1980s Class notes

Submitted within the past year

1980
Debra Monroe (A&S) is the author of five books, most recently a memoir titled "On the Outskirts of Normal: Forging a Family Against the Grain." It's the story about how, as a single woman, Monroe built her home and family in rural Texas. She built her own house and adopted an African-American child, usually the only black child in town. Monroe started her adoption proceedings the same year the Multiethnic Act was amended, making the denial of placement on the grounds of race illegal. Monroe's memoir was listed as recommended reading in the June 2010 issue of Vanity Fair magazine and was noted on Salon.com's "Our picks" list, where it was on the home page for a week. The book also has been recommended in People magazine and in O, The Oprah Magazine, and has received numerous positive reviews.

David Wicker (BBA) was named CEO of As One Technologies Inc. in August 2010. The company, based in Minnetonka, Minn., specializes in event-driven manufacturing operations management software. Wicker most recently served as president and CEO of Tekton Strategies LLC, a management consulting firm focused on organizational optimization, strategic growth initiatives, and business leadership and integration. He currently serves on the boards of directors of multiple charitable organizations, including Project Concern International, which provides health and humanitarian aid for children and families worldwide. Wicker lives in Grant, Minn., with his wife, Mary, and their two children.

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1981
Greg Banchy (BBA), who graduated magna cum laude from Marquette University Law School in 1987, currently practices estate planning and probate law in the Eau Claire area. He also is an information technology consultant to businesses in the Chippewa Valley and serves as an adjunct instructor in the information systems department at UW-Eau Claire. Greg says it's great to be part of the UW-Eau Claire family again.

Gregory Crinion, a partner in the law firm of Crinion Davis & Richardson LLP in Houston, Texas, is now an adjunct instructor at the University of Houston-Clear Lake School of Business. He teaches legal concepts for business professionals. Crinion holds an MBA from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from the UW Law School. He has served on the Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material Advisory Committee of the National Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, the Galveston County Mediation Services Board and the board of directors of the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce.

Brian Johnson (BA) has been selected to serve as head of the department of journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has been promoted to the rank of full professor. He has been at the university for 22 years.

After 30 years as a working reporter, Tom Pantera (BA) has been accepted into a graduate program at the University of Missouri. He plans to earn a master's degree in journalism and teach full time. For the past four years, in addition to editing a weekly newspaper, Tom has taught a class in media writing at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Before that, he worked at newspapers in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota.

Susan Reeves (BSW), '90 (BSN) has earned tenure in the nursing program at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tenn. She received her master of science in nursing degree with a specialty in women's health from Vanderbilt University in 1997. Susan lives on a small farm in rural Tennessee with her family, dogs and cows.

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1982
John Baur (BBA) was named community bank president for Associated Bank in Marshfield in February 2011. He is responsible for leading the bank's efforts in the Marshfield area, including providing financial solutions to customers and developing new business for the bank. Baur works closely with businesses and individual customers to help them achieve their financial goals. Baur, who has worked in the banking and financial industry for the past 28 years, also is involved with a number of civic organizations, including the Marshfield Area United Way, the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Marshfield Medical Research Foundation Auction of Champions, among others.

Peter Eckerline (BBA), '83 (MBA), a Wayzata, Minn.-based Merrill Lynch financial adviser, was recognized for the third consecutive year as the No. 1 adviser in Minnesota on Barron's "America's Top 1,000 Advisors: State-by-State" list in the Feb. 21, 2011, issue of Barron's magazine. This honor for Eckerline, managing director of investments at Merrill Lynch, recognizes his client service, personalized financial guidance and commitment to championing his clients' interests. He previously was recognized as the No. 1 adviser in Minnesota for four consecutive years by The Winner's Circle, an independent organization. Eckerline, who joined Merrill Lynch in 1983, serves on the steering committee for the Dave Thomas Adoption Foundation and is a member of the Twin Cities Dunkers and the Golden Dunkers. He also serves on the board of directors for the Wayzata Country Club and the Finance Committee at St. Bartholomew Church in Wayzata.

Henry Kiema (BBA) is the managing director for Financial Analytics Limited, a financial and management consulting company in Nairobi, Kenya. From 2002-05 Kiema awarded scholarships to the best performing students in class 8 of the Ngiini Primary School in Kitui, Kenya. The scholarships covered one year of school fees at a secondary school of the students' choice. Due to the success of the initial project and a desire to continue giving back to his rural community, Kiema launched a new three-year project in 2009. During the school's 2010 Prize Giving Day, special trophies were presented to honor UW-Eau Claire; Kiema's Eau Claire host family, the Dorothy and Harold Olson family; and his own family. Kiema says he will forever treasure UW-Eau Claire's contributions to his upbringing.

Roxane (Cockeram) Monico (BS-E) received her associate of science degree in nursing in spring 2010 and her registered nursing license in June 2010. She is currently employed as a registered nurse and says it is never too late to follow your dream.

Michael Moore (BBA) has retired from the U.S. Air Force after 26 years of service. His last assignment was as deputy command chaplain, Air Force special operations command, at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Moore has been appointed pastor of First Presbyterian Church in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. He would love to hear from
UW-Eau Claire friends by email at ScotsIrishPadre@gmail.com.

Ken Vinje (BBA) received the 2010 Minnesota Shopping Center Association Hall of Fame Award, the association's top honor, in December 2010. Vinje, director of properties and redevelopment for Kraus-Anderson Realty in Bloomington, Minn., was recognized for his leadership and achievement in the retail real estate industry and within MSCA. He also was honored for demonstrating identifiable results within the retail industry and exhibiting mentorship skills by sharing his knowledge to better both the retail industry and individuals. Vinje lives in Plymouth, Minn.

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1983
Linda McCormick-Scheuer (BS) has taught kindergarten in the Two Rivers area for the past 27 years. She also gives presentations on various educational subjects to fellow teachers. In July 2010 she presented at the "I teach K!" National Kindergarten Teacher Conference in Las Vegas, Nev. Roughly 3,500 teachers from throughout the United States attended. Linda says it was quite an honor to present there and notes that she always mentions her UW-Eau Claire affiliation during her presentations.

Colleen McEwen (BSW) works for Fidelity Investments in Boston, Mass., as a director in the company's in-house advertising agency. She loves the every two-year or so reunions with the former Sutherland Hall resident assistants — most recently at the five-year cancer-free party for Jean Pochebut Fugate '81, (BSN). Colleen also asks those who remember the "lovely, talented and amazing" Colleen Ferg '85 (BME) to make a donation in her memory to the Colleen J. Ferg Memorial Scholarship through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation.

Russel Mikkelson (BME) has been promoted to the rank of professor at The Ohio State University School of Music, where he serves as director of bands. Under his leadership the OSU Wind Symphony has released four CDs, the last two of which appear on the Naxos recording label.

Elizabeth Willis (BA) had her fifth book of poetry, "Address," published in February 2011. She also is the author of "Meteoric Flowers" (2006), "Turneresque" (2003), "The Human Abstract" (1995) and "Second Law" (1993). Willis is the Shapiro-Silverberg associate professor of creative writing at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.

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1984
Donna (Wallace) Hobscheid (BA) a former newspaper editor, is taking her communications skills in a new direction at Coldwell Banker Hilgenberg Realtors in Shawano. She received her real estate license in July and enjoys her new career.

Carol (Swenson) Kouba (BS-E) and James Kouba '89 (BS-E) were married in May 1999. Carol taught on Madeline Island for two years and transferred to the mainland school in 1999. James taught math and physics at Washburn High School from 1989-2007. On March 7, 2007, he died of a massive spontaneous brain bleed. James lived a wonderful life with his wife and children in Washburn. The Washburn schools were closed the day of his funeral so that his students and colleagues could attend. James touched many lives with his intellect and sense of humor.

Lisa (Richards) Lazaretti (BA) has worked in the child support division of the state of Minnesota's Department of Human Services for the past 16 years. As a project manager she manages projects resulting from federal grants and state and federal legislation affecting child support policy in Minnesota. In her free time Lisa enjoys working on home projects, pursuing her hobbies and riding her motorcycle. She lives in Lakeville, Minn., with her daughter, Michaela.

Bill Miller (BA) concluded his term as president of the Professional Outdoor Media Association in August 2010 and now serves as the organization's chairman of the board. POMA is the professional business association of nearly 500 of the nation's most recognized hunting, fishing and shooting sports communicators. Members are in the print, broadcast, photography and digital communication fields as well as in public relations and advertising. Miller continues as vice president of media development and production for North American Media Group Inc. in Minnetonka, Minn. He also is in his 23rd season on-air for North American Hunter TV, currently broadcast on the Versus network.

1985
Joseph DeChatelets (BA) was named president and CEO of Rockford Mutual Insurance Co. in Rockford, Ill., in January 2011. He has worked in the insurance industry for more than 25 years, with almost 23 years at a Fortune 500 company. Rockford Mutual is a regional insurance company that provides property and casualty products through independent agents in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri. Joseph and his wife, Eufemia, have relocated from DeWitt, Mich., to Illinois. They have five children: Lattoya, Dylan, Megan, Ryan and Jacquelyn.

Bill Olson (BA), '01 (BA), an Eau Claire filmmaker who has produced videos for consumers and businesses as the sole proprietor of Bill Olson Video Productions, has now established Iconostar Productions LLC. The new company will continue to film such events as weddings, seminars, dance recitals and concerts, but will also produce documentaries and feature films. Iconostar Productions as an unofficial entity is not new; Olson has produced award-winning films under that emblem since 1986.

Drew Sterwald (BA) has joined Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Fla., as a staff writer in the Office of Community Relations and Marketing after 25 years in the newspaper industry. He writes pieces for Pinnacle, the university's quarterly magazine, as well as other communication materials. Drew continues to live on Pine Island, Fla., which is known for its sport and commercial fishing, tropical fruit orchards and palm tree nurseries.

1986
Paul Erickson (BA) was named assistant director of the University Information and Communications department at UW-Platteville in October 2010. He oversees and assists the Public Relations, Publications, and Mail and Duplicating offices within UIC. Prior to accepting his new position, Erickson had served as sports information director at the university since 1996.

1987
Doug Beard (BS) was selected as chief of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center in August 2010. The goals of the NCCWSC are to understand climate change impacts on fish and wildlife and to develop tools that resource managers can use to protect those species and their habitats. Beard also will oversee the establishment and program direction of the Department of the Interior's eight regional Climate Science centers. The CSCs will provide scientific information, tools and techniques needed to manage land, water, wildlife and cultural resources in the face of climate change. Beard first joined the USGS in 2003, working as a program manager with the National Biological Information Infrastructure. Before joining the USGS, Beard held fishery management positions in the Wisconsin and Minnesota departments of Natural Resources. He holds a master's degree in fish and wildlife studies from Pennsylvania State University and a doctorate in zoology from UW-Madison.

Jeffrey Dippmann (BA), an associate professor of philosophy and religious studies at Central Washington University, had his book titled "Riding the Wind with Liezi: New Perspectives on the Daoist Classic" published by SUNY Press in April 2011. More information about the book can be found online.

Carolyn Janette (BSN) owns and is the tour manager for Inroads Ireland: Tours Off the Beaten Track. Carolyn started the business with her Irish-born husband, Phil, to take small groups to authentic places in Ireland while staying in locally owned guesthouses. They currently lead three different one-week tours of Ireland and are looking to expand and offer similar tours of Spain. Carolyn says that traveling is a full-time job — the best she's ever had. More about the company can be found online at www.InroadsIreland.com. When not on the road, Carolyn and Phil live in Madison.

Kris Sloan (BA), an associate professor at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, was presented with the university's 2011 Distinguished Teaching Award. Sloan teaches undergraduate courses, including foundations of education and assessment literacy, and graduate courses in the master of arts in teaching program.

1988
Scott Deaton (BBA) has joined PNC Bank as the vice president of investment products in the company's Pittsburgh, Pa., headquarters. He is responsible for the management of PNC's common trust funds for public entities and private foundations. Scott, who holds an MBA from American University, is a certified financial planner professional and a level 2 chartered financial analyst candidate. He lives in Mount Lebanon, Pa., with his wife, Mary, and their daughter, Nevada.

Yvonne (Backes) Gurney (BA) has, for the second year running, contributed as a trainer on T. Harv Eker's internationally reknowned Train the Trainer program in London, England. In May 2011 she registered her trademark as The Verbal Copywriter under which she offers mentoring to professional speakers in Europe, the Far East and North America. Yvonne, who has lived in and around London since 1989, is married and has two children.

Rhonda Lanford (BA), an attorney and shareholder at Habush Habush & Rottier's Madison office, coached UW-Madison third-year law student Peter Maris at Baylor Law School's National Top Gun Mock Trial Competition in Waco, Texas, in June 2011. The mock trial competition is an invitation-only tournament in which the single best advocates from the nation's top 18 competitive schools go head-to-head for the honor of Top Gun and a take-home prize of $10,000. Maris placed in the top seven advocates at the competition. Lanford received her law degree from UW-Madison in 1996 and began her practice at Habush Habush & Rottier in 1997. Since 2001 she has served as an adjunct faculty member at UW-Madison Law School, teaching mock trial, trial advocacy and substantive courses, including negotiations, civil procedure and evidence.

Joanne (Raetz) Stuttgen (MA) has written a new cookbook titled "Cafe Indiana Cookbook," published by the University of Wisconsin Press. The cookbook features 130 favorite recipes from some of Indiana's local restaurants, which have been kitchen-tested by co-author Jolene Ketzenberger, a food writer for the Indianapolis Star. Stuttgen, also the author of "Café Indiana," "Café Wisconsin" and "Café Wisconsin Cookbook" (with Terese Allen), lives in Martinsville, Ind.

1989
Doug Allie (BBA) is planning to run across Michigan's Upper Peninsula, from Hurley, Wis., to Drummond Island, Mich., from July 14-28. This amounts to running a marathon each day for two weeks. Doug is running to raise funds to fight Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder, which his youngest son, Jacob, has. More information about Doug's run and CMT is available online at www.cmtausa.org/runacrosstheup.

Mark Jenkins (BA), a longtime Independence Party activist and 2010 candidate for the Minnesota state Senate, was elected chair of the Independence Party of Minnesota at the party's state convention April 30, 2011, in Lakeville, Minn.

Matthew Jopek (BS-E) is in his second year as assistant principal of Crownpoint High School in Crownpoint, N.M., and his 13th year as an administrator with the Gallup-McKinley County Schools. His son, Brandon, is a senior at Thoreau High School, and his son, Nathan, is a freshman at Crownpoint High School. Matthew says he is enjoying his experiences and life.

Clark Williams (BA) has won election to the board of directors of the Citizens' Advisory Committee for the Santa Clara County (Calif.) Open Space Authority. Representing 250,000 residents of District 6, a largely urban area composed of downtown and east side neighborhoods of San Jose, Williams will work to protect key portions of Santa Clara County from the negative impacts of development and will help lead the county's conservation and habitat protection efforts.

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