August 2020

BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION

New Semester, New Ways to Connect

A new school year at Viterbo University normally means the return of events to keep alumni in touch with their classmates and their college. While we can't stay connected in our usual ways, we have virtual twists on traditions and some new routes to connection.

Alumni Socials in Virtual Venue

The First Thursdays alumni social events return Sept. 3, with special guest Tom Thibodeau, distinguished professor in the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership program. Sponsored by the MBA/MASL Alumni Chapter, this virtual event offers the chance to hear master tale-spinner Thibodeau talk about hope, inspiration, and Conspiracy of Goodness, a radio show/video project he has started with musician/activist Larry Long.

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Divine Read for New Book Club

The newly formed Viterbo Alumni Virtual Book Club's first session Sept. 24 will feature a discussion—led by Professor Apryl Denny—of Julie Otsuka's "When the Emperor Was Divine," two days after the Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership presents a webinar with the author. The book, which chronicles the saga of a Japanese-American family sent to an internment camp during World War II, earned high praise from Denny.

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SFSN Alums Join Zoom Boom

The St. Francis School of Nursing's annual reunion went virtual this year, drawing participants from four decades of graduating classes, some of whom started their training during World War II. The web conference format went so well, alums are talking about having Zoom sessions even when they can meet in person again."I thought it would come off without a hitch, and it pretty much did,” said Marlene Hendrickson '68, president of the SFSN alumni group.

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Face Masks, Notes Sending Message of Support from Alumni

Viterbo University alumni are tapping into the core values they learned here with a new project, making hundreds of face masks to give to students, along with notes of encouragement. “They’re kind of a hug, a hug from an alum,” Theresa Smerud '80 said. “It’s just what you do at Viterbo."

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Fall Semester Will Look Like No Other That Has Come Before

Coming to campus for fall semester has always meant at least some amount of change for Viterbo University students—new teachers, campus improvement projects, different courses, and, always, a new crop of freshmen. This fall, though, will feature unprecedented levels of change because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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St. Francis School of Nursing class of 1917

Nursing School's 1917 Grads Had War, Then Pandemic to Deal With

St. Francis School of Nursing's class of 1917 graduated into a world at war soon to be gripped by a global pandemic. Whether overseas or back home, the new nurses were on the front lines of epic battles. The story of Amy Bishop stands out.

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Viterbo in the News

It's hard to keep up with all the good things Viterbo alumni are doing, but you can relax. We'll do it so you don't have to. Our Viterbo in the News page is packed with media reports on alumni as well as reports on things happening at the university. Here's just a sample of what you'll find:

►Gov. Reynolds Appoints Melissa Anderson-Seeber '88 as District Court Judge
►Patrick Olbert '10 to Lead Viroqua Elementary, Viroqua Area Montessori Schools
►Viterbo University Drops ACT, SAT Requirement for First-year Students
►College Sports: Viterbo 'Cautiously Excited' to Start Fall Season

Share Your Stories with Us

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? Maybe you've received a great honor, achieved a lifelong goal, or had an experience people should know about. 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.

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.
Aug. 19: MBA/MASL Alumni Chapter meeting
Aug. 27: Alumni board meeting
Sept. 3: First Thursday
Sept. 16: MBA/MASL Alumni Chapter meeting
Sept. 22: Webinar with When the Emperor Was Divine author
Sept. 24: Alumni Virtual Book Club discussion of When the Emperor Was Divine
Sept. 26: Alumni soccer event
Oct. 8: Viterbo Day of Giving
Oct. 9-10: Viterbo Days alumni weekend
Oct. 13: Webinar with Life Is in the Transitions author
Oct. 20: Alumni Virtual Book Club discussion of Life Is in the Transitions

Big Day Is Oct. 8

Did You Know?

College rating formulas consider the number of alumni who give, regardless of the gift size. If Viterbo improves its rating, then the prestige of being a Viterbo alum also increases.

Make Your Annual Gift

GETTING IN TOUCH
Kathy Duerwachter '10

Director, alumni engagement
608-796-3072
kaduerwachter@viterbo.edu

Alumni Update Submissions

www.viterbo.edu/alumni