In this edition: Debra (Kelly) Schams '81, Shane Peper '98, Michael Krueger '10, Alumni Awards, Wall of Fame, Greccio, Day of Giving

October 2023

Outstanding Then and Now

Viterbo bestowed its first alumni award in 1967, but it wasn't until 1988 that the first "young alumni" award was given to Mary Burke '79, now a nursing faculty member here. The young alumni awards, now called "rising professionals," lift up graduates who've done great things right out of the gate. Some alumni have even been honored as soon as a year after graduating—Kristina (Smaby) Schoh '10 and Zach Johnson '11, for example. In this edition, we visit with three young alumni award winners, catching up on what has happened in their lives since they were honored:

►Biology/chemistry major Shane Peper '98 had a doctoral degree in analytical chemistry by the time he was honored in 2004. Much of his career, which took him all over the world, was spent in nuclear research and security, but he also delved into molecular pathology as a researcher and educator. He's now on assignment in France doing nuclear security work for INTERPOL. READ MORE

►Education major Debra (Kelly) Schams '81 was honored in 1989, the same year an alumni award was given to Thea Bowman, FSPA '65. Schams was a much-loved teacher in La Crosse's Aquinas Catholic Schools until her recent retirement. READ MORE

►Ministry major Michael Krueger '10, '15, was honored in 2013 while he was in the process of earning his Master of Arts in Servant Leadership degree. He worked in residential facilities for adults with developmental disabilities, as a social worker, and as a stay-at-home father before landing in his current role as director of affiliation for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. READ MORE

Celebrating Our Alumni

Every fall one of the highlights on campus is the chance to honor some outstanding Viterbo alumni. Last weekend as part of Viterbo Days, the university's 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award winners were honored in ceremony emceed by Professor Tom Thibodeau. Award winners pictured above with Viterbo President Rick Trietley (at right) are, from left, Susan (Rieple) Graf '82, Kolin Huth '21, '22, Dean Yohnk '87, Linsie (Sanger) Clements '08, Andrew Santoso '13, Juan Jiménez ’01, ’06, Georgia Christensen, FSPA '70, and Michelle (Pixley) Reichert '86. Honorees Barbara Quillin and Dr. Scott Rathgaber '22 were not present for the ceremony. Check out a video of the ceremony on YouTube and view photos in our Flickr gallery.  

Viterbo's Athletics Wall of Fame now has 108 inductees after four new members were added Sept. 16. New members include (pictured below, from left) Keegan Bludworth '16 (track and field), Danielle Ducklow '18 (golf), and volleyball teammates Amelia Grahn '18 and Natalie (Geidel) Strauss '18. Check out a video of the ceremony on YouTube and view photos in our Flickr gallery.

Viterbo Marks Creche Milestone

Beginning in 2023 and culminating in 2026, Franciscans around the world will celebrate the anniversaries of five significant events in the life of St. Francis of Assisi. This year, Advent marks one of these events — the 800th anniversary of the representation of the Nativity scene St. Francis set up in Greccio, Italy.

Viterbo will celebrate this anniversary with an event called the Greccio Experience. Starting with a kick-off prayer and meal on Wednesday, Nov. 29, we will have a walk-through display of creches and Greccio reflections.

Anybody willing to loan their creches to be part of the display is asked to deliver it to the Sr. Thea Bowman Center by Nov. 1. Reflections, poems, and photos from visits to Greccio also are sought for display in San Damiano Chapel. Submissions by Nov. 1 would be greatly appreciated and can be emailed to Laur​a Nettles, FSPA​, Viterbo's executive director for mission and social justice.

Don't Miss These Events

The Viterbo University Alumni Association has upcoming opportunities to enjoy the company of fellow V-Hawks. Register online or call 608-796-3076. 

►Nov. 2: First Thursday alumni social at the La Crosse Area Heritage Center
►Nov. 4: Volleyball event (alumni game, varsity game, and social)
►Dec. 2: Alumni Children's Christmas Party

COMING UP

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.

Oct. 28: Comedian Tig Notaro (FAC)
Nov. 1: Community Conversation on Servant Leadership
Nov. 1: Leadership at Noon with Carolyn Colleen
Nov. 2: First Thursday alumni social at La Crosse County Heritage Center
Nov. 2: The Wailin’ Jennys (FAC)
Nov. 4: Alumni volleyball event
Nov. 4: Out of Our Minds Chamber Music Series
Nov. 9: Ethics Lecture Series with Al Giwa
Nov. 13: MBA/MASL Alumni Chapter Board meeting
Nov. 16: Alumni Board meeting
Nov. 17–19: Student production of She Kills Monsters (Weber Center)
Nov. 29: Greccio Experience kickoff event
Dec. 2: Alumni Children's Christmas Party

NEWSLETTER: The Viterbo University alumni email newsletter is published eight times per year. The Strides alumni magazine is printed and mailed twice a year (spring and fall), with a digital archive of editions going back to 2011. 

KEEPING UP: To keep up on the latest news, visit pages for Viterbo alumni, Fine Arts Center, and V-Hawks athletics. Also, our Viterbo in the News page is packed with media reports on alumni and university happenings.