Spring-Summer 2025-26
Class Notes: Spring/Summer 2025-26
Class Notes: Spring/Summer 2025-26
’60s
Lynde Uihlein MUS’63 donated $10 million to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to expand research and support for the School of Freshwater Sciences, the only graduate school of freshwater sciences in the country and one of only three in the world. The gift will support research, lab equipment, student scholarships, faculty and staff raises, operating the school’s research vessels, and support of the Center for Water Policy.
Timothy Hoelter MUS’64 oversaw his final meeting as chair of the Board of Harbor Commissioners in June 2026. He served on the board for 30 years, including as chair since 2008. The BHC is responsible for supervision of the day-to-day operations of Port Milwaukee.
Hack Noyes ’66 received the Marina Spheeris Krejci ’68 Alumni Service Award at the Summer Soirée cocktail party during Reunion Weekend 2026. He was honored for his efforts to stay connected to his classmates and to help launch the Class of 1966 Endowed Scholarship Fund, which has grown to its current value of $200,000. In 2026, the award was renamed in honor of Marina Spheeris Krejci ’68 in recognition of her lifetime of service to USM.
Pam Percy ’67 produced her third film, called “Brava: A Titillating History of Bras,” which debuted at the Oriental Theater in Milwaukee on May 14, 2026. The film takes a lighthearted journey through time, shedding new perspective on the evolution and cultural significance of the bra through animation, music, and lyrical storytelling.
’70s
Tim Johnston ’79 published a new novel, a thriller titled “The Furtherer,” available from www.timjohnston.co, all bookstores, and Amazon. For signed copies of any of Tim’s books, visit his website.
JoAnne (Pollard) Williamson ’79 shared the following note: “After 36 wonderful years in education, looking back, I am filled with gratitude for the countless students, families, colleagues, and friends who have been part of this incredible journey. Education has been more than a career for me—it has been a calling, one that has provided opportunities to learn, grow, and make meaningful connections every day. My father often said, ‘Live life while you can,’ and those words have never felt more meaningful than they do today. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this remarkable journey. The memories and relationships I have built over the past 36 years will always hold a special place in my heart. So, with gratitude for the past and excitement for the future, away I go!”
’80s
Raj Bhala ’80 was a panelist for the American Bar Association webinar on U.S. Supreme Court decision on tariffs and presidential power in March 2026. He served as a Glasgow law fellow at the University of Glasgow Faculty of Law and delivered a presentation in May 2026. His editorial, “Kansas Buddhist Meditation Retreat Revealed the Wisdom of Pope Leo,” was published in the Kansas City Star; and he has contributed to several articles and interviews regarding international trade law, tariffs, and more. He also participated in a spring semester sabbatical with visiting fellowships in the United Kingdom.
Bill Zito Jr. ’82 was interviewed by The Athletic in April about the Florida Panthers’ chance of reaching the playoffs next season. Zito is president of operations and general manager of the team.
Susan (Bell) Zarwell ’87 served as USM’s 2026 Commencement speaker on May 30, 2026. She told graduates, “The greatest gifts you take with you are your hope and attention, especially given the complicated times and the attention economy we find ourselves in. Place your hope and attention carefully. Spend them wisely. Use them for good, and with and for others.” Watch a recording at www.usm.org/commencement.
’90s
Scott Friedman ’90 and his team received a duPont-Columbia Award for investigative journalism for their piece titled “Driven to Death” for KXAS-TV NBC, Dallas-Fort Worth. The 14-month-long series investigated the high numbers of traffic fatalities in Dallas caused by major failures in street design and traffic enforcement, and highlighted innovative solutions.
Anthony Chambers ’91returned to campus in June for Reunion Weekend. While taking a campus tour, he was happy to see that his 1990 deadlift record of 585 pounds still stands.
Corbett Jones ’93 helped to build the commercialization plan, provide team support, and create focus on the customer for Flamingo Marine. June was a milestone month for the company as serial production started, with leadership growth and customers now on the water.
Smitha Chintamaneni ’96 was promoted to tax practice group leader and partner at Husch Blackwell. Operating out of the firm’s Milwaukee office, she leads the strategy and operations for the group’s legal and tax professionals across the United States.
Raj Chetty ’97 received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Southern Methodist University during the university’s May 16 commencement ceremony. Chetty’s pioneering research has reshaped how scholars and policymakers understand economic mobility and inequality. Honoring him reflects SMU’s focus on academic excellence and applying research to tackle society’s most pressing challenges.
Andy Gordon ’98 received the Alumni Impact Award at the Summer Soirée cocktail party during Reunion Weekend 2026. He was honored for his service in the U.S. Army, as well as his ongoing efforts to support veterans and his volunteer work at USM.
’00s
Hissoni Mustafa ’01 was a finalist in the Webby Awards for his video, “Bang Bang,” for the 30th Annual People’s Voice award.
Jonathan Lund ’03 was named the Des Moines Fire Department chief in December 2025, overseeing the state’s largest fire department. Lund began his career at DMFD 18 years ago as the department’s first fire protection engineer before spending the past 13 years as the fire marshal. During his time with the city, Lund has developed the city’s fire protection standards, overseen its fire prevention education efforts, and led the placement and innovative designs of two fire stations, incorporating measures to enhance firefighter health and safety.
Emily (Joerres) Vertacnik ’07 was profiled by the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education as a nominee for their Formal Educator Award, reflecting her many years of commitment to outdoor and environmental education at USM.
’10s
Forrest Florsheim ’12 and Zach Nelsen ’16 were featured by Eater NY for an episode of “Pass It On,” where chefs in New York City send compliments to other chefs.
Joey Judge ’13 married Claire O’Sullivan, whom he met at UW-Madison. USM alumni in attendance included Duncan Brown ’14, Jerzey Judge ’16, Michael Lukas ’13, Milton Padway ’13, and Cliff Pitts ’13.
Katherine Engman ’15 submitted the following in March: “After months of planning, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Global Startup Workshop (MIT GSW) in Daegu, Korea has come to a close. The event brings MIT alumni, founders, investors, and faculty into startup ecosystems around the world, building one of MIT’s largest global entrepreneurship platforms. This year brought together over 40 speakers across AI, semiconductors, biotech, climate, and advanced manufacturing, with 1,000 attendees. My highlights were leading the MIT GSW workshop and pitch competition, working with 85 early-stage founders on ideation and customer discovery, and seeing that translate into 10 inspiring finalist pitches on stage.”
Alyssa Bilkovski ’16 was recently promoted to assistant manager of events (for team training and soccer) at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where she has worked with many professional sports teams beyond soccer. Bilkovski graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2023 with a master’s in sports management.
Walter Taylor ’17 was honored at the 41st annual Black Excellence Awards in February 2026, in the category of Aspiring Game Changers.
Abby Cowen ’18 spoke with students at Saint Louis University about the transition from college to the “real world.” She shared things that she wished she had known earlier, including that careers are rarely linear and it’s okay to not have everything figured out. “The early years of your career are about learning, exploring, and building confidence,” she wrote on LinkedIn. “Curiosity goes a long way. Ask questions, try things, and stay open to opportunities you didn’t originally plan for.” Cowen is a product manager, PGA coach and consumer technology, at PGA of America.
Hailey Stephany ’18 earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and is sitting for the July 2026 Minnesota bar exam. She will join Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A. this fall as an associate in the firm’s securities group. “I look forward to beginning this next chapter and learning from and growing with the talented team at Winthrop,” she shared.
Riley Strauss ’18 launched her own mental health practice, Calming Pathways, which is a relational, depth-oriented practice offering therapy for adolescents and adults throughout Florida. Her work centers on attachment, identity, and the patterns that shape how we experience ourselves and relate to others. Learn more at www.calmingpathways.com.
Chyna (Bacchus) Mahoney ’19 married Jaylen Mahoney on Saturday, March 14, 2026 in Nashville. They met as students at Vanderbilt University. She is a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
’20s
Liam Grady V ’21 has accepted a position with Quarles & Brady LLP as a 2027 summer associate in the Business Law Group. He is very excited to learn and develop under the fantastic attorneys at Quarles.
Olivia Hausmann ’22 graduated from Lake Forest College with a bachelor’s degree in English. She plans to take a year off before pursuing graduate school.
Anika Krishnamurti ’22 attended and presented at the Wisconsin Idea Conference, hosted by the Morgridge Center for Public Service at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Krishnamurti and her partner created a poster to highlight a pilot program that emerged when federal health insurance navigator funding was cut by 90%. “Through a partnership with Covering Wisconsin and the Center for Patient Partnerships at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, student intake specialists like myself stepped in to triage calls from Wisconsin residents—many of whom were underinsured and underserved—and connect them with Navigator appointments and community resources,” she wrote.
Chris Powell ’22 was named to the 2025 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first team for defense for his contributions to the UW-La Crosse football team last season.
Elizabeth Schoon ’22 graduated from the University of Miami with a double major in ecosystem science and policy, and policy and geography and sustainable development with double minors in Spanish and sustainable business. She will spend the next year pursuing a master’s in sustainable business in the Herbert Business School starting this fall. In addition, she is working in the University of Miami sustainability office as the sustainability program intern coordinator, working to make the campus and surrounding areas as sustainable as possible. She is also volunteering with the Surfrider Foundation as the leader of the Ocean Friendly Restaurants program, encouraging Miami-area restaurants to meet sustainability standards and join the program.
Jason Adix ’23 joined Goldberg Segalla this summer as an investigations intern in their Chicago office. In addition, he has been accepted to the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business to pursue a master’s in business analytics with a concentration in sports analytics beginning fall 2026. He is excited for the opportunity to build deeper analytical skills and explore how data can drive smarter decisions in sports, from performance analysis to front-office strategy.
Zindzi Frederick ’23 has been awarded a 2026 Reporting Fellowship by the Pulitzer Center, which supports students pursuing independent journalism projects on underreported global topics including climate change, migration and refugees, global health, and human rights. Frederick is a junior at UW-Madison, majoring in journalism and international studies with certificates in French and political science. Her project will report on the growing healthcare crisis in Antigua and Barbuda following the country’s December 2025 decision to end its 26-year medical cooperation agreement with Cuba.
Marko Gajic ’23 and Lyle Mondano ’24 returned to USM in May to perform with the Yale Alley Cats, one of the nation’s premier collegiate a cappella groups internationally recognized for its rich tenor-bass harmonies and versatile repertoire. Both Gajic and Mondano attend Yale University.
Mackenzie Petersen ’23 and Alexander Thundercloud ’20 got engaged at Walt Disney World in May. They were surrounded by family and friends, including Carson Petersen ’20, Douglas Grace ’20, and Aerial Lopez ’19. Alex and Mackenzie are looking forward to beginning their happily ever after.
Marcus Thundercloud ’23 earned Northeast Conference player of the week honors in April 2026, the first time earning the honor after registering four Rookie of the Week accolades last season. Thundercloud plays on the University of Detroit Mercy men’s lacrosse team, and is a sophomore majoring in health exploration.
Tyler Perkl ’24 returned to USM Summer Camps this summer as an activity counselor, his fifth year working with USM Summer Camps. The role has helped him strengthen his leadership, communication, and teamwork skills while deepening his appreciation for the impact a positive camp environment can have on campers and staff alike.
Brock Miller ’25 was named defensive rookie of the year by the University of Rochester for his contributions to the Yellowjackets football team during his freshman season.
Annie Norman ’25 earned first-team all-league honors in the Atlantic 10 conference for her performance at the women’s Division I cross country conference championships. Norman attends Davidson College.
Neil Sachdev ’25 has joined Ring Central this summer as a data science intern. Sachdev is pursuing a degree in data science from Purdue University’s College of Science.
Gi Gi Cooks ’26 was crowned Miss Juneteenth 2026 at the 55th Annual Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant presented by the Northcott Neighborhood House. “Miss Juneteenth means being an inspiration to people and being the best you can be,” said Cooks.
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