2000s Class notes

Submitted within the past year

2000
Sarah (Anderson) Meyer (BBA) and her husband, John, welcomed their first child, Adam George, on April 24, 2010. The family lives in Brookfield.

Sarah (Dresang) Strahm (BSN), '04 (MSN) received the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties' Preceptor Gold Star Award in April 2011 at the organization's annual conference in Albuquerque, N.M. The award is presented to one preceptor nationwide who demonstrates advancement of quality nurse practitioner education through exceptional service as a preceptor. The graduate faculty in the UW-Eau Claire College of Nursing and Health Sciences nominated Sarah for the award in recognition of her leadership and teaching as well as for her ability to serve as a positive role model for graduate nurse practitioner students. Sarah is a nurse practitioner in the family medicine department at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. She lives in the Eau Claire area with her husband, Corey, and their son, Brady.

2001
Sarah (Scott) Antosh (BA) was named one of the Top 25 in Media in the Twin Cities by the Alliance of Women in Media in June 2011. A complete list of honorees is available online at www.awrt-mn.org/diamond-awards.php.

Christine Kadonsky (BA-E), '06 (MA), a U.S. history teacher at Wausau West High School, received three teaching recognitions in 2010. She was selected as the 2010 Wisconsin History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, was awarded the Oregon-California Trails Association's Outstanding Educator Award and placed third in the Civil War Trust's lesson plan contest. The lesson, titled "African Americans after the Civil War," is available online at www.civilwar.org. In addition, Kadonsky served as a James Madison Congressional Fellow in summer 2010. She worked for U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia on Capitol Hill and conducted research on education issues.

Jennifer (Handrick) Kalies (BBA) has been promoted to the position of director of practice development for the Green Bay office of Hawkins, Ash, Baptie & Co., a full-service accounting firm.She has been withthe firm since2008.

Bill Truttschel (BS) received his education specialist degree in career and technical education from UW-Stout in December 2010. He has taught mathematics for eight years and has been a math instructor at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau for the past five years.

2002
Jennifer Awe (BS) received her doctorate in education in June 2011 from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Fla. Graduating with a 4.0 GPA, she focused her studies on higher education administration, conflict resolution and negotiation. Jennifer's dissertation, titled "Assessing Effectiveness of Face-to-Face New Student Orientation toward Redesign & Delivery Model," was based on an epistemological study of millennial student learning styles and developmental psychology. She has presented her research nationally on such topics as millennial student development, student learning theory, technology-based learning and social media, and healthy engagement of college parents. Jennifer is the associate dean of students at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Fla.

Jessica (Holm) Franson (BA) and her husband, Matt, welcomed their second child, Asher Isaac, on Dec. 25, 2009. Big sister Kaya is very proud of the newest addition to the family.

Brett Hagland (BA) joined the client services team of Nelson Schmidt, a full-service marketing communications agency in Milwaukee, in October 2010. He is responsible for providing strategic guidance and day-to-day client support, including project management, media planning and analysis. Hagland previously worked with such companies as Harley-Davidson, Brady Corp., Batteries Plus and ValPak.

Patrick McGuiness (BA) has been elected to the board of directors of Hiway Federal Credit Union in St. Paul, Minn. Hiway, which serves more than 64,000 members worldwide and totals over $864 million in assets, takes great pride in its high standard of customer service. Patrick says he is excited to be a part of such a great institution.

Addie (Boland) Teeters (BA) is the human resources manager and communications leader for Thilmany Papers, based in Kaukauna. Her primary responsibilities are associated with Thilmany's Nicolet Mill in De Pere. Addie and her husband, Brian, recently finalized the adoption of their son, Noah.

2003
Bethany (Hill) Kelm (BS-E) and Eric "Rick" Kelm were married July 3, 2010, in Powell, Ohio. Bethany teaches third grade for the Marysville Schools. The couple live in Dublin, Ohio.

Bonnie Krahn (BFA) and Nick Jarzynski '02 (BA) were married Oct. 16, 2010, in Eau Claire. The couple live in Eau Claire.

Jess Schmidt (BA) has been promoted to vice president of the consumer marketing team at Rogers Ruder Finn, one of the world's largest independent public relations firms, in Los Angeles, Calif. Jess leads integrated marketing, social media and public relations campaigns for her clients, which include the LA Auto Show, Dole Packaged Foods, Cinnabon, Kikkoman, Bosch appliances, RIDEMAKERZ toys, The Jim Henson Co., the L.A. County Fair, the LA Fire Department Foundation and iGo. Jess, a former captain of the Blugold women's ice hockey team, now enjoys attending annual UW-Eau Claire alumni games.

Becky (Higbee) Schonscheck (BS) and her husband, Ryan, welcomed their second son, Connor Michael, to their family on Aug. 3, 2010. He joins his big brother, Peyton.

Allison (Bolin) Schultz (BS-E) and Dan Schultz were married in June 2010. Allison teaches sixth grade in Albertville, Minn.

2004
Rachel (Dahl) Bonson (BMT) and her husband, Matt, welcomed daughter Zoe Marie on June 23, 2010. She joins big brother Garrett.

Jessica (Sirianni) Herrman (BA-E) and her husband, Trevor, welcomed their beautiful daughter, Kayla Ann, to the world on June 17, 2010. She joins big brother Ty. The family lives in Cameron.

Jessica (Walz) Schneider (BS-E) and her husband, Joe, welcomed their beautiful daughter, Lainee Corrine, to the world on April 14, 2011. She joins big sister Ali. The family lives in DeForest.

Laura Tamm (BS) received a master of science degree in physician assistant studies from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in July 2010.

2005
Joshua Andrew (BME) received a master of divinity degree in April 2011 from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Mo.

Crystal Flick (BBA) earned an MBA with concentrations in analytical finance and accounting from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in June 2011. She also was honored with the Deans' Award of Distinction.

Emily Hynek (BSW) reports that after two wonderful years in private practice at Johns, Flaherty & Collins S.C. in La Crosse, she is excited to begin a new career as an assistant district attorney in La Crosse County.

Laurie (Docken) Marsh (MST) ran her first half-marathon in Antarctica on March 7, 2010. She ran past the scientific research stations of Uruguay, Chile, China and Russia on King George Island. The adventure began in South America, from which Laurie took a ship across the Drake Passage to the South Pole. Penguins were the highlight of the event, but Laurie also saw seals, whales and many arctic birds. She visited Palmer Station, the U.S. research base, did a polar plunge and was able to explore the continent of Antarctica, reaching shore by Zodiacs. Laurie's goal is to travel to all seven continents, and now she has only Africa left.

2006
Curt Bach (BBA), a certified public accountant, is a senior associate in the Medford office of Hawkins, Ash, Baptie & Co., a full-service accounting firm. He works with business and individual clients on a variety of tax services. Bach is a member of the Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He lives in Medford with his wife and two children.

William Fern (BBA) has joined Empower Credit Union in Milwaukee as the new membership development officer.

Tunde Olatunji (BS) received a doctor of chiropractic degree in October 2009 from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. Prior to graduation, he completed an internship in Brisbane, Australia. While there, Tunde traveled the coast and visited the north and south islands of New Zealand. After graduating, he began a radiology residency at Palmer. Tunde was named the Most Eligible Bachelor for the state of Iowa in the November 2010 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.

Lindsay Walter (BFA) recently received her master of fine arts degree in arts leadership from Seattle University in Seattle, Wash. She currently is the communications manager at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle.

2007
Rachel (Kuenzel) Anderson (BA) and Brian Anderson (BBA) were married Oct. 23, 2010, in Eagan, Minn. The couple met four years ago in a business writing class. Today Rachel is the director of communications at the Minnesota Credit Union Network, and Brian is an admissions representative for Rasmussen College. Both Rachel and Brian are grateful for their UW-Eau Claire experiences, which enabled them to meet each other and opened numerous doors for them.

Lara Goetsch (BA), a graduate student in early childhood education at the Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minn., has been chosen as one of the American Montessori Society's 2010 Teacher Education Scholarship Award recipients.

Paul Lundgren (BBA) received his master of divinity degree from Denver Seminary in December 2010 and has been hired as the new senior pastor at Gateway Community Church in Middleton. Paul, his wife, Laura (Rogers) Lundgren '06 (BA-E), and their daughter, Claire, live in Waunakee.

2008
Dan Smith (BBA) and his wife, Emily (Klotz) Smith '09 (BA), announce the birth of their daughter, Lily Jane, on Oct. 15, 2010.

Emily (Hick) Stanke (BA) and Travis Stanke were married Jan. 30, 2010, at The Florian Gardens in Eau Claire. The ceremony was officiated by Joanne Juett, assistant professor of English at UW-Eau Claire. The couple live in Eau Claire.

2009
Jessica (Porath) Frie (BS) and Mark Frie '08 (BS) were married Aug. 28, 2010, in Eau Claire. They met in fall 2007 in a probability class at UW-Eau Claire. Jessica is an actuary at Thrivent Financial in Minneapolis, Minn., and Mark is an actuary at Securian Financial Group in St. Paul, Minn.

Emily Johnson (BA) has joined the Peace Corps. She began her duties as a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) volunteer in the Kyrgyz Republic in March 2011. Johnson works as a secondary education foreign language teacher, which includes implementing a team-teaching project with a local counterpart. She received TEFL certification from Hamline University in August 2010 and previously worked as a bilingual aide for the Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan School District.

Jill (Janke) Millis (BA) has been hired as the head softball coach at UW-Stevens Point. She also will serve as the assistant media relations director for UWSP athletics, assisting with all aspects of the athletics media relations department. Millis was a four-time letter winner and all-conference performer on UW-Eau Claire's softball team, which won its first national title during her senior season. She also was a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Great Lakes First-Team honoree. Millis served as an assistant coach at UW-Eau Claire for one year before accepting the graduate assistant coaching position at Ithaca College, where she earned her master's degree in sports management.

2010
Aimee LeMay (BA) has joined the staff of Special Olympics Wisconsin as the competition and training assistant. Her responsibilities include coordinating five major sports tournaments, assembling and distributing newsletters, supervising interns and communicating with Special Olympics agency managers and coaches across the state. Special Olympics Wisconsin provides year-round training and competition opportunities for nearly 10,000 individuals with cognitive disabilities.

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