1960s
Richard “Dick” Anderson ’62 (Edmond, OK) was inducted into the United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) Hall of Fame in 2012 as a coach. Anderson continues to volunteer coach for Oklahoma Christian University with their track and field program.
Kent Stever ’63 (Lakeville, MN) has written a second book titled “Kinder, Gentler Ways.” His first book is titled “Growing Up on the Mississippi.” Both books are available on Amazon and in many southeastern Minnesota locations.
Mary Iten ’68 (Kearney, NE) retired in May after 37 years at University of Nebraska at Kearney where she was an instructor in the kinesiology and sport sciences department. She coached women’s track and field at UNK for 19 years, women’s cross country for 14 years, and served as women’s interim golf coach for two years. Iten leaves UNK as one of its most successful track and field coaches. Her teams won 12 conference championships and are considered among the best in school history, and she coached 68 All-Americans in her career. She earned District Track Coach of the Year honors twice, and Regional Coach of the Year in 1987.
Helen (Petersen) Newell ’68 (Fountain City, WI) has been the Winona Project COMPASS coordinator for 24 years. Newell taught at Winona and Fountain City elementary schools for 24 years before establishing Project COMPASS to help change the lives of adults with disabilities. Her inspiration to start the organization came from multiple areas, including her own disabilities.
Ann (Voight) Soderstrom ’69 (Mayer, MN) retired in July 2013 after 35 years with the Hennepin County Library System. She was previously a librarian in St Charles, MN, Putnam and West Woodstock, CT.
1970s
Scott Hannon ’72 (Winona) retired this June as the Winona Area Public Schools superintendent. After graduating from WSU, Hannon spent four decades serving the district in different capacities from teacher, assistant principal, principal and director of academic affairs. He was hired as superintendent on a two-year contract after serving two years as interim superintendent. Hannon’s work during his tenure with WAPS includes a new middle school, formation of the Winona Area Learning Center, creating the successful STEM program at Jefferson Elementary and repurposing Central Elementary School.
Ronald Evjen ’73 (Hayfield, MN) retired recently as the Hayfield Superintendent after 22 years in the district. Evjen began his career as a physical education and health teacher in Beaver Dam, WI. He later taught at Winona High School, Wanamingo High School, Pine Island High School and served as principal at Goodhue High School, Waseca Junior High School, and Hayfield High School, where he took over as superintendent in 2004.
Kimberly (Luther) Zemke ’79 (Eagan, MN) successfully defended her PhD in social and administrative pharmacy in July 2013. She received her BS in nursing from WSU, her MA in nursing from the University of Minnesota, and her MA in organizational management from Concordia University.
1980’s
Kim Ruyle ’83 (Coral Gables, FL) is the president of Inventive Talent Consulting, where he applies more than 30 years of experience in human resources, organizational development, and general management to provide strategic talent management consulting. He recently published a new book, “Lessons from a CEO’s Journal: Leading Talent and Innovation.”
Debra (Meyers) Dehler ’85 (Crystal, MN) was ordained a transitional deacon in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota June 26, 2014. She is working on her Master of Divinity at United Theological Seminary in New Brighton, MN. Dehler plans to be ordained a priest in June 2015. Her husband, Jeff Dehler ‘87, owns Jeff Dehler Public Relations. Their daughter, Erin, is a freshman at WSU studying composite engineering.
Pamela Woodman-Kaehler ’86 (Morgantown, WV) is the executive director at Mon HealthCare Equipment & Supply, Fairmont Home Equipment and Supplies, and the Sleep Center of Mon General Hospital. She serves as president of the West Virginia Medical Equipment Suppliers Association and president of the board of directors for United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, WV. Woodman-Kaehler is a certified foster/adoptive parent. She is the adoptive mother of four and is currently fostering two infant children.
Daniel Schumacher ’89 (Channahon, IL) was hired as the Director of Athletics at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He previously was the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at Chicago State University in Chicago.
1990’s
Reed McPeak ’91 (Hugo, MN) was named Vice President and General Manager of Ordnance Systems, Inc. McPeak joined BAE Systems Land and Armaments 22 years ago and held leadership roles in business management, program management, operations, and engineering. He recently was the Assistant General Manager for FNSS Turkey, providing leadership and support for the execution of armored vehicle contracts for international customers. McPeak has a BS in physics and engineering (specializing in composite materials engineering) from WSU and earned his MA in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota.
Tina Strelau ’92 (Newport, MN) works in the mass communications-broadcasting field. She recently received two Excellence in Marketing awards for her individual and team contributions in managing digital content for the healthcare division of Ecolab, Inc.
Craig Stelmach ’93 (Reading, MA) was promoted to Chief Executive Officer/General Counsel of Berkeley Communications Corporation, a mid-size company headquartered in Emeryville, CA. Stelmach joined Berkeley three years ago as Chief Operating Officer after working for Google. Prior to Google, he was associate counsel for 12 years at ITA Software in Cambridge, MA. Stelmach and Brenda Booth ’97, have lived in Massachusetts for the past 17 years.
Cory Whalen ’94 (St. Paul, MN) was named to the 2014 Minnesota Super Lawyers list published by Super Lawyers magazine. Each year, Super Lawyers rates outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Whalen serves as a partner and shareholder and practices in all areas of personal injury litigation. He was selected as one of America’s best lawyers in the area of product liability litigation by the Best Lawyers of America and is certified as a life member of one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Whalen was admitted to the Minnesota State Bar and United States Federal District Bar.
Munir Tarafdar ’96 (Bangladesh) works at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as a finance and budget officer. He is a certified public accountant licensed from Minnesota and a certified internal auditor.
Thomas Goettl ’97 (Minneapolis, MN) was promoted from senior recruiter to vice president in the second-generation family owned business, George Konik Associates, Inc. Goettl is responsibile for staff hiring and development, overseeing client placements, maintaining client relationships and new business development.
Dawn (Bulman) Huffey ’97 (Waterville, IA) created and developed a set of cards and videos in March 2014 that are used by counselors to build and repair self-esteem. They are called Self Esteem Belief Cards and they are used by many counselors around the country.
Kathleen (Theisen) Reineke ’98 (Lexington Park, MD) was named Oakville Elementary School’s 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year. Reineke is an instructional resource teacher and will represent St Mary’s County as a candidate for Maryland Teacher of the Year. She is currently enrolled in a PhD program in instructional leadership for changing populations at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. She earned her BA in history from WSU, her teacher certification from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and a Master of Education in reading from Towson University.
Scott Geary ’99 (New Brighton, MN) was named Principal at Southwest Junior High School, where he has served as Assistant Principal since 2006. Geary previously taught eighth grade earth science in the Robbinsdale school district and was a principal intern at Sandburg Middle School. Geary holds a bachelor’s degree in teaching from WSU and a master’s in education from Saint Mary’s University.
2000’s
Casey Indra ’01 (La Crosse, WI) was selected as the new Winona Area Public Schools Activities Director. Indra holds a BA in English from WSU and is completing his master’s degree in athletic management.
Megan (Dammann) Bergman ’02 and Erik Bergman ’02 (Thornton, CO) welcomed a second daughter, Danna, June 12. Erik recently took a position as regional territory manager for Hagerty, and Megan is an account executive for Dell.
Brandi Cook ’03 (Portland, OR) and husband, Paul, welcomed their first child, Owen Floyd, December 16.
Lora Hill ’03 (Winona) received the Minnesota Human Rights Award at the Education Minnesota Representatives Convention in April. Hill was also named Winona Teacher of the Year and was a top 10 finalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Hill holds a degree from WSU in special education and works as a special education teacher at Winona Senior High School.
Carly (Koelsch) Sanchez ’04 (Rochester, MN) and husband, Robert, welcomed their first child, Willow Jordan, June 19.
Gretchen (Johnson) Biesanz ’05 (Winona) and husband, Chris, welcomed their first child, Riley Ruth, May 21. Biesanz is the Director of Prospect Management and Research at WSU.
Jennifer (Jennings) Gannon ’05 (Albany, MN) received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of North Dakota. She is employed as a physician assistant in physical medicine and rehabilitation at St. Cloud Medical Group.
Zachary Malvik ’06 (Holmen, WI) is WSU’s first new men’s basketball coach on Mike Leaf’s staff in 16 seasons. Malvik spent three years playing basketball professionally. He lives in Holmen, WI, with his wife, Callie, and son, Zander.
Rebecca (Matousek) Potts ’06 (Stoddard, WI) and husband, Kevin, welcomed their first child, Jaxton Jerold, May 17.
Jodi Monerson ’06, ’09 (Bemidji, MN) accepted a new position at Bemidji State University as the Director of Residence Life. She worked at Winona State for the past three years in the Housing and Outreach and Continuing Education departments. She also welcomed her first child, Jack, born October 16.
David Krystowiak ’07 (Mosinee, WI) was chosen to lead the Pacelli High School football program. Krystowiak coached at the college level at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, University of Wisconsin-Concordia and WSU, and was head coach at Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine, CA. He is working on his master’s degree in student personnel administration through Concordia University in Mequon, WI. He received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from WSU.
Heather (Gosse) Kosik ’08, ’12 (Fountain City, WI) and husband, Royce, and two-year-old son, Liam, welcomed a daughter, Finleigh Grace, July 20. Kosik is currently the Associate Alumni Director at WSU.
Travis Whipple ’08 (Winona) was named Cotter High School activities Director in Winona. Whipple worked as Assistant Athletics Director at WSU immediately following graduation, and was the head women’s tennis coach. After earning his master’s degree in sports management, he accepted a position as the Assistant
Commissioner of the Lone Star Conference in Dallas, TX. Whipple returned to WSU, then accepted a job as the Associate Athletic Director at the University of Illinois, Springfield, but has again returned to Winona with his wife, 10-year-old son, and nine-month old daughter.
Rachel (Conrad) Cordes ’09 (Rollingstone, MN) married Travis Cordes May 31. Rachel is an operations supervisor for Prime Therapeutics in Eagan, and Travis is an information technology desktop engineer at Mystic Lake Casino.
Kelly (Strupp) Klawitter ’09 (Marshfield, WI) married Matt Klawitter July 26. Klawitter is a kindergarten teacher for the school district of Auburndale.
Ryan Sullivan ’09 (White Bear Lake, MN) accepted a new position this spring as the liaison officer with the Red Wing School District. He previously worked at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Red Wing, MN, and the Kenyon and Red Wing police departments. Sullivan graduated with a law enforcement degree from WSU.
Brian Kugel ’10 (Stockton, MN) and wife, Abby, welcomed their first child, Thomas Brian, February 27. Kugel works as software systems lead at WSU. Abby also works at WSU as the Creative Services Office Manager and the Donor Gift Coordinator.
Jacole (Drinkall) Welter ’11 (Ostrander, MN) married Jason Welter June 14. Welter graduated with a degree in business management and administration from WSU. She currently works at Ag Partners Co-op out of its Pine Island location.
Shelby (Husser) Morcomb ’11 and Bryant Morcomb ’13 (Rochester, MN) were married May 31. Shelby works at Mayo Clinic while Bryant is employed at Atlas Insurance Brokers.
Erin (Rostad) Phernetton ’11 and Kyle Pfernetton ’12 (Evansville, IN) were married June 14. Erin is a middle school language arts teacher at the Evansville School District. Kyle is Director of Public Relations at the Vanderburgh County Prosecutors Office in Evansville.
Nicole (Young) Herold ’11 (Holmen, WI) married Scott Herold June 7. Herold works at WSU and Scott is a foreman at Bi-State, Inc.
Bryce Welch ’11 (Fremont, WI) recently joined the construction services group as an engineering technician at McMahon in Neenah, WI.
Kathryn (Campbell) Van Den Elzen ’12 (Green Bay, WI) married Andy Van Den Elzen May 3. Van Den Elzen is employed as an exercise physiologist at St. Mary’s Hospital and in cardiac rehabilitation at St. Vincent Hospital.
Kelsey Erwin ’12 (St. Louis Park, MN) is the Marketing Coordinator for Consulting Radiologists, Ltd. in Minneapolis, MN.
Chandra (Gabbert) Pagel ’13 (Eyota, MN) married Jeff Pagel June 28. Pagel is a special education and U.S. history teacher at Kasson-Mantorville High School. She was recently accepted into a special education master’s program at Concordia University.
The Pagels live and work on his family’s dairy farm in Eyota.
Ashley (Groux) Weber ’13 and Matthew Weber ’12 (Tallahassee, FL) were married June 7. Ashley graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and is a fourth-grade teacher. Matthew graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and is pursuing a doctoral degree in statistics while working for Florida State University.
Anne Longlet ’13 (Red Wing, MN) is currently in the space graduate studies program at University of North Dakota and works as a graduate research assistant.
Sarah Mueller ’13 (Rewey, WI) was crowned the 2014 Iowa County Fairest of the Fair. She is an advocate for the importance of agriculture and the economic impact of the agricultural community. Mueller graduated with a degree in movement science from WSU and is currently enrolled in a physical therapist assistant program at Southwest Tech in Fennimore, WI.
Tulin Unganer ’13, completed her MA at the online school, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Unganer worked in the WSU English Department as an adjunct in 2013-14. She returned to Turkey last May, where she launched a language training company she calls
“Winona English.” A brochure for the business indicates that Unganer offers student advising for those who wish to study at WSU.
Gabrielle Davis ’14 (Greendale, WI) brought the iCan Bike program to Winona for the first time. Davis has volunteered with the program for the past six years. iCan Bike helps teach disabled children and adults how to ride a bike with the use of special equipment. Davis graduated with a degree in athletic training and nutrition from WSU.
