Viterbo Has Global Connections |
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Best wishes to all in this momentous new year. The students have returned to campus, and the second semester has just begun. We have fewer than usual international students on campus this year because of the pandemic, but over the years Viterbo has welcomed so many great students from around the globe. In this month's newsletter, we talk to a few of the remarkable global connections Viterbo has had. |
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From Havana to La Crosse
Martha (Suarez) Brueggeman '66 came to Viterbo University from Cuba at age 16 with no money and no English skills, but Viterbo embraced her and served as a launching pad for a successful and fulfilling life. Brueggeman built a thriving business teaching piano and took on local, state, and national leadership roles in the association for music teachers. “The love and the care and encouragement and support that I received from everyone at Viterbo and from the La Crosse community cannot ever be forgotten."
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Aiming for Excellence in Belize
Jorge L. Espat '84, a business major and soccer star during his time at Viterbo, returned to his native Belize ready to make a difference. He served two terms in the Belize House of Representatives, earning two cabinet ministry appointments. He shared his knowledge and insights as a college professor, eventually becoming president of the college. Today, he is CEO of the international airport in Belize and has one driving mission: help shape a more humane community.
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Viterbo's Sister in Cameroon
Delphine Kohyen, a member of the Tertiary Sisters of St. Francis, graduated from Viterbo University’s nursing program in 2016. She then took her skills 6,500 miles away, back to Cameroon, her home country in west central Africa. A part of her, though, will always remain connected to Viterbo. "I am missing Viterbo a lot," Kohyen said. "When I talk about Viterbo, I speak with passion—long live Viterbo!”
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►Help keep Viterbo's global connections strong with a gift designated for international students. |
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Get Ready for Some Good Reads The new semester is upon us, and all across campus students are loaded down with books. The Viterbo Alumni Virtual Book Club also has a load of books for the semester, with sessions planned for January, February, and March.
Club sessions for the semester kick off Jan. 21 with a Zoom discussion on Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale, hosted by Emily Dykman '98, a Viterbo associate professor of religious studies.
Once Upon an Innovation, a book co-authored by Viterbo graduate Jean Storlie '80 will be the selection for the Feb. 25 session, which Storlie will host.
Matthew Bersagel Braley, associate professor in the ethics, culture, and society program, will host the March 18 discussion of Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair.
Club meetings are on Zoom and all start at 6 p.m. Register in advance on the Alumni Virtual Book Club page.
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Alumni Award Nominations Open
Distinguished Alumni Award nominations are sought for Rising Professional and Professional Achievement awards. Nominations also are sought for Spirit of Francis and Service to the University awards from the Alumni Association. The nomination process is outlined below:
• Anyone may submit nominations.
• Nomination and criteria information and a submission form are on the alumni website.
• Nominations will be considered for up to three years.
• Nomination deadline is Sunday, March 1.
Presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Awards will take place on campus from 4–5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, during Viterbo Days weekend.
Wall of Fame Inductees Chosen
The new class of inductees to the Viterbo Wall of Fame has been revealed, and plans for a ceremony to honor them will be announced later. Those to be honored include:
►Alicia (Olson) Phephles '15, volleyball, three-time All-American, three-time Viterbo Female Athlete of the Year
►Chelsey McCoy '13, golf, four-time All-Conference
►Bryan Thorson '98, soccer, four-time All-Conference
V-Hawks winter sports teams are in full swing with their seasons, and you can get the latest news on the Viterbo athletics page.
In Memoriam 2020
As we start a new year, let us take a moment to mark the passing of members of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration who served Viterbo University, as well as remembering lay faculty and employees we lost in 2020. The new year started on a sad note, with the Jan. 1, 2021, death of Cyrilla Barr ’56, who was an associate professor at Viterbo until 1974. Links to obituaries can be found on our In Memoriam page.
Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
►Sr. Ladonna Kassmeyer (Aug. 3, 2020)
►Sr. Kathleen Kenkel '56 (July 18, 2020)
►Sr. Rosile Pernsteiner (July 10, 2020)
►Sr. Helen Keating '53 (May 14, 2020)
►Sr. Jean Moore (March 3, 2020)
Lay faculty and employees
►Pam Maykut (Dec. 13, 2020)
►Darlene Bracegirdle (April 28, 2020)
Viterbo in the News
Our Viterbo in the News page is packed with media reports on alumni and happenings at the university. Email Randy Erickson if you have a media report about an alum you'd like to add. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
All events will be virtual, taking place through online platforms. Check the calendar on the alumni home page for registration information and more details on alumni events. Details on campus events can be found on the events calendar.
Jan. 21: Alumni Virtual Book Club discussion of Chasing Francis: A Pilgrim's Tale
Jan. 26: Leadership at Noon with Jen Barney, Food Network competitor and owner of Meringue Bakery
Feb. 3 & 17: Rebuilding American Civics classes with Sam Scinta
Feb. 4: Virtual First Thursday with Rick Trietley
Feb. 18: Alumni Board meeting
Feb. 22: MBA/MASL Alumni Chapter board meeting
Feb. 24: Leadership at Noon with Jamie Schloegel '06, La Crosse Community Foundation executive director
Feb. 25: Alumni Virtual Book Club discussion of Once Upon an Innovation
March 1: 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award nominations due
March 4: Workforce Fair (open to alumni as job seekers and employers)
First Thursday with Rick Trietley
Rick Trietley, recently named Viterbo's executive vice president for student success, will be the special guest at the Feb. 4 First Thursday virtual alumni social. Trietley and Sara Cook, the new vice president for academics, have been spearheading a change in leadership structure at Viterbo. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. CST on Zoom, Register in advance to get a link to join the fun.
Share Your Stories
Do you have a story to tell about your life since graduating from Viterbo or perspectives on how your time here shaped your life and set your course? Or maybe a story about the impact of scholarships?
We have a dedicated email account just for such stories, and we'd love to hear from you.
KEEPING UP: The Viterbo University alumni email newsletter is published eight times per year. To keep up on the latest news, visit websites for Viterbo alumni, Fine Arts Center, and V-Hawks athletics. |
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GETTING IN TOUCH
Kathy Duerwachter '10 |
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