The Door County Pulse wrote of Carroll alumnus Peter Burress '16 in a profile: "When considering the direction for his postsecondary studies, Peter Burress – a Sister Bay native and 2012 Gibraltar School alumnus – took to heart a message that his mother, Jane, always emphasized as a youth minister at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay: To whom much is given, much is expected." Burress studied psychology and organizational leadership at Carroll. Read more in this feature how he is using his skills to advocate for others in his work at All Voting Is Local in Madison, Wis., where he supports the development and implementation of campaigns.
-July 6, 2020
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development recently highlighted the work of Dr. Sahera Dirajlal-Fargo in a series of social media posts touting her pediatric HIV research in Uganda, supported by a NICHD career development award. Read more about Dr. Dirailal-Fargo's work. She graduated from Carroll in 1999 with a degree in biology.
Yvonne Ochilo ’05 will release a book in August 2020 titled “Red Letter,” a collection of poems “that embody and celebrate ‘post-colonial’ literary style." She is principal at Ochilo Law Offices in Milwaukee. Yvonne said her book grapples with themes of social justice, history, leadership, the role of women, love, conflict, and war. “It sets the stage for a deeper dialogue of what our humanity entails and the interconnectedness of our universal experiences,” she notes. She graduated from Carroll in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in international relations.
Congratulations to Carroll alumna Cindy Weber for being named president of Pacelli Catholic Schools in Stevens Point. Weber, formerly president and CEO of Sunshine House in Sturgeon Bay, will oversee the school system's operation, which includes fundraising, development, public relations, budgeting and support of school administrators. Read more about her new position in this story by the Stevens Point Journal. She graduated from Carroll in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Ellie Martin Cliffe ’04 was recently named by one of FOLIO’s Top Women in Media for 2020 as an “Up and Comer” honoree who will be recognized with during a ceremony in New York City in September. The award celebrates more than 100 leaders who have made a lasting impact on their brands, organizations and markets. Ellie graduated in 2004 with a degree in communication and was named Carroll’s Graduate of the Last Decade in 2010.
-May 4, 2020
Ricardo Diaz ’74 recently received the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the paper’s Business in Diversity Awards. Diaz serves as the executive director of the United Community Center in Milwaukee, where he is planning to retire in May. He graduated from Carroll with a bachelor’s degree in social work and Spanish.
Gov. Tony Evers recently announced the appointment of Sandie (Springer) Giernoth ’04 as Washington County Circuit Court Judge. The appointment fills a vacancy that will be created by the retirement of Judge Andrew Gonring, effective March 28, 2020. Sandie graduated from Carroll with a bachelor’s degree in history & politics.
Alumnus Matthew Gurka ‘99, Ph.D., has been elected Fellow of American Statistical Association (ASA) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to statistical science. A recipient of Carroll’s Graduate of the Last Decade Award in 2008, Matthew graduated from Carroll with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
Carroll Alumnus Robert McVety '69 published an opinion piece in the Tampa Bay Times, writing about his experience as a volunteer at the Florida State Prison in Wakulla County, where he started a book club with inmates. In his column, he discusses George Orwell’s "1984" to current politics as well as life in prison.
Carroll alumnus John Macy '77 has been named by The Waukesha County Community Foundation as its 2020 Celebration of Giving Award recipient. Macy, a Waukesha attorney, will be recognized for his accomplishments at an event on June 10. He graduated from Carroll with a bachelor's degree in English and political science.
-April 6, 2020
Excelcia Music Publishing announced it would be expanding into Jazz Ensemble Music with the hiring of an industry veteran, Carroll alumnus Blair Bielawski '81, to the position of Jazz Editor. The company notes that in addition to being an accomplished composer and arranger, music educator and performer, Bielawski will bring to his new position a wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of Jazz Ensemble Music and Elementary Music.
Karen Gorton, PhD, RN, FNP, MS, has been elected vice president of Sigma Theta Tau International (Sigma), one of the most influential nursing organizations across the world. In the role of vice president, Gorton will support President Richard Ricciardi in his vision to uphold Sigma’s mission to develop nurse leaders anywhere to improve health care everywhere. Dr. Gorton earned her BS from Wheaton College, a MS from Indiana University, her BSN from Carroll College/Columbia College of Nursing, her MSN from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and her PhD in Nursing Education from the University of Northern Colorado.
-January 31, 2020
Alumnus Casey Migacz ’13 recently joined H.J. Martin and Son as purchasing lead, bringing with him nearly six years of buying experience with national organizations, according to a company news release. In his role, he will develop, lead, and execute purchasing strategies for the company’s Residential and Commercial divisions across multiple entities, including supplier negotiations. He graduated from Carroll with a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science.
-January 6, 2020
Congratulations to Dorval R. Carter Jr. ‘79, chair of the Carroll board of trustees and president of the Chicago Transit Authority, who has been named 2019 Motorola Solutions Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award honoree by The Civic Federation. Read more about this honor and Dorval's contributions to the community. He received his bachelor's degree from Carroll in business administration with a minor in economics.
-December 6, 2019
Carroll alumna Yolanda Medina '16, M.Ed. ’19 was featured in a Wisconsin photo exhibit tied to a nationwide awareness campaign - I Am Not Invisible - that strives to highlight the role of women veterans. She is currently the director of the Military and Veterans Resource Center at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Learn about Yolanda’s military service and background. She received her bachelor's degree in religious studies from Carroll followed by a master's degree in Adult, Community and Professional Education.
DePaul University featured Carroll alumna Mallory Gizowski ’18 in its online news as part of a story focused on her work as a graduate assistant athletic trainer. She now works across the athletic department with the women’s soccer team, men’s and women’s tennis team and the men’s golf team while also pursuing her master’s degree in the sports, fitness, and recreational leadership program at DePaul. Read more about her work as an athletic trainer.
-November 1, 2019
The Country Messenger in Scandia, Minn. provided its readers an introduction to the area's new city administrator, Carroll alumnus Ken Cammilleri. Ken received his bachelor's degree from Carroll in politics before going on to also receive a master's degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Congratulations to Stephanie (Messer) Hudson '80 for her promotion to the Associate Vice President of Student Services & District Registrar role at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi on July 1, 2019.
-October 4, 2019
Congratulations to Dr. Howard Fuller '62, for the renaming of the Milwaukee Collegiate Academy to the Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy. The school, founded in 2004, will be operating under its new name for the first time in the 2019-2020 school year. Today's TMJ4 in Milwaukee interviewed Dr. Fuller about the naming of the academy.
-September 6, 2019
Alumna Elizabeth Jorgensen M.Ed. ’09 has co-authored a book with her mother, Nancy Jorgensen, that follows their family’s story as her sister, Gwen Jorgensen, progressed from Wisconsin accountant to an Olympic and world champion. Titled Go, Gwen, Go: A Family’s Journey to Olympic Gold, the book will be released in October by Meyer & Meyer Sport. Jorgensen received her master’s degree at Carroll and was later named the university’s Graduate of the Last Decade in 2017. She is a teacher and a writer.
Danica Molina ’19 won second place in the desktop publishing category of the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda competition. She had previously won two first-place awards in the Wisconsin Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda competition, which qualified her for the national contest.
In true Pioneer spirit, she was the first Carroll student to compete in the competition. She graduated from Carroll in May with a double major in healthcare administration and graphic communication, with a minor in marketing. During the competition, she had to design a logo for a food truck and create print materials such as a billboard, direct mail piece, menu and business card. She says graphic communication professors Dan Becker and Julie VonDerVellen motivated her and helped her develop a passion for design. Molina works in Waukesha at The Caring Place adult daycare center conducting activity groups. She recently assumed social media duties as well. She is considering returning to school to pursue nonprofit management or administration.
Congratulations to alumna Molly Peterson ’19 for having her work accepted as a 2019 BR!NK BR!EFS playwrights in a new festival showcasing the work of Midwestern women playwrights. The festival was held from Sept. 7 to 8, 2019 in Milwaukee. She received her bachelor’s degree in theatre arts with an arts Management minor. Her piece, Glass Slipper, was the first play she has written. She has worked on multiple shows mainly in stage manager and recently directed a production of The Wonderful World of Dissocia. She thanked Carroll theater professors James Zager and Jennifer Dobby “for always believing in her.” Dobby joined Peterson in the festival with her own piece titled The Arrangement.
Congratulations to alumnus Randy Hopf '64 on 40 years of directing the Waukesha Civic Band. He retired from his position after a final performance in Waukesha on August 1 the Les Paul Performance Center.
-August 2, 2019
Alumna Sally (Sorensen) Lovell ’90, M.Ed.’95 and her daughter, Mary, together co-authored a book, Glass Storm, which will be released on August 18. In it, they share from a mother-daughter perspective their personal recollection of a tornado that hit their hometown of Stoughton, Wis. Sally notes, “We wanted to write a story about the power of family, faith, community, strength and resilience.” Learn more about the book here. She graduated from Carroll with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1990 and returned to receive her master’s degree in education in 1995. She is the daughter of Carroll alumnus Don Sorensen ’56.
OnMilwaukee.com featured Carroll alumna Megan Mares ’09 in its FoodCrush podcast, tapping into her knowledge about how science plays a role in training people to taste and appreciate flavors in beer. Megan is a trade brewer for Miller-Coors. She graduated from Carroll with a bachelor’s degree in human biology. Hear more from Megan in the podcast.
An employee blog for Daktronics featured Carroll alumnus Tom May '06 discussing his work not only as a field engineer for the company but his interests as an amateur radio operator and a trained weather spotter for the National Weather Service. Read more about how Tom’s experience provided him the opportunity to help with the installation of 60 displays at the Milwaukee Bucks new arena, Fiserv Forum. Tom graduated from Carroll with a bachelor's degree in communication.
Elaine (Wesner) Sellenheim ('06), has been named the 2019 Wisconsin Mother of the Year by the national American Mothers organization. Elaine and her family traveled to Washington DC in April to accept the award and attend the national American Mothers convention. While in Washington DC, she also met with State Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin to discuss topics important to Wisconsin mothers. Elaine graduated from Carroll with a bachelor's degree in music. She is married to Carroll alumnus Joseph Sellenheim, also a 2006 graduate.
Alumnus Arthur Thomas ’11 has been promoted from reporter to an associate editor at BizTimes Milwaukee. He joined the paper in late 2015 and has covered the manufacturing and courthouse beats. He will continue to cover manufacturing and add duties as an associate editor that will include special projects, reporter coaching and social media analysis/management. Read more about his new position in a story published by BizTimes. Arthur graduated from Carroll with a bachelor's degree in communication as well as philosphy, politics and economics.
Alumnus Benjamin Thorpe ’18 has joined Lessiter Media in May 2019 as an associate research editor of Ag Equipment Intelligence and Farm Equipment. He came to the company from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers where he interned in the Content and Education department. Benjamin graduated from Carroll with a bachelor’s degree in professional writing. His duties will include developing, researching, editing and writing print and digital content for Ag Equipment Intelligence and Farm Equipment. He will also assist with magazine production workflow and will represent Lessiter Media’s publications at industry events. Read more from Lessiter Media on Benjamin's new position.
Congratulations to Dr. Bart Williams ’91 for receiving the Excellence in Graduate Education award from Van Andel Institute Graduate School in Grand Rapids, Mich. Williams graduated from Carroll with a bachelor’s degree in biology and earned his Ph.D. in biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Read more about his award and background with Van Andel in the school’s news release.
-June 6, 2019
Abbi Hess '18 has accepted a position with Milwaukee Repertory Theater's Stage Management Residency Program. She will be an Emerging Professional Resident for the 2019-2020 season. She graduated from Carroll with a bachelor's degree, double majoring in history and theatre arts.
-May 24, 2019
Danica Molina ’19 became the first Carroll student to compete in the Wisconsin Future Business Leaders of America – Phi Beta Lambda competition, where she won two first-place awards, one for desktop publishing and one for business presentation. She has qualified to compete in the national competition in late June in San Antonio, Texas. Although Carroll does not have an official student chapter of FBLA – PBL, Molina entered the competition as an individual affiliated with Carroll. She graduated from Carroll in May with a double major in healthcare administration and graphic communication, with a minor in marketing.
Alumnus Dorval Carter Jr. ’79, vice chair of the Carroll board of trustees, weighed in among 10 CEOs recently interviewed for a Chicago Tribune story examining the national college admission scandal. The story discussed whether the college you choose determines success.
-May 3, 2019
Kay Schmidt ’83 has been named senior vice president, Technical Operations, at Catalent Pharma Solutions, a global provider of advanced delivery technologies and development solutions for drugs, biologics and consumer health products. In her new role, Kay will lead a team “dedicated to continuously improving the technical and operational excellence that enables Catalent to help its customers develop and launch over 200 new products every year,” according to the company news release. She graduated from Carroll with a bachelor's degree in computer science.
NAEA President Kim Huyler Defibaugh said, "Mari Atkinson exemplifies the highly qualified art educators active in education today: leaders, teachers, students, scholars, and advocates who give their best to their students and the profession."
Congratulations to alumna Mary Baer ’71 for being named a 2019 Woman of Distinction by the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County. Baer is retired from the Waukesha County Business Alliance and past president of the Waukesha Rotary. She received her bachelor’s degree from Carroll in international relations. She shares the 2019 honor along with a former history lecturer at Carroll, Dr. Ellen Langill, who authored the book, “Carroll College: The First Century, 1846-1946.”
The Minnesota GIS/LIS Consortium recently recognized Ben Richason III ’70 as Distinguished Educator of the Year. Richason taught for two years at James Madison University, Virginia before going to St. Cloud State University, Minnesota. He taught at St. Cloud for the past 40 years as a professor of geography in the Department of Geography and Planning. He is also executive director of the University’s Spatial Analysis Research Center. He graduated from Carroll with a bachelor’s degree in geography.
Amy (Wareham) Waldoch ’13 made the news when Herb Kohl Philanthropies chose her classroom project to receive funding, a story told by Milwaukee’s CBS 58 News. She uses a classroom robot, Dash, and requested more robots through the Donors Choose site, to which the Herb Kohl Philanthropies responded. Waldoch graduated from Carroll with a degree in elementary education.
-March 1, 2019
Alumnus Frank Juarez '97 received the national secondary art educator award from the National Art Education Association in Boston, Mass. in March. He is one of four secondary art educators receiving the award nationally. Frank is the art department chair at Sheboygan North High School and graduated from Carroll with a bachelor’s degree in art. Read more about Frank’s work and contributions to his field.
Nhi (Ho) Poss ’18 took the coursework of an independent study at Carroll in the fall to new heights when her design for Good City Brewing - a brewing company in downtown Milwaukee - was chosen to be featured on a T-shirt for company staff. She competed against five other students as the company sought a project that “delivered the brand’s ideation with consistency and brought something creative to the design.” After three rounds of presentations Good City Brewing chose Nhi’s design. She graduated from Carroll in December 2018 with a bachelor's degree, majoring in graphic design and minoring in art.
If you’re a Nascar fan, you'll be excited by the talents and design style of Carroll alumnus Kyle Sykes ’15. Kyle entered a contest to have his car design featured on the famous #43 Richard Petty Motorsports car. With thousands of entries by other Nascar fans, his was voted the favorite and was featured on #43 with driver Bubba Wallace at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California during the Nascar Monster Energy Cup Series in March. All Nascar Cup Series races are broadcasted to a national audience by FOX and FOX Sports, which Kyle said “is really amazing to see my artwork seen by millions of fans!” Kyle graduated with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. Check out some of his work.
Cindy (Ruiz) Simons '13 was recently named president of Forward Careers, a non-profit leader in employment and training. Cindy joined Forward Careers, formerly known as Waukesha-Ozaukee-Washington Workforce Development, Inc. in 2007. She most recently served as the organization's operations manager, where she oversaw the company’s programs and services, while also leading its business services and marketing teams. Read more about her accomplishments from the company announcement. She graduated from Carroll with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
-February 1, 2019
Steve Watkins ’87 has co-authored a book, Classic Bengals, due for release on November 18. Amazon.com summarizes the book as “a tour of the best moments in the Bengals's long history, which will evoke special memories from longtime fans and delight those who currently follow the team.” Watkins graduated from Carroll with a bachelor’s degree in communication.
-October 5, 2018
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a story on the impact that Jim Jacobsen '10 had as a beloved coach in local schools through a career in coaching that extended across several communities. Jacobsen passed away in December after a year-long battle with cancer. The Carroll community expresses its condolences to Jim's family and friends. —January 3, 2018
The Cumberland Valley Business Journal highlighted the accomplishments of Dr. James Raczek '77, MD in his hiring as chief medical officer for UPMC Pinnacle, a health care system that is part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The center serves central Pennsylvania and surrounding rural communities. With 36 years of medical experience, Raczek most recently served for 14 years as the senior vice president and chief medical officer at Eastern Maine Medical Center, a 411-bed medical center in Bangor, Maine. —December 22, 2017
Congratulations to Tom Fick '74, who was inducted to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Hall of Fame in November. Fick served as sports information director at UW-Whitewater from 1976-2014. During his tenure, the school transitioned from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) to NCAA Division III. He mentored dozens of student workers during his 30-plus years in the profession, according to information from UW-Whitewater athletics. —December 2017
Daniel H. Westfahl traveled to Washington D.C. in October as the National Distinguished Principal for Wisconsin. He was named 2017 Principal of the Year in the spring, recognized for his leadership at Brookfield Elementary School. He said, "I am extremely humbled to have been chosen as the Wisconsin Principal of the Year, and fortunate to have built my educational values during my time at Carroll as an undergrad. I currently serve as principal in Brookfield, and also attempt to give back to Carroll as an adjunct professor in literacy. I am lucky to work in a school and district that values collaboration, innovation and learning, which are tenets that grounded our work at Carroll in the education department." Read the earlier news on his recognition from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction as well as a story from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on his accomplishments. —November 2017
David Schuler ’91, superintendent for Township High School District 214, was named the 2018 Illinois Superintendent of the Year in November. He received the honor from the Illinois Association of School Administrators. He called the award “an incredibly humbling experience,” in a story by the Arlington Heights Patch. —November 21, 2017
Master of Education in Program Planning graduate Jacqui Corsi '09 has taken on the role of Executive Director of the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts in Fond du Lac, Wis. She has been with the center for five years. Read more in this article from the Fond du Lac Reporter. —November 3, 2017
Kelly Drescher Johnson ’00, now a student at MassBay Community College, was selected to represent MassBay at the National Convening on College Food and Housing Security Conference in October. She traveled to the conference to learn more about efforts to end hunger and homelessness among college students nationwide. She was one of two students chosen to attend the conference based on an essay contest focused on hunger issues. —October 2017
Sally Mohr Lunde ’80, recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Waukesha County Bar Association, has joined the Waukesha-based Law Offices of David J. Carlson, S.C., where she will be focusing on probate and trust administration, estate planning and guardianship law. She received her juris doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992. She is also recipient of a commendation from the Wisconsin Supreme Court for services rendered in the areas of probate, guardianship and model form creation. —October 2017
Kit R. Van Stelle ’85 was recently promoted to the title of Distinguished Researcher in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wis. —October 2017
In late June, the State Bar of Wisconsin presented its annual pro bono awards to alumnus Douglas Klingberg '63 and the Madison office of Merchant & Gould. Fellow alumnus Justice Daniel Kelly '86 offered opening remarks, thanking the honorees for "calling us to be more like you." Klingberg, a retired litigator from the Ruder Ware firm, was recognized for his outstanding volunteer service with Wisconsin Judicare. Klingberg volunteers 3-4 days a week at Wisconsin Judicare in Wausau, helping low income clients and advising newer attorneys. In the last five years, he opened over 550 cases and helped more than 1,200 Judicare clients across the northern 33 counties. —June 2017
WISN12 in Milwaukee featured an interview with alumnus Garrett Sheskey ’13, ’15, who is sharing his singing talents among 60 finalists for a shot at American Idol. Hear more from Garrett in this interview with the local TV station. —August 30, 2017
Alumna Leea Glasheen recently published a book, “Backbiters,” the story of a 15-year-old mutant girl 54 years after a corporate world war decimates human and animal populations on Earth. Glasheen is a 1985 Carroll graduate and a former teacher in Milwaukee County schools. She is a graduate of Mount Mary University with a master’s degree in English and a creative writing emphasis. "Backbiters" was published by Montag Press of Oakland, California and is available now on Amazon. Learn more at debraleeaglasheen.com. —August 2017
The Saxophonist and vocalist Suzanne Grzanna recently won four Indie Music Channel Awards in Hollywood, CA for her new Album "Daybreak." The recent release the “Daybreak” CD features three vocal numbers and three instrumental pieces. After attending Wisconsin Lutheran College and earning a music degree from Carroll University, where she performed as part of the jazz band and symphonic orchestra, she formed her own jazz quartet. Learn more about Suzanne and her career. —April 2017
Carroll alumni Alisha Hayes ‘04 and Tim Retic, who attended Carroll from 1995 to 1997, were both featured in the Waukesha Freeman in a story about their successful business ventures. Hayes and her husband, Tydus, own and operate Pat’s Rib Place in Waukesha. Retic owns a barbershop, Forever Faded, in Waukesha and is in the process of establishing Hall of Fame Athletics Incorporated, a non-profit organization to train athletes from 5th grade to the professional level. —July 25, 2017
The BizTimes in Milwaukee highlighted the contributions of alumnus José Olivieri '78 in his community service that has helped strengthen the Hispanic community. The story notes that he has served on numerous boards that include the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, the University of Wisconsin System board of regents, the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation and Carroll University’s board of trustees, while also providing pro bono legal services for those in need. Olivieri serves at Carroll as chair to the Board of Trustees. —July 10, 2017
Wendy Sandberg , a Carroll physical therapy alumna, shared her knowledge on vestibular therapy when she was featured on ProHealth Care Minute on NBC in Milwaukee in July. —July 2, 2017
The Beloit Daily News shared the efforts of Sam Burns '16 and his family to launch a July 15 basketball tournament in honor of his mother, Lori Burns, who passed away in 2015 after a battle with cancer. Proceeds from the event went towards cancer research. Sam is an assistant account executive, PR/Social Media at Boelter + Lincoln in Milwaukee. He graduated from Carroll with a bachelor's degree in marketing. —June 27, 2017
Marybeth Cottrill ’94 has been elected to a three-year term on the Board of Trustees at the Milwaukee Rep. She is director at BMO Wealth Management and received her bachelor of science degree from Carroll in economics and environmental science. —July 5, 2017
Carroll alumnus Ian Fox has been promoted to Director of the Development Center at Centare’s headquarters in Brookfield, according to BizTimes in Milwaukee. He previously managed the Dev Center. —July 6, 2017
The gmtoday.com site featured a story on Rhonda Noordyk ’99, who opened the Women’s Financial Wellness Center in 2014 as a financial coaching hub for women seeking guidance with their money. She graduated from Carroll with a communication degree. —July 5, 2017