Distinguished Alumni Award winners are people who demonstrate Viterbo's mission of faithful service and ethical leadership in their everyday lives. These alumni embody Viterbo’s core values:
- Contemplation, reflecting upon the presence of God in our lives and work;
- Hospitality, welcoming everyone we encounter as an honored guest;
- Integrity, striving for honesty in everything we say and do;
- Stewardship, practicing responsible use of all resources in our trust; and
- Service, working for the common good in the spirit of humility and joy.
If you know someone deserving of this recognition, please let us know. Nominations for the 2024 awards will be accepted through March 1, 2024.
Recipients 1967 to present
2024 Award Winners
- Christine Newkirk ’03, ’06 — Spirit of Francis
- Jessica Himmer ’06 — Service to the University
- Holly Blanchard ’98 — College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics Professional Achievement
- Lisa (Foellmi) Adams ’85 — College of Engineering, Letters, and Science Professional Achievement
- Eric Mutchie ‘04 — College of Nursing and Health Professional Achievement
- Matt Wenthe ’95, ’01 — School fo Education Professional Achievement
- Bill Griffel ’92 — Conservatory for the Performing Arts Professional Achievement
- Sam Bachmeier ’18 — College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics Rising Professional
- Rehman Eon ’15 — College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Rising Professional
2023 Award Winners
- Susan (Sue) Rieple Graf ’82 — Spirit of Francis
- Georgia Christensen FSPA ’70 and Barbara Quillin — Service to the University
- Dr. Scott Rathgaber ’22 — College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics Professional Achievement
- Michelle (Pixley) Reichert ’86 — College of Engineering, Letters, and Science Professional Achievement
- Linsie (Sanger) Clements ’08 — College of Nursing and Health Professional Achievement
- Juan Jiménez ’01, ’06 — School fo Education Professional Achievement
- Dean Yohnk ’87 — Conservatory for the Performing Arts Professional Achievement
- Kolin Huth ’21, ’22 — College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics Rising Professional
- Andrew Santoso ’13 — College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Rising Professional
2022 Award Winners
- Jed Barton ’17, ’20 — Spirit of Francis
- Brian Soller ’94 — Service to the University
- Libby Weber ’10 — College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics Professional Achievement
- Rebecca (Arndt) Crecente ’04 — College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Professional Achievement
- Donna (Role) Nelson ’83 — College of Nursing and Health Professional Achievement
- Mark Gruen ’95 — School of Education Professional Achievement
- Barry Lee Moe ’01 — Conservatory for the Performing Arts Professional Achievement
- Jhardon DiShon Milton ’13 — Conservatory for the Performing Arts Rising Professional
- Elizabeth (Eckert) Maher ’14 — College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Rising Professional
Watch the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony
2021 Award Winners
- Aaron Rasch ’15 — Spirit of Francis
- Arbender Robinson ’98 — Service to the University
- Debra Murray ’90 — College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Professional Achievement
- Josh Clark ’08 — College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics Professional Achievement
- Joel Theisen ’90 — College of Nursing and Health Professional Achievement
- Ryan Rieber ’01, ’06 — School of Education Professional Achievement
- Lindsey Giese ’07 — Conservatory for the Performing Arts Professional Achievement
- Avery Boettcher ’15 — Conservatory for the Performing Arts Rising Professional
- Emily Schmidt ’13 — College of Nursing and Health Rising Professional
Watch the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony
2020 Award Winners
- Malinda Gerke, FSPA ’60 — Spirit of Francis
- Colleen Walsh ’63 — Service to the University
- Samantha Pauly ’12 — College of Business, Performing Arts, and Leadership Rising Professional
- Julianne Brienza ’99 — College of Business, Performing Arts, and Leadership Professional Achievement
- Amanda Vetsch ’17 — College of Education, Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Rising Professional
- Naomi (Hemesath) Harm ’99 — College of Education, Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Professional Achievement
- Angela Mensink ’12, ’14 — College of Nursing, Health, and Human Behavior Rising Professional
- Lisa Skemp ’77 — College of Nursing, Health, and Human Behavior Professional Achievement
2019 Award Winners
- Mary (Fitzpatrick) Marshall ’14 — Spirit of Francis
- Sandra Hoeser ’69 — Service to the University
- Evan Dreger ’15 — College of Business, Performing Arts, and Leadership Rising Professional
- Ann Boland ’94, ’10 — College of Business, Performing Arts, and Leadership Professional Achievement
- Jessica Brozek ’09 — College of Education, Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Rising Professional
- Melissa “Missy” (Glenna) Naylor — ’08 College of Education, Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Professional Achievement
- Morgan (Welte) Stidham ’15 — College of Nursing, Health, and Human Behavior Rising Professional
- Ana Eugenia Marin ’77 — College of Nursing, Health, and Human Behavior Professional Achievement
2018 Award Winners
- Maomoua Vue '98 — Community Service
- Richard Ruskell '79 — Professional Development
- Marcella Steffes, FSPA '56 — Service to the University
- Rosine Urujeni '11 — Spirit of Francis
- Joseph Stamp-Romero '12 — Young Alumni
2017 Award Winners
- Irene TenEyck '06 — Community Service
- Teresa Pulvermacher '94, '10 — Professional Development
- St. Francis School of Nursing Alumnae Chapter — Service to the University
- Oresoa Selo-Ojeme, FSPA '85 — Spirit of Francis
- Colin Luz '14 — Young Alumni
2016 Award Winners
- Marie Kyle, FSPA '57, '60 — Community Service
- Therese "Terri" (Hess) Pedace '77 — Professional Development
- Mark Franz '84 — Service to the University
- Fr. John Lasuba '12 — Spirit of Francis
- Sonja Larson '14 — Young Alumni
2015 Award Winners
- Leah Misch '08 — Community Service
- Keith Lease '12 — Professional Development
- Rose Ann (Mashak) Kazmierczak '61 — Service to the University
- Ann "Annie" (Sendelbach) Beinborn '78 — Spirit of Francis
- Mary Jilek '06 — Young Alumni
2014 Award Winners
- Rev. Diana M. (Thompson) Gorgos, SFSN '59 — Spirit of Francis
- Camille Orridge '80 — Professional Development
- Carolyn Hogan '63 (d) — Service to the University
- Melinda Van Slyke '97, '06 — Community Service
- Molly Simones '10 — Young Alumni
2013 Award Winners
- Dr. Dan Hale '96 — Spirit of Francis
- Kim Little '79 — Professional Development
- Margaret Hammell '87 — Service to the University
- Wayne Oliver '08 — Community Service
- Michael Krueger '10 — Young Alumni
2012 Award Winners
- Eileen (Sullivan) Schrager '63 — Spirit of Francis
- Karolee (Hogden) Sowle, SFSN '62, '77 — Professional Development
- Joyce (Waldenberger) Hagmann, SFSN '47 — Service to the University
- Sandra (Dutcher) Schwalbe '63 — Community Service
- Zach Johnson '11 — Young Alumni
2011 Award Winners
- Shawn Wedlund '11 — Spirit of Francis
- Mark Skogen '92 — Professional Development
- Mary Ann Gschwind, FSPA '65 — Service to the University
- Brenda Armstrong '78 — Community Service
- Kristina (Smaby) Schoh '10 — Young Alumni
2010 Award Winners
- Dr. Richard Brostrom '84 — Spirit of Francis
- Todd Goldsmith '92 — Professional Development
- Sally (Kramer) Emerson '77, '98 — Service to the University
2009 Award Winners
- Rochelle Potaracke, FSPA '64 — Service to the University
- Emily (Caldwell) Pozo '95 — Spirit of Francis
2008 Award Winners
- Brian Konkol '01 — Franciscan Spirit
- Julie Vietri '82 — Professional Development
- Margaret Wood '90 — Service to the Community
2007 Award Winners
- Marilyn Brodie '64 (d) — Franciscan Spirit
- Wendy (Young, Wegner) Storandt '76 (d) — Service to the University
- Chad Hrdina '01 — Young Alumni Award
2006 Award Winners
- Matt Boehler '98 — Young Alumni Award
- Patti Jo Severson '78 — Community Service
- Gregory Lind '76 — Professional Development
- Mary (Sendelbach) Dudley '76 — Franciscan Spirit
2005 Award Winners
- Sr. Antona Schedlo, FSPA '65 — Community Service
- Barbara Winters '99 — Professional Development
- Earl Madary '88 (d) — Franciscan Spirit
2004 Award Winners
- Shane Peper '98 — Young Alumni Award
- Rose Robacker '53 (d) — Service to the Community
- Mary Ann Wetterling '90 — Service to the Community
2003 Award Winners
- Kimberly (Sloane) Adams '93 — Outstanding Young Alumni
- Rose Kreutz '66, '82 — Community Service
- Jeanette Hertges '85 — Professional Development
2002 Award Winners
- Scott Krueger '95 — Outstanding Young Alumni
- Therese Amel '76 — Service to the University
- Valerie Jackson Jones '76 — Community Service
- Anna Dolores Balderamos Garcia '79 — Professional Development
2001 Award Winners
- Christopher Parr '89 — Professional Development
- Kathryn (Sullivan) Larson '56 — Professional Development
- Carole Plante '66 — Community Service
- Sr. Marie Leon LaCroix, FSPA '45 (d) — Service to the University
2000 Award Winners
- Meg Buchner '93 — Young Alumni Award
- Barbara Hundt '76 — Professional Development
- Virginia Lukasek '75 (d) — Service to the College
1999 Award Winners
- Shelly Lamb-Vosen '80 — Service to the College
- Theresa Richards '73 — Professional Development
- Michael Peplinski '96 — Young Alumni Award
1998 Award Winners
- S. Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA '67 — Service to the College
- Kristine (Koetting) Campbell '74 — Professional Development
- Sue Schmitt '69 — Educational Achievement
1997 Award Winners
- Larry Winter '88 — Outstanding Young Alumni
- Richard Deyo '83 — Service to the College
- Margaret Grenisen '80 — Professional Development
- Nola Jo Starling-Ratliff '74 — Community Service
- Rosalbo Bueno-Osawa '61 — Educational Achievement
1996 Award Winners
- David Stoeffler '81 — Professional Development
- Connie White Delaney '75 — Educational Achievement
- S. Joyce Bantle, FSPA '59 (d) — Service to the College
- Theresa Myers-McHenry '55 — Community Service
1995
- Monica Dixon '85 — Outstanding Young Alumni
- Kristine Larson Clark '78 — Educational Achievement
- Joseph Kotnour '75 — Professional Achievement & Community Service
- S. Bernyne Stark, FSPA (d) — Honorary Alumna
1994
- Barbara Weber '69 — Professional Development
- Sr. Nancy Lafferty, FSPA '58 — Community Service
- Mary (Maney) Morgan '54 (d) — Service to the College
1993
- John Snyder '84 — Outstanding Young Alumni
- S. Helen Elsbernd, FSPA '65 — Professional Development
- Darlene (Eberhardt) Wolfe '69 (d) — Community Service
1992
- James Ames '82 - Outstanding Young Alumnus
- Kathleen (Pattison) Roberg '74 — Community Service
- Margaret Colleran '73 — Community Service
- Patricia (Majarrez) Hoch '69 — Professional Development
- S. Louisella Froehle, FSPA '47 (d) — Service to the College
1991
- Lucy (Runde) Canaday '84 — Outstanding Young Alumna
- Jane Kirschling '80 — Educational Achievement
- Harold Holler '77 — Professional Development
- Sandra (Reget) Holter '70 — Community Service
- S. Jeanice Lohman, FSPA '42 (d) — Service to the College
1990
- Linda (Balgord) Fenton '82 — Outstanding Young Alumna Award
- Paul Krystofiak '80 — Educational Achievement
- Joseph (Gauss) Paulauskis '78 — Professional Development
- A. Diane Moeller '62 — Service to the College
- Annette (Duren) Scherbert '61 — Community Service
1989
- Carl Hansen '76 — Professional Achievement
- Debra (Kelly) Schams '81 — Outstanding Young Alumna Award
- S. Thea Bowman, FSPA '65 (d) — Global Community Service
- Jean Storlie Harkness '80 — Educational Achievement
1988
- Janice Bahr '65 — Professional Achievement
- Lois (Liston) Durall '56 — La Crosse Community Service
- Mary (Burke) Christianson '79 — Young Alumna Award
- Ray "Pinky" Barton (d) — Honorary Award for Years of Service to Student Life
1987
- Mary Lu Gerke '74 — Service in Professional Work
- S. Celestine Cepress, FSPA (d) — Honorary Alumna Award
1983
- Cyrilla Barr '56 (d) — Outstanding Alumna
- Paula (Ripple) Comin '55 (d) — Alumni Service - Community
- S. Rose Rita Collingon, FSPA '51 (d) — Alumni Service - Religious
1982
- Elizabeth (Harrison) Metcalfe '82 — Outstanding Senior Alumni Service Award for Service to the VCAA & La Crosse Area
- Bonnie (Benzing) Pfaff '73 — Outstanding Ambassador Award - Recruiting
- S. Doris Murphy, OSB '66 (d) — Alumni Service Award - Religious
1976
- S. Riccarda Moseley, FSPA '43 (d) — Distinguished Alumna Award
- Janet Linderbaum '59 (d) — Distinguished Alumna Award
1975
- S. Theodine Sebold, FSPA (d) — Distinguished Alumna Award
- Agnes Tan '63 (d) — Distinguished Alumna Award
1969
- S. Grace Mc Donald, FSPA '46 (d) — Distinguished Alumna Award
1967
- Catherine Daniels '50 (d) — First Alumna Award