Class notes for Doane Magazine 2024

Dr. Barbra R. Cole ’63
Mount Pleasant, S.C., was awarded the Doane Builder Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award is presented to alums who have distinguished themselves and Doane through outstanding achievement, professional accomplishments, community service and their relationship with the university. It is considered the highest award alumni can receive.

Gammas from the 1970s
A group of Gamma Phi Iota sorority sisters got together to share lunch. Front row, L-R: Eunice (Kemper) McArdle ’70 (Crete), Christine (Corallo) Chilcoat ’72 (Stanton), Marsha (Olson) Prior ’71 (Lincoln) and Barbara G. Bunner ’72 (Boise, ID). Back row, L-R: Joann (Snitily) Couton ’74 (Wahoo), Edith C. Skelton ’74 (Lincoln), Patricia (Jestes) Pecoraro ’73 (Omaha), Elaine L. D’Amato ’71 (Omaha), Beth (Jenkins) Dunker ’73 (Beatrice) and Jean (Larson) Hulbert ’72 (Lincoln). 

Dr. Michael F. Rapp ’76
Denton, was awarded the Exceptional Service Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award recognizes an alum who has provided extraordinary service to forward the cause of Doane through their volunteer efforts.

Ginger (Frey) Pittman ’81, ’01E
Pickrell, received the Golden Apple Award for April 2024. This award is given to a deserving teacher in the local area each month of the school year. It is presented by KOLN/KGIN News and sponsored by the Doane University College of Education.

Michael W. Krantz ’83
was posthumously awarded the Doane Builder Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award is presented to alumni who have distinguished themselves and Doane through outstanding achievement, professional accomplishments, community service and their relationship with the university. It is considered the highest award alumni can receive.

Donald D. Partridge ’83
Waverly, was awarded the Honor D Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award is presented to former Doane athletes who have distinguished themselves by outstanding service in their life's work. 

Senator Thomas R. Brewer ’84
Murdock, a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe and a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 43rd district, was honored for his involvement in several Native American initiatives. The Chief Standing Bear Project selected Senator Brewer as the recipient for its annual “Prize for Courage,” presented on Indigenous People’s Day, October 9, 2023.

Wende (Beechler) Burton ’89
Fort Worth, Texas, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for The Family Place, which serves those affected by domestic violence. Wende serves as a nonprofit consultant for Social Impact Architects after working for more than 14 years at Communities Foundations of Texas.

André L. Davis ’89
Lenexa, Kan., has been hired as vice president in the Employee Benefits Group with Alliant Insurance. In addition, André served as the featured speaker at the Scholarship Endowment Dinner held at Doane on April 17, 2023.

Dr. Chad L. Denker ’93, ’97E, ’01E, ’14E, ’19DE
Bellwood, was awarded the Educator of the Year Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. This award is presented to an alum who has made outstanding contributions to the field of education and is selected with assistance from the education department.

Jon K. Drogheo ’94
Arvada, Colo., was awarded the Colorado EDGE Soccer Club’s Competitive Girls Coach of the Year in 2023. In addition, Jon received a nomination for Colorado State Soccer Associate Coach of the Year. Jon is assisted by his daughter, Elana, a former Doane soccer player.

Dan M. McPherson ’94
Aurora, Colo., was named an Educator of the Year for Cherry Creek School District for the spring of 2024. He has taught at-risk students at an alternative high school for over 20 years.

Summer (Wait) Stephens ’99, ’02E
Grand Island, has accepted the associate superintendent position with Grand Island Public Schools after serving as the Churchill County School District Superintendent in Wyoming. 

Chad A. Gillespie ’00
Kearney, is one of six candidates who will run in the general election for the Kearney Public School Board of Education in November. There are three open seats on the board.

Lindy N. Quick ’00
Lancaster, Ohio, authored the book “SAFe(R) Coaches Handbook: Proven tips and techniques for launching and running SaFe(R) Teams, ARTs, and Portfolios in an Agile Enterprise.”

Jean M. Synowicki ’00E 
Riverton, Utah, is the new principal of St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Ogden, Utah.

Cheryl R. Richter ’01E, ’09E
Lincoln, retired from Fredstrom Elementary after the spring 2024 semester after serving as principal. 

Susan E. Cassata ’01E
Lincoln, was chosen as principal of Lincoln’s new high school, Standing Bear High, after 15 years as the principal at Lincoln East.

Jeff J. Brehm ’02E
Walton, retired from Calvert Elementary after the spring 2024 semester. He served as principal.

Eric L. Stearns ’03
Lincoln, had his Raku pottery featured in the main exhibit of the Prairie Art Center in North Platte during the 2023 holiday season. 

Scott M. Morris ’05
Omaha, was awarded the Platt Music Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The recipient of this award is chosen with assistance from the Doane music department and is presented to an alum for outstanding achievement in music.  

Jessica L. Alexander ’06
Chatsworth, Calif., was awarded the Paul Kersenbrock Humanitarian Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award is presented to Doane alumni who, in the Alumni Council's judgment, distinguish themselves by extraordinary, unselfish dedication and service to others in their work and lifestyle.

Dr. Stacey (Bachle) Brandt ’06 
Clatonia, expanded her physical therapy practice to include a new location in Beatrice: Beatrice Physical Therapy.

Megan (Zabrocki) Forbes ’06
Seward, began serving as Doane's donor relations and stewardship manager in August 2023.

Amanda (Bennett) Lothrop ’06
Slingerlands, N.Y., serves as the Medicaid chief operating officer for the New York State Department of Health. 

Andrew R. Brabec ’07
Omaha, is now vice president of marketing and e-commerce at Borsheims.

Allen D. ’07 and Bethany (Wolfe) Gilbert ’10
Omaha, welcomed their daughter, Olive Katheryn, on September 24, 2023. 

Michelle L. Dutcher ’08E
Kearney, was appointed the principal at Kenwood Elementary for Kearney Public Schools. 

Pepper L. Papineau ’08L
York, was named vice president/compliance officer & assistant CRA officer for Cornerstone Bank in York.

Rudi (Molet) Wolfe ’08, ’10E, ’13E
Lincoln, left her role as assistant principal at Elliott Elementary School to assume the role of principal of Zeman Elementary for Lincoln Public Schools.

Clay H. Blackman ’09E
Stromsburg, was announced as the north central division president-elect for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). 

Linda P. Dugan ’09E
Tucson, Ariz., was one of 10 Tucsonans selected to serve on the Arizona Daily Star’s volunteer editorial advisory board.

Bailey (Heafer) Feit ’09, ’11E
Lincoln, was nominated by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird to fill a Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission vacancy. 

Justin R. Cox  ’10
Omaha, and Elise Sambol were married on May 23, 2024, in Omaha.

Luke P. Henderson ’10
Norfolk, was named a finalist for county court judgeship in the Sixth Judicial District. Luke is an attorney at Fitzgerald, Vetter, Temple, Bartell & Henderson in Norfolk.

Michael ’11, ’14A and Sarah (Adams) Vargas ’10
Dublin, Ohio, welcomed their daughter, Rachel, on November 16, 2023. Rachel joins siblings Paisley (4) and Levi (2).

Derrick C. Wells ’10
Alliance, has been named head coach of the Bulldog wrestling program at Bridgeport Public Schools.

Danielle (Brown) Cox ’11GI
Grand Island, was promoted to vice-president/depositor services at Cornerstone Bank in York.

Kate A. Engel ’11A
Lincoln, was named the next executive director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus Development Corporation.

Jennifer L. Worthington ’11A, ’18E
Grand Island, retired after 20 years of working for Grand Island Public Schools. 

Caleb T. Hock ’12
Scottsdale, Ariz., is the owner of Glory Gains Gym, a top-of-the-line private personal training facility. 

Natalie (Kramer) Oborny ’12 
Hays, Kan., and her spouse John welcomed their third son, Levi Thomas, on August 29, 2023. Levi joins brothers Ian and Issac.

Anthony W. ’12 and Kelsey (Wildeman) Odem ’13
Lincoln, welcomed their son, August Henry, on December 20, 2023. August joins his older siblings, Margo and Archer.

Victoria “Tori” (Renken) Colwin ’12, ’17E
Omaha, and her spouse Matt welcomed their daughter, Sophie, on August 2, 2023. Sophie joins her older sister, Evie.

Travis J. ’13, ’18E and Stacy (Hahn) Brewer ’14 
Omaha, welcomed their daughter, Lucy Jo, on April 10, 2024.

Brijesh “BJ” S. Lawrence ’13 
Omaha, was inducted into the Omaha Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame.

Nicole (Tegtmeier) Lawson ’13
Omaha, was awarded the Young Alumni Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award honors Doane graduates 35 years of age or younger for demonstration of and lasting commitment to the highest ideals and models of excellence exemplified by Doane.

Tonya D. O’Neel ’13L
Lincoln, was awarded the Exceptional Service Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award recognizes alumni who have provided extraordinary service to forward the cause of Doane through their volunteer efforts. 

Valerie J. Vandenberg ’13E
David City, received the Golden Apple Award for February 2024. This award is given to a deserving teacher in the local area each month of the school year. It is presented by KOLN/KGIN News and sponsored by the Doane University College of Education.

Preston R. ’14 and Lacey (Wright) Hild ’15, ’21E
Lawrence, welcomed their daughter, Elise Marie, on April 22, 2024. 

Reed W. Hitz ’14 
York, and his spouse Rachel welcomed their son, Rigley William, on October 27, 2023.

Augustine “Augie” M. Sanchez ’14, ’19A
Kearney, is the director of community standards and student conduct at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Jed E. ’15 and Allison (Bennett) Derr ’15, ’18E
Omaha, welcomed their daughter, Mia Kate, on April 10, 2024.

Alika E.K.K. ’15 and Julie (Jirovec) McNicoll ’16
Ewa Beach, Hawaii, welcomed their son, Cru Charles K.K., on December 8, 2023.

Stephanie J. McNichols ’15C
Lincoln, has accepted a job offer at Stepping Stones as a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Emily C. Wiebeck ’15E, ’19E
Lincoln, was named the new principal at Hill Elementary with Lincoln Public Schools for the 2024-25 academic year.

Bianca D. Ayala ’16E, ’24E
Grand Island, was named the new principal at Gates Elementary within the Grand Island Public School district. 

Megan M. Goplin ’16GI
Grand Island, was introduced as a new member of the CHI Health St. Francis Foundation's Board of Directors.

Blake A. ’16, 19E and Michelle (Hachtel) Bunner ’16  
Harvard, welcomed their daughter, Norah Raelee, on October 12, 2023. 

Dana (Murray) Jackson ’16L
Great Bend, Kan., is a certified physician assistant and recently accepted a position with the orthopedics, physical therapy, and sports medicine care team at The University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend.

Lindsey T. Jurgens ’16GI
Grand Island, has been named executive director of the Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity.  Lindsey previously served for three years as program coordinator for Leadership Unlimited.

Brianna (Oropeza) Eaves ’16
Ashland, and her spouse James welcomed their daughter, Aurora Sue, on January 6, 2024.

Scott A. Phillips ’16E
Aurora, a seventh-grade math teacher at Aurora Middle School, was named the 2024 Nebraska State Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes the contributions of exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled classroom teachers who can inspire students of all backgrounds and skills to learn.

Alicia (Dallman) Shoemaker ’16E, ’21E
Omaha, received the American Council on The Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Teacher of the Year award. This award elevates the status of the language teaching profession at the state, regional, and national levels by creating opportunities for recognizing the most accomplished members of the profession. The Teacher of the Year becomes a national spokesperson for the language profession to further demonstrate the critical importance of learning languages and cultures to the general public.

Arik A. Todd ’16
Greenwood, owns and operates Windy Hill Farm and Beef. Arik and his spouse Nicholle (Vernon) Todd ’15 are the proud parents of son August Frank. Nicholle is a special education coordinator/administrator for Lincoln Public Schools.

Kacie (Roberts) Wise ’16L
Lincoln, has been promoted to database specialist at Nebraska Community Foundation.

Tyler N. Chapa ’17
Forest City, Iowa, will be the next head coach of the Waldorf Warriors Football team. 

Jordan (Buttermore) Coburn ’17
Sanford, N.C., and her spouse Jordan welcomed their daughter, Cassidy Rose, on August 5, 2023. 

Samantha A. Valadez-Haralabidis '17
Lincoln, married Yiannis Haralabidis '20 on February 26, 2022. In late 2023, Samantha was announced as the associate head coach of Doane Tiger Softball.

Colten D. ’17 and Alix (Bryant) Mach ’17, ’20E
Crete, welcomed their son, Beckett Dean, on April 10, 2024. He joins his siblings Rhyker Jo and Cason James.

Abigail (Bills) Martin ’18GI
Grand Island, has been named communications and marketing director of the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce.

Amy L. Clark ’18E, ’21DE
Lincoln, has been hired as the director of continuous improvement at Lincoln Public Schools.

Leslie A. McIntosh ’18E, ’22E
Syracuse, was awarded the prestigious national Milken Education Award in November 2023. This is considered the “Oscar of Teaching” award. The intent of the award is to celebrate the K-12 profession and inspire young people to pursue teaching as a career. 

Chase A. ’18 and Julia (Reed) Stone ’18, ’20E
Lincoln, welcomed their son, Thomas Alan, on April 9, 2024.

Lucas C. Antholz ’19
Urbandale, Iowa, and Audrey Wilhelm were married on October 14, 2023. 

Haileigh R. Arthur-Tardiff ’19
Marysville, Calif., and Jordan Georgeson were married on November 4, 2023.

Amy (Horner) Carnie ’19E
Roca, principal at Hill Elementary School, is looking forward to returning to a critical position as a school psychologist within Lincoln Public Schools to further support students.

Holly A. David ’19E
Lincoln, has been promoted within Lincoln Public Schools to principal at Maxey Elementary after serving as assistant principal at McPhee Elementary.

Matthew C. ’19 and Lauren (Schmidt) Gilg ’19 
Lincoln, welcomed their son, Silas Henry, on April 18, 2024.

Brysen C. ’18 and Maddie (Kucera) Mach ’19
Crete, welcomed their son, Rennon Charles, on November 2, 2023. He joins his older brother, Myles.

Tazia J. Simpson ’19 
Gering, and her partner Dominic Romo welcomed their daughter, Leilani Jo Lucina Marie, on February 10, 2024.  

Tanner B. Harsin ’20 and Alexandra “Allie” L. Binder  ’22
Colorado Springs, Colo., were married on August 19, 2023.

Jennifer Kuncl Parker ’20, ’23E
Crete, and her spouse Shane welcomed their son, Asher, on July 29, 2023.

Roger D. Sack ’20
Lincoln, accepted a position at Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, LLP Law Firm.

Katie (Bohrer) Shipp ’20O 
Omaha, was awarded the 2023 National Alliance Outstanding Customer Service Representative of the Year award. The award is the most prestigious honor available to insurance customer service representatives. Katie is the commercial account manager for Dodge Partners Insurance in Omaha.

Wyatt M. ’21 and Ashley (Jacobson) Bodfield ’21
Crete, were married on April 13, 2024.

Michael J. Gillotti ’21DE
Lincoln, was announced as the next associate superintendent for educational services with Lincoln Public Schools after serving as principal at Scott Middle School.

Erin N. Skinner ’21B
Madison, S.D., accepted a position at Dakota State as the new head coach of the women's softball team. 

Michael A. Schommer ’22W
Omaha, is a commercial lender at Union Bank and Trust in Omaha.

Allison K. Skala ’22
Crete, and Shane Renner welcomed their son, Hendrix Scott, on October 11, 2023.

Madi J. Warrelman ’22, ’24E and Johann D. Ott ’23
Eagle, were married on June 24, 2023.

Jason D. Jensen ’23
Imperial, is currently teaching K, 5-6 grades physical education and is the assistant junior high football coach at Chase County Schools.

Elizabeth J. Lewandowski ’23 and John P. “Jack” Krejci ’23
Lincoln, were married on September 23, 2023.

Monique R. Ruiz ’23E
Lincoln, after serving as the assistant principal at Clinton Elementary School, Ruiz will serve as principal at Norwood Park Elementary with Lincoln Public Schools.

Frances “Fran” (Ruzicka) Gilliland ’43
Haxtum, Colo., July 6, 2023

Paula (Minnick) Knapple ’47
Lexington, February 22, 2024 

Rosetta (Grefe) Nystrom ’48
Portland, Ore., September 25, 2023

Lois (Duffy) Quimby ’48
Nebraska City, May 16, 2024

Norma (Finnell) Ernst ’49
Brooklyn Park, Minn. January 26, 2024

Fran (Jones) Bell ’52
Bloomington, Ind., January 14, 2024

Lucy (Moyer) Smith ’54
Lynchburg, Va., April 22, 2024

Helen "Nadine" Petersen ’55
Northbrook, Ill., November 29, 2023

Richard C. "Rick" Vasak ’57  
Santa Monica, Calif., January 31, 2024

Harold L. “Swede” Graff ’58
Aurora, Colo., June 27, 2023

Donald L. Jelinek ’60
Omaha, January 28, 2024

Darrel F. Husa ’62
Kohler, Wis., March 11, 2024

John D. Morgan ’62
Lincoln, October 16, 2023

Thomas B. Songster ’62
Arlington, Va., December 22, 2023

Vincent L. Horky ’63
Lincoln, July 19, 2023

Rennie W. Brantz ’64
Boone, N.C., October 9, 2023

Dr. Barry L. Johnson ’65
Rushton, La., August 9, 2023

Trudy (Sonday) Beachler ’66
Plymouth, Minn., July 26, 2023

Virginia (Long) Kunc ’68
Lincoln, May 30, 2024

John R. Lothrop ’68
Slingerlands, N.Y., May 4, 2024

Susan (Pierson) Hoppel ’69
Lincoln, July 27, 2023

John F. Aman ’70
Lincoln, August 9, 2023

JoAnn (Weber) Betts ’70
Omaha, December 6, 2023

Peter W. Coburn ’71
Missouri City, Texas, July 27, 2023

Paul E. Pearson ’71
Lincoln, June 17, 2024

Linda (Simpson) Morton ’72  
Bennington, August 20, 2023

Stev en C. Haller ’72
Sioux City, Iowa, November 4, 2023

Debra (Farster) Uarich ’78 
Omaha, September 7, 2023

Donald E. Johnson ’80
Euless, Texas, December 30, 2023

Duane L. Broeker ’81
Seward, August 11, 2023

Terry W. Schuman ’82
Denver, Colo., August 30, 2023

Mary M. Corder ’86L
Lincoln, July 4, 2023

Mark R. Woolard ’88
Table Rock, December 23, 2023

Bradley J.  Feeken ’98, ’05E
Gretna, December 30, 2023

Erin M. Schmit ’00L
Lincoln, October 11, 2023

Joshua K. Wright ’00
Ashland, April 13, 2024

Ann Marie Lawton ’01L
Pleasant Dale, December 20, 2023

Matthew J. Hofts ’03
Lincoln, December 12, 2023

John E. Stout ’13L, ’17A
Louisville, November 21, 2023

Stephen C. Loftis ’15A
Lincoln, November 3, 2023

Kalista L. Trotter ’19L
Walton, February 21, 2024