Living in Place of Grace as a Viterbo student and serving as its house coordinator put Zach Johnson on his life mission, a journey that has included serving multiple roles helping the homeless population in Minneapolis. He's served as program coordinator for Minnesota's largest homeless shelter, and he's worked one-on-one with people who have been unsheltered for years.

Karla Hein's struggle with alcoholism forced her to drop out of Viterbo her first time here, but she returned to finish her undergraduate education. Once more a Viterbo student (in the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership program), she is making a difference in the community as coordinator of La Crosse's Catholic Charities Warming Center.

When she came to Viterbo, Terri (Hess) Pedace quickly learned that Viterbo’s nursing curriculum was rigorous and challenging, but excellent training and preparation for developing clinical skills, critical thinking, teamwork, self- confidence, and leadership has served her well throughout her 42-year career in health care.

John Armbruster's 2022 book, "Tailspin," recounts the true story of a poor farm boy from Wisconsin who enlisted to serve his country in World War II and survived an unimaginable ordeal—he fell four miles to the ground in the tail of a plane without a parachute, became a prisoner of war, and was forced to take part in a 600-mile death march.

Ministry major Michael Krueger '10, '15, was honored with a Young Alumni Award in 2013 while he was in the process of earning his Master of Arts in Servant Leadership degree. He worked in residential facilities for adults with developmental disabilities, as a social worker, and as a stay-at-home father before landing in his current role as director of affiliation for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

Biology/chemistry major Shane Peper '98 had a doctoral degree in analytical chemistry by the time he was honored with a Viterbo Young Alumni Award in 2004. Much of his career, which took him all over the world, was spent in nuclear research and security, but he also delved into molecular pathology as a researcher and educator. He's now on assignment in France doing nuclear security work for INTERPOL.

Education major Debra (Kelly) Schams '81 was honored with a Viterbo Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 1989, the same year an alumni award for global community service was given to Thea Bowman, FSPA '65. Schams was a much-loved teacher in La Crosse's Aquinas Catholic Schools until her recent retirement.

Jim Loomis '80 wrote a story titled "One September Day" about forming a friendship as a student with Thea Bowman, FSPA '65, a friendship that endured and grew stronger until Sr. Thea's death in 1990.

A longtime social worker, Josh Court ’12 came to Viterbo for an MBA as he was drawn to take on leadership. In addition to his work at Gundersen Health System, he serves as director of La Crosse SOUP, an organization that crowdfunds community projects.

The Rev. Michael Churchill ’15 came to Viterbo to study nursing, and that’s what he did. But through campus ministry he also discovered a calling to serve the Lord. A year ago, he was ordained as a Catholic priest in the Winona-Rochester Diocese.