area. I am excited for this experience post-graduation. Best of luck to all the seniors wrapping up their final year in Appleton.

Matthew N. Kaznikov: Hi! I started working at Uline as a program manager in the corporate headquarters in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. I started in mid-July and it has been a blast. I’m starting real estate classes at the end of September with the goal of becoming a real estate agent beginning of the new year.

Logan C. Olson: After graduation, I moved to Chicago! I am working full time as an analyst at Northern Trust with their hedge fund and investor services team. The post-college transition was initially daunting, but I embraced the change and have settled in nicely. I am looking forward to visiting campus in October—go Vikings!

Haley T. Siculan: Since graduating in November 2023, I’ve volunteered with Tampa Bay Watch and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Petersburg, Florida; supervised the Junior Staff at McGaw YMCA’s Camp Echo in Fremont, MI; and started my Master of Science in Applied Ecology at Michigan Technological University! It’s been a busy year, but I’m excited for the future!

Henry J. Sipchen: I recently started a job as a project manager for Abbey Construction.

Trent A. Smock: I’m going to be working as a freelance editor for a while until I build up a good portfolio. I’ve got a lot of plans to move away from home and find my footing in the film industry, and it’ll probably take me quite a while to get where I want to be. I’ll get there though!

Nathan A. Vescio: I moved to Middleton. I now do a chemistry job during the day and go to Milwaukee to work theatre shows at night. I really miss you all a lot. Even those of you I don’t know, I miss you.

LTC John B. Gregg ’43, Brentwood, TN, May 23, 2024.

Dr. Janice J. Klemish ’44, Ripon, WI, July 3, 2024.

Roylee Ross Pflughoeft M-D’45, Milwaukee, WI, June 7, 2024.

Lotte Moritz Garber M-D’47, Goleta, CA, August 11, 2023.

James A. Taylor ’47, April 12, 2024.

Dolores Witt Lutz M-D’48, Richardson, TX, May 3, 2024.

Bernice Larson Nonenmacher M-D’48, Oneonta, NY, June 4, 2024.

Mary Meier Bick ’49, Campbellsport, WI, June 7, 2024

Barbara Donahue Larsen ’49, Sister Bay, WI, June 13, 2024.

Janice Matthews Neal M-D ’49, Cedar Falls, IA, September 7, 2024.

Robert M. Sperry ’49, Foyil, OK, May 1, 2024. Family includes Susan Sperry Maple ’72; Elizabeth Sperry Schneider ’49

Janet Tippet Goldsmith ’50, Milwaukee, WI, July 29, 2024. Family includes Rev. Sylvia Tippet Nelson ’54; Andrew D. Tippet ’89; Ralph B. Tippet ’54.

Richard C. Schmidt ’50, Fort Pierce, FL, October 26, 2022.

Durward W. Gauthier ’51, New Berlin, WI, April 4, 2024.

Nancy Sorkness Henning M-D ’51, Fort Collins, CO, June 8, 2024.

Julia Peerenboom Nord ’51, Menlo Park, CA, May 25, 2024.

Robert J. Schaupp ’51 P’86, Ephraim, WI, April 15, 2024. Family includes Christina S. Schaupp ’15; Elizabeth Schaupp Sidles ’86.

Grace Tripp Schroff M-D ’51, Springfield, MO, July 7, 2024.

Robert B. Thompson ’51, Naples, FL, September 20, 2024.

Margaret Seftenberg Carpenter ’52, Arlington, TX, July 28, 2024.

Dr. William W. Cooley ’52, Verona, PA, July 17, 2024. Family includes Cynthia Furber Cooley ’53.

Charles J. Holderby ’52, May 3, 2024.

Margaret Ferry Roseboom M-D ’53, Katy, TX, June 11, 2024.

Elizabeth Schumacher Windsor M-D ’53, Peoria, IL, July 12, 2024.

Edward L. Grosse ’54, La Grange Park, IL, April 1, 2024. Family includes Carson E. Becker ’20.

Alice Lalk Mumme ’54, Topsham, ME, July 18, 2024.

Marilla Allen Quinn M-D ’54, Elkhart Lake, WI, July 7, 2024.

Alberta Okumura Sasaki M-D ’54, Honolulu, HI, August 16, 2024.

Elizabeth McIntyre Gibson ’55, Kenilworth, IL, May 2, 2024.

Beverly Born Hunt M-D ’55, University Park, FL, June 13, 2024.

Nicholas T. Kaiser ’55 P’84, Goulais River, CA, June 5, 2024. Family includes Douglas F. Kaiser ’84; Jane Kaiser Reckmeyer ’57; Charlotte M. Williams ’54.

Ben C. Stone ’55, De Pere, WI, July 12, 2024.

Marlene Crupi Widen M-D ’55, Wauwatosa, WI, May 21, 2024.

Clare Teitgen Marsh ’56, Brookfield, WI, September 19, 2023.

Joanne Jacobsen Nelson ’56, Chevy Chase, MD, May 29, 2024. Family includes Douglas M. Reimer ’55; June Jacobsen Reimer ’54.

Marlene Brockman Thomsen ’56, Valders, WI, September 14, 2024.

Clay R. Williams ’57, Milwaukee, WI, January 14, 2024.

Joseph V. Ceske ’58, Torrance, CA, April 27, 2024. Family includes Brigitte R. Boucher ’05

John W. Chapman, Jr. ’58, Holmen, WI, May 22, 2024.

Joyce C. Jacobson ’58, Brookfield, WI, March 8, 2024.

Richard F. Schwarze ’58, Beavercreek, OH, September 7, 2024.

Donald L. Wolf ’58, Elkhorn, WI, May 18, 2024.

Bernice Nickolaisen Kwan M-D’59, Loveland, CO, May 22, 2024.

Nancy Bauer Mousley ’59, Dewey, AZ, September 1, 2024.

Harold H. Benware ’60, Scottsdale, AZ, August 8, 2024.

Richard J. Lingle ’60, Tempe, AZ, June 1, 2024

Lucy J. Nylund ’60, Cambridge, MA, April 9, 2024

Susan Buettner Purtell ’60, West Bend, WI, May 28, 2024.

Karla Heinemann Ramsey ’60, Delray Beach, FL, May 7, 2024. Family includes Elizabeth Beyer Conway ’53; Paul F. Ramsey ’58.

Janis Lindgren Sargeant ’60, Scottsdale, AZ, June 21, 2024.

Nancy Shepherd Schloemer ’60, April 29, 2023.

Mary Wilder Perry ’61, Mount Prospect, IL, March 26, 2024. Family includes Weston A. Evans ’72

Carol Neibel Wise M-D’61, Elkhart Lake, WI, May 4, 2024.

Piret Korkmann Munger M-D’62, San Diego, CA, July 24, 2024.

Patricia Webb Thomas ’62 P’92 ’87, Kalamazoo, MI, August 10, 2024. Family includes Sarah Thomas Arnold ’92; William W. Thomas ’87.

Nancy A. Conrads ’63, Rockford, IL, April 14, 2024.

Linda Burch Eiserloh ’63, Tryon, NC, April 30, 2024. Family includes Clifford M. Burch ’03; K. Coralee Burch ’64

Richard Foster ’63, Milwaukee, WI, April 17, 2024.

Bronson R. Hall ’63, Highland Park, IL, April 27, 2024.

Sara Steven Stout ’63, Bloomington, MN, June 3, 2024. Family includes Rev. Lucinda Steven Duncan ’66; Roger S. Duncan ’94; William S. Stout ’62

Martin B. Mattern ’64, Mundelein, IL, July 27, 2024

Fred Nordeen ’66, Burnsville, MN, September 16, 2024. Family includes Ann Nordeen Henry ’62.

Judith Pauni Takkunen ’66, Minneapolis, MN, June 28, 2024.

Ralph P. Hartley, Jr. ’67, Fishers, IN, September 9, 2024.

Philip R. Anderson ’70, Golden Valley, MN, May 2, 2024.

Michael G. Vogt ’71, Ypsilanti, MI, May 29, 2024.

Jane Keown Oliver ’72, Sutton, MA, April 12, 2024. Family includes Kris J. Oliver ’72.

Patricia J. Waddell ’76, Billings, MT, December 18, 2022.

Ann M. Kohl-Re ’83, La Crosse, WI, May 24, 2024.

Christopher J. Rigby ’83, Asheville, NC, June 26, 2024.

Charles F. McKinster ’85, La Plata, MD, May 7, 2024.

IN MEMORIAM

David A. Wolff ’89, Evanston, IL, August 27, 2024. Family includes Jennifer G. Wolff ’87.

Samuel J. Buckett ’02, Leopolis, WI, April 1, 2024. Family includes Amy R. Gammon ’05.

Matthew P. Gray ’02, Elm Grove, WI, April 16, 2024. Family includes Dr. Laura D. Gray ’04; Maraty Theinpeng Gray ’03.

Trent J. Jacobs ’03, Eau Claire, WI, June 6, 2024. Family includes Sarah Matthews Jacobs ’04.

MARRIAGES

IN MEMORIAM

FACULTY,

STAFF AND FRIENDS

Natalie A. Black, Kohler, WI, September 10, 2024.

Professor Chong-do Hah P’98 ’83, Appleton, WI, June 24, 2024. Family includes Andrew W. Hah ’98; M. Kim Hah ’83.

Keith R. Hansen, Appleton, WI, June 12, 2024.

Professor Mary H. Poulson, Cascade, WI, August 7, 2024.

Dr. Anne Witherell, Neenah, WI, September 16, 2024.

Hanah J. McCarthy ’09 and Mitchell Blaszczyk, Belgrade, MT, July 7, 2024

BIRTHS AND ADOPTIONS

Jake A. Crowe ’ 10 , a daughter, Lola, November 30, 2023

Vitaly Lorman ’10 and Claire Ruberman, Evanston, Illinois, a daughter, Emma, July 19, 2024

Catherine Albright Crawford ’11 and John Crawford ’11, Madison, Wisconsin, a son, William Eoin Albright Crawford, May 10, 2024

Benjamin M. Levine ’11 and Lauren, Chicago, Illinois, a son, Mark David, May 2, 2024

CHONG-DO HAH

Chong-do Hah, a beloved professor of government who taught generations of Lawrentians during a brilliant 42-year career, passed away June 24, 2024, at the age of 96. Born in Koje, Korea, Hah moved to the United States in 1952. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Indiana University, a master’s degree at the University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. from Indiana University before joining the Lawrence faculty in 1961. He served on the faculty until retiring in 2003 (and taught some classes for a number of years following retirement). He was widely respected for his intellectual rigor and global expertise, and he remained connected as a mentor to many of his students long after they graduated from Lawrence.

MARY HEINECKE

POULSON

Lawrence University trailblazer and Hall of Fame coach Mary Heinecke Poulson died Aug. 7, 2024, in Appleton. She was 94. A member of the faculty at Milwaukee-Downer College and then Lawrence, Poulson’s presence was felt in many ways. She mentored generations of students, continuing long after her retirement in 1993. She was instrumental in the building of women’s athletics at Lawrence, and her impact in the Fox Valley community was deep and lasting. She is a charter member of the Lawrence Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame and served as the head coach of five teams during her time at Lawrence.

MARLENE WIDEN MD’55

Marlene Widen passed away May 21, 2024, at age 90. Her name is synonymous with dedication to MilwaukeeDowner College and Lawrence University. As president of the Milwaukee-Downer Alumnae Association during the 1964 consolidation, she helped guide the process with grace. Her leadership continued through planning reunions and fundraising, eventually serving as national chair of the Lawrence-Downer Legacy Circle and honorary chair of the Be the Light! campaign. Marlene and her husband, Len (an honorary Downerite), established the Leonard A. and Marlene Crupi Widen Milwaukee-Downer Scholarship at Lawrence, ensuring the Milwaukee Downer legacy will live on in the lives of Lawrence students.

The BIG Picture

First-year student Gabriel Hernandez is welcomed to campus with enthusiasm at the New Student Kickoff on Main Hall Green.

BY

PHOTO

DANNY DAMIANI

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