Winter 2015

Athletic Honors
1960s — Larry Nemmers ’65, Springfield, Mo., was honored with the lifetime achievement award by the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame in November 2014. Nemmers was a running back and safety for UIU. After trying out for the Chicago Bears, he went on to a successful 30-year career at the Elgin Area School District, Elgin, Ill., as a science teacher, assistant principal and principal (1982-94). He is currently in his 30th season as an NFL referee. He retired from on-field refereeing at 65 but works as a replay booth official. He worked three Super Bowls, Numbers 25, 35 and 46.

1970s — Tom Sauser ’71, New Hampton, Iowa, was inducted into the New Hampton High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame during the annual awards ceremony held September 19, 2014. Sauser was a four-year letter winner in football; he also taught for 38 years and coached nearly every Chickasaw sport, including: football, golf, track, basketball and wrestling.

Joe Smith ’78, Buffalo, N.Y., was inducted into the Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame on March 29, 2014. He was the wrestling coach for 21 years at Franklinville Central School District, Franklinville, and compiled a record of 184-60-1, which included a 40-match win streak (1990-1993) and the school’s first conference championship. He coached the only undefeated dual- meet seasons, the only sectional championship team and the only state champion in Franklinville wrestling history. Smith is also a member of the UIU Athletic Hall of Fame. Smith presently teaches history at Franklinville Central.

1990s — Bob Lape ’90, West Union, Iowa, head coach of the North Fayette Valley football team, finished the season on top as 2014 Class 2A champions. Lape’s leadership allowed for a smooth consolidation of the two high school teams, North Fayette and Valley Community High School in 2013. His wife, Renee (Chapman) Lape ’93, works at Upper Iowa’s Integrated Enrollment Center.

Quoted
1960s — Scott Lebin ’64, Geneva, Ill., was featured in Retirement Advisor magazine (July 2014) for his unusual perspective on retirement. At 71 years old and president of Lebin Financial Planning, Lebin says he never wants to retire.

Published
1970s — James “Jim” Mazziotti ’75, Bend, Ore., had his titled, “A Proven Track to Run On,” published in The EXIT Achiever magazine (volume 3, issue 2).

Retired
1970s — Charles Epstein ’70, Lincoln Park, N.J., retired at the end of the 2014 school year after teaching history and special education for 44 years. He also recently completed his second master’s degree at Seton Hall University.

1980s — Dayna (Kimball) Baker ’80, Maynard, Iowa, retired from West Central Elementary School after 34 years there.

1960s

1960s — Mike Boland ’67, former member of the Illinois House of Representatives, sought election to the Indiana State Treasurer’s office. He was defeated by Kelly Mitchell. Boland has a bachelor’s degree from Upper Iowa University and a master’s degree from Henderson State University.

1970s

Linda (Mahlstedt) Mulholland ’71, Hanover, Ill., and husband, Ken, are pictured holding The Bridge in Venice, Italy, in September 2014. The couple was visiting Italy for the International Dragon Boat Races where Ken’s team, The Windy City Dragon Boaters, won four medals.

Dave Broders ’74, his wife, Cindy, and daughter, Tobi Squiers, took The Bridge along to Grand-Bois, Haiti, this summer. The family has been involved with ServeHAITI, a 501(c)3 organization based in Iowa and Georgia, that has worked in Grand-Bois for 12 years. The Broders are standing in front of the health center, which serves about 70,000 people and was constructed in 2006 with the help of many people who support the ServeHAITI organization. In addition, it has constructed many wells in the area, supplied about 3,000 point of water filtration systems, developed a pediatric malnutrition program, a teacher-training program and a microfinance program. For more information about the organization, go to http://www.servehaiti.org.

Richard Hoover ’75, Niceville, Fla., was presented with the outstanding Eagle Scout award by the National Eagle Scout Association and the Gulf Coast Council for his accomplishments during a 30-year military career and service to the Boy Scouts of America, the Red Cross and his community. Col. Hoover (U.S. Army Ret.) served with distinction, holding numerous key command and staff assignments culminating as the Installation Commander of Fort Devens, Mass. He is an Army Ranger and an inductee into the Engineer Officer Candidate Hall of Fame at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, four Bronze Stars, five Meritorious Service Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, one Army Commendation for Valor in combat and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Col. Hoover was also awarded the Bronze Order of the Fleury Medal for his inspirational leadership as an Engineer Officer. Col. Hoover has spent countless hours teaching lifeguard, CPR and swim classes for the Red Cross and the BSA. He has served as the Chairman of the Health and Safety Committee for two Red Cross Chapters and as the Chairman of the Council Aquatics Committee for the Gulf Coast Council, BSA. He has served as the Waterfront Director for Spanish Trail Scout Reservation for 18 years and serves on various aquatic committees at the national level of BSA.

1980s
Lon Butikofer ’83, Manchester, Iowa, was inducted into the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Hall of Fame in October 2014 for his honors, career and community achievements, volunteerism and dedication to NICC. Dr. Butikofer has been CEO of Regional Medical Center since 1993.

Gregory Atkins ’85, ’04, Louisville, Ky., is pictured holding an issue of The Bridge while attending the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville.

Julie (Scott) Soat, ’87, Galena, Ill., is a licensed physical therapist assistant and licensed massage therapist at Midwest Medical Center, Galena.

1990s
David Zabell ’90, Fife, Wash., has been named Pasco city manager. Zabell received his public administration degree from UIU and worked in government positions for 33 years. He was most recently city manager for Yakima.

Carlin French ’92, Gilbertville, Iowa, after 17 years working for Allen Hospital, Waterloo, accepted a new job as IT help desk specialist II at TCF Equipment Finance, Waterloo.

Gaylen “Bret” Trasamar ’92, Waterloo, Iowa, joined New York Life as an agent and financial services professional for NYLIFE Securities LLC, Waterloo.

Steven Hetzel ’92, Cross Plains, Wis., received the 2014 CFO of the Year award in the public organization category by In Business magazine; he was honored at an awards presentation on Oct. 22, 2014. Hetzel is the dean of business services for University of Wisconsin-Extension, Division of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning, which specializes in new programs for adult learners.

Patricia (Gehrke) Knudson ’93, Denver, Iowa, has been promoted to first vice president of wealth management and trust at Community Bank & Trust, Waterloo/Cedar Falls. Knudson has been with the company for nine years.

Keith Buckridge ’94, Leota, Minn., accepted the position as superintendent and elementary principal at Edgerton Public School District, Maplewood, Minn.

Elisha (Sylvester) Payton ’95, Thornton, Iowa, is the new part-time family consumer science and health teacher at West Hancock School District in Britt, Iowa. Payton and her husband, Dan, have three children, Lexi, Grace, and Cale, and reside in Thornton.

Muriel (Arms/Larson) Leverington ’95, Austin, Minn., is a new preschool teacher at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Brownsdale.

Nicole Rosinski ’97, Schererville, Ind., and Robert Younghale Jr., announced the birth of their daughter, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Younghale, born Nov. 8, 2014. Elizabeth was welcomed by her big brother, Jeremy.

Lisa (Oelkers) Daak ’98, Pine Island, Minn., and husband Nick announced the birth of their son, Grayson David Daak, born on May 25, 2014, weighing 8 lbs. 3 oz. Grayson’s siblings include Mikenna (11), Collin (7) and Ava (5).

Ben Henthorn ’99, Beloit, Wis., was featured in the Beloit Daily News (August 7, 2014) for his outstanding volunteer service to the Beloit Fine Arts Incubator, where he spends over 1,000 hours per year.

Kevin Lytle ’99, Tallahassee, Fla., is the new vice president of business partnerships at True North Custom. Lytle earned a marketing management degree from UIU and has 25 years of experience helping clients develop marketing strategies.

2000s
Stephen Arneson ’00, Bothell, Wash., joined the University of Washington as associate director of development for the School of Business.

Mike Kuennen ’01, Fort Atkinson, Iowa, joined New Hampton Community School District as the industrial technology teacher.

Gabriel Espinosa ’02, Fort Campbell, Ky., accepts a ceremonial sword during a change of responsibility ceremony at Garrison headquarters. Espinosa is the new command sergeant major.

Sarah (Bailey) Miller ’02, Island Lake, Ill., was presented with the 2014 CropLife Ambassador of the Year award by the Mid America CropLife Association. Over the last four years, Miller has made 18 presentations to more than 1,000 students, educating them on the story of agriculture.

Timothy Haxton ’03, ’05, ’14, Cumming, Ga., was hired as a first-grade teacher at Level Creek Elementary School, Suwanee, Ga.

Jenifer Barrentine ’03, Clinton, Miss., developed an illness in her 20s called fibromyalgia, which prevented her from talking for three years and walking for six years. Since then, she has battled a long road to recovery. Disabled at the time, Barrentine earned her social work degree with a 3.9 GPA. Now 37, Barrentine works as the school secretary at Northside Elementary School. In April 2014, she was presented with the DOVE customer service award and was also nominated by students as their favorite school secretary in the Hometown Clinton magazine.

Kelly (Backes) Mangrich ’03, Jesup, Iowa, has been promoted to vice president of Veridian Fiscal Solutions at Veridian Credit Union, Waterloo. Mangrich has worked for the company for the past 23 years.

Natalie Brown ’05, Cedar Falls, Iowa, and her business, Scratch Cupcakery, received two awards in October 2014. Brown earned the Young Entrepreneur award from Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, honoring area business people who have shown the importance of achieving success, both personally and professionally. She was also recognized as the 2014 Brand Champion of Iowa. Brown earned the coveted battle of the brands dodge ball trophy and $5,000, which she donated to the Iowa Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Adam Sears ’06, Garner, Iowa, is the new Floyd County Conservation director. Sears earned his conservation management degree and worked for Cerro Gordo County Conservation for the last six years.

Andrea (Bachman) Soukup ’06, Marion, Iowa, is a new preschool teacher at Tanger Place, Cedar Rapids.

Katie (Becker) Zweifel ’06, Delavan, Wis., joined Standard Process Inc., as a manufacturing analyst.

Lorraine (DeMoss) Bellinger ’07, Dysart, Iowa, was named facility administrator at Ravenwood Nursing & Rehab Center in Waterloo. Bellinger earned her licensed practical nursing degree from Hawkeye Community College and went on to complete her healthcare administration degree at Upper Iowa University-Waterloo.

David Bathke ’08, Payson, Ariz., is the new operational chief at Hellsgate Fire Department. Bathke took his oath of office on a symbolic day, Sept. 11, 2014, to pay tribute to fallen firefighters. He earned his public administration degree from UIU. “I never would have landed this fire chief’s position if it wasn’t for UIU,” said Bathke. “You gave me the tools to be a very strong and effective leader. Thanks UIU.”

Angela (Luckett) Carlington ’08, Norman, Okla., was recognized as Executive of the Year Member by the National Association of Distinguished Professionals. Carlington, assistant professor of aerospace studies for Air Force ROTC, has a 27-year tenure in the U.S. Air Force and currently holds the rank of major.

Dionne (Saunders) Meehan ’08, New London, Minn., was promoted to product manager for the retail business team at Jennie-O Turkey Store at the Wilmar corporate office location. Meehan retired from the U.S. Army, earned her human resources management degree and has been with Jennie-O for almost six years.

Sam Moultrie ’08, Wilmington, Del., was elected as a board member for The Next Generation of Northern Delaware of the Delaware Community Foundation. Moultrie is currently an associate at Wilks, Lukoff & Bracegirdle LLC.

Manon Bushman ’09, Fort Atkinson, Iowa, is the new success coordinator at South Winneshiek Community School District, Calmar, Iowa. Bushman will focus on the “at-risk” population for K-12 students.

Megan (Mueterthies) Miller ’09, Anita, Iowa, has joined faculty at Estherville Lincoln Central in Estherville. She was married August 23 to Kelly Miller.

Andrea Quick ’09, Runnells, Iowa, received the 2014 Educator of the Year award presented by Des Moines East and South Chamber of Commerce.

Sasha Heiken ’09, Winnebago, Ill., is a new kindergarten teacher at Highland Elementary, Stillman Valley, Ill.

2010s
Tammy (Matthias) Fleming ’10, Jesup, Iowa, has been promoted to personal trust officer at Community Bank & Trust, Waterloo/Cedar Falls. Fleming has been with the company for three years and has over 16 years of trust experience.

Angela (Rokey) Glade ’11, Waukee, Iowa, accepted a job as a sixth-grade language arts teacher at Callanan Middle School in Des Moines, Iowa.

Carrie Haas, ’11, Elizabeth, Ill., was named marketing and public relations director for Area Residential Care, Dubuque, Iowa.

Whitney Stiegman ’11, Nashville, Ill., and Jake Wolf (former UIU football player) announce the birth of their son, Conway Garrett Wolf, born on June 3, 2014. He was 7 lbs. 7 oz. and 20.5 in.

Suzana Sumar ’11, Cedar Falls, Iowa, was hired as a trust officer for First Community Trust, Waterloo.

Nicole Wingerter, ’11, Muscatine, Iowa, has joined Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) as an assistant quality analyst.

Roberta (Simmons) Wahl ’10, ’11, Des Moines, Iowa, was selected by the governor’s office to become a member of the Homelessness Commission, effective July 1, 2014.

Allyssa Joseph ’12, major gifts officer/director of annual giving at UIU, was the recipient of the CASE VI Advancing Diversity Program Scholarship, allowing her to attend the CASE District VI Conference in Denver, Colo., in January.

Shayla Denton ’13, Waterloo, Iowa, has been promoted to marketing strategist at Veridian Credit Union. She has been with the company for seven years.

Kelli Jo Folkers ’13, Cedar Falls, Iowa, joined the Amperage Marketing team as a media buyer. She is currently pursuing her MBA at Upper Iowa University-Waterloo.

Melissa Hauschild ’13, Manchester, Iowa, is the new K-8 technology and 1-4 reading specialist at St. John’s in Independence. Hauschild is implementing a new reading intervention program at the school.

Cynthia “Cindy” Kleve ’13, Postville, Iowa, is teaching English, reading and math skills to Jewish home-schooled students at Postville Community School District, Postville.

Ryan Noonan ’13, Palo, Iowa, was promoted to sales manager-business development for Intertrade-Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids. Noonan is a graduate of UIU’s online MBA program.

Daniel “Jeremy” Bigler ’14, Evansdale, Iowa, joined Four Oaks in Independence as a youth counselor.

Sally (Johnson) Leibold ’14, Decorah, Iowa, advocate for Riverview Center, is managing the new Decorah-based location, which will provide legal and medical advocacy, counseling and other support for those affected by sexual assault or abuse. Leibold has over two decades of experience and recently earned her human services degree.

Alissa Lichty ’14, Cresco, Iowa, is a new fourth-grade teacher at New Hampton Community School District, New Hampton.

Carly Lyons ’14, Castalia, Iowa, is the coordinator for the jump- start preschool classroom at South Winneshiek Community School District, Calmar, Iowa.

Sarah Topliff ’14, Waterloo, Iowa, joined UIU as the student support specialist at the Waterloo Center. Topliff graduated with a business administration degree.

Andrew Williams ’14, Westgate, Iowa, joined Northeast Security Bank of Sumner as a loan officer.