UPDATES: CAREER & VOLUNTEER
Jane Schissel ’83 was recently named Executive Director of Grand Valley Catholic Outreach after 40 years as an educator and 10 months in the role of Associate Executive Director. GVCO focuses on homelessness prevention.
Christina Bergholm ’84 was elected to the Clarke University Alumni Board with her term beginning Fall 2025.
Donald Burks ’91 was elected to the Clarke University Alumni Board with his term beginning Fall 2025.
Tracy (Budde) Bastian ’95 began her new position at Cottingham & Butler.
Dede Hall ’97 was promoted to Manager of the Revenue Processing Team at MNGI Digestive Health.
Chad Green ’08 was hired as Head Men’s Golf Coach at University of South Dakota.
Tassie Carter ’11 MSN began her role as Assistant Professor of Nursing at Clarke University.
Elizabeth (Beighley) Bradt ’11, ’13 DPT is an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist at St. Alphonsus Health System in Nampa, ID.
Kylee Miller ’12 was elected to the Clarke University Alumni Board with her term beginning Fall 2025.
Kevin Bradt ’13 DPT now works at St Luke’s Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Boise, ID which opened in 2024. He is a board certified orthopedic clinical specialist (OCS) and a credentialed Clinical Instructor
through the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and serves as treasurer for the state chapter.
Eric Jones ’19 began his new role as Assistant Director of First Year Experience at Drake University in Des Moines, IA in August 2024.
Laura Reiss ’19 began her new position as Social Media Specialist and Graphic Designer at Tootsie Roll Industries.
Elena Dominguez ’20, ’21 MSW began her new role as Director of Alumni Relations at Clarke University.
Justin Droessler ’20 ’22 DPT opened physical therapy practice “Droessler Physical Therapy LLC” in Wisconsin.
Sarah Shealer-Johns ’20 began her role as Assistant Manager at Roux & Lucia in Dubuque, Iowa.
Danika Habben ’20 began her new position at Cottingham & Butler.
Josh Sanchez ’20 began his new role as Resource Manger at GlobalSource IT.
Max Steffen ’21 began his new role as a School Counselor at Drexler Middle School in Farley, IA.
Ron Jones III ’22 began his new role as Internship Coordinator at Elgin Community College in Elgin, IL in July 2024.
Gretchen Hong ’22 DNP is an internal medicine nurse practitioner at Medical Associates in Dubuque, Iowa.
Diego Arenas ’22 began his new role at Upper Deck Trading Card Company.
Jeremy Lennox ’22 began his new role as Assistant Football Coach at Clarke University.
Dominic Pedroza ’23 began his new role at Upper Deck Trading Card Company.
Kenneth Murray ’23 began his new role as Assistant Football Coach at Clarke University.
Lauren Krapfl ’23 began her new role as the Director of Field EducationSocial Work at Clarke University.
Brandon Mueller ’24 began at his new role as Assistant Football Coach at Clarke University.
ADVANCED DEGREES
All advanced degrees were obtained from Clarke University in May 2025 unless otherwise noted.
Kayla Winandy ’20 obtained her Master of Business Administration at the University of Dubuque.
Brian McCabe ’13 obtained his Master of Business Administration. Avery Abbas ’23 obtained her Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Dominic Pedroza ’23 obtained his Master of Business Administration.
Anthony Butler ’22 obtained his Master of Business Administration.
Kieron Crowder ’23 obtained his Master of Business Administration.
Alijah Dopson ’24 obtained his Master of Business Administration.
Leah Gray ’24 obtained her Master of Business Administration.
Cobb Hubbard ’23 obtained his Master of Business Administration.
Lisa Jansen ’09 obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice.
Victoria Larsen ’24 obtained her Master of Arts in Education.
Jeremy Lennox ’22 obtained his Master of Business Administration.
Elizabeth Leverton ’24 obtained her Master of Social Work.
Lauren Longhenry ’24 obtained her Master of Social Work.
Alex McLeland ’23 obtained his Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Camdyn Penick ’24 obtained her Master of Social Work. Ried Raisbeck ’24 obtained his Master of Business Administration.
Emmett Schwartzhoff ’23 obtained his Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Alexander Sherman ’23 obtained his Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Maria Small ’23 obtained her Doctor of Physical Therapy .
Griffin Mulcahy ’23 obtained his Master of Business Administration.
Ke'shawn Murphy ’22 obtained his Master of Business Administration.
Kenneth Murray ’23 obtained his Master of Business Administration.
Brendan O'Connor ’23 obtained his Master of Business Administration.
Brock Osthoff ’24 obtained his Master of Social Work.
Spencer Throgmorton ’22 obtained his Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Hope Ward ’24 obtained her Master of Business Administration.
AWARDS & HONORS
Mary Kilian Pollard, BVM ’48 was named a recipient of a 2025 Clarke University Distinguished Alumni Award in the category of Humanitarian Service. Sr. Kilian passed away in 1990 but will be honored during Homecoming Weekend 2025. Her Distinguished Alumni biography may be found at clarke.edu/alumni-awards .
Ruth Ann Gaines ’69 was recently presented with the Sue M. Brown “Women in the NAACP” Award by the Women in the NAACP Des Moines, Iowa Branch.
Louise Kames ’77 was named one of TH Media’s Savvy Over 60 award recipients for 2025.
Mike Davenport ’92 was inducted into Clarke University 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in Baseball.
Kristin Hodapp ’97, ’98M was named a recipient of the 2025 Clarke University Distinguished Alumni Award in the category of Outstanding Achievement Award. Kristin will be honored during Homecoming Weekend 2025. Her Distinguished Alumni biography may be found at clarke.edu/alumni-awards .
Michael Pederson ’00 was featured in the “Three Visions, Three Artists” show at the Great River Galley in Bellevue, Iowa.
Katherine (Philipp-Guerra)
Alsip ’13 was named a recipient of the 2025 Clarke University Distinguished Alumni Award in the category of Rising
Star. Katie will be honored during Homecoming Weekend 2025. Her Distinguished Alumni biography may be found at clarke.edu/alumniawards .
Teacher of the year.
Kelly (Campbell) Eigenberger ’06, ’16M was named the Dubuque Community School District
Morgan (O'Brien) Wilhelm ’15 was inducted into Clarke University 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame for her accomplishments in Basketball.
Kelsey Ernst ’17 was inducted into Clarke University 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame for her accomplishments in Basketball.
Krista (Bushkofsky) Heim ’17 was inducted into Clarke University 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame for her accomplishments in Track & Field.
Jacob (Boyle) Bochert ’20 was selected among the 2025 Great Iowa Nurses.
Morgan Dunahoo ’20, ’22 DPT became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS).
Colin Connelly ’22 DPT became a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy (OCS).
MARRIAGES & ANNIVERSARIES
Jennifer Rutledge ’97 and Mark Johnson
Molly Murphy ’15 and Josh Beckley
Heather Jenkinson ’15 and Brent Meyer
Lauren Hackbarth ’17 and Patrick Fritz
Craig Stout ’18 and Fracine Gates ’19
Shyanne Empen ’19 and Colton Bachar
Justin Droessler ’20, ’22 DPT and Bailey Droessler
Josh Sanchez ’20 and Breanna Judkins ’20, ’22 DPT
Rebecca Underwood ’20, ’22 DPT and Roane Hand ’21
Brooke Allen ’21 and Brody Green
Sydney Williams ’21 and Mitchel Cody Jones
Bailey Strait ’25M and Chris Ginter
BIRTHS & ADOPTIONS
Tony Breitbach ’07 and Brittani, girl
Callie (Mescher) FitzGerald ’07 and Kyle, girl
Elizabeth (Beighley) Bradt ’11, ’13 DPT and Kevin Bradt ’13 DPT, boy
Molly (Murphy) Beckley ’15 and Josh, girl
Skyler Quade ’17 and Jen Stroyan-Quade, a girl
Sarah (Grable) Shaben ’18 and Andrew, girl
Jessica (Howell) McDevitt ’19 and Mitch, girl
Bailey (Theisen) Bardell ’20 and Adam, girl
Brooke (Allen) Green ’21 and Brody, girl
MORE FEEL GOOD STORIES
Cynthia Kane ’79 helped to produce the documentary Call Me Dancer which was shown at 2025 Julien Dubuque Film Festival.
Chris Kohlmann ’82 is retiring from her position as the City of Dubuque's Chief Information Officer after 42 years.
Pamela Knourek ’88 retired as Co-Director of the Costume Programs/ Professor of Costume Technology position at UNC School of The Arts on July 31.
Marabeth Freund ’94 and her husband, Faculty Emeritus Norm Freund, were featured in the Telegraph Herald's 'Love that Lasts' article in February 2025.
Kevin Bradt ’13 DPT completed a 50K in Oregon Fall 2024.
Ricky Marinez ’18 was a contestant on season 21 of ABC's The Bachelorette and will be a contestant on season 10 of Bachelor in Paradise.
Greg Ballenger ’19 DPT was featured as a competing baker on the Food Network's Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Sophie (Heinz) Blong ’45
Joan (Delaney) Grossman ’50
Marjorie Rooney ’51
Margaret (Cassidy) Sullivan ’52
Virginia (Holmberg) Tranel ’55
Sara McAlpin, BVM ’56
Mary Jane (Sohan) Glovik ’61
Barbara (Weydert) Lambert ’63
Marjorie Heidkamp, BVM ’64
Barbara (Mulgrew) Campbell ’66
Dennis Boyd ’69
Mary (Conlan) Konrardy ’69
Margie (Urbain) Sherwin ’70
Susan (Agnitsch) Tighe ’70
Dolores Donohue ’70
Mary Elizabeth (Ludescher) Althaus ’72
Mary Fahey ’72
Judy (Behlmer) Tieskoetter ’74
Mary Vincent ’79
Janelle (Guerdette) Donahue ’80
Vickie Rako ’95
Clarke University Class Notes are contributed by self-submitted information as well as from media outlets. Every effort has been made to provide complete and accurate information. However, if you notice any discrepancies, please notify the Alumni Relations office at 563-588-6391.
