Stritch Alumni in the News
Know any Stritch alumni who have been featured in the news? Please send the details to communications@stritch.edu.
November/December 2020
Dealing With a Difficult Situation? Learn Some Tips to Help You Face Life Challenges
Cheryl Porior-Mayhew, '93, has written Facing Life Challenges: The ABCs of One Woman’s Journey to Healing Her Heart, which shares tips and techniques for people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, a child, parent, or someone who just is hard to love.(Nov. 30, 2020)
Ripon Press: Teacher spotlight: How did learning inspire Mika Chetto to become a teacher?
Mika Chetto, '04, was inspired by her love of learning to become a teacher. She is a technology instructor/librarian in the Green Lake (Wis.) School District. Mika also shares the circumstances that led to her high school musical debut at age 34!
October/November 2020
Madison365.com: “Proximity is a pathway to making a healthier community.” Nasra Wehelie confirmed as Madison’s newest alderperson
Nasra Wehelie, '08, was confirmed as a City of Madison's alderperson on Nov. 17. She has been very active in Madison for more than three decades is committed to working toward making the city a "vibrant and inclusive city for everyone." (Nov. 19, 2020)
WCTC names next president
Dr. Richard Barnhouse, '09, has been named the next president of Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) in Pewaukee, Wis. He currently serves as the currently the vice president of student services and enrollment management at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota. (Nov. 11, 2020)
WisBusiness: Ponting promoted to VP of Finance & Controller
Wendy Ponting, '03, '05, has been promoted to Vice President of Finance and Controller at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation where she has served since 1998. (Oct. 23, 2020)
September/October 2020
Journal Sentinel: 23 movies you should check out at the all-online 2020 Milwaukee Film Festival, and how you can watch them
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has named 'Growing Up Milwaukee,' directed by Tyshun Wardlaw, '12, a movie to check out during 2020 Milwaukee Film Festival. This is Tyshun's first full-length documentary and follows three young Black people who are grappling with daily experiences of racism and segregation, while fighting to avoid becoming a statistic. (Oct. 7, 2020)
Milwaukee NNS Spotlight: He’s the ‘banker of the underrepresented’
Joaquin Altoro, '02, 14, is featured in the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service Spotlight. He was named the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) executive director in June 2019. "I’m not Black or Hmong or a member of the LGBT community, but spending time with people who are helped me learn how to better serve them.” (October 14, 2020)
Journal Sentinel: 'The Truth,' a news-talk radio station aimed at Milwaukee's Black community, is being launched by Good Karma Brands
Cherie Harris, '00, has been named general manager of new Milwaukee radio station 'The Truth 101.7 FM' which will share programming for Milwaukee's Black community. (Sept. 29, 2020)
September 2020
Madison365.com: Sí Se Puede 2020: The Most Influential Latinos in Wisconsin, Part 3
Two-time alumnus George Torres, '94, '96, has been recognized as one of Wisconsin's most influential Latinos. He is the CEO and President of La Causa, Inc., in Milwaukee. (Sept. 23, 2020)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'A giant adult playground': This new Glendale gym owned by a lifelong athlete has a ninja rig and an '80s-themed class
Alumna and former student-athlete Sara Bayer, '05, '10, has opened a gym in Glendale, Wis., that she calls "a giant adult playground." The Chasm, named after Will Allen Droomgoole's poem "The Bridge Builder" offers a variety of group classes, personal training and open gym hours. (Sept. 17, 2020)
OnMilwaukee.com: Dunk Law brings multiple forms of justice to Milwaukee
Orville Dunk, '00, opened a law office in downtown Milwaukee in January 2020. A native of Jamaica, Orville also operates law offices in Houston and Memphis. He asciorbes to the Jamaican motto "Out of many, one people." Orville looks to re-establishing his Milwaukee connections he built when he lived here in the 1980s and 1990s. (Sept. 14, 2020)
July 2020
23 WIFR TV: Dr. Howard J. Spearman named eighth President of Rock Valley College
Dr. Howard Spearman, '09, has been named president of Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois. He has more than 20 years experience in higher education administration. (July 30, 2020)
Wisconsin Muslim Journal: Madison consultant helps create workplace empathy
Nasra Wehelie, '08, the CEO and founder of Empathy 4 Equity, said that while businesses and organizations work hard at recruiting people of color, they often have trouble retaining those employees. “I founded this organization to build a culture of empathy for organizational excellence,” (July 24, 2020)
In Business-Greater Madison: Professional of the Week: Liz Gross, Campus Sonar
Dr. Liz Gross, '15, IB’s Professional of the Week is the premier way to meet Dane County’s professionals. This week features Liz Gross, CEO, Campus Sonar. (July 24, 2020)
Post Crescent: St. Mary Catholic Schools names Timothy Schigur its new superintendent
Timothy Schigur,'01, has been named superintendent of St. Mary Catholic Schools in Neenah, Wisconsin. The St. Mary Catholic Schools system includes three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Schigur has previously served as a history and geography teacher, principal and superintendent. He earned a master's degree in educational leadership from Stritch. (July 7, 2020)
WAOW: Dr. Berdie Cowser announced as ‘Women Who Inspire’ nominee
Dr. Berdie Cowser, '07, '18, is featured in the "Women Who Inspire" program coordinated by the Committee to Celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Wisconsin's Ratification of the 19th Amendment, which is chaired by Wisconsin First Lady Kathy Evers. (July 2, 2020)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: After being laid off during COVID-19, a woman and her fiance have found success in their new boat cleaning service
Alexi Loomis, '17, and her fiance, overcame their job hardships by creating their own business, Dockside Watercraft Cleaners. (July 22, 2020)
April-June 2020
Cleveland.com: View art and launch rockets to get your summer started
Jack Kruyne, ’87, is exhibiting his art starting July 10, at the Chagrin Arts gallery in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Kruyne uses vibrant colors and layered shapes to create his transformational paintings based on places he's been and things he's observed. He credits artist Sister Thomasita Fessler, OSF, as his mentor and main influence. (June 29, 2020)
Hospitality Net: Brian King appointed president of Marriott International’s Caribbean and Latin America Region
Brian King, ’88, "Brian is an exceptional leader who has worked across digital, brand, marketing, sales and operations at Marriott. He brings that depth of experience as well as a dedication to putting people first which has been a cornerstone of his career.” (June 29, 2020)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Menomonee Falls' new fire chief Gerard Washington says the department is 'a gem'
Gerard Washington, ’15, "You don't know you have a gem until you dust it off. It is an amazing department. There is talent. I want to meet with the public so they understand what a gem it is." (June 25, 2020)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Job seekers in SE Wisconsin give each other support
Dennis R. Cherne, ’88, understands the pain people are experiencing from losing their job in the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s felt it himself over the years, four times. Cherne is president of 40Plus of Southeastern Wisconsin, a job seekers' advocacy group for mid-career professionals. (June 13, 2020)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What made them march?
Alondra Garcia, '19. 'We're all in this together': Marchers come from different backgrounds, but unite in plea for meaningful change. (June 8, 2020)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Theater company for people with disabilities goes virtual
Katie (Landa) Cummings, '97. The pandemic forced a Milwaukee theater company to go virtual. Now its students with disabilities are thriving. (June 8, 2020)
BizTimes Milwaukee: Notable women in construction and design
Sharon Reitsma, '02, has more than two decades of experience in the design and construction industry. For the past two years, she has served as project manager for Beloit-based Corporate Contractors Inc. (CCI). (June 7, 2020)
WCVB-TV 5 Boston: Creative solution connects Tufts COVID patients and families
Many patients battling COVID-19 in the hospital are isolated. Their families aren't allowed to visit and doctors and nurses are stretched thin. So a team at Tufts Medical Center, including Ali Jablonsky, '14, came up with a creative solution to bridge the gap and bring loved ones together. (May 22, 2020)
UNLV News Center: The export control officer's path to higher ed started in the military
Jill Zimbelman, '09, has worked at UNLV since 2012, but her lifechanging Las Vegas moment actually took place four years earlier at one of the most iconic places on the Strip. (May 11, 2020)
Ozaukee Press: Nurse heads into the COVID-19 fray to help
With the country shut down due to fears over the Covid-19 outbreak, Port Washington native Haley Bretl, '12, wants to help. Last weekend she headed to the epicenter of the disease in New Jersey and New York. (April 22, 2020)
Federal News Network: Authors Series: A conversation with Lisa Mosley and David Ngo
The Business of Government Radio Hour, hosted by Michael J. Keegan, features a conversation with David Ngo, ’10. The program spotlights a federal executive who is changing the way government does business. The executives discuss their careers and the management challenges facing their organizations. (April 20, 2020)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Quizmaster Trivia hosting pub trivia online now that bars, restaurants are closed
The answer is "virtually." The question is, "How does a popular trivia contest typically held in bars and restaurants continue when bars and restaurants are closed?" It was a quick pivot for Ryan Wickens, '06, and Naomi Kaufman, '07, '12, who host online games each Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. (April 3, 2020)
January-March 2020
WKBT-TV: Love of basketball deepens Donarski family bond
“People that know us are like, they live and die basketball. Everything about them is basketball,” mother Pam Donarski said. It started with Pam (Besch), ’93, ’95, and Dave Donarski, ’92, ’95, and their mutual love of the game when they played at Cardinal Stritch University. (March 17, 2020)
Madison 365: Wisconsin’s 38 Most Influential Native Americans
Dr. Jolene Bowman, ’15, has been named one of Wisconsin's most influential Native Americans. “We shine a statewide spotlight on the dedicated leaders of Wisconsin’s indigenous communities. The people we highlight are elected leaders, business leaders, community leaders, doing difficult, important work, often in the face of discrimination and literally generations of oppression.” - Madison365 CEO, Publisher Henry Sanders (March 13, 2020)
Waunakee Tribune: Lea Zwettler: This literacy coach helps teachers
Lea Zwettler, ’06, is helping to ensure that Waunakee teachers have access to the latest and most innovative approaches to reading, writing and vocabulary instruction. Waunakee Intermediate School’s Literacy Coach put it this way, “Teachers are used to going to conferences or seminars for professional development. Instructional coaching is a different way of thinking about (it).” (March 5, 2020)
Milwaukee Times: 35th Annual Black Excellence Awards
Women on the Leading Edge of Business: Stephanie Findley, '07, The Black Excellence Awards launched 35 years ago, in conjunction with Black History Month, to honor individuals who exemplify leadership and have made a positive contribution to the city of Milwaukee. (Feb. 28, 2020)
Milwaukee Times: 35th Annual Black Excellence Awards
Women on the Leading Edge of Business: Denise Thomas, '06 The Black Excellence Awards launched 35 years ago, in conjunction with Black History Month, to honor individuals who exemplify leadership and have made a positive contribution to the city of Milwaukee. (Feb. 28, 2020)
Milwaukee Times: 35th Annual Black Excellence Awards
Corporate Trailblazers: Nita Farrow, '01 The Black Excellence Awards launched 35 years ago, in conjunction with Black History Month, to honor individuals who exemplify leadership and have made a positive contribution to the city of Milwaukee. (Feb. 28, 2020)
Milwaukee Business Journal: Raquel Filmanowicz named new CEO of Milwaukee DNC Host Committee
Raquel Filmanowicz, ’03 “The convention is a terrific opportunity for Milwaukee and our region to showcase our diversity, our inclusiveness, and all of our many strengths to 50,000 global visitors,” Filmanowicz said. (Announcements also appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and the Milwaukee BizTimes) (Feb. 28, 2020)
Milwaukee Business Journal: Poeschl and Hostad driven to grow Milwaukee’s talent pipeline
Michael Hostad, ’10, and Joe Poeschl co-founded The Commons, a skills accelerator for college students in Wisconsin. The end goal, Hostad said, is to create a system that teaches people, from their middle school years up to chief executive positions as adults, how to collaborate and think creatively. (Feb. 27, 2020)
Thrive Global HR Strategy Series: How Companies Identify and Retain Talent
The series features interviews with top experts, including Alan Lundeen, '01, in the field to teach prospects what hiring managers are actually looking for, while also supporting business leaders in their hiring and retention strategies. (Feb. 25, 2020)
Bridge the City podcast: Street Dreams Soccer Academy
The interview focuses on the founders, one of whom is Favian Gonzalez, '19, of Street Dreams Soccer Academy, including their experience playing club soccer in the suburbs while living in Milwaukee, the importance of youth soccer in building community, and the importance of nurturing creativity within the game and the person. (February 2020)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Harry’s on Brady is closed, and Pete’s Pub is to open there
Peter Marshall, ’12, a native of England who moved to Milwaukee in 2008 to pursue his MBA at Cardinal Stritch University, said Pete's Pub will have "a slight British flair," but won't be a British pub. (Feb. 3, 2020)
Shepherd Express: Visual Arts Preview: Jan. 9-15, 2020
Darrel Payne, ’13, '16, will display his cast ceramic work in a show titled "D.N.A." short for Discovering New Ancestry at 5 Points Art Gallery and Studios, 3514 N. Port Washington Ave., Milwaukee, from Jan. 10 through Feb. 23. (Jan. 7, 2020)