Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Alumni Board Spotlight - Shon Cook


Graduation Year: 1991 (best year ever)

Major/Minors: Psychology/Political Science

Family Information: I am married to Eric Stevens. Eric is also an attorney. He graduated from the University of Iowa, but wishes he was a Wartburg alum. Who wants to be black and gold, when you can be Orange? We have three children. Sophia is 13 and involved in any sport that she can find. She has decided to take up pitching softball, with an agenda to break every record I ever set. Ellie is 11 in July and is a very good soccer player. She frequently gets calls from other teams, trying to steal her. Sam is 8 and very much into soccer, baseball and all things boy. He also has new golf clubs to play with Dad.

Work Information: I am an Attorney/Partner at the law firm of Williams, Hughes & Cook, PLLC in Muskegon, Michigan. I practice family law. My favorite work is adoptions, where everyone seems happy on the day of Court.

What do you enjoy doing? Running, gardening, reading, and coaching my kid’s sports. I also enjoy following Wartburg in every realm – from international awards, sporting events to musical concerts.

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools? The Orange Spirit – Everyone genuinely cares about the entire success of the student. The Orange Spirit is not just about what students do at Wartburg, but what he/she will do with their entire lives. Life is not just about the next job, but about our gifts to our communities, our families, our faith and our work.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg? The excitement I feel whenever I am on campus. I just love the warmth and genuine compassions that exists in every department and at every level.

What does "Being Orange" mean to you? Courage, Commitment and Caring about others. It also means being fashionably dressed at all times in my favorite color.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Waverly Outfly 2011

The 2011 Outfly Season ended on a high note! There were over 300 people in attendance at the Outfly on Wartburg College's campus.

After going to potlucks for two summers, I could probably pass as a bratwurst connoisseur. I have had both boiled and grilled, but cannot get myself to try sauerkraut. I will definitely always think of Wartburg whenever bratwursts are mentioned. I have loved my summer job these past two years. It has been a great experience to get to travel to different cities, meet and eat with alumni, and get the experience of managing all the details that go into planning an event. I have been so lucky to have held this position and I have been honored to get to hear as many stories from alums as I have. There are so many great stories and great alumni! When I graduate next May, I will be joining a cohort of people who are purposeful and accomplished folk! I will be glad to fill the role of a Wartburg alum--continuing to tell my Wartburg stories and encouraging others to try on the color and the montra of being orange.

Lauren Hills '12
Student Intern, Wartburg Alumni Office

Friday, August 12, 2011

Twin Cities and Mason City/Clear Lake Outfly




Both events on August 9th and 10th had pleasant weather and therefore were well attended! The alums at the Twin Cities got to hear from two students: Crosby King '14 and Juli Herder '12. Crosby told about an interesting class he had taken: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and also his May term tour of Europe with the Wartburg Choir. Juli talked about her 6 month study abroad experience in Argentina, research she is working on, and being a part of the music department at Wartburg as well as her new role as an international student liason. These are two busy students!
Here is what Juli Herder had to say about the event:
"I was impressed by the incoming freshmen who came to the Twin Cities Outfly! It was great to see their new faces and chat with them about life at Wartburg. I think we'll have a great incoming class! I also enjoyed networking with alumni who came to the event; many asked me about my study abroad experience and my plans for after graduation. Seeing so many friendly faces at the Outfly made me excited to move back to campus and start my senior year!"

The Mason City/Clear Lake Outfly was held at East Park and everyone shared with the group what their favorite part of Wartburg was! It was fun to hear from everybody including Ann, an incoming student, who told us about what she is most excited for!

Two of the attendees in Mason City were Art and Alice Gratias who graduated in 1970. They were non-traditional students because Art is 91 and Alice is 87! Alice always wanted to teach and in the 1960s there was a need for teachers so she decided to go to college. UNI laughed at her for being so old and thinking about going to college, and she left in tears, but on her way home she saw the Waverly exit and the sign that said Wartburg...so she stopped and after talking with a man named Victor, she decided to enroll. Art said he would go with her and take a couple of classes in August if she would go with him to a National Convention he was planning on attending. Three years later...they both received their bachelor's degrees in teaching. Art taught 6th grade and later became a principal and then a Senator 8 years. He got his Master's from UNI also. Alice taught 2nd grade for 16 years. They farmed their whole life--including while attending Wartburg--which involved a 100 mile round trip drive daily. To hear more about their life story and what else they have done check out the Youtube videos!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Black Hawk County and Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Outflys



Black Hawk County's Outfly was at Gateway Park in Cedar Falls and several new alumni were able to attend! The class of 2010 was very well represented. Several alums who now work for Wartburg were in attendance also. Eddie Diemer '14 spoke about his experiences as a freshman, which included being a part of the basketball team and his first May term!
Cedar Rapid/Iowa City's Outfly drew a crowd close to 70 which was exciting! The Parkview Pavilion in Jones Park is at a top of a hill and was a beautiful location! The park was in demand since there were also several frisbee golfers utilizing the course right next to the Outfly gathering. Wartburg alums were caught sporting their Wartburg Orange license plates!
Jon Housholder '12 (above in the maroon) spoke at the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Outfly. He will be the Vice President of Student Senate this coming school year. Below are some words he shared about the evening.
"It was really good to see former Wartburg graduates reunite with one another. I was extremely honored to speak at the event in Cedar Rapids.
At the event I talked about how positive my experience has been and the wonderful academics that Wartburg offers to it's students. I also mentioned how great my professors have been to me while at school.
There are just a lot of great extra curricular activities that students can get involved with. I am a part of the Wartburg Track and Field Program, Student Senate, as well as many other activities, and I love them all!
I hope one day I can go back to a Wartburg Outfly and reunite with old friends after school!" - Jon Housholder

Wednesday, August 3, 2011



Alumni Board Spotlight - Barbara Sims '98

Major/Minors: Biology

Family Information: My husband, Paul Sims, and our golden retriever, Henna Dylan.

Work Information: I am the Technology Licensing Manager at Mayo Clinic.

What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy gardening, biking, golfing, reading, traveling and being with family and friends.

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools? Wartburg's professors. They know students by name, care about their learning, and prepare them for life after Wartburg.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg?
The commitment to service by the students, faculty, and staff. I am amazed by the number of service projects every year, both on campus and across the nation.

What does "Being Orange" mean to you?
To me, "Being Orange" means pride in Wartburg; knowing and celebrating our history, and leading lives of leadership and service.