ʼ56 Ralph Wedeking, BA, MA ʼ71, Clarksville, had a long and varied career, including teaching sociology at Wartburg College, administering a program for the elderly and handicapped in Waverly and serving as pastor with the United Church of Christ.

ʼ63 Carroll Engelhardt, BA, Moorhead, MN, published his sixth book digitally titled “Schooling: A College Life,” which recounts his career as a college history professor.

ʼ64 Larry Jansen, BA, MA ʼ71, Kamrar, retired from teaching in 2000 and continues to manage farmland in north central Iowa.

ʼ66 Joy (Neal) Kidney, BA, West Des Moines, published her fifth book titled “Meadowlark Songs: A Motherline Legacy.”

ʼ69 Nancy (Porter) Edwards, BA, Anamosa, has volunteered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness for more than 25 years.

ʼ70 Lyle Luckow, BA, Johnston, retired after more than 42 years as claims adjuster/litigation specialist and more than nine years as legal administrator for a large law firm in Des Moines. He is enjoying every minute of retirement!

ʼ70 Karen (Geadelmann) Page, MA, Cedar Falls, was named one of the 2025 Eight over 80 by The Courier.

ʼ70 Larry Clement, BA, Sioux Falls, SD, partnered with Mike Chapman to write and publish his life story titled “Life in the Fast Lane: The Larry Clement Story.” He grew up on a farm, played football and saw success as an owner of a large auto and truck dealership in Fort Dodge. He was also a hall of fame auto driver, team owner and licensed pilot.

ʼ72 Galen Howsare, BA, Urbandale, received the 2025 Rotary District 6000 Guardian of Integrity Award.

ʼ75 Jean (Rogers) Trainor, BA, Waverly, received the 2024 Legacy Award from Grow Cedar Valley. The award honors an individual for their visionary leadership and noteworthy contributions to the Cedar Valley.

ʼ77 Debbra (Purvis) Laneville, BA, Medina, OH, taught 42 years at all grade levels from preschool to high school. She taught in seven states with each position providing valuable life lessons that turned into a book titled “You Canʼt Make This Stuff Up – Life Lessons from Special Kids.”

ʼ78 Donald Powers, BA, MA ʼ84, Macomb, IL, retired from university classroom teaching and as director of the Western Illinois University Maurice G. Kellogg Science Education Center. He continues to be involved with Illinois Science Olympiad and is the regional tournament director for the WIU Illinois Science Olympiad.

ʼ79 Robert Schlesinger, MA, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, retired in 2009 following careers teaching college chemistry, practicing patent law and directing a research institute. He collects tribal, ethnographic and Asian art, enjoys the sciences and also family time.

ʼʼ80 Mark Byers, BM, Spencer, has directed church choirs for decades and even performed a rendition of Neil Youngʼs “When God Made Me” at a church service. That took some adjusting and him playing the harmonica. He is looking forward to life in Spencer and getting back to playing guitar.

ʼ80 Virginia Dvorak, BA, Rancho Mirage, CA, is CFO of the JFK Memorial Foundation in Palm Desert.

ʼ80 Laura Leonberger, BM, Waikoloa, HI, retired after 23 years at Wells Fargo. After a few years enjoying retirement, it was time to volunteer and use her finance and music skills. In July 2025 she was elected treasurer to the board of directors for the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra, bringing classical music to the people of the island of Hawaii.

ʼ83 Randy Atkinson, BM, MM ʼ89, Iowa City, celebrated 42 years of marriage to Kathy and recently moved to Iowa City to be closer to children and grandchildren.

ʼ83 Lisa (Geske) Bluder, BA, Solon, was inducted into the 2025 Hall of Fame for the Missouri Valley Conference. She was on the UNI womenʼs basketball team from 1979‑1983 and coached at St. Ambrose, Drake and the University of Iowa.

ʼ84 Charisse (Brown) Gillett, BA, MA ʼ87, Versailles, KY, published “Melodies of Faith: An Advent Devotional for African American Churches and Families.” She was also elected to serve as the chair of the board of directors for the In Trust Center for Theological Schools.

ʼ84 Lisa (Wadle) Vander Lugt, BA, Cascade, retired in June 2025 after 25 years in her last position at Aquin Catholic Elementary. She is looking forward to relaxing, reading and a little travel.

ʼ85 Carla Stebbins, BA, Spring, TX, received the 2025 Alumna of the Year Award from Des Moines University. She is program director for Texas A&M Universityʼs School of Public Health.

ʼ86 Kevin Fick, BA, Orinda, CA, was elected board treasurer of the nonprofit Joybound People & Pets. He is the executive chair of OKAVA, a biotechnology research firm developing targeted pharmaceuticals for dogs and cats.

ʼ86 Dwight Pittman, MM, Ballwin, MO, retired from performing in the St. Louis area, previously taught electric and upright bass at Lindenwood University, taught music and double bass and directed jazz combos at St. Louis Community College, taught music at St. Charles Community College, and repaired stringed instruments for local and regional music stores.

ʼ87 JC Clapsaddle, BA, MA ʼ89, Helotes, TX, was honored with the city of San Antonioʼs 2024 International Leadership Award for cofounding the International Peace Leadership Academy in Northern Ireland and for organizing and serving in humanitarian aid and military support convoys in Ukraine.

ʼ88 Halane (Cumberland) Cummings, BA, Center Point, received the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Iowa Family and Consumer Science Educators. She has taught at Center Point‑Urbana Schools for the last 27 years.

ʼ88 Catherine (Plog) Leipold, BA, MA ʼ95, ASC ʼ95, Buckingham, was named a finalist for the 2025 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She is a geometry and International Baccalaureate mathematics teacher for grades 9‑12 at Waterloo West High School.

ʼ89 Jack Jean, BM, Smyrna, GA, retired spring of 2025 after 36 years as a high school band director.

ʼ89 Lori Randall, BA, MA ʼ95, Osage, was named a recipient of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She is retired from Lincoln Elementary School.

ʼ91 Carrie Even, BA, MA ʼ04, Cedar Falls, received a 2025 Gold Star Award for outstanding teaching in Black Hawk County. She is the English language learner math teacher at Waterloo West High School.

ʼ91 Ann Osborne, BM, Urbandale, retired after the 2023‑2024 school year after 32 years of teaching orchestra in Iowa public schools. She is now “granny nanny” to her two grandchildren, and life is good!

ʼ91 Kim (Meyer) Rathmell, BS, Columbus, OH, was awarded the 2025 Medal of Honor by the American Cancer Society for her commitment to tackling the complexities and challenges of cancer. She received the Arthur Kornberg and Paul Berg Lifetime Achievement Award in Biomedical Sciences. She serves as CEO of Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center‑James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. She previously served as the director for the National Cancer Institute and chair of the department of medicine and physician‑in‑chief at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

ʼ94 Kristi Mindrup, BA, BA ʼ96, Rock Island, IL, was named president of Western Illinois University. She is the first woman to hold the position.

ʼ94 Darrell Willrich, BA, Montezuma, was promoted to senior corporate sales manager at Daveʼs Corporate Sales/Grounds Keeping. He oversees a team of 40 corporate sales associates and meets with many clients daily.

ʼ95 Kristin (Fox) Craft, BA, Boerne, TX, was named a Distinguished Educator of the Year by Sam Houston State University. She is the superintendent of the Boerne Independent School District and earned her masterʼs and doctorate degrees from SHSU.

ʼ97 Nicole (Lux) Roder, BA, Rock Valley, was named Iowa High School Principal of the Year. She is the high school principal at Rock Valley.

ʼ99 Mike Clausman, BA, Austin, MN, was appointed vice president, deputy general counsel and assistant secretary of Hormel Foods Corp.

ʼ99 Mindy (Dugdale) Fisher, BA, MA ʼ10, Waterloo, received a 2025 Gold Star Award for outstanding teaching in Black Hawk County. She is a special education teacher at Hansen Elementary School in Cedar Falls.

ʼ99 Jason Lau, BA, MA ʼ02, San Rafael, CA, was appointed as trustee by the San Rafael City Schools Board of Education effective 2/14/2025.

ʼ00 Matthew Harding, BA, MA ʼ10, Iowa City, was named a finalist for the 2025 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. He is a physics teacher at Liberty High School.

ʼ00 Angela (Kuennen) Schneden, BA, MA ʼ06, Ankeny, was named a recipient of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She teaches at Prairie Trail Elementary School in Ankeny.

ʼ01 Beth (Bernholtz) Boyd, BA, Carroll, was promoted to vice president of digital delivery with Meyocks, a branding and marketing agency.

ʼ02 Matthew Degner, BA, Iowa City, was named one of Education Insiderʼs Top 10 School District Superintendents. The recognition celebrates visionary educators who are transforming learning environments through innovative policies, data‑informed strategies, technology integration, inclusive leadership and a deep commitment to student success. He serves as superintendent of the Iowa City Community School District.

ʼ02 William Hagans, BA, Houston, TX, was elected 2025‑2026 Fellows Chair of the Texas Bar Foundation and was named to the Top 100 Houston Super Lawyers list for 2025 by the Thompson Reuters publication Texas Super Lawyers.

ʼ02 Andrew Reutter, BA, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, was appointed CFO and COO of Higginbotham.

ʼ02 C David Rutt, MM, Forest City, was inducted into the Central Lee Community School District Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

ʼ02 Molly Stehn, BM, Kirkwood, MO, joined the Bach Society of St. Louis as principal singer in the chorus. She is an associate professor of counselor education at Texas A&M University Texarkana.

ʼ02 Sadie (Smid) Trytten, BA, Urbandale, is the executive director of Neighborhood Development Corp.

ʼ03 Quentin Hart, MA, Waterloo, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Iowa Legislative Black Caucus. He served five terms as mayor of Waterloo.

ʼ03 Curtis Martinek, BA, MA ʼ06, Ames, was named a finalist for the 2025 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. He is a math teacher at Gilbert High School.

ʼ03 Timothy Page, BS, Suffolk, VA, was promoted to colonel in the U.S. Army during a ceremony held 10/10/2025. He earned his commission through the UNI ROTC program.

ʼ03 Lisa Schmitz, BA, Ames, is a communications specialist with the Iowa State University News Service team.

ʼ03 Kelli Snyder, BA, EdD ʼ12, Dunkerton, received the Educator of the Year Award from the Iowa Athletic Trainerʼs Society 4/11/2025. She is an associate professor and program director of athletic training at UNI.

ʼ03 Jacquelyn Wiersma‑Mosley, BA, Fayetteville, AR, was named a fellow of the 2025 Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development Program. She is an associate dean and professor of human development and family sciences in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas.

ʼ04 Nate Gruber, BA, BA ʼ10, MPP ʼ20, Cedar Falls, is a curriculum analyst on the degree audit team within the Office of the Registrar at the University of Iowa as of March 2025.

ʼ04 Ellen (Staerk) Weishaar, BA, ASC ʼ20, Geneseo, IL, was named principal of Williams Middle School in the Davenport Community School District for the 2025‑2026 school year.

ʼ06 Jessica (Webb) Dowell, BA, Johnston, was selected as the 2025 Iowa History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. She is a social studies teacher at Johnston High School.

ʼ06 Kiersten (Crowell) Maertens, BA, Urbandale, was named partner with Flynn Wright.

ʼ06 Stephanie Steines, MA, Decorah, was named a recipient of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She teaches at Decorah High School.

ʼ07 Emily Borcherding, BA, MA ʼ12, Cedar Falls, received a 2025 Gold Star Award for outstanding teaching in Black Hawk County. She is a 6th‑12th grade math and Virtual Academy teacher at Expo High School in Waterloo.

ʼ07 Timothy Halbur, BA, MBA ʼ08, Ankeny, was promoted to lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army Reserve in Nov. 2024.

ʼ07 Anesa Kajtazovic, BA, Waterloo, published a book titled “Anesa, No  Škola Today,” which is based on her true story of fleeing the Bosnian War at age seven and surviving three years in war and refugee camps.

ʼ08 Anne Marie (Mahoney) Johnson, BA, West Des Moines, was selected by the Des Moines Business Record as one of the 2025 Forty Under 40 honorees. She is the staff relations manager of ChildServe.

ʼ08 Brittany (Bellows) Whitfield, BA, MACC ʼ09, Eldridge, was named one of the 2025 Forty Under 40 by the Quad Cities Business Journal. She is a VP and chief accounting officer at QCR Holdings, Inc.

ʼ08 Lindsey (Leonard) Wilson, BA, Bennington, NE, was named the 2025 Nebraska Teacher of the Year. She is a science and social studies teacher at Bennington Middle School.

ʼ09 La Toshia Burrell, MA, Waverly, was selected by the Des Moines Business Record as one of the 2025 Forty Under 40 honorees. She is CEO and founder of Redefine & Reveal Massage Therapy & Bodywork LLC.

ʼ09 Molly Hanson, BA, Des Moines, celebrated five years with RDG Planning & Design, currently as a market leader with the parks and open space studio. She is also the president of the Indianola Hills Neighborhood Association and lives on the south side of Des Moines with her husband Johnny and pittie, Lola.

ʼ09 Krystal (Campbell) Mikkilineni, BA, Peoria, AZ, was selected by the Des Moines Business Record as one of the 2025 Forty Under 40 honorees. She is a shareholder with Dentons Davis Brown.

ʼ10 Pernell Cezar, BA, Des Moines, received a 2025 Alumni Leadership Award from the Seed Coalition, which strives to strengthen the capacity of colleges and universities to fulfill the public purposes of higher education.

ʼ10 Tyler Mulder, BA, Clinton, was inducted into the 2025 Hall of Fame for the Missouri Valley Conference. He was a UNI track athlete from 2005‑2009.

ʼ10 Kelli (Green) Ruggeberg, BA, De Witt, was named one of the 2025 Forty Under 40 by the Quad Cities Business Journal. She is a VP and human resources director with American Bank & Trust.

ʼ10 Ronnie Wells, BA, Ankeny, was selected by the Des Moines Business Record as one of the 2025 Forty Under 40 honorees. He is the annual fund manager with Des Moines Performing Arts.

ʼ10 Beth (Discher) West, BA, MACC ʼ11, Cedar Falls, was promoted to audit manager with the Gainesville office of James Moore & Company.

ʼ12 Joel Anderson, BA, Des Moines, was selected by the Des Moines Business Record as one of the 2025 Forty Under 40 honorees. He is a partner with RSM.

ʼ13 Milianna Carlson, BA, Story City, started teaching piano after graduating from UNI. She originally started teaching three students, and is proud to celebrate her 11th year of teaching with an average of 55 students per year, ranging from as young as 5 years old all the way through adults. She continues to stay musically active in the Story City area, accompanying school programs, contests and musicals, and accompanies on organ and piano at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

ʼ13 Brian Martin, BM, Dedham, MA, released his first big band album as composer/bandleader titled “Old Home/New Home.” The album received a 4‑star review written by All About Jazzʼs Jack Bowers.

ʼ14 Amanda (Harris) El Hamdouni, BA, Waterloo, received a 2025 Gold Star Award for outstanding teaching in Black Hawk County. She is a first grade teacher at Orange Elementary School.

ʼ14 Wes Jones, BA, Cedar Falls, earned a Master of Science degree from Iowa State University in cybersecurity in May 2025.

ʼ14 Logan Kraus, BA, Marion, was elected as shareholder by Dentons David Brown.

ʼ16 Dylan Martin, BA, Saint Paul, MN, is the production manager at the Penumbra Center for Racial Healing.

ʼ16 Mason Meyer, BM, Sioux Falls, SD, is assistant vocal music director at Roosevelt High School. He earned a Master of Music in choral conducting from Florida State University College of Music in May 2020. Highlights include the 2022 premiere of his setting of Cantate Domino by RHS Chorale; membership in Transept, an American prize-winning ensemble based in Sioux Falls; and election as region representative for the South Dakota American Choral Directors Association and the South Dakota High School Activities Association.

ʼ16 Amanda (Khader)Stickley, BA, MA ʼ17, EdS ʼ19, Des Moines, works at Magnolia Connection, a clinic in Norwalk providing psychological testing and therapy services for children.

ʼ17 Shakari Baker‑Bruce, BA, BA ʼ22, MA ʼ25, Grand Prairie, TX, received a 2025 Gold Star Award for outstanding teaching in Black Hawk County. She was a second grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary.

ʼ17 Christian Espinosa Torres, MA, Omaha, NE, is a candidate for Douglas County Treasurer.

ʼ18 Michael Casey, BA, Ames, was promoted to captain with the U.S. Army Reserve in November 2024.

ʼ18 Courtney (Anderson) Solberg, BA, Waverly, received a 2025 Gold Star Award for outstanding teaching in Black Hawk County. She is a physical education and health teacher at Columbus High School in Waterloo.

ʼ18 Abigail Van Patten‑Freeman, BA, MA ʼ21, Brookings, SD, is finishing her PhD in counselor education and supervision at the University of Iowa. She is an assistant professor of counseling at South Dakota State University.

ʼ19 Maria Bottino, BA, Des Moines, became the first paralegal for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa in September 2024.

ʼ19 Mara Puente, BA, Alta, earned a master of arts in organizational leadership from Buena Vista University in 2023. She was promoted to assistant director of alumni engagement at BVU in 2024.

ʼ20 Sashay Carroll, BA, Atlanta, GA, received a 2023/2024 Emmy Award for Breaking News Coverage of the Israel‑Hamas War at CNN.

ʼ20 Kyla (Mulnix) Fangman, BA, Independence, is a human resource generalist with Exceptional Persons, Inc. She enjoys attending the UNI Career Fair as an employer. She is proud to be working in the Cedar Valley using the knowledge and skills gained through her education at UNI.

ʼ20 Jotham Polashek, BM, Des Moines, serves as the elementary orchestra teacher with the Ames Community School District.

ʼ21 Chandler DeWees, BA, Cedar Rapids, is bridging the nonprofit and business sector as a business development manager with Rinderknecht Associates and Merit Construction Company. His projects include partnerships with schools, hospitals and community organizations across Cedar Rapids.

ʼ21 Shay Slifka, BA, State Center, is an associate attorney with Whitfield & Eddy Law. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2025.

ʼ22 Alisanne Struck, BA, Pierson, is a communications strategist for Morningside University.

ʼ22 Jasmine (Carbin) Yant, BA, West Des Moines, is an associate attorney with Whitfield & Eddy Law. She earned her Juris Doctor from the Drake University Law School in 2025.

ʼ24 Alexander Hanson, BA, Cedar Falls, serves as a forest and environment specialist with the Peace Corps in Senegal as of 9/26/2025.

ʼ25 Wyatt Fitzgerald, BA, Truro, was promoted to second lieutenant with the U.S. Army Reserve in May 2025.

ʼ25 Samantha Herridge, BA, Cedar Falls, is enrolled in the 3+1 accelerated BSN nursing program at Allen College and should graduate in May 2026.

ʼ25 Gage Riggle, BA, Alexandria, VA, was promoted to second lieutenant in May 2025 with the U.S. Army Reserve.

ʼ25 Hannah Tschetter, BA, Urbandale, was accepted to Drake Law for fall 2025.

ʼ13 Kelly (Wiltjer) Vick, BA, and Brett Vick, Mount Pleasant, WI, welcomed second child Emersyn in June 2024.

ʼ16 Erin (Mulder) Hodge, BA, and Ayden Hodge, Lewes, DE, son Foster Allyn Hodge born 10/24/2024.

ʼ17 Christina (Hackbart) McCleary, BA, Des Moines, daughter Mavis born September 2024.

ʼ18 Abigail Van Patten‑Freeman, BA, MA ʼ21, and Garrett Freeman, BA ʼ19, Brookings, SD, daughter Esper Rose Freeman born 3/28/2025.

ʼ15 Dr. Corey Cooling, BA, BS ʼ15, married Alyssa (Turcsak) Cooling, BA ʼ15, on 9/20/2025.

ʼ17 Anne (Langebartels) Hlavacek, BA, married Mitchell Hlavacek, BA ʼ18, on 6/03/2023.

ʼ18 Rylee Junk‑Wittwer, BA, married Shi Junk‑Wittwer, BA ʼ19, on 3/8/2025.

ʼ53 Bob Deppe, BA, died 5/4/2025 in Ames.

ʼ68 Doug Sharp, BA, MA ʼ90, ASC ʼ90, ASC ʼ95, died 2/14/2025 in Lansing.

ʼ69 Patty Mortensen, BA, died 7/7/2025 in Council Bluffs.

ʼ71 Les Koch, BA, MA ʼ79, died 1/24/2025 in Toledo.

ʼ73 Gene Gamber, BA, died 12/4/2024 in Elkhart, IN.

ʼ73 Pauline (Thul) Turner, BA, died 1/1/2025 in Clarion.

ʼ75 Ronald Richardson, BA, died 6/23/2025 in Long Beach, CA.

ʼ86 Terry Shay, BM, MA ʼ99, died 9/28/2023 in Waterloo.

ʼ23 Andrew Berg, BA, died 6/28/2024 in Ames.