University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Alumni Class Notes-April 2023

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE

CLASS NOTES

APRIL 2023

CLASS NOTES SUBMITTED JANUARY 15 - MARCH 15, 2023

’75

Frank Pokrop, Carlsbad, California, is a senior director at Quidel in San Diego. ’77

Jim Reynolds, Chicago, Illinois, founder, chairman and CEO of Loop Capital, will receive the prestigious Lincoln Leadership Prize from the Lincoln Presidential Foundation. The annual award recognizes a lifetime of exceptional service in the spirit of the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. It honors individuals who accept the responsibilities imposed by history and demanded by

conscience, who show great strength of character and exhibit unwavering commitment to the defining principles of democracy. A 30-year veteran of the financial services industry, Reynolds leads the largest minority-owned investment banking firm in the U.S.

’80

Mary Kolar, Madison, retired as the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs secretary Jan. 2, 2023. Kolar was appointed by Gov. Evers in 2019. Prior to serving as secretary, she represented downtown Madison on the Dane County Board of Supervisors from 2013-19, worked with the Dane County Veterans Service Office, and served on many community-based organizations, including as vice president of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation’s Board of Directors.

’83

Margaret “Peggy” Seegers-Braun, ’83 & ’97, Waukesha, is the athletic director at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School in Milwaukee. She received the 2022 National Federation of State High School Associations Citation Award, the 12th recipient from Wisconsin since 1971 and only the second woman from Wisconsin to receive the award. The National Federation of State High School Associations presents citations to outstanding athletic administrators to recognize contributions to interscholastic athletics at the local, state and national levels.

Jim Reynolds, ’77

Peggy Seegers-Braun, ’83

’84

Mary Ellen McCartney, La Crosse, has retired as chief human resources officer at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse after nearly 35 years there. “Over the years, I have had a lifetime of opportunities to learn and grow with Gundersen,” says McCartney. “I cannot possibly chronicle that growth, but I know for certain that I have been immeasurably enriched and would most certainly say ‘yes’ again to a career at Gundersen.”

’86

Ellen L. McGough, West Kingston, Rhode Island, has joined the PACERI board of directors. McGough, a licensed physical therapist, is a professor and department chair of physical therapy at the University of Rhode Island. She also serves as an affiliate professor at the University of Washington biobehavioral nursing department, participating in research. Licensed in Rhode Island and Washington, McGough is also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. She currently serves on the URI Faculty Senate, as a member of the Ph.D. in Health

Sciences Committee and as a member of the Rhode Island Collaborative for Interprofessional Education Committee. PACE-RI, pace-ri.org, is the non-profit health plan for adults 55 and older who have chronic health needs and wish to remain living at home.

’87

Randy Breeser, Genoa, has retired as a data acquisition program manager with the National Weather Service in La Crosse.

’89

Joseph A. Bell, Cedarburg, is senior managerenterprise risk at the ManpowerGroup in Milwaukee.

Mary Ellen McCartney, ’84

Ellen McGough, ’86

Joseph Bell, ’89

’91

Chris Schumacher, ’91 & ’92, will become athletic director at Ripon College June 1. Schumacher has 30 years of experience in administrative work and coaching at private, liberal arts, Division III institutions. He currently serves as assistant athletic director for diversity, equity and inclusion and the director of track and field operations at Illinois Wesleyan University. He also is a professor in the kinesiology department. As the university’s director of track & field and head women's coach, Schumacher’s teams claimed four NCAA III national championships.

’94

Sara Wiley has been named a 2023 National Girls & Women in Sports Day-Minnesota honoree for the "Breaking Barriers" Award. She was recognized during the 2023 National Girls & Women in Sports Day-Minnesota Celebration Feb. 1. Wiley joined the University of Minnesota in 1994 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach in the Women’s Athletic Department. Since, she has ascended the department’s ranks and in 2020 was promoted to associate athletic director for Olympic Athletic Performance. With the Gophers, she’s worked behind the scenes with a multitude of AllAmerican and All-B1G studentathletes, as well as six

B1G championship teams and seven NCAA Final Four teams. She worked with the Minnesota softball team when it made its Softball College World Series appearance in 2018. In July 2008, Wiley was named the 2007-08 National Strength Coach of the Year by the National Strength Coaches Association, just the second female in the award’s 40-year history. ’99

Misty (Gorski) Miller, Elk Mound, owns Life Perks Coffee Co. in Elk Mound. ’05

Leah E. LeFebvre, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is an associate professor at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Jessica Longworth, Milwaukee, is a medical director with Pfizer.

Siobhann (Allen) Steindorf, La Crosse, is an information systems team leader for DuraTech Indus tries in La Crosse.

Chris Schumacher, ’91 & ’92

Sara Wiley, ’94

’07

Brian, ’07 & ’08, and Amy (Beam), ’08, Cleven, live in Marinette. Brian is a clinical exercise physiologist at Bellin Health in Marinette. He graduated with a bachelor’s in athletic training in ’07 and a master’s in clinical exercise physiology in ’08. He was named a Top 3 International Finalist for the American College of Sports Medicine Certified Professional of the Year for 2023. The top three and the finalist were set to be named during the ACSM International Health and Fitness Summit March 18.

Brian leads the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs and supervises diagnostic cardiac stress testing at Bellin Health Marinette in northeastern Wisconsin. He infuses his passion for health and wellness to positively impact patients, team members, his family and the greater community. He “walks the walk” as a 10-time Ironman Triathlon Finisher and has run a minimum of one mile each day since July 2, 2010. Brian and his team created and directed the Bellin 5K Heart Run, which has engaged community members ages 1-94.

’10

David Marek, Collierville, Tennessee, is an emergency medicine physician in Memphis.

Miranda Panzer, ’10 & ’12, La Crosse, was awarded a La Crosse Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leader Award at the Young Professionals Awards banquet Jan. 19.

’11

Zebulin, ’11, and Lauren (Webb), ’12, Secrist live in Hastings, Minnesota. Zebulin works for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Lauren is an emergency medicine physician’s assistant at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Brian Cleven, ’07 & ’08

Miranda Panzer, ’10 & ’12

’13

Jessica (Herrmann), ’13 & ’18, and Michael, ’14, Meeusen live in Grafton. Jessica is a physical therapist with Integra in Fox Point. Michael works for Optum.

convention. Doyle works with the Fairfax County School District, one of the 15th largest in the U.S.

Chelsea (Hahn) Kujawa, Wauwatosa, is the association director of healthy living at the YMCA of Greater Waukesha County in New Berlin. Kujawa is working with alum Kristen Deal to start a cardiac rehab maintenance program at the YMCA of Greater Waukesha County. “We’re excited to give our community additional resources when it comes to heart health,” she says.

Alex Joers, Madison, was elected state representative for Wisconsin's 79th Assembly District.

Cadi (Baldwin) Doyle was named the 2022 Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year in Virginia during the state’s education

Derek N. Edwards, Centennial, Colorado, teaches at JK Mullen High School in Denver. After graduating, Edwards spent a year in the Caribbean, where he was able to experience what he learned in ENG 200: Caribbean Literature. “I learned so

much about myself and the world around me there,” he says. When Edwards became ill with a tropical disease, he returned to the U.S. and then the pandemic hit. Teaching in Denver, he says it’s incredible how his UWL courses and Caribbean experience provided him the tools to succeed. “UWL offered so many unique courses like History of Religions and surveys in the world religions, Caribbean Literature, World Archaeology, and many more that have shaped my teaching style and perspectives,” he explains. “I'm grateful to the university for preparing me for more than just a degree, but an educational experience that translated into real life.” ’21

Pamela Gramer, La Crosse, is a house manager at Chileda in La Crosse.

Chancellor Joe Gow with Alex Joers, ’15

’22Ryley Butler Modaff is a graduate assistant with the Student Activities Board at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

Amanda (Wesche)

Krafft, La Crosse, is program coordinator for civic engagement and leadership at UWL.

Faith Moser, La Crosse, is a behavior technician at Chileda in La Crosse.

Cierra Neitzel, Madison, is an adviser and student-athlete academic mentor at UW Etended Campus, UW-Madison.

Faithful friends

Dan Kraeger, left, and Jeff Jasurda were student athletic trainers at UWL in the late ’70s. But life didn’t get in the way, totally, for them to not catch up.

They last saw each other 44 years ago when Kraeger, ’83, left for spring training to become the athletic trainer for the Appleton Foxes. Jasurda graduated in May ’79 and headed to Phillips, Wisconsin, to begin teaching health and physical education.

Fast forward 44 years. Kraeger heard about Jasurda’s mom dying and tracked him down to offer his condolences.

Eventually, they reunited for lunch in Wausau. Kraeger presented Jasurda with a 12-pack of Diet Pepsi, making good on a long-ago made bet and Jasurda scored more points on an exam in a class they had together.

“Gosh, it was great meeting up with you today. We talked as if we have been in contact with each other often,” wrote Jasurda in a follow-up email after the visit. “We just connected without skipping a beat. Love it!”

Kraeger says that’s more proof that making memories at UWL truly does last a lifetime.

In Remembrance

Alumni

1946 — Doris (Hanson) Yeske, Onalaska.

1947 — Ruth (Leirmo) Lightfoot, Ferryville.

1951 — Robert “Bob” Batchelder, Wilmington, North Carolina.

1951 — Ruth (Selleck) Lamke, Onalaska.

1951 — Ruth (Uischner) Pongratz, Caledonia, Minnesota.

1954 — Mary (Duren) Hecht, Fitchburg.

1956 — Janis Johnson, Onalaska.

1956 — John “Jack” Kellesvig, Sun Prairie.

1956 — Patricia “Pat” Senn, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

1956 — Barbara (Fisler) Thomas, Fishers, Indiana.

1960 — Lois Craig, Santee, California.

1960 — Dianne (Temp) Erickson, Plymouth.

1960 — Margaret Sannes, Waunakee.

1962 & ’69— Gary William Coorough, La Crosse.

1964 — Suzanne Tabbert, Appleton.

Faculty & Staff

Robert W. Batchelder

Robert W. (Bob) Batchelder, ’51, died Jan. 8, 2023. Also known as “Coach” and “Batch,” Batchelder turned down an offer to play for the Green Bay Packers after a stellar performance in the 1951 Cigar Bowl. Instead, he pursued graduate degrees in educational administration. He joined the UWL Exercise and Sport Science Department in 1956. Batchelder became a full professor in 1965 and

1965 — Larry Dittman, Onalaska.

1965 — Ann Enos Kurth, Westby.

1965 — Frank Rudrud, Weirsdale, Florida.

1967 — Karen (Johnson) Zimpel, Rice Lake.

1968 — Eleanor Bagstad, Westby.

1972 — Linda (Nelson) Bleskachek, Hudson.

1972 — Robert Grathen, La Crosse.

1972 — David “Dave” Manke, Lodi.

1973 & ’75 — Sarah (Widstrand) Gudgeon, Viroqua.

1973 — Thomas “Tom” Hoof, Watertown.

1975 — Thomas “Tom” King, Hartford.

1976 — Michael Walters, Bangor.

1987 — Bridget (Schaefer) Hanchette, La Crosse.

1992 — Sarah Boardman, De Soto.

1997 — Kraig Hoff, West Salem.

2004 — Ryan Donovan, Fort Collins, Colorado.

coached football, basketball and golf, as well as established the wrestling program. He chaired the department from 1970-75, received an Excellence in Teaching Award and retired as professor emeritus in 1988. He is survived by a son, Craig, and grandchildren. Send memorials to the Robert W. and Beverly J. Batchelder Scholarship, UWL Foundation, 615 East Ave. N., La Crosse, WI 54601

Gary William Coorough

Gary William Coorough, 83, died Feb. 2, 2023, at his La Crosse home after a long-fought battle with several medical conditions. Coorough, ’62 & ’69, taught at Lincoln Junior High for five years before joining the UWL faculty in 1968. He then earned his master's from UWL in 1969 and continued working on campus for 36 years, running the film library and eventually textbook rental until retiring in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and four children. Send memorials to the UWL Foundation, 615 East Ave. N., La Crosse, WI 54601. See a complete obituary.

Lee

Glasel

Lee James Glasel died Feb. 20 in La Crosse. Glasel taught music and English in Abbotsford and Marshfield before coming to UWL in 1962 as an instructor in the English Department. He taught until retiring in 1991 as professor emeritus. Glasel was a wellknown trumpet player in La Crosse. He was a founding member of the Tom Lee Orchestra, the Grumpy Old Men Big Band and the Seven Rivers Jazz Band. During summer, he traveled with the Clyde Beatty – Cole Bros. Circus, playing trumpet with the band. Read his obituary.

master’s and began teaching at Wayne State College. He and his wife, Barbara, came to La Crosse in 1966 where he joined the Biology Department. Barb later worked in Murphy Library. In 1970, he earned a doctorate from the University of Georgia. Nord mentored faculty over the years and chaired the Faculty Senate. In 1973, he was one of six faculty honored as an “Outstanding Educator in America,” based on contributions to teaching, administrative abilities, community service and professional recognition. Nord retired as professor emeritus in 1995. Barbara worked in Murphy Library until 1998. They relocated to Arizona. Send memorials to the UWL Foundation, 615 East Ave. N., La Crosse, WI 54601. See a complete obituary.

Leonard Stach

Richard P. Nord

Richard “Dick” P. Nord died Feb. 17, 2023, in Flagstaff, Arizona. Nord earned a bachelor’s at Moorhead State College in 1962. He continued his education at the University of Mississippi, earning a

Leonard “Len” Stach died in early 2023 in La Crosse. Stach earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University and a master’s from the University of Montana. He taught at Earlham College, Washington State University and Arizona Western College before joining the Art Department in 1970 as a ceramics instructor. He continued his education and earned an M.F.A. from UW-Milwaukee in 1973. During his tenure, he served as gallery director, department chair and a member of the Faculty Senate. He retired in 1997.