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.

’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.

’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.

’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.

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

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.

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

’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.