Alumni Archives - ��ý��Ƶ

Blue & White Homecoming Weekend

Communications — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Blue & White Homecoming is October 9-10, 2026. See you there!

Whether you want to cheer on the Vikings at a game or take in a musical performance, we’ve got a full schedule of activities. Join us on campus to be part of all the exciting things happening!

This year, we are lifting up our – 165 years and counting! You can be part of the Greek Gathering, homecoming events that honor the legacy of Greek life at ��ý��Ƶ. Register for a free open house, connect with current Greek-affiliated students, and share your memories!

We are also welcoming the classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022 to celebrate their 5th Reunion!

Unless otherwise noted, events are free of charge and do not require registration. While all are welcome at all events, primary audiences are noted within each event description.

Schedule of Events

Events will be added as they are announced.

Friday, October 9

Viking Hall of Fame Reception & Dinner (by invitation only)
6:00 p.m. | Warch Campus Center, Somerset & Pusey Rooms

��ý��Ƶ Choirs Concert
7:30 p.m. | ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel

Saturday, October 10

Softball Alumni Game
9:30 a.m. | Whiting Field

Cross Country Gene Davis Invitational
11:00 a.m. | Reid Municipal Golf Course
15th anniversary: 2011 Midwest Conference men’s cross country championship
5th anniversary: 2021 Midwest Conference men’s and women’s cross country championship

Blue & White Homecoming Weekend Tailgate
11:00 a.m. | The Banta Bowl Parking Lot

Football vs. Beloit College
12:00 p.m. | The Banta Bowl
Halftime of Football Game: 2026 Viking Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Men’s Soccer vs. Cornell College
4:00 p.m. | The Banta Bowl

Greek Open Houses
4:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Various campus locations

Greek Gathering Networking Reception for Alumni & Students
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Van Asten Family Overlook in West Campus

5th Reunion Reception & Dinner
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Warch Campus Center, Somerset Room | Registration coming soon

Women’s Soccer vs. Cornell College
6:00 p.m. | The Banta Bowl

Blue & White Homecoming Dance (Students, Faculty, and Staff Only)
8:00 p.m. | Warch Campus Center, Somerset & Pusey

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Sisu and Saunas: Reflections on the ��ý��Ƶ Trip to Finland

Communications — Wed, 06 May 2026 14:24:48 +0000

Story by Heather Sigl Trost ‘96

My husband and I had the good fortune to attend the ��ý��Ƶ trip to Finland at the end of March. It truly was an experience of “Light! More light!” in the ��ý��Ƶ tradition. We shared candlelit dinners of authentic Finnish cuisine. We stayed up late to catch the chartreuse glow of the northern lights. We warmed ourselves around a campfire in a Sami lávvu as we sipped hot berry juice. It was an illuminating journey.

Our trip started in Helsinki. In the city, it was springtime, with daffodils and grape hyacinths in bloom. Our guide, Maria, explained the history of the city and the realities of everyday life. We viewed the shining pipes of the Sibelius Monument. We experienced Temppeliaukio Church, a marvel hewn from rock. The Central Library Oodi had us envious, wishing our local library had as much to offer. Senate Square provided us with great views of the urban architecture.

A view from beneath the Sibelius Monument

From Helsinki, we flew north of the Arctic Circle to stay at the Kakslauttanen Resort in Saariselkä. Here, the hills were covered with evergreens and snow. We had the opportunity to interact with reindeer. We fed them handfuls of the aptly named reindeer moss, and they took us for a sleigh ride through the snowy night.

Bill Trost feeds a reindeer.

��ý��Ƶ’s Professor Megan Pickett accompanied us on our adventure. Her guidance enhanced our experience of the auroras, helping us to understand the processes behind their formation. She explained how events on the sun lead to space weather that affects Earth. We learned that the colors we see in the sky depend on the types of elements excited by particles from the solar wind and on their altitude in our atmosphere.

A tour bus ferried us to various sites where we were most likely to spot the aurora. We shared Minttu and Finnish chocolates as we waited for a break in the clouds. In the end, the best spot for us to see the northern lights was from our cozy bed in a glass igloo.

All along the way, our dedicated guide, Nancy, shepherded us safely and comfortably from place to place. She made sure that we understood the historical and cultural significance of each site. She regaled us with local folk tales, like the story of “Mighty Mikko.” She stressed the role that saunas play, not only for health and relaxation but also for building and maintaining relationships. And, most of all, Nancy impressed upon us the importance of sisu, or determination, to the people of Finland.

The interior of Temppeliaukio Church.

One of the final group activities on our trip required a bit of courage. It was a dog sledding excursion. Our spirited team of huskies needed no encouragement as they pulled our sled at a great speed and with great enthusiasm. They were not as inclined to stop, at least not until their job was done. Then they were ready for petting and rolling in the snow.

Even with all the amazing Finnish adventures, the best part of the trip was our tour group. We were a team drawn from different parts of the country and the world, but each traveler was very friendly and filled with curiosity. Each meal together led to fascinating discussions. The kindness of our group gave me the safety to try new things. As a first-time attendee of a ��ý��Ƶ trip, I would recommend it.

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��ý��Ƶ announces 2026 Alumni Awards recipients

Communications — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:01:15 +0000

This June, ��ý��Ƶ honored six graduates who have made lasting contributions to their professions, communities, and the university itself. The celebration took place during Reunion weekend, June 18–21.

The 2026 Alumni Awards recognize achievement in three categories: Career Achievement, Service to Society, and Service to ��ý��Ƶ. This year’s honorees are Kim Sherman ’76 and Sara (Schlarman) Russell ’01 for Career Achievement; Marylene Wamukoya ’01 and Susie Medak ’76 for Service to Society; and Alison Guthrie ’86 and Stephen Rodriguez ’01 for Service to ��ý��Ƶ.

Career Achievement

Kim Sherman ’76

Kim Sherman ’76, Lucia Russell Briggs Distinguished Achievement Award: Kim Sherman’s music was recently highlighted in the Grammy®-nominated album ALIKE – My Mother’s Dream, but her path began with a college pamphlet.

“I saw the pictures on it, and I’m like, ‘That’s where I’m going,’” she says of ��ý��Ƶ. Receiving this alumni award, she adds, is “a surprise… to be seen is very nice.”

At ��ý��Ƶ, she studied piano, theory, and composition, experiences she credits with helping her find her creative voice. But it was the theater department that changed everything. A guest director from the Guthrie Theater came to campus to direct a play, and Kim composed the music.

After graduation and a year studying with composer Thea Musgrave, that same director helped her land her first job. A ��ý��Ƶ connection resurfaced years later when Rick Davis ’80 brought her to Baltimore Center Stage to compose for Hamlet. “That put me on a new level in the theater world. That’s a direct relationship from ��ý��Ƶ.”

Her work, described as both “rhapsodic and lush” and “craggy and leap-about,” has appeared on concert stages, in opera houses, and in theaters. In 2025, her composition Invocation was featured on Allison Charney’s album Alike: My Mother’s Dream, which earned a Grammy nomination.

“At this point in your life, to have this new world open up for you is pretty great.”

Her work includes recordings, choral pieces, song cycles, and stage works such as O Pioneers!, Heartland, and Bluestem. She is artistic director of the Composers Institute, which runs a summer program at UW-River Falls for young composers, songwriters, and film and game music creators. She also works with New York’s 52nd Street Project, where children write original plays with songs.

“The characters might be a pencil and an eraser having a fight,” she says. “It takes you to places you would not expect.”

Her advice is simple: “Pay attention to who is around you. You never know.”

Looking back, she still values the independence she found at ��ý��Ƶ. “The Conservatory thought I should be taking harpsichord lessons instead. I was like, ‘No, I think I will do this other thing.’ The good news is that it was my choice.”

Sara (Schlarman) Russell ’01

Sara (Schlarman) Russell ’01, Nathan M. Pusey Distinguished Achievement Award:For Sara Russell, teaching is built on small moments that add up over time.

Sara first visited ��ý��Ƶ as a high school junior. “It was a gross day. It was late November. It was snowy and rainy,” she says. But she remembers thinking, “This is where I am supposed to be. It just felt like home.”

She arrived planning to study government but switched to history. Near the end of her junior year, she took an education class on a whim and never looked back. She found a mentor in Professor Stewart Purkey.

“The best teachers I had were very much authentically themselves,” she says. “They weren’t trying to be someone they weren’t, and that really resonated with me.”

Her first job, in a small farming district in Iowa, was not what she expected. She taught special education and psychology, areas she had not been formally trained in.

“It was a real baptism by fire,” she says. “My first month, I cried nearly every day on the drive home. I was like, ‘What am I doing here? I am not fit to be here.’”

Over time, the experience reshaped how she teaches.

“Now I’m so thankful,” she says. “It gave me a better appreciation of how different each learner is.”

In 2005, she moved to Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, where she still teaches social studies today. Two decades later, in 2022, she was named Iowa Teacher of the Year.

As part of that honor, she stepped out of the classroom for a year of service. She chose to visit all of the teacher preparation programs in the state, making it to every one except one, not for lack of trying. “My classroom became all of those college classrooms,” she says.

Ask her why she teaches, and she points to her students. “I can brag on these kids all day,” she says. She co-advises “A Positive Place,” a student group that has helped create a Welcome Wall in multiple languages, a multi-faith space, hygiene supply boxes, and a name pronunciation audio system.

“Kids are amazing,” she says. “If you are ever feeling down, just spend a day with students.”

The ripple effect of education, she says, is incredible. “I have been in education now for over 20 years, and I run into 30-year-olds at Costco who say, ‘Ms. Russell? You were my history teacher.’ That impact is huge.”

She adds that teachers do not always see their influence in the moment. “You sometimes have to get a little distance from it to realize the effect you are having on others,” she says.

Beyond her classroom, Sara mentors new teachers and supports professional development in her district. She holds two master’s degrees and serves on the University of Iowa REACH board, and she is active in the Iowa State Education Association.

Outside work, she runs, loves live music, and travels with her husband, Ian ’01, and their twin sons.

When the alumni award letter arrived, she was stunned. “��ý��Ƶ was such a supportive, accepting place,” she says. “To be honored by ��ý��Ƶ is really cool. I’m just so proud.”

Her advice: “Going out into the world and making an impact is not easy. It requires perseverance and grit.” But she adds, “Being able to have an impact on people every single day, I can’t think of anything better.”

Service to Society

Marylene Wamukoya ’01

Marylene Wamukoya ’01, Joseph F. Patterson Jr. ’69 Service to Society Award:Marylene Wamukoya often says, “In order to make any kind of change anywhere, you need information. You need data.”

She is a PhD Fellow in Global Health Epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, researching how reproductive events, from first period to menopause, shape a woman’s risk of multimorbidity later in life, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa.

“Globally, multimorbidity is more prevalent in women than men. We are losing women,” she says. “We need to find out why.”

Her work builds on more than 15 years of health and demographic research in Africa, much of it rooted in two slums in Nairobi.

In one, many residents had moved for factory jobs. “They are not as poor as you think. They are employed,” she says.

The other left a deeper mark. “The okay-ness with slum living really shook me,” she says, describing the sense of permanence, what it felt like people accepted as their future: “I will live here, and my family will live here, and my grandkids will also live here.”

From that work came a clear insight. “People just want to matter. They also want to be counted.”

In many places, births and deaths go unrecorded. “You don’t realize how important that document is until you try to get a passport, go to school, buy land, or open a bank account,” she says. “You just don’t exist without that paper.”

Her approach is simple: “I make data sing our songs.”

“If you are born in a slum and you don’t matter and you’re not registered, I am probably singing your song in some graph or table or publication,” she says. “You matter.”

She also mentors others. “When you arrive here, you have a purpose,” she says. “Someone should invest in making sure that it is extracted from you before you leave.”

Marylene holds a Master of Public Health from Emory University and a Bachelor of Arts from ��ý��Ƶ, where she studied Chemistry and Spanish. “Those many hours in the lab taught me attention to detail. Spanish and art history taught me expansive thinking.”

She says receiving the award, “confirms I am on the right path.”

When she is not making data sing, she sings herself, performing in choirs and playing drums, kayambas, and tambourines. She also weightlifts and is planning to create 12 handmade blankets for a children’s hospital in 2026 through knitting, crocheting, and sewing, and hopes others will join her.

Susan (Susie) Medak ’76

Susan (Susie) Medak ’76, George B. Walter ’36 Service to Society Award: Susie Medak never planned this path. She arrived at ��ý��Ƶ thinking she would become a dentist. Three months later, she changed course.

“I have to be in theater,” she told her sister.

She tried acting, then realized it was not going to be her career. A classmate, David Haugland ’73, introduced her to theater management. “It had never crossed my mind that there was a career like that.”

She met two of the most important people in her life at ��ý��Ƶ: her lifelong friend Sue Cook ’76, and David Hawkanson ’69, a mentor who became her greatest sponsor.

During her sophomore year, Hawkanson offered her a job at the Guthrie Theatre. “You idiot,” he said. “Quit school and come up here.” She did.

��ý��Ƶ faculty supported her, and she finished her degree later, graduating with eight job offers. “I’ve never written a resume in advance of a job in my life.”

She went on to a 32-year run as Managing Director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, helping build major facilities and programs, including the Roda Theatre, the Nevo Education Center, and the Medak Center, a 45-unit artist housing complex named in her honor.

Her leadership philosophy traces back to a government class with Professor ��ý��Ƶ Longley, who required students to attend city council meetings. “I can still remember sitting in that chamber, watching democracy in action,” she says. “It taught me that if you want to lead a cultural organization, you have to be part of the community.”

Mentorship has remained central to her work. For 20 years, she hosted Yale drama students. During the pandemic, she began weekly calls with former students, which still continue every other week.

At her retirement, the technical crew at Berkeley Rep threw her a party. Two longtime colleagues pulled her aside to share news of a pregnancy. “That felt like the award,” she says. “They named a building after me, but that was the thing that really sticks out for me.”

As an executive coach, she compares her work to dentistry. “You tap around with that sharp little device, poking for the soft spot. When you hit it, that’s where you’ve got to work.”

Receiving the alumni award, she says she was surprised. “I’m a little shocked. I have done nothing for the campus in 50 years to speak of. But it’s lovely to be recognized.”

Her advice to current students: “Learn everything you can. Don’t get precious. The more you know, the more you have to offer.”

She says ��ý��Ƶ did not demand that everyone be a leader, “but if you wanted to be one, there was so much opportunity.”

And after 50 years: “I just have the best life.”

Service to ��ý��Ƶ

Alison Guthrie ’86

Alison Guthrie ’86, Gertrude Breithaupt Jupp M-D ’18 Outstanding Service Award: For more than 36 years, Alison Guthrie has taught music to students of all ages. She runs her own music school, mentors teachers, and helps students discover abilities they did not always believe they had. She continues to refine her teaching, pursing the highest level of instruction she can offer.

She holds memberships in MTNA, WMTA, WFMC, and MMTA, has served in leadership roles across multiple music organizations, and currently sits on the board of PianoArts Milwaukee. She adjudicates competitions, performs, and stays deeply active in the field.

��ý��Ƶ gave her something she did not have at the start: belief.

“It shaped me in learning to believe in myself, in my capacity to succeed at things,” she says. “It helped me push myself out of my comfort zone.”

That mindset never left.

“In all that I do, I try to apply the belief that I can do something. Just roll up your sleeves and dig in.”

She still thinks about her teachers. Piano instructor Ted Rehl taught her to play artistically. Professor George Damp saw something in a shy student she had not yet seen in herself. “He was very kind and gentle with me,” she says, “and recognized where I had gifts. One of them was teaching”

Freshman Studies also left a mark. “My teacher just ripped me apart,” she remembers. “And it helped me be much more intentional about what I say and how I write it.”

After graduation, Alison eventually reconnected with ��ý��Ƶ through alumni involvement. “I heard myself say yes and then thought, ‘What have I done?'”

She served on the Alumni Board and eventually became co-chair. Her committee, Connecting to Campus, organized a speed-dating-style event where students met alumni for career advice.

During a difficult stretch in the Conservatory, students reached out, not for answers, but for someone to listen. “I really enjoyed just hearing what their struggles were and what their vision and dreams were,” she says.

Some friendships from ��ý��Ƶ have lasted decades. This year is her 40th reunion, and her best friend from freshman year is still close, even though they live in different states.

What she didn’t expect was how returning would change her perspective.

“Old wounds have been healed,” she says. “I went from not wanting any connection to the university to a complete evolution.”

Now she uses her own difficult experiences to help students going through similar challenges.

The alumni award caught her off guard. “I don’t know why I was picked, but I am very grateful,” she says. “I do not like to stand out. I like to just do the work. The fact that someone noticed me means a lot.”

When she’s not teaching or performing, she enjoys cooking, reading, and gardening.

Stephen Rodriguez ’01

Stephen Rodriguez ’01, Marshall B. Hulbert ’26 Outstanding Service Award:Stephen Rodriguez’s path to university advancement began at ��ý��Ƶ, where he worked in student phonathon, calling alumni. “People actually answered their phones in the late ’90s,” he says. “I probably talked to thousands of alumni and parents. That really began my career in philanthropy.”

What started as a campus job grew into a 25-year career in fundraising and leadership, taking him from Berklee College of Music, where he worked during its first comprehensive campaign, to roles at Boston University, MIT, Phillips Academy, and Harvard. He now serves as Vice President of Development at Brandeis University.

At ��ý��Ƶ, he still remembers the “Con couches,” what he calls “the living room of the Conservatory,” where students gathered before and after rehearsal. One of his key mentors there was saxophone professor Steve Jordheim.

“He taught me how to think about practice, how to think about honing your craft, and how to embrace limitations and failures,” Stephen says.

Early in his freshman year, Jordheim paused a lesson when he was unprepared. “He simply said, ‘You know, Stephen, I think for the next 15 or 20 minutes you should go to a practice room. Then you can come back.’ It was the nicest way of saying, ‘You’re unprepared. Don’t let that happen again.’”

That moment stuck with him and shaped his approach to growth beyond music.

Stephen stayed connected to ��ý��Ƶ through volunteer work, including the Alumni Board and admissions efforts in Boston. He is currently serving on his 25th reunion committee.

“It is all about the people,” he says.

Looking back on receiving the award, he calls it unexpected. “I feel honored that someone noticed that I’ve been involved,” he says. “That recognition is really meaningful.”

When he told his son, “Your dad is going to get an award,” it made him feel, as he says, “cool that he was excited about it.”

“��ý��Ƶ is an amazing place,” he says. “Not because of its geography, but because of its magnetic power to bring together people who are smart, hardworking, want to learn, want to push themselves, and are just good human beings.”

Honorable Mentions In addition, and new to this year, we are also honoring alumni who were top candidates for awards with an honorable mention. These extraordinary individuals are all making a positive impact on those they come into contact with every day and the larger community as a whole.

Lucia Russell Briggs Distinguished Achievement Award

David Kirchman ’76Kelly Senecal ’95Lori Hilt ’97

George B. Walter ’36 Service to Society Award

Gary Springer ’76Sarah Johnson Campbell ’97

Joesph F. Patterson ’69 Service to Society Award

Tony Ohlhausen Smith ’16

Marshall B. Hulbert ’26 Outstanding Service Award

Lyndsay Sund ’01

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Marjorie Liu ’00 named 2026 commencement speaker & honoree

Communications — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:25:30 +0000

New York Times bestselling author and comic book writer Marjorie Liu ’00 will be the keynote speaker at ��ý��Ƶ’s 2026 commencement celebration on Sunday, June 14. Liu will also be awarded an honorary doctorate degree during the graduation ceremony.

Liu teaches comic book writing at MIT, sharing her more than 20 years of experience in publishing with her students. Writing for Marvel Comics, one of the world’s most influential comic book publishers, her titles have included the “Dark Wolverine” series, “NYX: No Way Home,” “X-23,” “Black Widow: The Name of the Rose,” “Han Solo,” which debuted at #6 on the New York Times Bestseller list, and “Astonishing X-Men,” which earned national attention and a GLAAD Award as the first Marvel comic featuring a same-sex marriage of X-Man Northstar. She also wrote the story for the animated film, “Avengers Confidential: Black Widow and Punisher,” produced by Marvel, Sony, and Madhouse, Inc.

An acclaimed novelist, Liu has authored the popular urban fantasy series Hunter Kiss, and the award-winning paranormal romance series, Dirk & Steele. Her novels have been USA Today bestsellers and have received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for “The Mortal Bone” (Hunter Kiss #6) and “Tiger Eye” (Dirk & Steele #1). “Tiger Eye” also was the basis for a bestselling paranormal romance video game called “Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box.”

Liu has amassed legions of fans for “Monstress,” an original horror fantasy series she co-created with artist Sana Takeda for Image Comics. Set in a richly imagined, matriarchal world inspired by Asian history and mythology, the critically acclaimed comic book series has received multiple Hugo Awards, British Fantasy Awards, the Harvey Award, and numerous Eisner Awards. As an Asian-American woman (her father is Taiwanese), she was proud to be the first woman – and woman of color – to earn an Eisner Award in the Best Writer category.

She is also the author of The Wingbearer Saga, a fantasy graphic novel series for middle-grade readers, about a young girl discovering her magical identity while protecting the world from sinister forces.

Liu earned a bachelor’s degree in East Asian Languages and Culture with a minor in biomedical ethics from ��ý��Ƶ in 2000. It was during her time at ��ý��Ƶ that her interest in comic books began to flourish through weekly visits to Power House Comics on College Avenue. On campus, she dove into English literature courses with faculty mentors helping her hone her writing skills.

Liu earned her law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2003, but soon found herself at a crossroads, debating whether to continue building her career as an attorney or diving deeper into her writing. The choice was soon settled when she wrote and sold her first paranormal romance novel, “Tiger Eye,” in 2004. Soon after, she embarked on a partnership with Marvel that has yielded a bounty of award-winning titles.

In a 2024 article for ��ý��Ƶ magazine about her career, Liu described her years of publishing success as a complete surprise.

“When I was at ��ý��Ƶ, if you’d told me that this is where I’d end up—writing for a living; specifically, comic books—I would have had a very difficult time imagining that future,” she said. “None of this was planned, or part of ‘the dream,’ but one opportunity naturally led to another, and suddenly 20 years passed by and here I am.”

��ý��Ƶ’s 2026 Commencement exercises will be held on Sunday, June 14, at 10 a.m., on Main Hall Green. The ceremony is the culmination of a full weekend of events, including a concert featuring graduating seniors on Friday, June 12, at 7:30 p.m., in ��ý��Ƶ Memorial Chapel, a multifaith baccalaureate service on Saturday, June 13, at 11 a.m., in Memorial Chapel, followed by a cookout for graduates and their families, faculty, and staff, at noon on Main Hall Green.

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From a Gala to a Festival!

Communications — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:52:41 +0000

For almost 30 years ��ý��Ƶ has held a celebratory summer event (usually in August) to thank people who have supported Bjorklunden financially by becoming members of the Boynton Society. This event was always somewhat euphemistically called a “gala” with the first gala held in 1996. That was when President Rik Warch presided over a throng of hundreds in the new Great Room to commemorate the completion of the lodge that was built after the 1994 destructive fire.

Now, however, the gala is being replaced with an event appropriately named after Winifred and Donald Boynton who gifted Bjorklunden to ��ý��Ƶ and is simply called the Boynton Festival. This festival is intended to be more informal, including all volunteers, seminar participants and visitors, thus bringing more people to ��ý��Ƶ’s beautiful and magical northern campus. This event intends to bring community together to celebrate the joys of lifelong learning and the richness it can bring into our lives.

The first Boynton Festival will be Saturday, August 22nd. Though final plans are still being worked on, the day will begin at 9:00am with an informal invocation including coffee and pastries on the deck. Participants will then be able to choose to go to two of several mini-seminars being offered or take part in some creative hands-on activities. At noon there will be a lunch break when participants will be able to purchase food at food trucks. The afternoon will include a presentation/awards ceremony led by ��ý��Ƶ’s President Carter, and this will be followed by a celebratory toast and cupcakes. In conclusion, a concert of local talent will be performed on the lawn by the chapel.

So mark August 22nd on your calendar for the first Boynton Festival and encourage your friends and family to attend. For sure, it will be a success!

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Presenting the 2026 Björklunden Seminars

Communications — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:34:37 +0000

“It fills / The darkening room with light.” – Robert Penn Warren from “Where the Slow Fig’s Purple Sloth”

This summer we invite you to allow yourself to enjoy the enrichment of lifelong learning. Whether you are new to Björklunden, or you have a perennial lifelong learning routine, we’re excited to share with you.

If you come to this idea with fresh eyes, imagine a day; awakening with sunrise over Lake Michigan. Your needs are met, hot coffee and nourishment. Then, you join friendly and curious companions to explore a topic that has meaning for you—maybe it’s discovering hidden places across the peninsula, learning more about science, discussing great literature and art, or breaking down the deeper themes of past or present societies. Your free afternoon enables you to meditate on what inspired you, discover miles of trails, or explore notable Door County destinations. Imagine this routine wending across three to five days bringing you to a feeling of fulfillment in mind, spirit, and body by its conclusion. Prior Björklunden seminars attendees know this experience very well and its benefits.

��ý��Ƶ is the number one small, private college in Wisconsin. Within its mission is the declaration that “the university is devoted to excellence and integrity in all of its activities and committed to the development of intellect and talent, the pursuit of knowledge and understanding, the cultivation of sound judgment, and respect for the perspectives of others.” So a natural extension from a primary focus on undergraduate education, is promoting lifelong learning that fosters ongoing learning that enriches individuals and thus benefits our society as a whole. The majestic Björklunden property, ��ý��Ƶ’s northern campus, provides the perfect place for this endeavor, and Björklunden Seminars are open and welcoming to all.

This year’s curriculum features a wide range of topics led by ��ý��Ƶ faculty, alumni luminaries, and distinguished experts. The season begins the week of June 14, when we have 5-day seminars on Artificial Intelligence, Dreams, and Philanthropy. For alum attending at ��ý��Ƶ, select the Thursday departure option, and you won’t miss any activities. Here’s a further sampling of the more than 40 exciting topics available in 2026:

A week visiting Door County’s four professional theater companies with actor Dan Klarer, four shows, backstage access, and artist conversations.
An immersive dive into the history and chemistry of beer with Bobby Fleshman who will lead you on tastings and field‑trips to inspire fascination with every pint.
A timely reflection on the American Revolution’s military, political, and social upheavals as its 250th anniversary approaches with Professor and U.S. diplomat .
A songwriting retreat orchestrated by musicians ��Ի��, blending workshops, mentoring, and evening jam circles.
A storytelling workshop led by that empowers participants to craft and share their own compelling narratives.
A hands‑on exploration of Earth’s most spectacular geological features with Bill Shefchik through samples, exhibits, and expert guidance.
A literature‑driven exploration of democratic values through discussions of influential works on resistance, leadership, and civic life curated and facilitated by .��

With dozens of sessions planned, the 2026 season offers something to spark every curiosity.

Björklunden is located just south of Baileys Harbor in Door County. It is home to a magnificent two-story lodge, a handcrafted wooden chapel, and much more to discover and explore. Prior to the estate being gifted to ��ý��Ƶ, Donald and Winifred Boynton held the property as their beloved summer home. Winifred writes in her book Faith Builds a Chapel, “feeling that there must be consciousness of peace within each one of us before it can be found throughout the world, we built this retreat.” For the last 50 years and counting, ��ý��Ƶ has proudly upheld this legacy by stewarding this remarkable site for peace and contemplation.

Browse all of the 2026 seminars and submit your registrations on our website . For other questions, email bjorkseminars@lawrence.edu or call 920-839-2216.

Browse & Register Today

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Amelia Anderson ‘14 found freedom through contemporary art and trying everything

Communications — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 20:22:15 +0000

For Amelia Anderson ‘14, the path from ��ý��Ƶ to her current role as Director of the Bennett Prize & Curator of Women’s Art at the Muskegon Museum of Art has been marked by several surprising detours.

Anderson said her career has been defined by unexpected pivots and gaining the confidence to apply for roles she felt unqualified for. This resilience was forged during her time at ��ý��Ƶ, where her mentors instilled in her the high standards and adaptability to break into the artistic world.

“I was taking contemporary art history with Elizabeth (Carlson), and I remember going back to my room, laying on my bed, and thinking, ‘everything that’s been done has already been done before and almost nothing matters,’ and that is so freeing,” said Anderson. “You can do whatever you want. There are no limitations. There are really no rules. That’s a very ��ý��Ƶ idea.”

The ��ý��Ƶ Foundation

As an Appleton native, Anderson had no desire to remain in her hometown when she was searching for colleges. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for one year, but she said her experience made her realize she was a “liberal arts person.”

“Being at a state school, it was too big. I was so lost,” Anderson said. “I applied to transfer to ��ý��Ƶ because I kind of saw the silver lining. During Orientation Week, I just knew this is the right environment for me. I’m so glad that I transferred because who knows where I would be now.”

While at UW-Madison, Anderson received her first taste of archival work while working at the Wisconsin Center for Film and Theater Research. This initial passion made art history a natural choice when deciding what to study at ��ý��Ƶ.

With the help of mentors like her advisor Elizabeth Carlson, associate professor of art history, and Beth Zinsli, adjunct associate professor of art, Anderson quickly found her footing.

“I was shocked at how many opportunities I had once I said I wanted to be an art history major,” Anderson said.

Carlson and Zinsli were also indispensable when helping her prepare for her future. Carlson held her students to a very high standard—even editing all of Anderson’s graduate school application essays—but also gave her the freedom to “flop around.”

“You’re always open to criticism. You need to have humility, and you need to understand you’re going to flop sometimes, and that’s okay,” Anderson said. “Elizabeth gave me that freedom; that’s what college is for.”

Meanwhile, Zinsli taught Anderson about interviewing as a skill. After “bombing” a handful of fellowship interviews following graduation, Anderson quickly learned how to showcase herself and her work.

The Unexpected Pivot: From PhD Track to Driehaus

Anderson received her Master’s in History of Art and Architecture at the University of Oregon Graduate School. The high standards expected of her by Carlson had more than prepared her for the level of work at the graduate level.

Her first plan, Anderson said, was to enter a PhD program and teach at a small liberal arts college, becoming “the Elizabeth Carlson of whatever small-town college” she could get into. She relocated to Chicago, living with friends, working for a temp service, and applying for PhD programs.

But it didn’t happen for her.

At that time, Anderson was also volunteering at The Richard H. Driehaus Museum when a part-time curatorial position opened up. She applied and got the job.

“I felt like this was the greatest job in the entire world,” Anderson said. “I got to work on really cool exhibitions. My academic interest was in late 19th-century, early 20th-century decorative arts. I wrote my master’s thesis on pianos specific to artists in the late 19th century, so transitioning to a Gilded Age mansion was very natural.”

However, in 2020, Anderson’s journey took another turn when she was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I thought I was done in the museum industry,” Anderson said.

Taking Flight: A Career Reset at EAA

Despite another detour, Anderson persisted in searching for a place to land. In 2022, she applied for a role at EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) in Oshkosh, WI. Anderson said it was like a career reset.

“I was like, okay, you’re going to be working in the aviation publication industry,” Anderson said. “I don’t know anything about airplanes. But what do I have to lose?”

Anderson’s first role at EAA as the Publications Production Coordinator was much more focused on writing, proofreading, and organizing authors and contributors. It wasn’t quite the focus she wanted to continue long term. However, a curator position opened up in 2023.

At first, her limited but growing knowledge of airplanes kept Anderson from applying, but after helping out with the collection, she decided to make the leap. She applied for the role and was offered the position, becoming the first woman curator of the EAA Aviation Museum.

“I’m really proud of the work I did there,” Anderson said.

Investing in Community and Women’s Art

Aviation was not her longtime calling, however. Anderson accepted a role as Curator of Women’s Art at the Muskegon Museum of Art and started in the summer of 2025. Her previous work in public history at the EAA Museum gave her a fresh perspective on her new role within an art museum.

Anderson was also hired as the director of the Bennett Prize, a program funded by Steve Bennett and Elaine Melotti Schmidt, two art collectors who had a dream to support women figurative realist painters. The program is run through the Muskegon Museum of Art and provides a $50,000 prize to the winner, while all finalists gain exposure as part of a traveling exhibition.

Anderson now has a direct hand in supporting women painters’ careers.

“Women are historically underrepresented, and while it’s getting better, it’s also not there yet,” Anderson said. “We all need to lift each other up and really support each other.”

Anderson’s role curator, she said, isn’t just playing with art or hanging up paintings. It’s also about curating relationships and trust with her community, especially within a small city like Muskegon. She is entrusted with the city’s history and culture.

She also learned to never judge a book by its cover when it comes to art and art collectors. She recalled a time when she visited a potential donor in a very unassuming suburb of Detroit. However, his collection amazed her.

“Cultivating those donor relationships and making them feel like their collection is going to be taken care of is also in our skill sets,” Anderson said. “There’s a lot of development skills that go into being a curator.”

And those skills can also be used close to home. Although the Midwest may not seem like the perfect place to pursue a career in art history or museum studies, Anderson said she intentionally searched for opportunities to support her local communities.

Making museums and their collections, especially in a local context, drives Anderson in her work. The Muskegon Museum of Art may be unassuming, but they have made their mark by supporting local artists, supporting women artists, and curating a collection beyond anyone’s expectations.

“I never thought I’d work at a museum that had a (Artemisia) Gentileschi, and I didn’t have to leave the Midwest to do that,” Anderson said. “This is the local community’s collection; it was meant to feed the community.”

Now Anderson is a part of that important work in her community. Sometimes it meant cold emailing potential employers, taking internships, or accepting jobs outside the scope of her work, but every step led her to where she is today.

“You’re going to detour every now and again, and that’s natural,” Anderson said. “Don’t discount yourself but keep an open mind. Even if you’re in a job you don’t 100% love, have the attitude of ‘this is going to get me where I need to go.’ Every experience is useful, so try to utilize it to the best of your ability.”

Anderson encourages all ��ý��Ƶ alumni who are women figurative realist painters to apply for The Bennett Prize Cycle 5 by visiting thebennettprize.org. The call for entries will be officially announced in Spring 2026.

The Rising Voices traveling exhibition, which consists of the Bennett Prize Cycle 4 finalists and the solo show of the Bennett Prize Cycle 3 winner, Shiqing Deng, The Cost of Life, are currently on the road. Visit thebennettprize.org for a full schedule.

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Internship gives Emma Moya ’25 a deep dive into life as a marine scientist

Communications — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:27:21 +0000

Emma Moya ’25, a scholar-athlete majoring in biology with a minor in fine arts, says her 20s aren’t meant to be a time of certainty. She believes this decade of her life is about building resilience, nurturing curiosity, and chasing the things that make her soul light up. It’s this mindset that encouraged her to take on a summer internship through the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP).

“It was truly my dream internship,” Moya said. “One that not only deepened my passion for marine biology but also equipped me with invaluable skills and insights. This opportunity reaffirmed my commitment to pursuing graduate studies in the field and ignited an even stronger drive to contribute to marine conservation.”

The program brought together students from institutions such as New College of Florida, Sweet Briar College, Coastal Carolina University, and the University of Florida, offering the chance to connect with peers who share a passion for marine science.

“It’s exciting to think about how we, as emerging scientists, can work together to protect our oceans and serve as a bridge between marine ecosystems and the broader community,” she said.

Diving into research

The internship offered Moya a comprehensive and immersive experience in marine biology. She spent her time doing fieldwork, including boat surveys for population monitoring, acoustic monitoring throughout the Sarasota Bay, fishing to study dolphin distribution and their prey, and gaining skills in photo identification. These hands-on experiences offered a realistic glimpse into the life of a marine biologist.

“To thrive in this environment, it’s essential to have a growth mindset—being open to change, willing to explore new interests, and understanding that your passions may evolve,” Moya said. “You might discover that something you expected to love isn’t quite the right fit or unexpectedly fall in love with a new area of study.”

The SDRP challenges students to grow as scientists through real-world research and offers ongoing opportunities to volunteer in diverse projects—from necropsies and offshore acoustic receiver deployments to sea turtle hatchling releases and collaborating with shark researchers.

“At SDRP, you’re encouraged to be curious, ask questions, read scientific literature, and learn from both successes and mistakes,” Moya said. “Ultimately, the experience is what you make of it—so be a sponge, soak up every opportunity, and allow yourself to grow both personally and professionally.”

Emma Moya ’25 in the Gulf of Mexico next to Mote Marine Lab research boat

Learning beyond the science

Being a scientist means more than just doing science: it requires confidence, courage, resilience, and most importantly, a willingness to face the unknown and embrace failure as part of the journey. These are the traits that have sustained SDRP’s legacy for 55 years and enabled it to produce pioneering research for marine mammals.

By continuing to take bold steps driven by curiosity and ambition, SDRP has helped lay the foundation for marine mammal conservation and inspired generations of scientists to follow.

In analyzing the behavior and health of small cetaceans, Moya noted that when dolphins are together, they’re not called pods; they’re called communities.

“The bottlenose dolphins are just like us—living creatures who are curious, trying to survive, and remarkably intelligent with developed communication skills that help expand their complex social structures,” said Moya. “Bottlenose dolphins are self-aware and able to recognize one another through signature whistles.”

Dolphins serve as vital indicators of the health of the world’s oceans. They play a key role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems, help control fish populations, help maintain water quality, and keep the food chain in balance.

“Their sensitivity to environmental changes makes them sort of like our ocean security guards for detecting issues like pollution and disease, or even with incidents of algal blooms like red tide, which occurred in 2021 throughout the Sarasota Bay,” said Moya. “However, when dolphins are in trouble, it can be a serious sign that our oceans may be at risk too.”

Exploring the opportunities

��ý��Ƶ students are encouraged by faculty and staff to take on internships to expand their understanding, build relationships, and strengthen their overall career path.

“‘Ride my wave’—that’s something my mom always tells me, and it’s become a grounding mantra throughout my college journey,” Moya said. “It reminds me to stay present and embrace each moment, whether it’s challenging or joyful. The tough times are temporary, and the good ones pass quickly too—so it’s important to appreciate them while they last.” This perspective has shaped not only how Moya moves through tough moments, but also how she approaches the future.

“Even when the wave you’re riding knocks you down, you get back on the board and catch the next wave. That mindset is guiding me as I work toward graduate school in marine mammal research while staying open to new opportunities that may come my way.”

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A ‘simple act’ changed Justin Wolf’s ’25 life forever

Communications — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:02:32 +0000

Despite a rocky start in life, Justin Wolf ’25 got a second chance for a normal childhood when he was adopted by ��ý��Ƶ music professor Ann Ellsworth and her husband, Dave.

When he was just 5 years old, Wolf and his two younger siblings were removed by Child Protective Services from a home environment deemed unsuitable for healthy child development due to abuse and neglect. They were placed in a foster home with an older brother and sister unrelated to them.

“Growing up with five siblings was probably the most consistent and normal-feeling part of my childhood because, even though we aren’t all biologically related, we lived in the same foster home and became a family unit together,” Wolf said.

Ellsworth and her husband initially adopted the unrelated brother and sister from Wolf’s foster home, who soon began advocating for the younger kids, worrying that they were not safe in the foster home, Ellsworth said.

“The older sibling group made such a strong case for adopting Justin and his siblings, we had pretty much decided to do it without even meeting them,” Ellsworth said. “When we saw them all together for the first time, we realized that they all had a very strong attachment to each other.”

Wolf and his siblings were placed with Ellsworth in May 2008, and in November 2009, all five children were adopted at once.

“Reflecting back on it, I believe that the trauma of removal from my biological parents and experiencing abuse and neglect in both my first home and my foster home was the root cause of the emotional and behavioral issues I had as a child,” Wolf said.

Justin and Ann take a selfie together (2015).

Like many children living in or adopted from foster care, Wolf struggled to settle into his new home despite the stability it offered.

“Justin was just turning 9 years old when I met him,” Ellsworth said. “His childhood had been disrupted, and he had an understandable distrust of me and adults in general.” He dealt with his trauma, in part, Ellsworth said, “by testing the limits and boundaries of his new parents.”

The trauma of his early childhood left Wolf with behavioral issues—problems that are, sadly, fairly common with kids in the foster care system.

“My adoptive parents, Ann and Dave, played a huge role in helping me work on myself,” Wolf said. “Having space to just be a kid and explore my creativity helped me improve my behavior and learn how to regulate my emotions better.”

Wolf began to blossom—and believe—in his parents.

“It was hard at first to trust and believe that my new parents actually loved me and had my best interest at heart, so I was often defensive in the beginning,” Wolf said. “But my mom was a relentless advocate for me and never gave up on me even when others might have.”

When Ellsworth moved to Wisconsin for her new position at ��ý��Ƶ, Wolf followed to be closer to his family.

“I decided to give college another try, and ��ý��Ƶ was an excellent opportunity for me,” Wolf said. “I just really feel at peace when I am making music.”

Wolf graduated from ��ý��Ƶ in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. He recently got married and moved to a new city to start a leadership job in retail, which he said he enjoys immensely.

“My adoption gave me a second chance at a normal childhood,” Wolf said. “Being aware of what my life used to be like, what it’s like now, and the alternative route it could have taken has made me extremely grateful for my parents and how the simple act of a parent’s love can completely change your life.”

Reflecting on her hopes for Justin’s future, Ellsworth responded with, “That he will always know he is loved unconditionally.”

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Board of Trustees elects David R. Shepard ’83 to serve as Board Chair

Communications — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:44:20 +0000

The ��ý��Ƶ Board of Trustees has elected David R. Shepard ’83 to serve as Chair of the leadership group responsible for the stewarding the development of strategic initiatives at ��ý��Ƶ, ensuring the fiscal and operational health of the institution and working collaboratively with President Laurie Carter and other university administrators in charting a course for the future of ��ý��Ƶ.��

David R. Shepard ’83

Shepard has served as a member of the ��ý��Ƶ Board of Trustees since July 2023. He assumed his role as Board Chair on July 1, 2025.��

“We are delighted to welcome Dave Shepard as our new Board Chair,” said ��ý��Ƶ president Laurie A. Carter. “His knowledge and leadership during his tenure on the Board and the President’s Advisory Council have proven invaluable and we look forward to collaborating with the Board under his leadership as we embark on a new era of institutional growth and strategic development.”

Shepard is chief operating officer and board member of Marki Microwave, an RF semiconductor and component company. He has served in the semiconductor industry for his entire 37-year career, including more than 20 years in executive leadership positions.��

Shepard began his professional career at Texas Instruments, where he served for nearly 20 years. He went on to become president and CEO of Sequoia Communications, a startup developing RF transceivers for mobile handsets. He subsequently held senior leadership positions at Peregrine Semiconductor and Integrated Device Technology. He joined Marki Microwave as chief operating officer in 2019.

An Appleton native now living in the San Francisco Bay Area, Shepard received a bachelor’s degree in physics from ��ý��Ƶ, after transferring as a junior from Middlebury College. He earned his M.S. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Shepard serves as board president for a nonprofit organization that rehabilitates injured wildlife and educates K-12 students on wildlife conservation. He also serves on the boards of several tech startups. Prior to joining ��ý��Ƶ’s Board of Trustees, Shepard served on the President’s Advisory Council for more than six years, including more than four years as co-chair.��

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