Aaron Rasch has a history of community service and has long been a strong and tireless advocate for people living with mental illness, people struggling with addiction, and people who are homeless. In 2018, though, he took a great stride on the Franciscan path when he came to Place of Grace.

Rising Professional, College of Nursing and Health

Originally from rural southeastern Minnesota (Rose Creek), Emily Schmidt graduated from Viterbo University in May 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics degree and a minor in psychology.

Rising Professional, Conservatory for the Performing Arts

In choosing to pursue a career as an opera singer, soprano Avery Boettcher ’15 chose an extraordinarily challenging and emotionally taxing profession.

“It is very easy to quickly fall into the trap of wondering if it’s worth all of the struggle and effort,” Boettcher said.

Veteran Broadway performer Arbender Robinson ’98 came to Viterbo because of an unlucky accident (an injury) that in the end turned out to be lucky. Without the life lessons he learned at Viterbo, Robinson said he would not have had the kind of successful career he’s had … and is still having.

An arts administration and music theatre double major, Giese toured the world for five years as a cruise ship singer and regularly performs in the “Sweet Dreams and Honky Tonks” touring revue. Since 2013, she also has served as executive director of River Arts Inc. in Prairie du Sac.

Since earning his BBA degree in marketing, Josh Clark '08 has distinguished himself as a national sales manager of a large manufacturing company. He and his wife, Jennifer, also have ownership stakes in 12 Culver’s restaurants in four states, soon to be 15.

It’s hard to think of a more challenging time to take over the leadership of a school system than a pandemic, but Ryan Rieber ’01, ’06 approached his new role as superintendent of the West Salem School District with determination and positivity.

The founder and CEO of Lifesprk, Joel Theisen has been driven to improve care experiences for seniors and their families by providing holistic, person-centered services through coordinated efforts from all care partners.

Kim (Dwyer) Larson ’81 capped a career in nutrition, which included becoming the Seattle Mariners baseball team’s first sports nutritionist and launching a wellness coaching and consulting business, by writing a book on battling high blood pressure.

After years of hard work and several near misses, 2021 saw Debra (Kempf) Shumaker '93 complete her quest to become a children's picture book author, with one book out in May and another to be published this fall.