The Alumni Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, whose mission is to support, perpetuate and enhance 杨贵妃传媒视频 by providing opportunities for alumni to maintain connections and serve as stewards of the university.

The vision of the LUAA Board of Directors is a 杨贵妃传媒视频 community with a lifetime commitment to the university, the liberal arts, and service to others.


杨贵妃传媒视频 Alumni Association

The LUAA Board of Directors is a group of alumni elected to serve one four-year term as a result of their high-level of volunteer leadership on 杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 behalf. The board meets twice a year on campus to plan and review programs that involve alumni in support of the university.

Board members are the leadership body of the 杨贵妃传媒视频 Alumni Association鈥攖hey represent the alumni constituency and work with the 杨贵妃传媒视频 faculty and administration to advance the mission and purposes of the university.

Sam Bader

Sam Bader 鈥18

Connecting to Campus Committee

Sam Bader 鈥18 was an Anthropology major at 杨贵妃传媒视频, who is now a College and Alumni Success Coach at Navajo Preparatory School, Inc..

"I remember eating in the caf茅 right before midnight and studying in Warch Campus Center even later, performing music with my classmates in Memorial Chapel and Downtown Appleton, laughing when times were great and crying when times were difficult with my support systems in the Diversity and Intercultural Center, and leading events with 杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 Native American and indigenous student organization promoting our cultures around Wisconsin and beyond. Most of all, I remember being able to relate to people, help people, and learn with people who changed me for the better."

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Gabriel Baker

Gabriel Baker 鈥20

Connecting to Campus Committee

Gabriel Baker 鈥20 was an Economics major at 杨贵妃传媒视频, who is now an Area Manager at Amazon.

"From the vast exposure to leadership opportunities, brilliant peers, and cherished moments waiting around every corner, I was able to accelerate my personal growth from the well-earned wins and lessons learned. Simply attending 杨贵妃传媒视频 will not guarantee one鈥檚 vocational or personal success, but those who are willing to bear risk, relentlessly pursue what they love, and take complete ownership over their development will find spending their undergraduate career at 杨贵妃传媒视频 to be a fruitful endeavor."

Kelsi Bryant

Kelsi Bryant 鈥22

Development Committee

majored in Government at 杨贵妃传媒视频 and now is a masters student at Louisiana State University and works as a Residence Coordinator.

"A few years later, I was fortunate enough to serve as 杨贵妃传媒视频 Community Council president for two years. In this role, I met frequently with university administration, including President Dr. Laurie Carter. By witnessing their direct impact on the student experience in academics, the area surrounding the university, and student day to day student life, I was motivated to change my career aspirations. 杨贵妃传媒视频 taught me that University has the opportunity to change lives for the better, and I now participate in that work."

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Susan Chadwick 鈥09

Susan Chadwick 鈥09

Development Committee

Susan Chadwick '09 majored in Psychology and Religious Studies.听 She is now the Director of CSS Profile and IDOC at the College Board.

"In my later years at 杨贵妃传媒视频, I gained confidence through various activities. I became an RLA and a tour guide, and joined the club women鈥檚 ice hockey team, eventually becoming a captain. These opportunities changed my life, particularly as I found amazing friendships."

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Rick Chandler

Rick Chandler 鈥74

Awards Committee

Rick Chandler 鈥74 majored in Government. He is now retired after spending the majority of his career working for the State of Wisconsin, including service as the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and as State Budget Director.

"杨贵妃传媒视频 prepared me with the skills I needed for law school and my career, helped give me confidence, and taught me the value of being curious about many subjects, being open to new experiences, and getting to know different people."

Brienne Colston 鈥15

Brienne Colston 鈥15

IDEAS Committee, Co-Chair

Brienne Colston 鈥15 majored in Gender Studies at 杨贵妃传媒视频 and now serves as the Co-Executive Director of Community Healing & Transformation at the U.S. Department of Arts & Culture.

鈥淢y education at 杨贵妃传媒视频 propelled me with the audacity to start an organization dedicated to actualizing equity through healing in my hometown of The Bronx.鈥

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Hugh Dellios

Hugh Dellios 鈥83

Connecting Alumni Committee

Hugh Dellios 鈥83 was a History major at 杨贵妃传媒视频, and now manages the Journalism program at The Joyce Foundation in Chicago.

"Half kidding, I tell people my Dad tricked me into getting a 杨贵妃传媒视频 education. I was a jock coming out of high school, and just wanted to find a small college where I could play football. My Dad graduated from a liberal arts college in our hometown, but he pointed me toward 杨贵妃传媒视频. Yes, I could play for the Vikings, and I did. But my Dad knew 杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 reputation. He knew what I would find on campus 鈥 beyond the Banta Bowl -- and how it would shape the rest of my life. And he was right, again."

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Tracy Donald 鈥95

Tracy Donald 鈥95

IDEAS Committee

Tracy Donald 鈥95 majored in Economics at 杨贵妃传媒视频 and is now a District Business Leader for Alkermes.

鈥淢y 杨贵妃传媒视频 story began during a senior year visit to the campus with a couple of my best friends and ended as an individual with so much more than I could have ever anticipated during that Fall visit.鈥

Chuck Erikson

Chuck Erickson 鈥02

Connecting to Campus Committee

Chuck Erickson 鈥02 completed the double-degree program in Spanish and Choral/General Music Education and is now an Independent Educational Consultant with College Connectors.

"杨贵妃传媒视频 was very different from my small, rural high school, and I was unprepared academically or socially for the 杨贵妃传媒视频 bubble. I was a rural kid that got a huge wake-up call. Thankfully, I joined Phi Kappa Tau and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, which changed my life forever."

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Rebecca Frostenson

Rebecca Vande Hei Frostenson 鈥04

Awards Committee, Co-Chair

Rebecca Vande Hei Frostenson 鈥04听is Director of Marketing Learning at Microsoft.听 She double-majored in Classical Languages and English Literature at 杨贵妃传媒视频.

"That is how my 杨贵妃传媒视频 experience came to begin with a surprise ally in the Finance department. I remember breathing to stop my tears as I explained my situation over the phone, and how they welled back up when the woman said, 鈥渨e鈥檒l figure this out together.鈥 She helped me secure an alumni grant and confirm a Work Study option, and she partnered with me throughout my time at 杨贵妃传媒视频."

Mohit Gupta 鈥11

Mohit Gupta 鈥11

Development Committee

Mohit Gupta 鈥11 is an Internal Medicine Physician for the Dupage Medical Group.听 He was a Biochemistry major at 杨贵妃传媒视频.

"Whenever I struggled in a class, I knew I could rely on classmates to steer me in the right direction. 杨贵妃传媒视频 did a great job of creating an academic environment that encouraged this cooperation and collaboration."

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Alison Guthrie 鈥86

Alison Guthrie 鈥86

Connecting to Campus Committee

Alison Guthrie '86 is the owner of Allegro Academy of Music, LLC and majored in Piano Performance at 杨贵妃传媒视频.

鈥淚n addition, my varied experiences with some students and faculty and even the City of Appleton left me feeling isolated, undervalued and lonely during my stay at 杨贵妃传媒视频. African American students at that time were not always welcomed in our community. Still, there were wonderful moments, which included forming a close friendship with a fellow Lawrentian, which remains today. The years from freshman year to senior year can include exponential personal growth and all of these experiences facilitated my transformation.鈥

Dr. Linda Berger Hellmich 鈥82

Dr. Linda Berger Hellmich 鈥82

Development Committee, Co-Chair

Dr. Linda Berger Hellmich 鈥82 is a Psychologist at KSB Hospital who majored in Psychology at 杨贵妃传媒视频.

"My first advisor was a female chemistry professor who was simultaneously brilliant, kind, compassionate and challenging. This was my first exposure to a woman like this. She expressed confidence in me, and a seed of confidence began to grow in myself."

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Mary Jo Johnson 鈥79

Mary Jo Johnson 鈥79

Awards Committee

Mary Jo Johnson 鈥79 majored in Psychology at 杨贵妃传媒视频.听 She is the CEO and owner at EO Johnson Business Technologies.

鈥淚 cherish my days at 杨贵妃传媒视频 and wish I could have spent all four years there. Being a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, the Concert Choir (under Dr. Karle Erickson), sledding down the hill on food trays from the old Downer Commons, The Viking Room, tutoring undergrads, TRIVIA!, Phi Beta Kappa and volunteering within the community are just a few of the many great memories I hold dear. And the friends made鈥..for life.鈥

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Aaron Lindberg 鈥96

Aaron Lindberg 鈥96

IDEAS Committee

Aaron Lindberg 鈥96 majored in Music at 杨贵妃传媒视频 and is now the Director of Admissions at California State University-Northridge.

鈥淎t 杨贵妃传媒视频, I found my outlet through student activism and eventually became the president of the LGBT club. While I faced adversity, what I remember the most is LU鈥檚 strong sense of community with faculty and staff who truly care for students. Dean Marti Hemwall, Professor Tim Rodgers, Susan Dean and Linda Fuerst helped me navigate challenging academic and personal situations throughout my four years at 杨贵妃传媒视频; I still think of them often.鈥

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Gayatri Malhotra 鈥14

Gayatri Malhotra 鈥14

Awards Committee

Gayatri Malhotra 鈥14 majored in Biology (pre-medicine) at 杨贵妃传媒视频 and is now a Gender Technical Advisor at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GenDev) Hub.

"But the most enduring lesson 杨贵妃传媒视频 imparted was the art of building a supportive community and speaking up for what I believe in. I discovered how a community can provide the space and freedom to express your authentic self and reach your full potential."

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Virginia Merrifield

Virginia Merrifield 鈥80

Development Committee

Virginia Merrifield 鈥80 majored in Spanish at 杨贵妃传媒视频 and is now AVP of Marketing Execution at Wells Fargo Bank.

"Between the excellent education provided, the friendships forged, and the life lessons learned, 杨贵妃传媒视频 truly shaped the course of my life. I have enjoyed a successful career in Marketing since my 杨贵妃传媒视频 days, but the honor code, values and friendships solidified at 杨贵妃传媒视频 have been a constant guide."听

Matthew A. Murphy 鈥06

Matthew A. Murphy 鈥06

President

Matthew A. Murphy 鈥06 is the Operations Group Senior Manager for Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.听 He majored in Theatre Arts and Voice Performance at 杨贵妃传媒视频.

鈥淎s I turned 19, I wasn鈥檛 sure I would last at 杨贵妃传媒视频. At 39, I can鈥檛 imagine my life without it.鈥

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Madura Samarth

Madhura Samarth Nathwani 鈥95

Connecting Alumni Committee

Madhura Samarth Nathwani 鈥95 majored in Economics at 杨贵妃传媒视频 and is now the Founder of Ripple Animation.

"As I look back on my career over these last 28 years, I can say that I owe every success I鈥檝e had to my education at 杨贵妃传媒视频. I majored in Economics and started out as an investment banker on Wall Street in New York. I realized within two years that investment banking wasn鈥檛 for me and pivoted completely to a field in which I had absolutely no experience - creating videos for brands and businesses."

Emily Dalton Niles

Emily Dalton Niles 鈥09

Connecting Alumni Committee

Emily Dalton Niles 鈥09 majored in Government and Music at 杨贵妃传媒视频 and is now a Communications Leader at GE Healthcare.

"It was music that brought me to 杨贵妃传媒视频, but it's the people at 杨贵妃传媒视频 that will forever stay with me."

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Jismy Raju 鈥11

Jismy Raju 鈥11

Connecting to Campus Committee

Jismy Raju 鈥11 is a Senior Customer Success Manager, LinkedIn and was a Spanish major at 杨贵妃传媒视频.

"杨贵妃传媒视频 will forever hold a special place in my heart, as a place that was once foreign and later became one of my greatest adventures."

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Margaret H. Schmidt 鈥12

Margaret H. Schmidt 鈥12

IDEAS Committee, Co-Chair

Margaret H. Schmidt '12 is the Supervising Attorney-Healthy Together Program, Children鈥檚 Law Center.听 She majored in Government at 杨贵妃传媒视频.

鈥淔reshman year was not easy. I transitioned to being hundreds of miles from home. My roommate suffered a devastating loss and I learned to be there for her. I was hurt by a classmate and took the next year to figure out how to address it. From it all, I learned some of the most important lessons that have guided me through life. First, your true friends are the ones who are there when you are at your lowest points (including staying up with you when you can鈥檛 sleep and ordering late night pizza). Passion can be driven by more than just academic knowledge. And to appreciate where you have been in life, even if it is not always easy.鈥

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Schuyler T. Thornton 鈥14

Schuyler T. Thornton 鈥14

Awards Committee, Co-Chair

Schuyler T. Thornton 鈥14 is a Lecturer of Flute and Director of the Flute Ensemble, Muhlenberg College. She majored in Flute Performance and Government at 杨贵妃传媒视频.

鈥溠罟箦绞悠 has defined almost every aspect of my being for the past decade. On one hand, it is hard to believe that it has only been 10 years since I first arrived on campus, as it is difficult to remember who I was before 杨贵妃传媒视频. On the other hand, it seems like just yesterday that I fell in love with Appleton and the 杨贵妃传媒视频 community. Coming from New Jersey, I remember my hesitation in applying, auditioning, and even in attending the admitted students' day (thanks for the push, Mom!)- why did I need to go to Wisconsin for college? But from the moment I stepped onto campus, I knew I was home. What I did not realize was 杨贵妃传媒视频 will always feel like home.鈥

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Eric Simonson 鈥82

Eric Simonson 鈥82

Awards Committee

Eric Simonson 鈥82 was a Theatre and Drama major at 杨贵妃传媒视频, who is now a director for theatre and film.

鈥淲hen I came to 杨贵妃传媒视频, I hadn鈥檛 had much experience in the world. I was coming straight from a farm in southeastern Wisconsin and was surrounded by rural poor, where most kids were eager to graduate and run the family farm, which is fine, but I knew that wasn鈥檛 me. That said, I really didn鈥檛 know much about anything and was grateful for the time 杨贵妃传媒视频 gave me to decide what I might be interested in. So I tried a lot of different things. This led me onto stumbling into a directing class in the theatre department which, at that time, had only two professors. I found I had a talent for directing plays and was encouraged to pursue this.鈥

Michael Stein, MD 鈥80

Michael Stein, MD 鈥80

Connecting to Campus Committee

Michael Stein, MD 鈥80 is vice president and head of the medical experts and medical standards divisions of Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts at 杨贵妃传媒视频 and studied Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Medicine.

When I stepped on the 杨贵妃传媒视频 Campus, I underwent a rather sudden and remarkable transformation. I am not sure if it was removing myself from the environment where mediocrity was acceptable, if I sensed and adapted to a culture of scholarship and excellence, or if I just 'grew up.' Rather suddenly, I had a thirst for learning, a desire to excel and an attitude of questioning nearly everything. I learned critical thinking in Freshman Studies and was encouraged to hone this skill throughout my years at 杨贵妃传媒视频. The knack for critical thinking that I learned as a 杨贵妃传媒视频 undergraduate has served me throughout my professional and personal life.鈥

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Wes Varughese

Wesley S. Varughese 鈥16

Connecting Alumni Committee

Wesley S. Varughese 鈥16 is a MBA student at Georgetown University.听 He majored in Government and Spanish at 杨贵妃传媒视频.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 graduate with honors or anything, but the experiences I garnered both on and off campus are a part of the badge of honor I carry today. I came out of 杨贵妃传媒视频 more humble, more open-minded, and most of all, more willing to try anything put in front of me. You won鈥檛 know until you鈥檝e tried 鈥 杨贵妃传媒视频 taught me that.鈥

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Jiayi Ling Young 鈥94

Jiayi Ling Young 鈥94

Connecting Alumni Committee, Co-Chair

Jiayi Ling Young 鈥94 is an Associate Professor in the Design Department at the University of California-Davis.听 She majored in Art and Physics at 杨贵妃传媒视频.

鈥淒orm life also taught me a lot of things. There, I met students from all walks of life. My dorm roommate was a Christian scientist. I learned that not everyone goes to the doctors when they are sick because of differences in religious beliefs. Growing up in a big city in communist China, I was much more accustomed to a homogenous lifestyle and ways of thinking. Dorms are where I met fellow Lawrentians whose families are Wisconsin farmers who welcomed me and shared their love and lives with me. I learned that Wisconsin dairy farmers get up at 4:30 am even if it is forty below with blizzard snow because the cows have to be fed and the manure has to be shoveled. In addition to working hard at school, these students also had to shoulder family obligations to help out on the farm. Dorm life was full of fun as well. I remember once that two floors worth of rooms blasted Pink Floyd's We don't need no education! Then, the resident dorm staff shut us down (LOL). Finals week was always all-nighter after all-nighter, then the doom would be dead the day after because everyone would be catching up on sleep.鈥

LUAA Committees

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee of the LUAA Board of Directors consists of the President, President-Elect/Vice-President, Secretary, committee chairs, task-force members as appointed by the President, and Alumni & Constituency Engagement staff.

Matthew A. Murphy 鈥06, President
Schuyler Thornton 鈥14, Co-Chair, Awards
Rebecca Frostenson 鈥04, Co-Chair, Awards
Robert Currie 鈥74, Co-Chair, Connecting Alumni
Jiayi Young 鈥94, Co-Chair, Connecting to Alumni
Alison Guthrie 鈥86, Co-Chair, Connecting to Campus
Taylor Hoffman 鈥99, Co-Chair, Connecting to Campus

Bradley Grimmer 鈥06, Co-Chair, Development
Linda Hellmich 82, Co-Chair, Development
Margaret H. Schmidt 12, Co-Chair, IDEAS
Brienne Colston 15, Co-Chair, IDEAS
Matthew Baumler, Associate Vice President for Alumni and Community Engagement, Ex-officio

Mark Breseman 鈥78, Senior Principal Gift Officer, Ex-officio
Miyoko Grine-Fisher, Director of Annual Giving, Ex-officio
Ben Campbell 97, Director of Alumni Engagement, Ex-officio
Amber Nelson, Director of Alumni Development Communications, Ex-officio

Shannan Hartel, Executive Assistant for University Advancement, Ex-officio secretary to the alumni board
Jenny Ziegler, Executive Director of Development Analytics and Operations, Ex-officio


Awards Committee

The Awards Committee recognizes and celebrates alumni achievements through researching the achievement and service records of candidates and recommending them for alumni awards.

Rebecca Frostenson 04, Co-chair
Mary Jo Johnson 鈥79
Todd Mahr 79 P09, Scribe
Eric Simonson 鈥82
Schuyler Thornton 14, Co-Chair
Richard G. Chandler 74, P 21
Gayatri Malhotra 14
Jenny Ziegler, Executive Director of Development Analytics and Operations, Ex-officio


Connecting Alumni Committee

The Connecting Alumni Committee forges connections between alumni where they live.听 The committee seeks to broaden and deepen alumni relationships by enabling connections between alumni and alumni and their alma mater in life after 杨贵妃传媒视频 through off-campus events, programs, and opportunities.

Robert Currie 74, Co-Chair
Anneliese DeDiemar 03
Wesley Varughese 16
Jiayi Young 94, Co-Chair
Emily Dalton Niles 09
Hugh J. Dellios 83
Madhura Samarth Nathwani 95
Amber Nelson, Director of Alumni Development Communications, Ex-officio


Connecting to Campus Committee

The Connecting to Campus Committee fosters a sense of community between students, faculty, staff, prospective students, and families through alumni stories and personal relationships. The committee supports, develops, and promotes meaningful opportunities for alumni to speak to the value of a 杨贵妃传媒视频 education and engage with current and future Lawrentians.

Tod Gimbel 81
Alison Guthrie 86, Co-Chair
Taylor Hoffman 鈥99, Co-Chair
Jismy Raju 11
Michael Stein 80
Sam A. Bader 18
Chuck Erickson 02
Gabriel Baker 20
Mark Breseman, Senior Principal Gift Officer, Ex-officio


IDEAS Committee

Margaret H. Schmidt 12, Co-Chair
Brienne Colston
15, Co-Chair
Tracy Donald
95
Aaron Lindberg
96
Ben Campbell
97, Director of Alumni Engagement, Ex-officio


Development Committee

The Development Committee collaborates with the Development Office to meet the general fundraising goals of the university.听 The committee partners in developing strategy and educating the university鈥檚 constituency about philanthropy, as well as supports development events, campaigns, and other fundraising efforts.

Elizabeth Nerland Anderson 10
Susan Chadwick 鈥09
Bradley Grimmer 06, Co-Chair
Mohit Gupta 11
Linda Hellmich 82, Co-Chair
Kelsi J. Bryant 22
Virginia Merrifield 80
Miyoko Grine-Fisher, Director of Annual Giving, Ex-officio