Happy new year! In this first newsletter of 2022, we share stories of a few Viterbo University alumni who have come to forks in the road and chosen to try something new, something fulfilling that aligns with core Franciscan values. |
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A Mobile Mission
Susan Rieple Graf ’82 is no stranger to major changes of course in her life path. The latest detour has taken her down a road traveled by few, if any, others. When the homeless hospitality house she ran closed, she made it mobile ... help on wheels. |
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In a Good Place
In the course of earning two degrees from Viterbo, Alex Diciaula '15, '21, has gone from an ultracompetitive athlete intent on a professional career to someone focused on helping others, bringing people together, and continually being present, joyful, and thankful.
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They Make a Mighty Good Team
When Karla Przybylski ’07 was at a crossroads, her Viterbo soccer teammate Katie (Kubistal) Thormodsgaard ’04 helped her find a new direction. Przybylski returned the favor, opening a door for Thormodsgaard. Together, they have launched a therapy clinic that is helping multitudes.
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►SHARE YOUR STORY: Are you doing something that might surprise and impress your classmates? Drop us a line and let us know. |
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Alumni Art Show Opens Jan. 26
Art works by more than 50 Viterbo alumni from across the country will be on display in the Viterbo Art Alumni Exhibition, which opens with a reception from 5–7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the Fine Arts Center gallery.
"We've had a tremendously generous response to the call for submissions," said Sherri Lisota, the Viterbo professor organizing the exhibit. "The gallery is being filled with an incredible range of art and energy."
All are welcome at the opening reception. The exhibit runs through Feb. 23.
New Nursing Dean is Special Guest at First Thursday on Feb. 3
Mary Ellen Stolder, the new dean of the College of Nursing and Health, will be the special guest at the next First Thursday alumni social, which will run from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at JavaVino, 2311 State Road in La Crosse.
Join your Viterbo friends for complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a chance to meet Stolder, who began her service at Viterbo in 2012. Registration is requested.
Virtual Book Club to Meet Feb. 17
The next Viterbo Alumni Virtual Book Club discussion will center on Delia Owens’ Where the Crawdads Sing, described as “an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. The author reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.”
Margy Krogman will moderate the Zoom session, which will run from 6–7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17. Krogman has worked at Viterbo for six years, most recently as director of residence life, and in that time has moved in almost 2,000 new students.
Register online to have guided reading and discussion questions and a link to the Zoom session sent to you.
Award Nominations Due March 1
Distinguished Alumni Award nominations are sought for Rising Professional, Professional Achievement, Spirit of Francis, and Service to the University awards.
• 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 Tuesday, March 1.
Presentation of the alumni awards will take place next October during the Viterbo Days weekend.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Check the calendar on the alumni homepage for registration information and more details on alumni events. Details on campus events can be found on the events calendar.
Jan. 26: Alumni Art Show opening in FAC gallery
Jan. 27: MBA/MASL Place of Grace Service
Jan. 29–30: Viterbo student production of Everybody
Feb. 3: First Thursday at JavaVino
Feb. 3: Mads Tolling & the Mads Men
Feb 4–5: Viterbo student production of Everybody
Feb. 10: Recycled Percussion
Feb. 13: Out of Our Minds chamber music concert
Feb. 15: MBA/MASL Alumni Chapter meeting
Feb. 17: Virtual book club discussion of Where the Crawdads Sing
Feb. 19: MCT production of Red Riding Hood
Feb. 21: Alumni Board meeting
Feb. 22: Canadian Brass
Feb. 25–26: A Night at the Opera
March 4–6: Carrie: The Musical
March 5: Brewers spring training game in Arizona
New Online Servant Leadership Program
Viterbo offers a new online certificate program in servant leadership starting Feb 1.
Participants in the seven-week, self-paced program will reflect on their leadership experiences and develop skills in communication, storytelling, and ethical decision making to help build community and create a servant-led culture within their organizations.
The program will be taught by Tom Thibodeau, distinguished professor of servant leadership, and Robert Toomey, a learning and talent development consultant.
For details, including the topics of each of the seven classes, visit the program webpage. Cost is $799. To register, email Rick Kyte.
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 with media reports about alumni you'd like to add to this page.
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? Or maybe a story about the impact of scholarships? We have a dedicated email account just for such stories. 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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