Spotlight on Alumni

1970

William G. "Bill" Cordrey (BSE 75-Physical Education), Lewes, Del., was voted by the Cape High School Board to be honored as the new name of the Cape High softball field.

Terry W. Crawford (BSB 79-Business Administration), Shawnee, was the Sam E. and Jeannene Hayes Lecture Series speaker at Homecoming 2022.

Jay F. Fowler (BS 77-Public Affairs), Wichita, was inducted as a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL), a group of elite trial lawyers representing both sides of the Bar. Fellowship is limited to 500 active trial lawyers under the age of 70.

Trudy (Gruber) Hutchinson (BSE 70-Foreign Language), Emporia, retired after 44 years at Hetlinger Developmental Services, most recently as executive director since 1995.

Tom D. Leitnaker (BSB 75-Business Administration), Bella Vista, Ark., retired from East Kansas Agri Energy in December 2020.

John C. Lohmeyer (BSE 74-Physical Education; MS 77-Counselor Education), Kansas City, Mo., was honored alongside fellow former Kansas City Chiefs greats by the Third and Long Foundation at "An Evening With the Greats" in October 2022.

Mike (BSE 70-Business Education; MS 78-Business Education) and Carol (Reeves) Petitjean (BSE 85-Elementary Education), Emporia, were named 2022 recipients of the ESU Alumni Association's University Service Citation Award, which recognizes alumni and friends of the University who have made unique and significant contributions to the University, its students and staff members.

David A. Sherrer (BSB 77-Business Administration), El Dorado, was elected to the Butler Community College Board of Trustees in November 2021 and started a four-year term in January 2022.

Sandra J. Strawn (BFA 75-Theatre; BSE 76-Theatre/Speech), Hartford, Wisc., published the memoir and portfolio book titled "PAUL OWEN - A Lifetime of Designing Resident Theatre in America."

Dr. Scott D. Waters (BSE 78-Elementary Education; MS 81-Educational Administration), Emporia, was a 2022 recipient of the ESU Alumni Association's University Service Citation Award, which recognizes alumni and friends of the University who have made unique and significant contributions to the University, its students and staff members.

1980

Alice (Merrick) Bachand (MLS 85-Library Science), Clyde, retired in July 2022 after spending 38 years as a librarian, most recently as the youth services coordinator at the Frank Carlson Library in Concordia from 2012 to 2022.

Michael A. Ball (BSB 82-Business Administration), Olathe, retired from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) after more than 30 years.

Dr. Teresa L. Clounch (BSB 89-Business Administration; MS 96-Counselor Education), Hays, was named associate vice president of student life and dean of students at Washburn University.

Dr. Kenneth M. Coll (MS 82-Counselor Education), Reno, Nev., was appointed as board of directors chair at WestEd.

Joseph M. Hoefgen (BSE 86-Social Sciences), Long Beach, Calif., was appointed as Signal Hill's interim city manager.

Kirk L. Holt (BSB 85-Business Administration), Dallas, Texas, joined Ernst & Young in August 2021 as a client serving contractor in Credit Risk, after a long career at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Jane M. (Stinnett) Kelley (BSE 83-Business Education), Emporia, was named to an adviser "Wall of Fame" during the Future Business Leaders of America's National Leadership Conference.

Jeffry J. Larson (BSB 84-Business Administration), Emporia, was named chief judge of the 5th Judicial District.

Bert E. Luallen (BSB 80-Business Administration), Liberal, started a new position as the head girls golf coach at Liberal High School.

Alexandra (Benson/Elliott) Neubauer (BSE 83-Art), Greer, S.C., retired in June 2022 after 38 years as a special education teacher, art teacher and middle school assistant principal. She taught in Illinois, Florida and South Carolina.

Dr. Curtis B. "Curt" Pickert (BS 80-Biology), Las Vegas, Nev., was named chief physician executive at Pediatrix Medical Group.

Michelle L. Rich (BSB 85-Business Administration), La Salle, Ill., was promoted to CEO of Horizon House of Illinois Valley, INC. and was also named to the 2022 Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame.

John F. Schmidt (BS 86-Medical Technology), Emporia, received the 2022 Sunflower Health Plan Medication Therapy Management Champion Award from the Kansas Pharmacists Association.

John R. Warring (BS 83-Psychology; MS 85-School Psychology), Edgewood, N.M., is now working as a substance abuse counselor with opiate addicts in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Prior to this new position, he served 23 years in parish ministry.

Barb (Schra) Weaver (BSB 88-Office Administration), Emporia, won gold in the swimming event for her age group in the 2022 Kansas Senior Olympics.

Dr. Dianne H. Welsh (MS 84-Psychology), Greensboro, N.C., published a new book titled "Entrepreneurial Family Business: From Survival to Success" (Kendall-Hunt Publishing, August 2022).

William B. "Bill" Wolf, Jr. (BSB 88-Management), Manhattan, became a 2022 Iron Phi through Phi Delta Theta, Kansas Epsilon chapter, for raising funds for ALS research. Bill walked 240 miles during Lou's Olympics.

1990

Megan (Dillingham) Bannen (BA 96-Foreign Language; MLS 11-Library Science), Overland Park, published her third novel, "The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy," in August 2022.

Steven F. "Steve" Bushnell (BSE 91-Physical Education), Topeka, was a 2022 inductee in the Kansas City Kansas Community College's Athletics Hall of Fame.

Shelly L. (Johnson) Charter (BSE 96-Elementary Education; MS 02-Special Education), Independence, has taken a new position as principal of Winfield Scott Elementary School.

Peggy S. (Rathke) Fell (BSN 99-Nursing), Olpe, is a new nurse practitioner for CareArc.

Ronald L. "Ron" Frierson, Jr. (BS 96-Social Sciences), Los Angeles, Calif., became the new director of the western U.S. region for Amazon.

Erik C. Gratton (BFA 98-Dramatic Arts), Gig Harbor, Wash., is touring the world with Lonny Price's new production of "West Side Story" for the next couple of years. He's playing Krupke and directed the fights for the production. The production opened in Munich and will be hitting Vienna, Zurich, Dublin, Dubai, Tokyo, Monte Carlo, Bangkok, Paris and more for long stays at historic theatres.

Dr. Chad A. Higgins (BSE 95-Physical Science), Wichita, started a new position as executive director at ESSDACK.

Melanie J. Holles (MLS 91-Library Science), Albemarle, N.C., will serve as the new director of the Cabarrus County Public Library.

Sheri J. (Storrer) Knight (BSB 98-Accounting), Rexford, is the new vice president for business affairs at Colby Community College.

Craig P. Kuckelman (BSB 91-Accounting), Overland Park, was named one of Ingram's 250 Most Influential & Powerful Business Leaders in the Greater Kansas City Region for 2022.

Scott E. Lee (BSE 97-Elementary Education), Pointe Pleasant Beach, N.J., joined AYR.ai as chief revenue officer, headquartered in Princeton, N.J. He has also served on the board of Make A Splash, Inc. for the last 10 years, a 501c3 organization committed to transition and education for those with disabilities related to spinal cord injuries and to safety awareness.

Mark W. Majors (BSB 92-Finance), Meriden, was named one of Industry Era's Ten Most Innovative CEO's of 2021 in his role as chief executive officer at TDI Global Solutions.

Brian S. Meyer (BSE 96-Physical Science), Louisburg, started a new position as the physics and chemistry teacher at Louisburg Middle School.

Kenda R. O'Mara (BSE 95-Health Education), Emporia, received the Kansas Council for Workforce Education (KCWE) Leadership Award for 2022 for "Excellence in Teaching."

Brian D. Protheroe (BFA 96-Communication), New York, N.Y., started a new position as senior manager, leadership development at Criteo.

Kelly R. Smith (BSB 96-Marketing), San Antonio, Texas, became a new city council member for Garden Ridge, Texas.

Connie A. (Rosenholtz) Thompson (BS 92-Psychology), Fort Worth, Texas, is a relatively new Indie author of a 3-book series based on her own true story. Book 1 is titled "There Are: No Secrets," book 2 is titled "How High Do the Chiggers Jump in This Moment Called Life" and book 3 (coming soon) is titled "Lost Children Where the Wild Thistles Grow."

Carrie L. (Waidley) Wyatt (BSB 97-Management), Derby, is pursuing a MBA in Marketing at Wichita State University and has accepted an atlarge senator position with Wichita State University's Staff Senate. She was inducted into the TriAlpha National Honors Society in November 2022.

2000

Dr. Asaad Al-Saleh (MA 05-English), Bloomington, Ind., was chosen as an academic visitor at the University of Oxford, UK, starting fall 2022.

Elizabeth "Liz" B. (Hughes) Barnaby (BSE 08-Elementary Education), Salida, Co., was promoted to principal of Buena Vista High School.

Tammy L. (Pattison) Black (BSN 01-Nursing), Emporia, was promoted to medical director for CareArc.

Brent C. Bradbury (BSB 08-Accounting; BSB 09-Management), Omaha, Neb., will serve as a tax manager for BerganKDV.

Kenna L. (Bright) Burns (BIS 09-Integrated Studies), Burlingame, was promoted to housing director for the ECKAN Housing Choice Voucher Program in January 2022.

Emily M. (Hamlin) DeLoach (BSE 05-English), Garden City, was one of three people awarded the Crystal Apple in November 2021 for Finney County.

Kimberly A. "Kim" (Slater) Dhority (MS 04-Instructional Design/Technology), Reading, received the Kansas Council for Workforce Education (KCWE) Leadership Award for 2022 for "Exemplary Service."

Dr. Ryan H. Diehl (BA 04-English; MA 07-English), Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College faculty member, was selected as the recipient of the 2022 National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Ron Brandolini Award for Excellence at a Two-Year Institution.

David L. Ediger (MS 09-Educational Administration), Hillsboro, was named as the new athletic director of Tabor College.

Joshua P. Furnish (BS 06-Social Sciences), Paola, will serve as the industrial arts instructor for Paola High School, USD 368.

Andrea (Lantz) Gurney (MS 02-Health, Physical Education & Recreation), Schleswig, Iowa, is the new principal for Schleswig Community Schools.

Art L. Gutierrez (BSB 03-Computer Information; MLS 10-Library Science), Emporia, was named to serve on the board of directors of the Information Network of Kansas.

Dr. Jennifer A. (Conroy) Hanson (BSN 06-Nursing), Shawnee, has accepted a position as a sub-investigator/nurse practitioner for Dr. Vince Clinical Research in Overland Park.

Jennifer R. (Owen) Janzen (BSE 04-Business Education; MS 09-Business Education), Marion, family consumer science teacher at Marion High School, will also serve as a sponsor for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and sponsor for the sophomore class.

Lyndsey A. Kratzberg (BSB 06-Accounting; MBA 13-Teaching; MED 19-Teaching), Mission, started a new position as financial business systems analyst at Tektronix.

Bruce L. Lolling (MA 07-History), Haysville, received the 2022 Young Alumni Award by McPherson College.

Dr. Carl A. Lund (MS 03-Special Education; MS 05-Instructional Design & Technology; MLS 05-Library Science), Bemidji, Minn., received a Ph.D. from University of the Cumberlands in 2021 and began as an associate professor of professional education at Bemidji State University.

Ashley E. Mahoney (BSE 08-Business Education), Leawood, was named to the 2022 class of Women Who Mean Business by the Kansas City Business Journal.

Jessica L. (Winters) Meade (BSE 00-Biology; MS 01-Master Teacher Secondary), Paola, will be a new science teacher for Paola USD 368.

Darin L. Nichols (BS 02-Recreation), Independence, Mo., was promoted to operations manager for south central region at Marten Transport.

Natasha R. Oakes (BSB 04-Business Administration), Morgantown, W.Va., was named the senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator for West Virginia University.

Eli M. O'Brien (BS 09-History), Wichita, an associate attorney at Monnat & Spurrier, Chartered, was honored by Best Lawyers in America for 2023 in the area of Criminal Defense: White Collar. This is the third time he has been named with this honor.

Mark J. Padfield (MS 03-Health, Physical Education & Recreation), Tonganoxie, was a 2022 inductee into the Kansas Athletic Trainer Society's Hall of Fame.

Matthew J. Ramsey (MS 02-Special Education), Atchison, has joined McDaniel College as the new Laurence J. Adams Endowed Chair in Special Education and coordinator of the master's degree program. In this role, he also serves as president and CEO of Target Community & Educational Services, Inc.

Darrin E. Sewell (BS 04-Psychology; MS 07-Clinical Psychology), Park City, was promoted to vice president of residential and outpatient health services for Saint Francis Ministries. He was also appointed as president for the Kansas Association of Masters in Psychology (KAMP).

Jesse B. Taylor (BS 01-Sociology), Emporia, was named deputy fire chief of the Emporia Fire Department.

2010

Linsey R. Albee (BA 18-Modern Language), Leavenworth, received a Master of Arts in Spanish to English Translation from Kent State University in May 2022. In November 2022, she started a fully remote position as project manager, translation & localization services at MasterWord.

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Jennifer L. Asbridge (BSB 14-Accounting; BSB 14-Modern Language), Wichita, was promoted to director of fiscal grant management and foundation accounting at WSU Tech.

Joslyn D. Barton (BSB 18-Marketing), Denver, Colo., started a new position as a sales engineer at Concentrix.

Ernesto D. Vizcarra Bedoy (BSB 19-Business Administration), Wichita, started a new position as an inside sales representative at BOSS Railcar Movers.

Sam B. Bland (BFA 18-Art), Emporia, was featured on the "Where's Shane?" segment for KWCH channel 12, Wichita. Sam explained the blow your own ornament process at Karg Art Glass, where he works.

Jennifer (Zemanick) Callis (MS 13-Offices Systems Management, Instructional Design/Technology), Abilene, was named the new vice president of instruction at Salina Area Technical College.

Alaina (Fairbanks) Case (BSE 15-Physical Education; MS 18-Health, Physical Education & Recreation), Mission, was hired as the head volleyball coach and assistant track and field coach for Shawnee Mission West High School USD 512.

Allison E. (Barnhill) Crofoot (BS 10-Psychology), DeSoto, started a new position as human resources generalist at the Children's Hospital Association.

Rachel C. Enix (BIS 15-Integrated Studies, MLS 17-Library Science), Wichita, was appointed as a representative of District 6 for the City of Wichita to serve on the Wichita Public Library Board from 2022 to 2024.

Jessica N. Evans (BSB 19-Marketing), Stilwell, started a new position as marketing coordinator at City Wide Facility Solutions.

Nick A. Gardner (BSE 12-Physical Education; MS 16-Special Education; MS 19-Educational Administration), Topeka, started a new position as principal of Ross Elementary School.

Nafiul Haque (MBA 16-Information Systems), Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was hired as senior business intelligence and reporting analyst at TD.

Heather M. (Robben) Hurt (BSB 12-Marketing; MS 14-Health, Physical Education & Recreation), Ada, Okla., was named interim head women's basketball coach at East Central University.

Nick M. Johnson (MS 14-Educational Administration), Fort Scott, was named the new principal of the Fort Scott Preschool Center.

Stephen K. Jowers (BSE 11-Elementary Education; MS 14-Special Education; MS 17-Educational Administration), Olpe, has a new position as superintendent of Madison-Virgil USD 386.

Emmalee H. Keck (BFA 10-Public Relations, Communication), Independence, Mo., started a new position as an account manager at Coach Mills.

Rachel S. (Rose) Koszalka (MLS 18-Library Science), Independence, was hired as the director of the Coffeyville Public Library.

Melissa J. (Mendoza) Laws (BS 15-Sociology), Hartford, started a new position as care coordinator at United HealthCare.

Sheena D. LeMay-Nelssen (BIS 12-Integrated Studies), Aubrey, Texas, started a new position as a substitute teacher at ESS.

Brett M. Logbeck (BA 18-Music), Shawnee, is a freelance musician in LA and was just offered the 2nd horn position with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra.

Jerik T. Manring (BID 16-Interdisciplinary Studies), Wichita, was promoted to supervisor C&M at Kansas Gas Service.

Amanda N. (Ryan) Miller (BS 14-Communication), Derby, was hired as director of marketing for the Derby Recreation Commission.

Yukii H. Ntumba (BA 13-Communication; MS 15-Instructional Design/Technology), Framingham, Mass., started a new position as an associate director of comprehensive advising at Northeastern University.

Dr. Hannah (Shield) Osterhaus (BS 19-Biology), Las Cruces, N.M., graduated from Des Moines University Department of Physical Therapy in May 2022. She accepted a position as a physical therapist at a rehabilitation hospital in New Mexico.

McKinley C. Phillips (MS 16-Early Childhood Special Education), Great Bend, is the new director of Sunflower Early Education Center.

Kaitlyn E. Powell (BIS 18-Interdisciplinary Studies), Baldwin City, was promoted to director of student life at Baker University.