CLASS NOTES

Achievements

  • 1950s

    Chuck H. Betts, Jr., ’53, Des Moines, IA, was posthumously honored as a 2024 BPC News Changemaker with a Business Leader Legacy Award to honor his legacy of outstanding career accomplishments and track record of community involvement as a Des Moines-area business leader.

  • 1960s

    Roxanne B. Barton Conlin, LA’64, JD’66, MPA’79, Des Moines, IA, was named the Women of Influence Alum of the Year by the Des Moines Business Record.

  • 1970s

    Rick D. Wanamaker, JO’70, Waukee, IA, was named Best Residential Real Estate Agent for the 2024 Des Moines Business Record’s Best of Des Moines honors.

  • Barbara Quijano Decker, LA’72, MPA’83, JO’00, Des Moines, IA, was honored as a 2024 BPC News Changemaker with a Cultural Leader Legacy Award to recognize her legacy of outstanding career accomplishments and track record of community involvement as a Des Moines-area cultural leader.
  • Jill Wagner Bowers, LA’74, Mesa, AZ, was inducted into the Hall of Pride of Danville Enhancement Committee and Danville Community School District of Danville, IA, to honor the difference she made in the lives of others.
  • Terry E. Branstad, JD’74, West Des Moines, IA, was honored as a 2024 BPC News Changemaker with a Cultural Leader Legacy Award to recognize his legacy of outstanding career accomplishments and track record of community involvement as a Des Moines-area cultural leader.
  • J. Douglas Reichardt, BN’78, Des Moines, IA, was posthumously honored as a 2024 BPC News Changemaker with a Business Leader Legacy Award to honor his legacy of outstanding career accomplishments and track record of community involvement as a Des Moines-area business leader.
  • Christine L. Hensley, ’79, Des Moines, IA, was appointed to the Iowa Board of Regents by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

  • 1980s

    Denise I. Essman, MBA’80, Des Moines, IA, was awarded the 2024 Alumni Medal, the premier award given to alumni by the Iowa State University Alumni Association.

  • John J. Kohnke, FA’81, JD’84, Glen Ellyn, IL, was promoted to Partner at the national litigation defense firm Hawkins Parnell & Young in the Chicago area.
  • Jill J. Johnson, BN’82, MBA’83, Fridley, MN, has been recognized by Finance & Commerce as one of the 2024 Best Women-Owned Businesses in Minnesota.
  • Judge Matthew G. Bertani, LA’83, Joliet, IL, was appointed to the Third District Appellate Court as an Appellate Court Justice by the Illinois Supreme Court.
  • Dr. Keith A. Boeckelman, LA’83, Macomb, IL, was named permanent associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Illinois University.
  • Susan M. Shields, PH’83, Altoona, IA, has retired from the Iowa Department of Corrections after more than 25 years of service.
  • Helen E. Eddy, MBA’84, West Des Moines, IA, retired as Polk County Health Director in January 2025.
  • Sandra K. (McQuarry) Merriweather, JO’85, Austin, TX, earned her Doctor of Education degree from Concordia University Texas.
  • Donna M. (Kubis) Tweeten, JO’85, Clive, IA, has retired from Hy-Vee, Inc. as President after an almost 20-year career at the company where she guided Hy-Vee’s brand and image strategy and helped double the size of the Iowa-based grocery chain during her tenure.
  • Jack E. Sargent, JO’85, Union City, NJ, has retired from his position as Full Professor and Chair of the Communication Department at Kean University after 25 years.
  • Joanne M. Sullivan, MA’86, Rockville, MD, was hired as Vice President of Growth in the Federal Civilian Sector at ManTech, a leading provider of AI and mission-focused technology solutions.
  • Timothy F. Weyers, MBA’87, and Anita Weyers, Springfield, MO, opened a HobbyTown franchise in Springfield, MO.
  • Richard T. Hunsaker, AS’88, MPA’90, has been elected President of the National Association of Development Organizations.
  • Cary L. Lackey, AS’89, Phoenix, AZ, was recognized as Public Lawyer of the Year 2024 by the Maricopa County Bar Association in Phoenix, AZ.

  • 1990s

    Dr. Jennifer Jacobs Henderson, JO’90, San Antonio, TX, has been named the next Provost and Senior Vice President of Willamette University in Salem, OR.

  • Colleen M. O’Brien, JO’91, East Glacier Park, MT, will have her novel “Baited” published in June 2025.
  • Darwin L. Lehmann, EdS’02, Forest City, IA, was named the 2024–25 Iowa Superintendent of the Year by School Administrators of Iowa (SAI).
  • Proctor K. Lureman, AS’92, MBA’96, Des Moines, IA, was honored as a 2024 BPC News Changemaker with a Business Leader Newcomer of the Year honor to recognize his significant contributions to the Des Moines-area community.
  • Pamela S. (Frasher) Gates, AS’93, Phoenix, AZ, has been appointed Presiding Judge for the Superior Court in Maricopa County by the Arizona Supreme Court.
  • Chris A. Ash, ED’96, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, has been named the Bob Hinton Defensive Coordinator for the Notre Dame Football program.
  • Katie Graham, PharmD’96, Simi Valley, CA, was a panel member on the Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy and the FDA panel to discuss the Future of Prescription Drug Promotion and Digital Marketing. Additionally, Katie appeared on Darshan Talks Podcast on LinkedIn Live to discuss Ad Prom review in Pharma – How Far is Too Far.
  • Emily G. (Reis) Abbas, JO’97, MCL’09, Des Moines, IA, was selected to serve on the 2024–2025 Iowa Bankers Association Board of Directors.
  • Vicki J. (Harford) Wade, AS’97, Pleasant Hill, IA, has joined VanGilder Enterprises, LLC as Chief Marketing Officer.
  • Dr. Katie J. Suda, PharmD’99, Pittsburgh, PA, was awarded the 2024 ASHP Foundation Literature Award for Sustained Contribution from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Foundation that honors pharmacists who have advanced pharmacy practice by contributing to biomedical literature.
  • Kimberly S. Grzywacz, MSE’99, Huxley, IA, has received the Patti Lloyd Lifetime Volunteer Award from the American Bus Association (ABA) in honor of her dedication, leadership and influence in the motorcoach and group tourism industries.

  • 2000s

    Allison R. (Grotjan) Smith, JO’00, Waukee, IA, has been promoted to president and general manager of KETV in Omaha, NE.

  • Meghan M. (Whitehouse) Hormann, BN’00, Minneapolis, MN, has been hired at Tradition Capital Bank as Director of SBA Lending.
  • Holley A. (Belshan) Bermel, AS’01, West Des Moines, IA, was selected as a 2024 Iowa Cancer Champion by the Iowa Cancer Consortium.
  • Sean A. Coughlin, AS’01, Ypsilanti, MI, has been announced as an Assistant Coach for the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles football program.
  • Alan C. Oaks, MBA’01, Loveland, OH, has been named the President and CEO of Cincinnati Incorporated (CI), a North American provider of built-to-order machine tools.
  • Darwin L. Lehmann, EdS’02, Forest City, IA, was named the 2024–2025 Iowa Superintendent of the Year by School Administrators of Iowa (SAI).
  • Chris A. Burch, MA’02, West Des Moines, IA, was appointed Executive Director of the Des Moines Water Works Park Foundation.
  • Shannon J. (Clark) Woods, JD’03, Johnston, IA, was announced as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer with TMG Insurance Services, LLC.
  • Michael T. Kotlarczyk, AS’04, Lafayette, CO, was appointed to the 20th Judicial District Court by Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
  • Jeff L. Dicks, MSE’05, Newell, IA, has been named the interim Superintendent of the Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District for the remainder of the 2024–2025 school year.
  • Jill N. (Flaherty) Link, PharmD’05, JD’07, Columbia, MO, was elected to the Pharmacist Mutual Board of Directors at the May 2024 Annual Meeting. Additionally, Jill was named an IP (intellectual property) Star for 2024.
  • Shannon R. Smith, BN’06, Urbandale, IA, was hired as Client Service Associate at Syverson Strege.
  • Michelle A. (Byers) Wimmer, BN’06, Denver, CO, has been named a trustee for Students for Ethical Use of Technology, which is dedicated to educating high school students about the ethical implications of the increasing use of and dependence on data and tech.
  • Christine M. (Folkerts) McSweeney, EdS’07, Cedar Rapids, IA, has been hired as the new Associate Principal at Vinton-Shellsburg High School in Vinton, IA.
  • Rachel L. Flint, MCL’08, West Des Moines, IA, was named Chair of the Home Builders Association of Iowa.
  • Scot A. Aden, MSE’09, Carroll, IA, has been named the Chief Operating Officer of New Hope Village in Carroll, IA, a nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities.
  • Charles S. Hartig, PH’09, Dubuque, IA, was presented with the 2025 Champion Advocate Award from the Iowa Pharmacy Association.
  • Adam C. Gregg, JD’09, Urbandale, IA, was honored as a 2024 BPC News Changemaker with a Business Leader Newcomer of the Year honor to recognize his significant contributions to the Des Moines-area community. Additionally, Adam was named the new President and CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association.
  • Adam J. Kaduce, BN’09, JD’12, Urbandale, IA, was named as Best Commercial Real Estate Agent at the 2024 Des Moines Business Record’s Best of Des Moines honors.
  • Adriana A. Flores, MPA’09, Des Moines, IA, completed the DEI Management Certification Program through the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
  • Jordan E. Oster, AS’09, MPA’15, Des Moines, IA, has been promoted to Energy Program Director at the Iowa Environmental Council.

  • 2010s

    Olivia A. (Lansing) Herrick, AS’10, JO’10, Hugo, MN, was recently named Creative Director for Dream Golf, a growing collection of destination golf courses and resorts.

  • Kelly A. Dittman, MBA’10, Barrington, IL, was honored with the Outstanding Mother Award by the American Lung Association in Greater Chicago and the National Mother’s Day Council.
  • Robert L. Palmer, Esq., AS’10, JD’14, West Des Moines, IA, has been honored as the 2025 Emerging Citizen of the Year by the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce because his commitment to civic engagement demonstrates the incredible impact individuals can have when they give back.
  • Brian J. Johnson, MBA’11, Johnston, IA, was selected to join the Investment Committee of the Luther College Board of Regents.
  • Juliann J. Van Liew, AS’11, Des Moines, IA, was named the Director of the Polk County Health Department.
  • Kyle R. Schura, AS’12, Des Moines, IA, was selected for inclusion in the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2025 from Lead DSM.
  • Kale R. Van Bruggen, JD’12, Minneapolis, MN, was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Agricultural Law Association.
  • Deidre O. (Howard) Dejear, JO’13, Des Moines, IA, has been selected as one of Des Moines Register’s People to Watch in 2025 in honor of her new role as President/CEO of Oakridge Neighborhood and future plans to expand Oakridge’s reach. Additionally, Deidre was honored as a 2024 BPC News Changemaker with a Cultural Leader Newcomer of the Year honor to recognize her significant contributions to the Des Moines-area community.
  • Lauren M. (Ehrler) Kollauf, JO’13, Des Moines, IA, was selected for inclusion in the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2025 from Lead DSM.
  • Lindsey L. (Purdy) Browning, JD’13, Des Moines, IA, was promoted to Section Chief of the Administrative Law Section in the Office of the Attorney General of Iowa.
  • Napoleon M. Douglas, AS’14, Des Moines, IA, was honored as a 2024 BPC News Changemaker with a Cultural Leader Newcomer of the Year honor to recognize his significant contributions to the Des Moines-area community.
  • Alexander S. Latcham, AS’14, Washington, D.C., was appointed to serve in the Trump presidential administration as deputy assistant to the president and director of the Office of Public Liaison.
  • Elizabeth A. Burns-Thompson, JD’14, Gretna, NE, has been appointed as the first Executive Director of the Modern Ag Alliance.
  • Jennifer M. Hahn, AS’15, West Des Moines, IA, has been honored as the 2025 Citizen of the Year by the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce because of her tireless efforts in empowering our youth.
  • Hannah D. Stonewall, PharmD’16, Elkhorn, NE, was hired as a Clinical assistant professor in the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science and as coordinator in the UNMC College of Pharmacy Office of Experiential Programs.
  • Kaitlyn C. DiMaria, JD’16, MPA’16, Waukee, IA, was recently approved as the Assistant County Attorney for Greene County.
  • Damian J. Thompson, AS’17, Des Moines, IA, was selected for inclusion in the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2025 from Lead DSM.
  • Jessica D. (Belman) Shannon, JD’17, Des Moines, IA, has been elected Vice President of the Jack D. Levin Family Law American Inn of Court, a distinguished group of family law attorneys and judges dedicated to fostering professional growth and discussing emerging legal issues.
  • Sara K. Donovan, AS’17, Des Moines, IA, completed the DEI Management Certification Program through the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
  • Cory M. Erickson, BN’18, Duluth, MN, has been promoted as the new Track & Field Head Coach for Duluth East High School.
  • Wade N. Grinhaug, MSE’19, Polk City, IA, has been hired as the next superintendent of the Central Springs Community School District.
  • Jade H. Vuong, BN’18, MPA’20, Waukee, IA, was selected for inclusion in the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2025 from Lead DSM.
  • Easton J. Kuboushek, MPA’18, Ankeny, IA, had his startup CheckoffPro named as a semifinalist for the 2024 InnoVenture Challenge by InnoVenture Iowa.
  • Alyssa M. (Sykuta) Meester, PharmD’19, Plain City, OH, received the New Practitioner Clinical Excellence Award from the Ohio Chapter of the Society of Critical Care Medicine.

  • 2020s

    Marisa M. Maniglia, AS’20, Des Moines, IA, was awarded the Middleton Award for Educator Excellence by the By Degrees Foundation.

  • Jasmine D. Brooks, MA’21, Waukee, IA, has been named one of the Des Moines Register’s People to Watch in 2025 to honor her work revitalizing the Sixth Avenue Corridor in Des Moines.
  • Greta A. Haas, JO’21, Des Moines, IA, was selected for inclusion in the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2025 from Lead DSM.
  • Liam C. Conrad, AS’21, Fort Dodge, IA, has been hired as an attorney with Reinhart in the firm’s Real Estate Practice.
  • Lucius Pham, JO’21, Des Moines, IA, was selected as one of the first DJs for Des Moines’ new alternative music station 94.1 under the Iowa Public Radio umbrella.
  • Lauren B. Carroll, AS’21, Houston, TX, has been awarded third place in the 37th annual Eleanor McCollum Competition for Young Singers from the Houston Grand Opera performing Mozart’s “Como scoglio” from Cosi fan tutte and Verdi’s “Sempre libera” from La Traviata in the final.
  • Emma C. Grotting, JD’21, Weatherford, TX, has been named one of COWGIRL Magazine’s 30 Under 30 for 2025.
  • Natalie A. Sieren, JD’21, Hedrick, IA, has been promoted to named partner at Harrison, Moreland, Webber & Simplot, P.C., which will now be known as Harrison, Moreland, Webber, Simplot & Sieren, P.C.
  • Renee H. Pile, MJ’21, Des Moines, IA, was promoted to Chief People, Policy and Privacy Officer at DMOS Orthopedic Centers.
  • Libby J. Ryan, AS’22, San Ignacio, Belize, has been named the 23rd best prep/high school athlete of the century in Eastern Iowa by KGAN-TV (CBS affiliate).
  • Erin M. Boggess, JD’23, Des Moines, IA, was selected as the Young Lawyers Division Fellow by the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Labor and Employment Law.
  • Ena Babic Barnes, MPA’23, Altoona, IA, was selected for inclusion in the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute Class of 2025 from Lead DSM.
  • Skylar Mayberry-Mayes, PhD’23, Des Moines, IA, was named a runner-up for Best Up-and-Coming Business Leader for the 2024 Des Moines Business Record’s Best of Des Moines honors.
  • Martha G. Ames, JD’24, Saint Joseph, MN, was hired at St. Cloud-based law firm Rinke Noonan as an attorney and will practice in the agency’s estate planning, business law and real estate law divisions.
  • Kayleigh R. Blinn, JD’24, West Des Moines, IA, was hired by Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP (LDM) as a litigation associate in LDM’s West Des Moines, Iowa office.
  • Edin Sehic, JD’24, Johnston, IA, was hired by Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP (LDM) as a litigation attorney in LDM’s West Des Moines, Iowa office.
  • Jonathon K. Muyskens, JD’24, West Des Moines, IA, was hired as Assistant County Attorney for Clarke County and was unanimously approved by the Clarke County Board of Supervisors.
  • Hunter N. (Watkins) Rosner, JD’24, Arnold, MO, was hired by Stange Law Firm as an Associate Attorney based in the firm’s Jefferson County, MO family law office.

Births

J. T. Cattle, BN’13, and Margaret A. (Sanabria) Cattle, AS’13, BN’13, welcomed Claire Heather Rose Cattle.

Aubrey V. (Lambach) Lyon, AS’14, and Erik T. Lyon welcomed Camden Chris Lyon.

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