Viterbo’s alumni awards, which go back to 1967, this year honor five alumni with professional achievement awards, one from each college, and include two rising professional awards. In addition, the tradition of honoring alumni with the Spirit of Francis Award and Service to the University Award continues.
Spirit of Francis — Christine Newkirk ’03, ’06
Service to the University — Jessica Himmer ’06
College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics Professional Achievement — Holly Blanchard ’98
College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Professional Achievement — Lisa (Foellmi) Adams ’85
College of Nursing and Health Professional Achievement — Eric Mutchie ’04
Conservatory for the Performing Arts Professional Achievement — Bill Griffel ’92
School of Education Professional Achievement — Matt Wenthe ’95, ’01
College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics Rising Professional — Sam Bachmeier ’18
College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Rising Professional — Rehman Eon ’15
Spirit of Francis — Christine Newkirk ’03, ’06
Christine (Drahos) Newkirk ’03, ’06 is the Director of the Office of Ecclesial Ministries and Diocesan Consultation with the Diocese of Superior, a position she has held for the past 15 years of her 24-year career there.
Newkirk supports all the parishes within the 16 counties of the diocese, located throughout Northern Wis. She assists with planning and development and helps parishes manage change and group dynamics. She provides diocesan-sponsored programs and workshops, including their School of Servant Leadership and Professional Development Days.
Service to the University — Jessica Himmer ’06
Jessica Himmer ’06 enjoys life as an entrepreneur, a career choice she would not have any other way. “I grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs and have always admired them,” she explained. “They risk everything to bet on themselves while they dedicate their life to serving others.”
As Himmer chose to follow in those footsteps, she had Viterbo to help prepare her along the way. She described how she refined her leadership skills during college before stepping into the business world. “As a young manager, I felt ready, and I understood that lifelong learning will always be a part of my journey.”
College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics, Professional Achievement —
Holly Blanchard ’98
Holly (Deml) Blanchard ’98 credits Viterbo for the many opportunities she has had within her extensive career with Trane Technologies. “Viterbo played a role in providing me with an opportunity to advance my education and build confidence. I would not have achieved my career goals without the support and education from Viterbo. My career progressed farther than I ever thought it would,” she shared.
College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences, Professional Achievement — Lisa (Foellmi) Adams ’85
Lisa (Foellmi) Adams ’85 earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, leading to a successful career within her field. “I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition,” Adams said. “It is a crowning award to a fulfilling career of finding medicines to improve people’s lives, and a continuing passion to protect the environment.”
College of Nursing and Health Professional Achievement — Eric Mutchie ’04
Eric Mutchie ’04 is currently the chief nursing officer and deputy commander for nursing at Keller Army Community Hospital, in West Point, NY. He himself was surprised by his career path at times, because Mutchie once thought he would complete his four-year commitment with the U.S. Army and then work in a hospital emergency room somewhere in Wisconsin closer to his family.
“I did not expect to be a health care executive or still in the U.S. Army after 20 years,” he said. “Instead, I have rarely worked in emergency rooms, but I have traveled to 19 different countries, earned a master’s degree, and challenged myself in ways that I never thought possible 20 years ago.”
Conservatory for the Performing Arts Professional Achievement — Bill Griffel ’92
“This award means everything to me,” long-time music educator, director, and vocalist Bill Griffel ’92 said. “I value my Viterbo roots above all other experiences I’ve had as a musician.”
Griffel graduated from Viterbo University with degrees in music education and vocal performance. He has sung opera professionally with some of the most nationally and internationally recognized performance organizations, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Chautauqua Opera. Griffel is also a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
School of Education Professional Achievement — Matt Wenthe ’95, ’01
When Matt Wenthe ’95, ’01 started his teaching career as a high school English teacher with the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau School District (G-E-T) in Western Wisconsin, he thought he might stay for one year before moving on. One year turned into a robust 27-year career. He wore many hats over those years, from teacher to assistant principal, summer school coordinator, activities director, transportation director, forensics coach, track and field coach, district office administrator, business manager, and of course, middle school principal.
College of Business, Leadership, and Ethics Rising Professional — Sam Bachmeier ’18
Sam Bachmeier ’18 participated in a mentorship program to learn more about his business administration major, and there he was introduced to various facets of the world of economic development. Later, a college internship with the La Crosse Area Development Corporation (LADCO) opened the door to a full-time position after graduation, where Bachmeier became interim executive director. He realized that at just 22 years old, he had a lot to learn, but he took the opportunity to grow and cement himself as a leader in the community.
College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences Rising Professional — Rehman Eon ’15
Rehman ’15 is a research engineer II at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY, where he serves as the principal investigator (PI) on multiple projects in environmental remote sensing.
He is a member of the Landsat calibration and validation team for Landsat missions eight and nine for NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Rehman is also part of the NASA science group, where he is responsible for the development and design of Landsat 10, scheduled to be launched in 2032.