Wayland Academy
GR EE TINGS SPRING 2020
Students Share Their Wayland Moments HOW A STUDENT’S TIME AT WAYLAND CAN CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF THEIR LIFE. pg 15
9 21 23
DIVERSITY
ASSIST Scholars SERVICE
Distinguished Service Award NEWS & NOTES
Alumni Gatherings
Wayland Academy
G R EE T I NGS
Wayland Academy Greetings, March 2020 The Oldest Alumni Publication in America wayland.org
IN THIS ISSUE
PAG E 1 1
How I Came to Wayland Academy
Greetings is published for the alumni, parents, students, friends, and staff of Wayland Academy. We welcome letters concerning the content of this magazine and/or issues relating to the Academy. Letters must be signed and we ask that you include your address and daytime number for verification purposes. The editorial staff retains the right to edit at their discretion. Send correspondence to: Greetings Editor, Wayland Academy 101 North University Avenue Beaver Dam, WI 53916 Or email the Editor at: esorvik@wayland.org
PAG E 1 8
Waylandtines Shines Brightly
Joseph A. Lennertz H`86 Head of School jlennertz@wayland.org
contributors Emily Schroeder Orvik Editor, Director of Communications esorvik@wayland.org Kendall A. Vingua `02 News & Notes Editor, Director of Alumni Relations kvingua@wayland.org Linda Fischer H`92 Copy Editor Faculty Emerita Judy L. Hill H`08 Director of Advancement jhill@wayland.org Justin Behm Photographer, Fine Arts Co-Chair jbehm@wayland.org
Kelly A. Neuert H`17 Director of Donor Relations kneuert@wayland.org Tyler Ratajczak Leadership Gift Officer tratajczak@wayland.org Erica Vande Zande Advancement Associate evandezande@wayland.org
Greetings
Alumni to Know
Amanda Zopp Director of Annual Fund azopp@wayland.org
design & illustration Ariel Esser arielesser@gmail.com
on the cover: The third floor balcony of Warren Cottage provided a bird's-eye view of activity on Janik Terrace. 1
PAG E 1 9
PAG E 2 5
Alumni News & Notes
G R EE T I N G S G R EE T I N G
By Joseph A. Lennertz H`86
ESEARCHERS REPORT that humans make roughly 35,000 decisions in a day. Some are almost automatic, while others require deliberate thought. In this edition of Greetings you’ll read how the decision of a 17-year old international student led him to an academic career at Wayland in the 1950s, and how his experience here created opportunities to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Brown University and more, enabling him to pursue opportunities around the globe.
R
Students continue to meet the world at Wayland. Since the 1981-1982 school year Wayland has hosted 125 ASSIST international scholars, the second highest participation rate out of more than 100 schools. A current ASSIST scholar and an alumnus of the program agree that their decision to be part of the Wayland community have been positively life changing. Our students continue to achieve and make the most of their educational and extra-curricular opportunities. They are learning that sometimes their most ordinary decisions become the moments they most remember about their Wayland experience. You might recognize personal parallels in their reflections that encourage you to share how your Wayland Moment has influenced your life. I’ve appreciated the opportunity to personally meet and greet our broader Wayland community of
alumni, parents, and supporters at gatherings held across the country. It’s wonderful to get updates about what our alumni are doing and to hear how their post-secondary careers have been influenced by their time on campus. In this edition we’re debuting an Alumni to Know feature–three alumni share their career path, their current projects, and their favorite Wayland memory. It’s a feature that we will alternate with Eight Questions, which debuted last fall and provides a more indepth profile of a graduate’s postWayland experiences and career.
You might recognize personal parallels in their reflections and I encourage you to share how your Wayland Moment has influenced your life.
We’ll soon celebrate commencement as the Class of 2020 dons their gowns and mortarboards, and rings the Victory Bell one last time. Details about the activities to acknowledge all our students, but especially the graduating class, are highlighted in this edition. It will be interesting to witness how their decisions influence their post-secondary achievements.
above Joseph Lennertz H`86 taking a photo of the traditional Watermelon softball game played by Ms. Martha Kesler's H`08 English class during the last day of classes in 2019. Spring 2020
2
CAMPUS NEWS
Commencement 2020
Commencement Celebration Details Announced The annual Commencement Celebration in May includes an Alumni Breakfast for the graduating class, the Cum Laude Luncheon (by invitation), Baccalaureate, Senior Music Recital, Class Reception at Patterson House, and Commencement. All students, faculty, family, and guests of the graduates gather to celebrate the seniors’ achievements and wish them well. Visit wayland.org/commencement for additional details. SUNDAY, MAY 3 6 p.m. Formal Dinner, Pickard Dining Hall. 7 p.m. Honors Convocation, Kimberly Chapel. 8 p.m. Ice Cream Social for students, faculty and staff in Pickard Dining Hall. SATURDAY, MAY 16 8:45 a.m. Alumni Breakfast, Pickard Dining Hall. Noon Cum Laude Society Luncheon, Pickard Dining Hall (by invitation). 5 p.m. Baccalaureate, Kimberly Chapel, for parents, faculty, staff, guests, and students. 5:45-6:45 p.m. Buffet Dinner, Pickard Dining Hall, for parents, faculty, staff, guests, and students. 7 p.m. Senior Music Recital, Kimberly Chapel, for parents, faculty, staff, guests, and students. 7:45 p.m. Dessert Reception for the Class of 2020 at Patterson House. Parents of seniors, faculty, staff, and guests are welcome. SUNDAY, MAY 17 10 a.m. Senior Class Photo, steps of Wayland Hall. 11 a.m. Commencement, Lindsay Auditorium. 12:30-1:30 p.m. Buffet Luncheon, Pickard Dining Hall for 2020 graduates, current students, parents, trustees, faculty, staff, and guests. 3
Greetings
Class of 2020 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Named In preparation for Commencement on Sunday, May 17, 2020, the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2020 have been named. These honors are awarded by the faculty to the seniors who best exemplify Wayland’s motto of “Knowledge and Character.” In addition to their high academic achievements, these students also demonstrate a strong commitment to Wayland’s ideals. The Valedictorian is Matthew Wagner of Franklin Grove, IL. Robert Stenzel of Beaver Dam, WI, will be the Salutatorian. Additional student honors and awards are announced during the commencement ceremony. Four members of the Class of 2021 were selected as Junior Marshals. Congratulations to Claudia Loppnow and, Eva Putnam, both from Beaver Dam, WI, Bill Qin of Brea, CA, and Max Wierenga of Waupun, WI. Junior Marshals lead the academic procession and perform other duties during the commencement ceremony.
This year’s commencement speaker is retiring Head of School Joseph A. Lennertz H`86.
SENIOR CAPSTONE FAIR SCHEDULED FOR SPRING FAMILY WEEKEND
SELECT CAPSTONE PROJECTS
See all of this year’s Capstone projects and speak with the students who created them at the Senior Capstone Fair on Friday, April 17 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Swan Library as part of Spring Family Weekend. The Capstone may focus on nearly any discipline but must produce an artifact that is documented and defended in a presentation to their faculty advisor and Swan Library Director Lori Bird, the current Capstone coordinator. Projects have included an effort to reduce the use of plastic straws in local restaurants to creating, painting a mural for the Wayland Fieldhouse, learning the art of blacksmithing, and mastering the finer points of baking.
In an effort to curb plastic waste, Tia Thomas `20 developed a campaign for restaurants around town to encourage their patrons to opt out of using plastic straws.
Capstone projects will also be shared online at wayland.org/academics/capstone.
Sean Bennett `20 created inspirational messages on fired clay stones. The messages were hidden throughout campus to be randomly discovered and encourage the finder.
For his capstone, Matthew Wagner `20 learned to play the guitar and formed a student rock band named Cordially Invited. The group explored progressive and classic rock music during a Friday evening concert on campus with Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven as the concert finale. Pictured above from left to right are Robert Stenzel `20, Matthew Wagner `20, and Danny Liu `20. Max Wierenga `21 looked at ease on the drums. Spring 2020
4
CAMPUS NEWS
Academics at Wayland
FORENSICS WINS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE CONFERENCE TITLE Imagine an extracurricular event that forces you to confront an activity most people are terrified of–public speaking. Members of Wayland’s Forensics team overcome any signs of glossophobia to deliver their selections at least three times during a forensics meet. Usually, after the initial rounds, speakers with the highest rankings move on to the coveted power round which determines the category champions. Competition categories can range from prose, poetry, oratory and demonstration speaking to playacting, social occasion speaking, and radio announcing. Wayland’s Forensics team concluded their season on Saturday, February 8, with a first-place finish in the small school division at the Beaver Dam Invitational. Earlier in the week, the team won their fourth consecutive Trailways Conference Championship during an evening festival in Markesan, WI. Highlight from the season included three medals for Tessa WilsonBrown `22 in Demonstration Speaking, and two medals for Danny Liu `20 and Emily Harmon `22 in Play Acting. Single medal winners this season were Li Li `20, Vinh Nguyen `21, Noah Padilla `21, Alex Walker `20, Beca Hodlofski `20, and Alexis Spears `20. Seven students, Danny Liu `20, Emily Harmon `22, Beca Hodlofski `20, Alexis Spears `20, Vinh Nguyen `21, Alex Walker `20, and Tessa Wilson-Brown `22, will advance to the State Forensics Competition on April 4 at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The team gathered for a momentary celebration before boarding the bus back home to Wayland. 5
Greetings
COLD ENOUGH FOR YOU? As part of her Honors Science project, Carmen Kehrmeyer `23 enlisted the Wayland community as subjects in an experiment to test pain endurance. Does distraction change the severity of pain? And would the experience of subjects playing a game on a smart phone be different than those scrolling through social media? Volunteers reported to the new biology lab in Discovery Hall. Pants legs rolled, shoes and socks removed, subjects gingerly placed their feet into dishpans of ice water. One group perused social media, another played a specific online game, while the final group appeared to be in varying states of discomfort. Results of this research and other Honors Science projects will be on display in Room 129 of Discovery Hall as part of Spring Family Weekend on April 17 and 18.
above Winnie White `23, Jared Sullivan `20 & Griffin Hughland `22 prepare to chill out as Gaby Johnson `22 pours more ice into the water. right Carmen Kehrmeyer `23 (standing) checked on the status of her research subjects. She designed and ran the experiment over two days to collect data for her Honors Science project.
MODEL UN STUDENTS DEVELOP SKILLS ADDRESSING REAL-WORLD SITUATIONS Fourteen Wayland students, accompanied by Liberty Bell H`14 and James Cleary, attended the 32 Annual Conference of the Model United Nations of the University of Chicago in early February. More than 3,000 high-school students assume the roles of ambassadors and diplomats for several days of stimulating discussion, growth, and fun at this nationally recognized conference. In addition to sessions on pertinent real-world topics such as cybersecurity, world health, and international governance, students listened to a keynote address by well-known political consultant David Axelrod. He is known for being the Chief Strategist for Barack Obama's presidential campaigns and after Obama's election, served as a Senior Advisor to the President.
Students studied their materials carefully while preparing for sessions. The conference is known for helping students develop personal and professional skills while having an opportunity to interact, collaborate, and debate with students from different backgrounds representing different beliefs than their own.
Wayland's UNICEF yoga "warriors" – Elevated Yoga studio owner Livia Schomber, Beth Ratajczak `96, Eva Putnam `21, Molly Davis `22 and Sandra Elgizooli `21 – before their charity yoga class one Saturday morning at Elevated Yoga just blocks off campus. The club raised money for the Sudanese Child Education Movement.
Spring 2020
6
CAMPUS NEWS
Arts at Wayland STUDENTS PREPARE FOR WSMA SOLO AND ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL The Winter Studio Recital, part of Wayland’s Fine Arts Week Celebration in February served as an ideal dress-rehearsal for the Wisconsin State Music Association (WSMA) Solo and Ensemble Festival happening later in the month. Wayland’s entries for the competition include 20 vocal solos encompassing classical and music theater, 10 piano pieces, six instrumental numbers, and the jazz ensemble. District Solo and Ensemble Festivals, attract more than 100,000 students in grades 6 to 12 each year, representing every county in the state of Wisconsin! Through the experience, students learn the discipline of rehearsal, are challenged to advance their musical skills, perform in front of an audience and adjudicator, and receive feedback on their performance. Those that perform at the highest level (Class A) at a District Festival have the opportunity to receive a 1* (one-star) rating which advances them to State Solo & Ensemble Festival, held on Saturday, April 25 in Oshkosh; one of the largest such events in the nation. See a listing of results and more photos from Wayland’s Fine Arts events at wayland.org/finearts. above Tony Tran `20 playing Fantasia in D Minor. left Annabelle Clark `22 sang A Fine, Fine Line.
7
Greetings
EMPTY BOWLS RETURNS FOR A THIRD YEAR
CAST ANNOUNCED FOR SPRING THEATER PRODUCTION
Each February the Art Club, under the guidance of Wayland’s Resident Artist Justin Behm, decorates hand-thrown bowls as part of a soup meal that invites the community to campus in Pickard Dining Hall.
Don't Drink the Water, written by Woody Allen, premiered on Broadway in 1966. The farce takes place inside an American Embassy in an unidentified country behind the Iron Curtain. While the Ambassador is away, an American family of tourists find themselves in trouble with the Communist police. Misunderstandings abound, romance blooms, and riots result as the story unfolds.
One hundred bowls were made this year. Proceeds will go to the Dodge County Senior Dining program which operates seven dining centers across the county and has nine home delivered meal routes available to help support the nutrition needs of older persons in our community.
Students gathered during Open Studio on Wednesday evenings to dip glaze the bowls and work on other art projects.
WAYLAND ENGLISH FACULTY MEMBER PUBLISHES SECOND NOVEL Wayland English teacher Andrew McDonnell’s latest novel, November 1 2 3, debuted on Amazon.com in mid-February. He explained the premise in a social media post, “This last summer, I was kind of fed up with the news, and I thought, it would be nice if we could get all this election-malarkey over with. Who needs the suspense? So, then I blacked out, and when I woke up five months later, I had written a prophetic novel that reveals the whole thing!” This is Mr. McDonnell’s second novel. His previous book, All Animals Versus All Humans was published in 2014 and is also available online.
The cast, in order of appearance, includes Vincent Nguyen `21 as Father Drobney, Molly Davis `22 as Ambassador Magee, Emily Harmon `22 as Kilroy, Kevin Byrne `21 as Axel Magee, Liz Fogarty `20 as Marion Hollander, Alex Walker `20 as Walter Hollander, Hannah Pippenger `23 as Susan Hollander, Albert Ho `23 as Krojack, Annabelle Clark `22 as Burns, Gaby Johnson `22 as Chef, Danny Liu `20 as the Sultan of Bashir, Emma Vickers `21 as the Sultan’s First Wife, Eli Pippenger `20 as Kasnar, and Lizzie Tallman `20 as Countess Bordoni. Erin Tallman `23, Lori Nadjingar `22, Oshane Vaccianna `20, Sean Bennet `20, Shawnell Sims-Ceballos `23 are cast as party guests. Soldiers will be played by Niveah Evans `23, Marcin Ciaston `21, and Anton Altundas `21. Performances will in the Lindsay Auditorium at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, and at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, April 16 and 17. Tickets available at the door. $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors.
Spring 2020
8
DIVERSITY
Students Meet the World at Wayland
Over the course of 50 years, 5,385 outstanding students from 52 countries have represented their homelands in the United States as ASSIST Scholars.
9
Greetings
Since 1969,
Emma’s Wayland experience has included being named to the Head of School List for Honor Roll, being cast in the school musical, The Music Man, and earning an opportunity to play in the WIAA girls tennis sectional match.
they have changed the discourse in the classrooms of American independent schools; they have taught their
roommates about unfamiliar lands, customs and foods; they competed in state sectional tournaments
representing the girls tennis team, sang in the choir during school concerts, and
helped with community service projects. They have had a distinctive, positive
“I often refer to my year at Wayland via ASSIST as one of the most important years in my life.” – DENNIS KRINGS-ERNST `00
impact on their school communities. As noted in a 2013 Commencement
Address delivered by Dr. Bradford Ellis `86, “Students meet the world at Wayland Academy in Beaver
Dam.” This ideal, embodied in the
longstanding partnership between
ASSIST and Wayland was recognized. Since the program’s adoption at
Wayland during the 1981-82 school
year, 125 ASSIST scholars have been part of our international community.
This is the second highest participation
rate out of more than 100 schools in the United States.
The process to become an ASSIST
125
ASSIST scholars have been part of our international community. SINCE THE PROGRAM'S ADOPTION AT WAYLAND DURING THE 1981-82 SCHOOL YEAR.
Scholar is highly competitive. The
organization notes that 1,174 students applied last year, 608 finalists were
interviewed—and only 179 were selected. These scholars receive a one-year
scholarship to attend highly selective
private high schools across the United
States that feel much like a university. “My experience as an ASSIST scholar (especially at Wayland) got me in
contact with completely new cultures,” reflected Emma Sessing `22 of
Augsburg, Germany. “I got out of my comfort zone and spent time with
the students from all over the world. Overall, I would say I am more open
to meeting new people and trying new things after this experience.”
“Overall, I would say I am more open to meeting new people and trying new things after this experience.” – EMMA SESSING `22
“I think my first weeks at this school were especially memorable. I did not know any of the students or faculty members here or even the campus, she noted. “This whole life was completely new for me, but everybody was so nice and open. The students directly included me in their life, for example on the tennis team where everybody was really happy to have a new player. I am really grateful for this positive experience.” Emma’s observations align seamlessly with the program’s objectives. In their year abroad, ASSIST Scholars become more independent, more open-minded, more conscious of the complexity of the world around them; they master English and learn to think in a critical manner; they make lifelong, crosscultural friends; they return home to share what they learn to become leaders in widely varied professional endeavors. ASSIST alumnus Dennis KringsErnst `00 of Cologne, Germany, reflects on his time at Wayland, “I often refer to my year at Wayland via ASSIST as one of the most important years in my life. The teachers at Wayland ignited my love for learning, for literature, and for achieving my goals. My experience at Wayland opened so many doors for me. I could speak English fluently and confidently and the advanced mathematics class at Wayland covered practically my first two years at university. It was a huge win!” “The friends I made are still very dear to me, even if I see them very little due to the distance between us,” Dennis noted. “ASSIST opened a new world for me, and I am forever grateful.” Spring 2020 10
H OW I C A M E TO WAY L A N D AC A D EM Y By Elias Hakam `52
EDITOR’S NOT E : Head of School Joseph
Lennertz H`86 recently received an email from Wayland alumnus Elias Hakam `52 containing a chapter from Hakam’s memoir about his experiences at Wayland Academy in the early 1950s. The submission is edited for length but provides a heartfelt perspective regarding the significant influence of a Wayland education.
For my first Thanksgiving in America, I was invited
by one of my classmates to his house in northern Wisconsin for their festive turkey dinner. Ever
since then I have loved the American Thanksgiving tradition. For Christmas vacation I was invited by
another of my classmates to stay with him at his family farm in southern Illinois; it was the first time for me to visit any farm ever.
Academically I did very well, which somehow surprised the faculty of Wayland, especially in the The idea of going to America to study started in Tehran, Iran, where I was a student at the American missionary school, the “Community School” as it was known to everybody. Most of the students at that school were from the expatriate community of Tehran, which included Iraqi Jews, Armenians, and mainly Russians and other Eastern Europeans. The headmaster and his wife were American missionaries and most of the teachers were American and local recruits.
subjects of English and English literature. I had
Going to America at age 17 without my parents was a formidable dream, as I was an only child and my parents would need a lot of convincing to agree to send me there on my own. My Uncle Sydney wrote to my parents that he was thrilled to have me come to America and that for sure he would be looking after me and would find a suitable boarding school near his home in Chicago. Indeed, he found a school that would accept me in nearby Wisconsin, a coed prep school called Wayland Academy.
male student in that year. The
It was night when I arrived at Wayland. A couple of students welcomed me and showed me to my dorm. Soon a whole bunch of kids gathered around me, curious as to where I came from. I was a foreign student and there were only a very few foreign students at the school.
with each other as best friends. He had been the
In fact, in 1950 there were only two foreign students at Wayland: the other foreign student was my Norwegian classmate Chris Enger, who, being Scandinavian, blended in much better than I did with the rest of the Wayland students. 11 Greetings
read a hundred or more novels while I was at the Community School, and this had given me a good background for the English classes at Wayland. By the end of the eleventh grade I was chosen to be the male “Junior
Marshal,”
an
honor
given to the highest scoring
two leading juniors, a boy and a
girl, form the “guards of honor,” marching behind the two highest
scoring seniors in the class at the graduation processional.
I went back to Wayland to start
For Christmas vacation I was invited by another of my classmates to stay with him at his family farm in southern Illinois; it was the first time for me to visit any farm ever.
twelfth grade. That second year I
felt like a veteran. Chris, my Norwegian roommate,
was gone, but not forever, as we kept corresponding Field Scholar for one year, and he was replaced by a Herman Sarvaas from Holland. Herman was an
extremely amiable guy (years later I discovered he went on to become the Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia, at the time that I was Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore).
I did well in school, taking subjects such as
physiology, American history, French, chemistry,
and higher algebra. I did well in all these subjects, so I was well placed to apply to top colleges.
top Hakham (far right) pictured with classmates Nan Howe, Verna Hoyer, Emily Baker.
Thanksgiving vacation came around once more, and again I got invited by a classmate to his family home in nearby Madison, where I got to watch the University of Wisconsin play another Big Ten football team, a rival, the University of Minnesota. The final spring semester seemed to go quickly. Important for us seniors was to actively prepare for college entry and prep for the all-important SAT 1 and 2. For the latter I chose French and American History, in which fortunately I did well. There were the applications to colleges. I chose Harvard, to which I was accepted provided I had the financial support; I did not have any (at that time, Harvard was not yet generous to foreign students with need-blind scholarships: that would come later). I also applied to Brown, and fortunately I was interviewed personally by the Dean of Admissions who was recruiting more students from the Midwest as Brown at that time was attempting to become a more nationally focused college. Brown accepted me and gave me a generous 50 percent scholarship that included a work-study grant, which I immediately accepted.
At that time, I did not know much about Brown. Student colleagues started congratulating me and telling me how much they would have liked to have been in my position, as I was the only student from Wayland to be accepted there. Reflecting further, my acceptance to Brown was a great turning point for my life success. I would not know how great Brown was until I arrived there in the fall. When the summer ended it was time for me to board yet another Greyhound bus, this time to take me to Providence, Rhode Island, where Brown is located, to enter my freshman year at college. Thus, ends the first chapter of my years in America, the Wayland years, and begins a new one, the Brown years—four years of what turned out to be some of the best years of my life.
After attending Brown, Hakam completed graduate school at Columbia and earned a Doctorate in International Economics at The New School, a research university in New York City. He has taught in West Africa, Minnesota, and at the National University of Singapore. He is presently “happily retired in Singapore.” Spring 2020 12
COMMUNITY
Parent Council Members Support Key Campus Activities HE WAYLAND ACADEMY Parent Council involves parents with activities on campus and supports communication with school leadership. Members encourage and engage other parents in day-to-day activities at Wayland such as providing refreshments for intermissions at theater productions, and “adopting” dorms to provide care packages during final exam weeks. Their help and support are especially invaluable during school events like the opening of school registration and orientation. Parents help with set up and work hand-in-hand with school staff to greet and register guests and complete a myriad of helpful tasks during Homecoming and Spring Family Weekend, which coincides with the Spring Gala & Auction.
T
The council meets on campus with school leadership several times a year to discuss items of importance and to plan upcoming activities. To learn more about the Parent Council, please visit wayland.org/about/school-leadership/parent-council
13 Greetings
Parent Council Members Assembled on a Sunday afternoon for their January meeting included (from left to right): Head of School Joseph Lennertz H`86, Amy Pippenger, Angela and Peter Fogarty, Jackie and Bryan Pearce, Tiffany Cummings `87, Parent Council Co-Chair David Byrne, and Director of Advancement Judy Hill H`08. Members not pictured are Parent Council Co-Chair Lori Byrne, members Portia Belloc-Lowndes, Jing “James” Li and Tao “Tanya” He, Melissa and Steve Wierenga, and Board of Trustee Member John B. McKinstry H`10.
44th Annual
Spring Gala & Auction
E
**
Celebrating Wayland Traditions SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2020
veryone can be part of Wayland’s most important and exciting fundraising event – the 44th Annual Spring Gala & Auction. Through online bidding you can join parents, alumni, and other community members from your computer, tablet, or smartphone to support the Academy Fund and our future-focused educational programming.
*
Bid on hundreds of diverse gift packages including gourmet food and beverage packages, unique artworks, exclusive event and travel experiences, and unique on-campus naming opportunities.
*
*
The Raise Your Paddle initiative this year is the Lennertz List, honoring retiring Head of School Joseph A. Lennertz H`86. This special initiative will provide for a variety of campus enhancements, such as additional outdoor chairs and tables, upgrades to the Whiting Gallery, and expanded WIFI, that Joe would like to complete for the students, faculty, and staff before he retires in June.
visit www.wayland.org / gala to register and bid online and preview select auction packages as they become available.
Spring 2020 14 14
Wayland Moment
#21
"It’s deciding you want to have a game of cricket, getting a bat from Amazon, and getting out there."
Wayland Moment
You probably experienced a Wayland Moment during your time on campus. It may be a lifelong friendship, a new perspective on the world, or knowledge that changed the trajectory of your career. Those moments are invaluable, and support of the Academy Fund helps makes moments like these possible. Please consider a contribution today and share one of your Wayland Moments via the envelope enclosed or at Wayland.org/ MyWaylandMoment 15 Greetings
#95
"IT’S BONDING WITH YOUR CLASSMATES DURING THE FUN GAMES AS PART OF THE HOMECOMING PEP RALLY."
Moments Wayland
Wayland Moment
#14
"IT’S HAVING THE HOUSE PARENT IN YOUR DORM HELP SEW YOUR PROM DRESS."
SOMETIMES the small things you experience become the
big story, the tipping point that changes everything. The Wayland community shares some of their favorite Wayland Moments.
Wayland Moment
#9
"It’s traveling to Chicago for the big annual Model UN tournament." Wayland Moment
#58
Wayland Moment
#72
"It’s asking one person to go out to dinner, unexpectedly the group grows to 10 people, four of whom you don’t know well yet and everyone has a great time."
"IT’S REALIZING THAT WHEN YOU NEED HELP WITH ANY SUBJECT A TEACHER OR A FELLOW STUDENT ARE WILLING TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO HELP YOU."
Spring 2020 16
Connect. Inspire. Celebrate. HomecominG 2020 October 9th – 11th
s w
ave the date and make plans to join us on campus for a weekend of events celebrating everything that makes the Wayland experience special.
ALUMNI
Homecoming is a special opportunity for alumni to come together and explore Wayland past and present with fun gatherings and great programs. We’ll be celebrating milestones if your class year ends in a “5” or an “0,” with special recognition for the 50th reunion (Class of 1970), the 25th reunion (Class of 1995), or the 10th reunion (Class of 2010). Help energize your class and encourage strong attendance by becoming a Class Correspondent. Contact Director of Alumni Relations Kendall Vingua `02 at kvingua@wayland.org for more information or call (920) 356-2120, ext. 224.
17 Greetings
CURRENT FAMILIES Homecoming provides family members the opportunity to experience Wayland life with their student. Spend time on campus and go to classes, meet with teachers and mentors, eat meals in Pickard Dining Hall, and cheer at Wayland athletic events. Parents and guardians may contact Registrar Linda Lutes H`11 at llutes@wayland.org or phone (920) 3562120, ext. 248, for additional information or to help with events during the weekend.
Giving
Donor Generosity Shines During Waylandtines
HE LIGHTS IN Lindsay Gym are going green, thanks to contributions from nearly 80 generous donors during Waylandtines on February 17. Challenges and matching gifts helped to exceed the goal of $17,000. The Class of `56 continued their reign as alumni challenge winners!
T
Thirty-three old incandescent and mercury vapor lights will be replaced with new energy efficient LEDs that will turn on more quickly, shine more brightly, and save energy costs during their operation.
1
Students Connect with Alumni During Annual Phone-a-Thon
3 1 A mix of incandescent and mercury vapors lights will soon be replaced with energy efficient LED fixtures. 2 Vicky Wawrzyn `21 was ready to dial another number during the annual Phone-a-thon.
2
3 Peter Dang `23 listened carefully as he connected with an alumni.
A dozen dedicated students volunteered their Saturday phoning Wayland alumni during the Waylandtines Phone-a-thon on Feb. 15. The annual event provides an important opportunity for students to connect with alumni to say thank you for their support and to learn about their experiences both at Wayland and after graduation. Time invested also counts toward volunteer hours, an important aspect of the college admissions process. Thank you to everyone who spoke with our students and also to those able to contribute financially to the Waylandtines Phone-a-thon effort. The group raised more than $3000 in just a few hours. Spring 2020 18
Alumni to Know IT’S HUMAN NATURE TO PAUSE AND WONDER, “WHATEVER HAPPENED TO …?” FROM THAT PONDERING RESULTED THIS NEW FEATURE, ALUMNI TO KNOW . We’ll check in periodically on a selection of Wayland Academy alumni, find out what they are doing now and ask them to share some of their Wayland experiences with us.
What are you excited to be working on right now?
CHARLEY SHAW `94
“WindOn Life as Colored Pigment, the Art Exhibition Retrospect, Unity Without Exclusion...” and “Re-examination of the Newton Family Legacies Bestowed.”
How would you describe your life/ career path following your Wayland graduation?
What would you say was your most impactful Wayland experience?
The most impactful Wayland experience involves the moment to moment, negotiating my five years of Wayland life, from the ages 12 to 17, the powerful beliefs my parents instilled, “the world is your oyster, you have a lifetime to try everything, pace yourself, be selective... quality over quantity,” all infused into the Wayland academic, creative, dormitory, social and sport activities offered.
WINDON NEWTON `80 How would you describe your life/ career path following your Wayland graduation?
I look at life and realize, “I am love.” I love my family and I’m blessed with a legacy, Wayland Academy. Mine to remember–and share sometimes–my Wayland failures and my Wayland wins. 19 Greetings
During my Senior year I insisted on taking a basic physics class with instructor Pat Slane. Dean Fierke advised against it, “You will fail.” I proved that, and realized it was something I needed to learn for myself. Attracted by the theorems; I lacked the math skill required. At mid-term, I switched to the Astronomy class, same teacher, similar concepts, sans calculus.The switch preserved a semblance of my academic grade average. Does the GPA matter now? Certainly, the learning does. To this day, I continue to ponder many of the same concepts that Pat Slane taught.
My path has been fairly continuous because I started a newspaper during my senior year at Wayland, was the editor-in-chief of my college newspaper at Lawrence University and landed as a reporter at the Stevens Point Journal after graduation. I spent nine years covering the Minnesota State Capitol for a media company that owned business and politics newspapers in Minnesota and around the country. During that time, I discovered that I enjoyed helping my colleagues track the policy and fiscal details of legislation, and I thought it would be a great change in career direction to help the public find the legislative information they’re looking for. I was very fortunate to get hired at the Minnesota Senate’s non-partisan Information Office to do exactly that. What are you excited to be working on right now?
Using social media, especially Twitter, to communicate the results of all votes that are taken on amendments and bills on the Senate floor.
What would you say was your most impactful Wayland experience?
Serving for two years as the student trustee. It was my first insider’s glimpse into finance, governance and even some power politics!
MEGHAN TURNER `12 How would you describe your life/ career path following your Wayland graduation?
I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for my undergraduate, where I majored in Biochemistry and Applied Math. While at Madison, I worked for three years in a research lab investigating how antimicrobial peptides (naturally occurring molecules that are your immune system’s first line of defense against pathogens) kill E. coli bacteria by breaching and damaging their cell walls. Fascinated by all the unsolved problems in biology research, I decided to continue my education in a doctorate. program, and was awarded a Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund my studies. In 2016, I moved to California to begin my Ph.D. in Biophysics at the University of California,
"
Berkeley. Biophysics is an interdisciplinary field that applies physical, mathematical, and computational tools to solve pressing biological problems. I currently use fluorescence microscopy to visualize biological processes in real-time and develop computational image analyses to extract quantitative information from the movies I capture. What are you excited to be working on right now?
My doctoral thesis research aims to help answer the question, “How do we develop from a single cell to a complex, multicellular adult?” Only 1 percent of our genome codes for genes that make proteins, but the other 99 percent are not “junk” DNA, like we once thought. Instead, it contains regulatory elements (called enhancers), which are instructions that tell your cells when to turn specific genes on or off. As our cells divide and grow during development, each cell turns on a unique subset of genes that allow them to take on specialized functions (e.g., red blood cells vs. muscle cells). I use Drosophila melanogaster (the fruit fly you find in your kitchen) as a model organism to study the process cells employ to “read” these instructions, which involves special proteins (called transcription factors) interacting with the enhancer DNA. Our goal is to understand the molecular interpretation of these instructions well enough to predict how changes (mutations) in enhancers impact development. We hope this fundamental knowledge will eventually be used to improve the diagnosis and treatment of developmental conditions. What would you say was your most impactful Wayland experience?
I could list many (including the rigorous writing program), but my participation in Model UN was a particularly impactful experience. It taught me many skills that I now use as a scientific researcher: how to rapidly gather and distill information on an unfamiliar subject, how to succinctly write about complex topics, and how to speak confidently and persuasively.
Since Wayland my career path has been fairly continuous because I started a newspaper during my senior year, was the editor-in-chief of my college newspaper, and landed as a reporter at the Stevens Point Journal after graduation.
NE XT ISSUE Despite the many modern conveniences to stay connected, it's not always easy to keep track of old friends and classmates. Two new features suggested by alumni will support networking within the Wayland community. This edition debuts the Alumni to Know feature–three alumni share their career path, their current projects, and their favorite Wayland memory. Last fall we brought you the first installment of Eight Questions, a more in-depth profile of a graduate’s post-Wayland experiences and career. We're already working on a profile of Jennifer Lombard `88 of Lizzy Lift Incorporated, written by her close friend Tiffany Cummings `87.
IS THERE SOMEONE YOU THINK SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A FUTURE EDITION? Contact us at webmaster@wayland.org or Greetings Editor, Wayland Academy, 101 North University Avenue, Beaver Dam, WI 53916 with your suggestions.
Photo credit to Lexi Steinkraus `12 Spring 2020 20
SERVICE
Betsy Parker `72 Joins Group of Distinguished Service Recipients by
DAVID C. LARSON `71
Wayland Board of Trustees Vice Chair Betsy Parker `72 was presented the Distinguished Service Citation by Board of Trustees Chair David C. Larson `71 during a Friday chapel service attended by the entire Wayland community. The presentation coincided with the January Board of Trustees meeting on campus.
"Her caring and compassion have been demonstrated in so many ways."
21 Greetings
O
ne of Wayland’s four pillars is service. And there are three “T’s” that define service—time, talent, and treasure.
Betsy Parker `72 is a model for those who love Wayland. Her caring and compassion have been demonstrated in so many ways. TIME She has been involved with Wayland for nearly 50 years. She is one of four Parker children to attend Wayland. In addition to that, her two sons, Gerry and Oscar, are Wayland graduates. With the recent birth of two grandchildren, I’ve calculated they will be part of the Class of 2038. Betsy has been a trustee for 17 years, being elected to the board in 2003. Of note, she often travels nearly 2000 miles each way to attend board meetings from her home and business in Puerto Rico.
TALENT Betsy was a gifted student, not just here at Wayland, but also at her alma mater Smith College, and in graduate school at Syracuse University. These talents are aptly demonstrated with the Wayland Board of Trustees, where she has led most committees and now serves as the vice chair of the board. TREASURE Betsy and her husband Gerry have been faithful contributors to Wayland. Current students, faculty, and staff might notice a dedication to her parents in the foyer of Discovery Hall – The George S. and Nancy B. Parker Science Education Center. Less obvious is an endowment she helped create for faculty development called “Great Teachers, Great Teaching.” It is my pleasure to recognize and thank Betsy for her love of and service to Wayland Academy.
Wayland students helped to harvest native plant seeds across the grounds of the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center. The seeds will help establish new native plantings in the area.
How Service Transforms Us by
JAMES CLEARY
S
ervice to others, and not to oneself, is paradoxically a source of great joy. We need only look at other cultures from around the world to find similar bits of wisdom. There is a Chinese proverb, which states, “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” Similarly, the great British statesman Winston Churchill once wrote “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved figures in the Christian tradition tells us simply, “It is in giving that we receive.” And, of course, service is one of our Academy’s four Pillars, along with faith, health, and scholarship.
Science also supports this notion that service to others is good for us. According to The Cleveland Clinic, giving time and resources to others is associated with lower blood pressure, higher self-esteem, greater happiness, and a longer life. In light of this information, it would be easy to see service to others as something we can all do to improve ourselves, but I think the opposite is true. Being of service to others allows us to get in touch with our most basic, essential human selves. Serving others does not change us into good people, rather it is a way for us to reflect the goodness that is already inside of us.
Serving others does not change us into good people, rather it reflects the goodness that is already inside of us.
Science reveals that our human ancestors needed each other for their very survival, and that we evolved to need others around us. Likewise, the world’s great religions ALL tell us that each of us, and each of our brothers and sisters in the great human family, are made in the likeness of The Divine. Whichever perspective you take, it is clear that we are in this together and that service to one another is not only virtuous but necessary. Service to others can mean many things, some big and others small. Service to others can be the singular lives of incredible individuals like Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, and Martin Luther King. But it can also be the small things that each of us do for one another every day. Truly, acts of service ought not be measured by their dollar amount, but rather by the love that prompted them. To be of service to another person, in any way, is to recognize their worthiness and humanity, and an act of service to another human is an act of service to humankind. Spring 2020 22
NEWS & NOTES
ALUMNI GATHERINGS
FLORIDA Florida alumni, parents, and friends were hosted to a luncheon by Board of Trustees Chair David C. Larson `71 and his wife Linda. The event, on Saturday, February 1, was at the Crown Colony Golf and Country Club in Fort Myers.
NEW YORK CITY The Wayland in New York City was the site for the Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Gathering.
1
23 Greetings
From left to right are Michael Ecker `77, Head of School Joe Lennertz H `86, Melina Raffin `96, Director of Advancement Judy Hill H`08, William T. Luedke IV `70, Lynn Wagenknecht `71, Rosina Samadani `85, Nadia Samadani Kathwari `97, Uzma Samadani `88, and just out of photo Darcie Hutchison, former Wayland faculty member.
2
CHICAGO On Thursday, January 23, Wayland alumni, parents and friends celebrated their connections during a Gathering at the Rock Bottom Brewery in Chicago.
3
JOIN US AT A MADISON GATHERING Join retiring Head of School Joe Lennertz H`86 for a gathering with Wayland alumni, parents, and friends hosted by Trustee Betsy Wallman `71. 4
1 Trish Martin `96, Mark Marcucci, Becky Tyson `07, and Denitza Boudeva `07.
3 Erin Wilson `02, Terrence Wilson `02 and Joe Lennertz H`86.
2 Tom Brown `69 and Robin Boushie `69.
4 Ray Ren `16, Wes Banks `17, and Lindsay McCall.
Thursday, April 30, 2020. 5:30 p.m. Old Sugar Distillery, 931 E Main St #8, Madison, WI 53703 RSVP to wayland.org/event-Madison or (290) 356-2120, ext. 224. Spring 2020 24
NEWS & NOTES
Winifred Woods Gulyas `49 sends her greetings to classes of 1948, 1949, and 1950! Mary Lou Miller Williamson `55 writes that she is still gardening, still working on the Greenbelt News Review – though she has stepped down from the position of Editor – and growing older. Deb Woller `72 is a Blue Zones Project ambassador in Naples, FL, working with the Blue Zones Project of Southwest Florida. One aspect of her involvement is facilitating purpose workshops for confirmation students at her church. That experience sparked additional activities, including visiting Wayland Academy (a participant in the Blue Zones Project–Dodge County) to lead purpose workshops for students. Her efforts have been chronicled in several Naples area publications. Antonia “Toni” Frederick Houston `77 continues to wear many hats as a local history librarian and historian in Hopewell Junction, New York. As her husband eases into retirement and their youngest starts college at their alma mater (Allegheny College), they hope to start visiting more national parks, camping, and hiking along the way.
Wayland family and friends at the bridal shower of Jane Goski `10. Left to right: Ann Alexander Wenz `78; Kate Klein `10; Susie Alexander Polen`71; Laura Killingsworth; Stephanie Hill `10; mother-of-the-bride Martha Alexander-Szymanski `74; brideto-be Jane Goski `10; Linda Tyranski, faculty; Beth Ratajczak `96; Anna Stern, former faculty.
Patricia Duez Martin `96 has been elected to the 2020 Board of Directors at Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management. Trish is the Office Managing Shareholder at Littler’s St. Louis office. Karl R. Schleevogt `11 shared “I’m working in University Advancement at William and Mary as a prospect researcher.” Regarding upcoming changes in the Head of School’s office, he adds, “We all liked Lennertz. Gonna be sad to see him go. Best of luck transitioning to the new guy!”
KEEP YOUR CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS UP-TO-DATE WITH YOUR NEWS Write to us at:
Deb Hankes, R.N. H`18 retired from her duties at Schoen Health Center at Wayland Academy. Aside from managing the day-today operations of the health center, she has trained countless numbers of faculty and staff in CPR and first aid. She and her husband, Jack, have supported this training by donating CPR mannequins to the Academy. In addition, she secured AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) for multiple locations on campus via grant funds from the Beaver Dam Community Hospital Foundation. In recognition of her service and dedication to Wayland Academy, she was awarded an honorary diploma in 2018.
25 Greetings
Greetings Wayland Academy 101. N. University Ave. Beaver Dam, WI 53916 Or email us at: alumni@wayland.org We’re delighted to receive photos to accompany your news. Please enclose or attach images you wish to share.
Connections
Collegepalooza
Beth Ratajczak `96, James Cleary, Kurt Walters H `11, Lori Bird, and Juliana Lewis (left to right) shared some of their college experiences with the Class of 2021. They spoke of the different experience it is to attend a large versus small school and stressed the importance of making connections with professors.
LMA MATER ROLL CALL! Wayland faculty and staff showed their college spirit by wearing gear representing their alma maters during the annual Collegepalooza celebration on campus. Students were also encouraged to don college spirit wear of the campus they hope to attend or of a family member or friend. Casual conversations were encouraged throughout the day for students to learn more about the college experience. Special discussion sessions were also held for students by grade level. Freshmen learned about four-year course planning. Sophomores participated in a session about building a resume of extracurricular activities. Juniors learned more about the college search process and finding a postsecondary experience that is right for them. Seniors focused on the important topic of financial planning.
A
New Alumni Networking Event Connects Recent Grads with Seniors
Rosina Samadani `85 and Dr. Uzma Samadani `88 recently received an $8 million investment in their company, Oculogica Inc., from TitletownTech, a business development partnership established last year by the Packers and Microsoft. The capital raised through the partnership will help the Samadanis produce and market EyeBOX devices for use by trauma centers and hospitals nationwide, develop engineering and manufacturing operations in Wisconsin, and dive further into the data the device collects to see if it can help assess conditions beyond concussions.
On the evening of Sunday, April 5, we’re hosting our first New Alumni Networking event for Wayland seniors and recent graduates. In the tradition of the Young Alumni College Panel, which brought college-aged alumni to answer seniors’ questions about making the transition to higher education, this event gathers Waylanders on both sides of the mortarboard at Patterson House for a less structured networking reception. It’s a great opportunity for graduates to share their post-Wayland knowledge and for students to practice professional networking. If you’re a young alum interested in visiting campus and discussing your experiences with the Class of 2020, contact Director of Alumni Relations Kendall Vingua `02 at kvingua@wayland.org or at 920-356-2120, ext. 224. Spring 2020 26
in
MEMORIAM
1940s LOIS WEARY PATTERSON `44, aged 94, passed away peacefully on Aug. 28, 2019. A longstanding resident of Blacksburg, VA, she moved to North Carolina in 2014 to be closer to family. The daughter of Russell and Margaret Holden Weary, Lois was born April 23, 1925 and grew up on a dairy farm in Evansville, WI. Her love and life partner, William Norman Patterson (1921-2004), was a dairy farmer from Evansville as well. Both were graduates of U.W.–Madison. They moved to Blacksburg, where Lois accepted a Sociology Instructor position at Virginia Tech. Her compelling drive to make a difference in peoples’ lives led her to then accept a position with the Virginia Employment Commission as the Director of the Women In Need program for Montgomery County.
ROBERT PROSEUS PEREGOY `49 passed away on Nov. 17, 2019.
Lois is survived by her three sons Charley, Ned and Grant, daughters-in law, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, who are inspired and committed to carrying on her legacy of service and unabashed gratefulness.
Bob is survived by his wife Mary, sons Steven (Cindy Ruth) and James (Angie), and three granddaughters.
Bob was born on June 20, 1931, in Elizabethton, TN, to James J. Peregoy and Mary Burkhalter Peregoy and raised in the Chicago area. He graduated from Wayland Academy and attended Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL. Bob was a steel salesman and broker before starting his own steel brokerage business and property management company. He married Margaret Elizabeth Bacon in 1963 and together they had two sons. He was widowed in 1975. Bob married Mary Barzler Hopkins in 1979. Upon retirement, Bob and Mary moved from Woodridge, IL, to Columbia, MO, to watch their granddaughters grow up. Bob was always thankful regardless of his circumstances and was a loving Christian man.
1950s
SUZANNE J. GROFF `49, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, surrounded by her family. Born April 8, 1931. in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Wilmer and Lucille (Brinkman) Brannon. She graduated from Wayland Academy and earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Northwestern University. Sue married Kenelm “Ken” Groff on November 29, 1952. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Alumni Group, Junior League Rockford, IL, and Rockford Woman’s Club. She enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, bridge groups over the years, skiing for many years with her family in Vail, CO, and was an avid reader. She resided in Naples, FL, for 19 years.
CAROLYN FREY KEATING `50, age 86, formerly of Sun City West, AZ, passed away Dec. 28, 2019, in Danvers, MA. She was the dear daughter of the late Dr. Leo J. and Winifred Brelsford Frey. She was born, raised and educated in Chicago, and at Wayland Academy. Carolyn furthered her education by graduating from Northwestern University.
She is survived by her husband, Ken of 67 years; daughters, Linda (Steve) Nelson, and Cynthia (Mark) Witte; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by one daughter, Karen Keating Ansara and her husband Jim; one son, John S. Keating III; and four grandchildren.
27 Greetings
Ms. Keating had been employed as a clerk for the Arizona State Compensation Fund and the U-Haul Company for many years. Carolyn, an avid gardener and gregarious friend, had been a member of numerous clubs in Sun City West and Phoenix, AZ, her homes of more than 30 years.
JAMES R. WICHMAN `59, age 78, of Madison, died peacefully on Oct. 12, 2019, following his eleventh heart attack. Jim was born in Beaver Dam, the second son of A.E. “Wick” and LaVita Wichman, who both were teachers at Wayland Academy. He earned a B.A. from U.W.–Madison in 1965. His time there included two breaks: one as a “beach bum” in Hawaii, and one serving in the U.S. Coast Guard in San Francisco. He married Roxie Bjelde in 1966. Jim and Roxie raised two children and worked for the State of Wisconsin, with Jim’s jobs including Children’s Treatment Center, Unemployment Compensation/ Job Service, and Budget Analyst. Jim was a nature lover who loved hiking, camping, hunting and fishing with family and friends. He was also a frequent poker player, an American history buff, and an avid sports fan, and became a world traveler late in life, visiting the Middle East, Europe, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Jim is survived by his daughter, Michelle (Sean Pratt), son James; two grandchildren; nephews, and many beloved extended family members and dear friends. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Roxie,; his brother, John `53; his sister-in-law, niece, and cousins.
1960s RALPH WANNER GOETTING, JR. `62 passed away on Nov. 29, 2019, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL, after a short battle with
JOAN MAXWELL REYNOLDS MILLER `65 passed away on Oct. 5, 2019, at her home in Monroe, WA. Born June 24, 1947 in Marquette, MI, to Phyllis and Maxwell K. Reynolds, Jr., Joan was a graduate of Wayland Academy and Nor thern Michigan University, where she received a B.A. in education and studied advanced classes in the Montessori discipline. She taught at and later became Director of Calvary-by-the-Sea Preschool in Honolulu, HI. Continuing her lifelong interest in helping children, she became an intake counselor for the Dispute Resolution Center/Volunteers of America in Western Washington. In early retirement, Joan returned to Marquette and quickly immersed herself in her family’s tradition of community service, working with and holding office in numerous organizations dedicated to the wellbeing of children, the elderly, and the environment. Joan was a charter member of the Development Advisory Committee for Post-Polio Health International. Defying physical challenges which became more prevalent later in life, Joan’s positive, empathetic attitude never failed to bring a smile to the faces of those she encountered. In 2011 Rotary International, of which she was a Paul Harris Fellow, recognized her as its Non-Profit Leader of the Year. Joan is survived by her husband, Don; four daughters: Carey DeMar tini (William), Alyson Luff, Terra Klarich (Frank), and Heather Spencer ; three sisters: Kate Rose `67, Frances Reynolds and Alice Reynolds; and six grandchildren.
cancer. Ralph was born the son of Ralph Sr. and Georgene Goetting on June 28, 1944, in Palm Springs, CA, but grew up in Beaver Dam. After graduating from Wayland, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Marquette University. He married Mary Kathryn (Kay) Sustman in 1967, and then served in the Peace Corps in Saipan for two years. When he returned home, he earned a law degree from Marquette and joined the tax group at the public accounting firm of Coopers and Lybrand (later PriceWaterhouseCoopers) in 1972, embarking on a 31-year career. Ralph spent 24 years as a tax partner, first in Chicago and later in Tulsa, OK. His hobbies included working in the yard and around the house, building custom wood furniture for friends and family, and driving his vintage cars. After a well-deserved retirement, Ralph and Mary Kay moved to the Pensacola, FL, where they enjoyed life on the beach. Above all else, he loved his family and put their well-being ahead of his own. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, William George. Ralph is survived by his wife, Mary Kay; his four children, Ralph Michael Goetting (Heidi), Edward James Goetting (Erin), Mary Elizabeth Wentzell (Aaron) and Kathryn Gene Goetting; eight grandchildren; brother, Thomas J. “TJ” Goetting `64 (Katharine Purdy Herbert `68);
JAN LILLY H`76 , of Raleigh, N.C., passed away
on Feb. 16, 2020. Many students fondly remember him as a beloved history department faculty member from 1968 to 1988. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and daughters Aimee Anderson `87 and Megan Langebeck. Additional details were pending at press time.
sister, Barbara “Missy” Romstad `68 (Gary); and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Spring 2020 28
TONYA C. PETERSEN LIODOS `68 passed away May 22, 2019, at age 68. She was born in Moline, IL, and lived most of her life in the Akron area.Tonya worked as as a Physician’s Assistant and retired in 2013 from Summa Physicians. She was an animal lover and enjoyed traveling and quilting. Tonya was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Thanos; daughters Lindsay Roop (Jim), Amanda Slusher (Mel), Kimberly Lalli (Chris); son, Ross Babbitt (Erin); step children, Nicholas, Brittany and Jessica Liodos; eight grandchildren; sisters, Tamarah Doershuck (Dave), and Terri Lumpkin (Mark). EDWIN NICHOLS `68 passed away in March 2019. ABBY FERRY MARCY `69 passed away at age 68 on Sept. 7, 2019, of metastasis from a ten-year battle with squamous cell tonsil cancer. She passed peacefully in her home in Westminster, CO, surrounded by loved ones. Her very active, fulfilling life took her from Beaver Dam to live in Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Minnesota, Nebraska, and finally Colorado, as well as through many professions and hobbies like school teacher, outdoor encounter guide/leader, casino girl, fine art framer/ shop owner, elk rancher, dulcimer player, singer, butterfly lover. Of all these, her treasured job was mother. She is survived by her only son Jake Marcy, numerous siblings, and cousin Mary RioGrande `62.
1980s ANTHONY RICHARD PFLUM `89 died Nov. 10, 2019, from a selfinflicted gunshot wound. He was 48 years old; for the last two decades he fought valiantly to beat the unrelenting beast that is depression. It is important to his heartbroken family to be fully transparent about the cause of his death to bring attention to mental illness, depression, and suicide. Pflum grew up in Beaver Dam, the son of Dale and Anne Pflum. As a student, Pflum excelled in both academics and athletics. He was proud to represent Wayland at numerous state tournaments as a champion discus thrower, to wear #51 on the school’s football field, and to serve as one of the “Townie Towers,” a trio of day students who were starting players on the varsity basketball team. Pflum graduated with high honors and went on to earn a BA in anthropology from Lawrence University, where he also played football and served as president of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He earned a law degree from the University of Texas. Out of law school, Pflum was hired as an associate at Mayer Brown. In 1995, Pflum married Elise Mungello. The couple had four children, Jordan, Dylan, Austin and Maddie Sue, before divorcing in 2010; his children were the loves of his life. He dearly loved his years in Beaver Dam, particularly time spent with lifelong friends, the Fakes family. Pflum was a lifelong music fan and was particularly passionate about the Grateful Dead. Pflum was preceded in death by both of his parents. He is survived by his children; his sister, Mary Pflum Peterson; brother-in-law Dean Peterson; a niece and three nephews, and multiple aunts, uncles, and cousins. 29 Greetings
DR. KEELY K. LAKE H`12 passed away on Jan. 15, 2020, in Hot Springs, SD, at the age of 48.
She was the daughter of James and Dorothy (Burcham) Lake, born on Dec. 8, 1971. Keely graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1990, the University of South Dakota in 1994 with a B.A. in Classics, and the University of Iowa in 2001 with a Ph.D. in Classics. Dr. Lake was a visiting guest professor at Gettysburg College in 2001 and Professor of Classical Greek and Latin at Wayland Academy beginning in 2002. While at Wayland, she introduced a generation of students to the love of Classics, was a caring teacher and mentor, and led the Junior Classical League to eight consecutive state convention championships. Dr. Lake left Wayland Academy in 2018, returning to South Dakota where she cared for her father and taught online courses for Montclair State, Wayne State University and One Schoolhouse. Keely was an active member and office holder of the Vergilian Society, several Classics related boards and organizations, and was a reader/table leader for standardized AP exams in Latin. She was an avid gardener, enjoyed cooking, reading and collecting books, as well as travelling, which was a deep passion of hers. She is survived by her father, James Lake, her precious cats, Penelope and Gemini. She was preceded in death by her mother.
friends of
WAYLAND
GARY S. NELSON, 78, of Stanley, ND, passed away Nov. 16, 2019. He served as a member of Wayland’s Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2014 and was a generous supporter of the Academy’s mission. Gary was born to Albert and Edna (Byington) Nelson on May 18, 1941, the youngest of 11 children. He attended UND and Minot State University as well as Superior State College where he obtained a specialist degree. He married Jenette Kulczyk Schule in 1963 and they had two children, Scott and Ann `89. Gary worked as an investment banker at Midland Bank in Minneapolis, MN, before moving to Washburn, WI, where he taught grades K-12, coached several sports, and also served as a Ski School Director. Gary brought his young family back to Stanley in 1971, where he worked at Scandia American Bank, farmed, ranched and was a volunteer fireman. He was later elected President of the North Dakota Independent Bankers and also held state and national organizational offices for professional ski instructors and pool players. Gary shared his deep love for his hobbies by mentoring many in obtaining their credentials in both skiing and pool competition. Tragedy struck the Nelson family when daughter, Ann, was killed on 9/11 while working in the World Trade Center. His chief comfort was that their family, including his son Scott, daughter-in-law Dawn, and five grandchildren remained close in Stanley. Another was the numerous philanthropic endeavors to keep Ann’s spirit alive, including endowing a memorial scholarship in her name at Wayland. Gary was preceded in death by his parents and all his siblings as well as his daughter, Ann. He is survived by his wife, Jenette; his son, Scott and daughter-in-law, Dawn Jensen Nelson; five grandchildren: Brittany Giesen (Jordan), Brooke Nelson, Jesse Nelson `15, Jeremiah Nelson `18 and B Nelson; two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and family members.
WILLIAM “BILL” G. RICHARDS, M.D., 93, formerly of Beaver Dam, passed away on Nov. 20, 2019, in Oshkosh, WI. He was born on Sept. 4, 1926, the son of Peter E. and Neva E. Richards in Waterloo, IA. Bill graduated from Nekoosa High School in 1944 and enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II, and served as a Pharmacy Mate until 1946. After his navy service, he matriculated to St. Norbert College, but completed both his undergraduate and medical degrees (1952) at UW-Madison. Bill was married to Jean M. Hansen with whom he raised four children. In August 1980, he married Sylvia Thompson in Kimberly Chapel at Wayland Academy. Bill enjoyed a long and impactful career in medicine. In 1957, he founded the Beaver Dam Pathology Laboratory, which became Consultant Physicians in Pathology. This practice was joined by many local physicians with strong ties to Beaver Dam and Wayland. He, along with his partners, organized the Beaver Dam Community Hospital School of Medical Technology (1963-1981) and for several years provided a medical education program for Wayland students for their mid-term program/senior special projects. Bill retired from practice in 1988, and he and Sylvia split their time between Beaver Dam and Hilton Head Island, SC. Bill is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sylvia; his four children: Jane R. Barker `74, Kathleen E. Richards `76, William G. Richards Jr. `78, Timothy Richards `83 (Maureen); four grandchildren: Jay, Jonathan, and Jennifer VandeBerg, and Zachary Richards; two great-grandchildren; his brother John P. Richards (Mary Ruth) and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his former wife Jean, his brother Jim Richards (Rose) and his son-in-law, Ron Barker.
correction :
We were contacted by a sharp-eyed reader that the obituary for Charles Ashbrook `47 in our fall edition misspelled Denison University. We apologize for the error. Spring 2020 30
Wayland Academy
G R EE T I NGS
Tune in to See Wayland on Public Television The Milwaukee PBS program Around the Corner with John McGivern featuring Wayland Academy and Beaver Dam is scheduled to debut on Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. The 30-minute show is distributed to stations around the country, check your local PBS station for air times. A preview showing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22 at Beaver Dam High School.
101 North University Ave. Beaver Dam, WI 53916 31 Greetings
Toll free: 800.860.7725 Phone: 920.356.2120
WAYLAND.ORG