1992 Award Winners
Young Alumnus Award — James Ames ’82
James Ames was awarded a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1982, graduating cum laude. He continued to pursue his education, receiving a PhD from UW-Milwaukee. Currently, Ames is an assistant professor at the University of Michigan-Flint. He has taught several chemistry courses in his four years at Flint, and his students are quick to cite his teaching effectiveness, organization, and enthusiasm.
Ames has been actively involved with the Flint campus, having served on several committees as well as university outreach programs. Since 1989, he has been responsible for obtaining grants and fellowships for over $32,000.
He has presented numerous papers and can be credited with many publications. The honors he has received include the American Chemical Society Outstanding Achievement Award and the Teaching Merit Award from the University of Michigan-Flint. Ames is a member of the American Chemical Society and Sigma Xi and the Scientific Research Society.
Community Service Award — Kathleen Pattison Roberg ’74
Kathleen Roberg graduated from Viterbo College in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She received a master’s degree in community health education in 1984 from UW-La Crosse. She was employed at Lutheran Hospital-La Crosse as a staff nurse and patient coordinator in both the critical care and intensive care units.
Later, she was appointed the coordinator for organ donation at Lutheran Hospital, St. Luke's in Milwaukee, and then in Houston, Texas. The latter position included marketing, development, and implementation of the organ/tissue donor programs for nearly 50 hospitals.
Currently, Roberg is employed as the director of staff development and quality assurance with the La Crosse Visiting Nurses Association, which has included work with a pilot program for parish-based nursing as well as an AIDS support group in La Crosse.
She has been recognized by the YWCA as La Crosse Woman of the Year and was awarded the Wisconsin Eye Bank Outstanding Service Award. Other honors include: second place awards from the International Film and TV Festival of New York and the Health Sciences Communications Association Still Media Festival for the slide/tape production, Forever Grateful; Outstanding Service Award from the Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin; and the Wisconsin Outstanding Young Career Woman Award. She has been responsible for several publications, including Death, Dying and Donation published in educational manuals utilized by organ procurement agencies in Texas and Minnesota.
Roberg has served as president of the Viterbo College Alumni Association.
Community Service Award — Margaret Colleran ’70
Margaret Colleran attended La Crosse Teacher's College and the Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minn. She then married and lived in California before she and her husband built their home on St. Joseph's Ridge near La Crosse.
After raising eight children, Colleran started work as a nursing assistant at the nearby Villa St. Joseph. She was told she should get her degree and had the opportunity to meet Sr. Grace Clare Beznouz, FSPA, who talked her into entering the new nursing bachelor’s degree program at Viterbo College in 1970. At age 53, she graduated with a 3.4 GPA.
Colleran spent the next 16 years as a psychiatric nurse at St. Francis Medical Center. In September 1988, she entered the Peace Corps, which took her to Montserrat. She served the prison, hospital, and her clinic, as well as teaching classes at the School of Nursing. Little did she know less than a year later, she and her island would experience Hurricane Hugo. Due to her work, she was honored as Volunteer of the Year for the Caribbean.
After serving as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years, Colleran returned to her current home in Brownsville, Minn., to retire at age 71. She initially worked with the Viterbo Nursing Department and the Smithsonian Institute to replace the nursing textbooks lost during the hurricane.
Organizations like Viterbo and the American Association of Retired Persons have benefitted from her talks about her overseas experiences. She has spent her time traveling to her family, taking care of her century-old house, gardening, and even taking a few classes. She is active in her church and with senior citizens.
Professional Development Award — Patricia (Majarrez) Hoch ’69
Patricia Hoch graduated from Viterbo College in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and biology. Later, she returned to school and received a Master of Education-Professional Development degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1991. She has enjoyed teaching experiences at St. Olaf School in Eau Claire, Cathedral School and Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse, and she currently teaches Spanish at Onalaska High School.
In 1986, Hoch was recognized as Teacher of the Year at Onalaska High School. Last year, she was awarded the Herb Kohl Teacher Foundation Achievement Award as well as the Wisconsin Association of Foreign Language Teachers Certification of Recognition Award.
Hoch has arranged and chaperoned cultural experiences for her Spanish students to Spain and Mexico and coached her students in regional and state Spanish pronunciation contests. Recently, thanks to her efforts, Onalaska High School was chosen as one of 25 select schools to participate in the Kellogg Foundation Youth for Understanding Mexico-U.S. Project.
She is also a member of the La Crosse area Hispano-Americano Club, the Skogen's IGA consumer advisory panel, the Diversity of Education Committee for the College of Education at UW-La Crosse, and a former member of the Viterbo College Alumni Board.
Service to the College Award — Louisella Froehle, FSPA ’47
Sister Louisella Froehle, one of 15 children, grew up in Iowa and Minnesota. She entered St. Rose Convent in 1924, making her first profession July 17, 1928. She spent the next 29 years teaching in elementary Catholic schools in Wisconsin and Iowa. She graduated from Viterbo College in 1947 with an education major and history minor.
In addition to her teaching assignments, Sr. Froehle has held numerous other positions. She served as administrator of St. Joseph's Nursing Home in La Crosse for three years. Many students remember her as the head of groundskeeping at Viterbo College, a position she held for nearly three decades. In 1960, she was assigned as executive housekeeper responsible for maintenance, grounds, and housekeeping for Viterbo College. She is remembered for beautifying the Viterbo campus with rows of tulips, roses, and perennials. For three years she trained Boua Xiong to take over for her when she retired in 1987.
Sister Froehle now enjoys sewing, crocheting, and playing cards. Above all, she takes her turn with the continuous prayer of Perpetual Adoration each day, making sure that "Viterbo gets a daily mention.”
1991 Award Winners
Young Alumna Award — Dr. Lucy (Runde) Canaday ’84
Lucy (Runde) Canaday, a Platteville native, received a bachelor’s degree in biology with a chemistry minor in 1984 from Viterbo College, graduating magna cum laude. While on campus she was active as a resident assistant, on the Student Representative Assembly and College Senate .
She received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in 1989. That same year she also received the Houghton Award from the State Medical Society of Wisconsin. This award is given annually to senior medical students who demonstrate academic excellence, extracurricular achievement, and interest in medical organization.
In addition, she was a member and president of the American Medical Student Association, a member of the Student Representative Assembly, peer counselor, and on the executive committee of the faculty while a student at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
She is currently serving a residency in family medicine at the University of Michigan. She also serves on the Residency Recruitment Committee.
Educational Achievement Award — Jane Kirschling ’80
Jane Kirschling graduated from Viterbo College with a bacehlor’s degree in nursing in 1980. She received her master’s degree from the Indiana University School of Nursing in 1982 and her doctorate in 1984.
Kirschling has been published in several health care publications, has given numerous presentations, and is an accomplished researcher and consultant. Her specialty is hospice care and family services, which she demonstrates not only professionally, but as a member of her community.
She has been a volunteer for hospice programs and is very active on the Board of Directors of Catholic Family Service in Portland, Oregon. She serves as a reviewer for several professional publications and is the co-editor of The Hospice Journal.
She holds membership in the American Nurses Association, The Gerontological Society of America, National Hospice Organization, Phi Lambda Theta (education honor society), Sigma Theta Tau Beta Psi (a nursing honor society, for which she has served as president and newsletter editor), Western Society for Research in Nursing, and the Scientific Research Society.
Currently, Kirschling is a tenured associate professor in the Department of Family Nursing at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland. She is an instructor for undergraduate and graduate nursing students in the area of aging and family nursing.
Community Service Award — Sandra (Reget) Holter ’70
Sandra (Reget) Holter graduated from the St. Francis School of Nursing in 1957 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology from Viterbo in 1970. She went on to receive her master’s degree in health education from UW-La Crosse in 1977.
Holter has worked as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital, the La Crosse City Health Department, and at Western Wisconsin Technical College as an instructor. In 1983, Sandra founded the La Crosse Visiting Nurses Association and serves as its president. The LVNA has grown to 350 employees serving seven area counties.
Professional involvement includes membership on the board of directors and officer of the Wisconsin Homecare Organization, president of the Wisconsin Community Health Nurses Organization, the Visiting Nurses Association Coalition of Wisconsin, leadership roles in the La Crosse District Nurses, and member of the La Crosse Chamber of Commerce.
Holter has served her community beyond her role with the La Crosse Visiting Nurses. She has been a bloodmobile volunteer, Girl Scout Leader, American Heart Association board member, Diabetic Association board member, the Easter Seal Campaign, La Crosse High Blood Pressure Task Force, AIDS Task Force, Thanksgiving Day Dinner volunteer, the Optimist Club, Holy Trinity Parish council member, choir, and PTO.
She serves on the Viterbo Dietetic Advisory Committee, Western Wisconsin Technical College Advisory committees, Able Arms Advisory Committee and the Coulee Council on Alcoholism Advisory Committee .
Holter is a wife and the mother of seven children.
Professional Development Award — Harold Holler ’77
Harold Holler graduated from Viterbo College in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics with co-specialties in community and medical nutrition. He then moved to Iowa, where he served as director of food service in a Lake City hospital and worked as a cardiology and critical care dietitian in Sioux City.
From there he went to Omaha, Neb., where he served as a hospital diabetic dietitian and nutrition coordinator, teaching classes, counseling inpatients, and developing the diabetic curriculum that is still being used today.
In 1986, Holler came back home to La Crosse and Skemp Clinic, where he is the nutrition education coordinator. Recently, Holler became a certified diabetes educator. He has been interviewed extensively by newspapers, television, and radio and has given dozens of presentations to both his peers and to his community. Holler has co-authored a book, been the editor of newsletters, and has had several articles published.
Honors for Holler include the President's Award from the Nebraska American Diabetes Association, the Outstanding Member award from the La Crosse Area Dietetic Association, Outstanding Young Man of America in 1987, Program Volunteer of the Year from the Wisconsin American Diabetes Association, and the Diabetes Care and Education Practice Group's Distinguished Service Award.
This past year he was elected to the American Dietetic Association's Commission on Dietetic Registration. He has held numerous leadership roles with several professional organizations.
Service to the College — Jeanice Lohman, FSPA ’42
Sister Jeanice Lohman entered St. Rose Convent in 1932 and made her perpetual profession in 1941. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Viterbo College in 1942, with a history major and a math minor. In 1944 she received a master’s degree in physics from Fordham University in New York. She has underta ken postgraduate studies at Loras College, UW-Stout, Holy Family College, Marquette University, St. Louis University, and Catholic University.
Sister Lohman taught at various elementary and secondary schools in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Montana. She became the La Crosse Diocesan supervisor and community supervisor for elementary and secondary schools, serving from 1950-1964. From 1964–70, she was the first member and vice president of the General Council of the FSPA Congregation. It was during this time that she was also a member of the St. Francis Hospital Board of Directors and the Viterbo College Board of Directors.
From 1970–80, Sister Lohman served as coordinator (administrator) of St. Rose Convent. She was also a member of the General Administration Board for the Congregation. In 1981 she took the position as executive housekeeper at Viterbo College, retiring in the fall of 1990. Today, she is coordinator of the Heritage Room at St. Rose Convent, a museum of memorabilia of the Franciscan Sisters, and serves as a member of the Villa St. Joseph Board of Directors.
1990 Award Winners
Young Alumna Award — Linda Balgord
Linda Balgord received her bachelor’s degree in theatre arts degree from Viterbo College in 1982. Since leaving La Crosse, her vitae attests to a highly successful career, combining singing and acting talents on various stages throughout the country. She has also earned a master’s degree in acting from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Her acting career has included performances at the Fireside Playhouse, the Goodman Theatre, Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre, the Gaslight Cabaret, and the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, to name a few.
At Viterbo , Balgord performed in major roles in The Music Man, Annie Get Your Gun, Kismet, and The Student Prince.
She has been acclaimed by critics for her most recent performances in the Chicago area and has proven to be a serious and competent theatre professional.
Educational Achievement Award — Paul Krystofiak
Paul Krystofiak graduated from Viterbo College with a bachelor’s degree in music in 1980. He received master’s degrees in piano performance and piano pedagogy from the University of Houston, and is currently pursuing his doctorate.
Additionally, he studied for three summers as a scholarship student at the Interlochen National Music Camp in Michigan, has attended the Johannesen International School for the Arts in British Columbia, Canada, and the Warsaw Conservatory of Music in Poland.
Krystofiak has given workshops, including most recently for the Abilene Music Teachers Association, and presentations at the 1989 International Music Workshop in Graz, Austria. In 1989, he founded the Houston Summer Piano Day Camp. In 1988, he participated in the Chicago Conference on Piano Pedagogy.
Currently, Krystofiak teaches piano in his private studio and is professor of piano at the University of St. Thomas and on the faculty of the Houston Conservatory of Music. He has been selected as president of the 211-member Houston Music Teachers Association for this coming year and currently holds the office of treasurer. He is also chairman of the Texas Music Teachers Association Teacher of the Year Awards committee and serves on its certification committee.
Professional Achievement Award — Joseph Gauss Paulauskis
Joseph Gauss Paulauskis graduated from Viterbo College in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He then went on to Miami University, where he earned both a master’s degree and PhD in zoology, with a speciality in toxicology.
Since 1985, he has been with the Harvard School of Public Health in the Department of Nutrition and and Department of Environmental Science and Physiology. He has most recently been appointed assistant professor of molecular biology at Harvard.
Paulauskis is a member of the American Thoracic Society, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Sigma Xi (a scientific research society), and Phi Sigma (a biological honorary society). He has had several teaching assignments as lab instructor and lecturer at Miami University, Bentley College, Harvard University, and Simmons College.
An author of numerous reports and abstracts, Paulauskis's current research involves the molecular biology of alveolar macrophages with primary interest in cell differentiation.
Service to the College Award — Audrey Diane Moeller
Audrey Diane Moeller graduated from Viterbo College in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Previously, she had received a diploma in nursing from the St. Francis School of Nursing in La Crosse. In 1966, she received an MBA in health care administration from George Washington University.
She has held several administrative positions including: administrator of Sacred Heart Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho; instructor and coordinator at the University of Utah; executive director of the Utah Group Health Plan; vice president of Intermountain Health Care, and currently as president and CEO of the Catholic Health Corporation.
Moeller is a member of the American Association of Female Executives, the Health Issues Study Society, the American Hospital Association, and the American College of Hospital Administration. She has served as chair of the Patient Services Council for the American Hospital Association, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals , the board of directors for Professional Services, the board of trustees for the Catholic Health Corporation, and board of directors for Intermountain Health Care. She is currently a member of the Viterbo College Board of Trustees.
Service to the Community Award — Annette Duren Scherbert
Annette Duren Scherbert received a bachelor’s degree in education from Viterbo College in 1961. She was elected in 1984 to her first term representing the 11th District on the Milwaukee Common Council and re-elected in 1988. Prior to her election, she served as an aldermanic aide.
Scherbert is chair of the Public Improvements Committee and is a member of the Utilities and Licenses standing committees, the Administrative Review Appeals Board, the MECCA Board and the Harbor Commission.
Before serving on the Common Council, she was a community services specialist for the Department of City Development. Scherbert is a past member of the Art Commission, the Milwaukee City Emergency Administration Advisory Committee, the Library Board, the Symphony Board, the Housing Authority, and the Special Committee on Taxation and Finance.
Scherbert's lifelong community participation includes involvement with the Milwaukee area Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, the Phone-a- Friend program for the elderly, Food for the Needy in the 11th District, and a religious education program for the disabled.
Scherbert has also served as the legislative chair for the 55th Street School PTA Board, a member of the board of directors for the Jackson Park Cowboys-Youth Athletics, a parent volunteer for Thomas More High School, district YWCA nursery school instructor, and a Milwaukee Public School District teacher. She is married and has five children.