Alumni Board Spotlight- George Whinna '63
Majors/Minors: History

Family Information: I share a condo with my sister.

Work Information: I retired from teaching in 1999.

What do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy reading, photography, using the computer, travel, and going to good restaurants.

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools?
It has a friendly atmosphere, a beautiful modern campus, and a superb reputation for excellence.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg?
I really like the progress Wartburg has made over the years since I graduated. I think it is a superb model for a small liberal arts college.

What does "Being Orange" mean to you?

"Being Orange" presents a positive image to others. It exudes a sense of belonging and commitment not only to self but to the community and wider world. It has taken a color and given it a noble stature.

Alumni Board Spotlight - Lloyd "Whitie" Ziebarth, '52

Majors/Minors: English/Music

Family Information: My wife Charlotte and I married in 1956. We have four children: Rex is a lawyer, Rhonda does Music Therapy, Brenda does Speech Therapy, and Barry is a Computer Systems Engineer.

Work Information: I was a pastor in the ELCA from 1956 until 2002. I have also been a part-time Instructor in Philosophy at various colleges and universities.

What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy building Habitat for Humanity homes, traveling, playing tenning, cross-country skiing, substitute preaching, and singing.

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools? When I went to Wartburg (1948-1952), it was a pretty homogeneous school: the enrollment consisted primarily of students from American Lutheran congregations (German background). And Wartburg was known as a 'preacher factory' - there were approximately 200 pre-theological students (just men back then) in my graduating class. There were also a good number of gals preparing for Parish Work. Today Wartburg is a hetergenous and ecumenical school, with very few pre-theological students and students from many religious backgrounds and countries. Yet Wartburg is truly a school where faith and learning leads to lives of leadership and service, the same forces that were operative in the school when I attended. This is a truly a gratifying aspect of Wartburg for an old alum.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg? I really appreciate the friendly, service oriented emphasis of learning and teaching. The Wartburg spirit is alive and catching.

What does "Be Orange" mean to you? "Be Orange" means being rooted and grounded in a wonderful past, present, and future. It is very meaningful to still be connected with a College where I still have relationships with classmates I went to school with, through the Internet, Wartburg Choir Alumni events and Homecoming; and new relationships with Wartburg Alumni of every generation through the Alumni Board, and with present students throught the Student Buddy program. "Wartburg College, hail to Thee!"

Alumni Board Spotlight - Sarah Speltz '01

Major/Minors: Secondary Education- English

Family Information: My younger sister Emily also went to Wartburg!

Work Information: Administrative/Program Coordinator, Marshal's Office at Harvard University; Fitness Instructor, Healthworks Fitness for Women

What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy seeing plays, concerts, and movies -- and discussing them with others. I love living in Boston and enjoying all that the city has to offer, but I also love to travel to visit family and friends. I enjoy being active, exercising, and being outside.

What do you think makes Wartburg stand ou from other schools? I think Wartburg stands out as a place where people really matter: where the students matter to the faculty and staff, where serving others matters, and where it matters that people learn and live together on campus.

What is currently you favorite thing about Wartburg? My favorite thing is walking across the beautiful campus and always bumping into at least three people who will smile and say hello, and who clearly also love being at Wartburg as much as I do; as much as I did when I was a student.

What does "Be Orange" mean to you? To me, "Be Orange" means presenting myself as an educated, thoughtful person with a positive outlook on what can be done to make things better, wherever I am.

Alumni Board Spotlight - BJ Meaney, '03

Majors/Minors: World History Education

Family Information: My wife Michelle is a bank manager at Wells Fargo and we have three children: Gabe is 4, Brendan is 2, and Lauren is 1.

Work Information: I am currently in my third year as assisstant principal at Waterloo East High School.

What do you enjoy doing? I try to be outdoors as much as I can when the weather cooperates. I spend time golfing and a lot of time in our backyard teaching the boys how to throw and catch!

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools? I transferred in to Wartburg from a much larger school. At Wartburg I was able to make instant connections with almost all of my professors because of the size of classes and the community. The staff had more of an interest in individual student success, which is something I really needed at that time in my life.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg? I am still close to the education professors that I had. I enjoy getting back to Wartburg to watch the baseball team, help with scholarship days, guest instruct, serve on the Alumni Board, and do mock interviews with the education majors.

What does "Being Orange" mean to you? It means that Wartburg will always be a special place to me. It is special because of the good time I had competing in baseball, the close friends I still have from my time there, and the quality personalized education I received. It also means that as I meet with high school juniors and seniors that are thinking about college, Wartburg is the first recommendation I make!

Alumni Board Spotlight - LeRoy Gardner, '03

Majors/Minors: Psychology

Family Information:
Suzanna, wife of nine years and our six-year-old son Amari
Work Information: ConocoPhillips out of Houston, Texas
What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy traveling, working out, reading, spending time with my family, and riding my motorcycle.
What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools? The community is great, everyone is friendly and welcoming. You really get to know the other students, faculty, and staff.
What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg? I think they have done a great job of continuous improvement to the campus in challenging economic times, while still retaining the environment mentioned above. We still have great music, athletics, academics, and a positive reputation regionally.
What does "Being Orange" mean to you? Never losing the sense of being a part of the unique community and trying to bring a bit of Wartburg with me wherever I am today. Go Knights!

Alumni Board Spotlight - Bolden Harris '01

Major/Minors: Biology

Family Information: Girlfriend Emily and her son, Dominique

Work Information: Chiropractor at Four Points Family Chiropractic

About me: I can't believe 10 years have gone by so quickly, and I really do miss Wartburg. Considering I hail from Texas, I never thought I would say I miss Iowa, but Wartburg has a special place in my heart. I have been honored to serve on the Wartburg Alumni Board and on the extension faculty for Palmer College of Chiropractic, and I have stayed active in my community. After graduating from Wartburg, I attended Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, where I graduated as valedictorian of my class, served as Student Council president, was a graduate teaching assistant and also worked as an intern for two years through the prestigious Troxell Intern Program. Upon graduating, I opened my own practice in Arlington, Texas, then sold it three years later to help take care of my ailing father. I have since relocated to beautiful Austin, Texas, and have never been happier. I have been fortunate to work with the University of Texas at Arlington, discussing the benefits of chiropractic for ADD/ADHD children with the College of Social Work and serving as team chiropractor for the club football team. I also served as the team doctor for the 2006 NWCA Wrestling Tournament, which featured Wartburg's own Blake Gillis. I enjoy public speaking and have had the opportunity to speak regularly at Camp LT alongside future hall of fame NFL running back, Ladainian Tomlinson. I have also been fairly involved in politics over the last few years. I was elected to serve as a national delegate for Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, where I met First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebilius and Iowa's District 1 House Representative Bruce Braley. Since then, I have served as a Texas state delegate and have been working on resolutions to better incorporate chiropractic with the new health care law. I love to travel and recently returned from a chiropractic mission trip to India. I have also traveled to Brazil and Nicaragua in past years to serve the less fortunate. I plan to open my own practice again and to run for political office to continue working on healthcare legislation.

Favorite Wartburg Memory:
One of my fondest memories is visiting Germany with the Wartburg football team, seeing the Wartburg Castle and playing in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

What do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy reading, writing, traveling, rock climbing, watching football, politics and most of all, helping others.

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools?
The campus has always been beautiful, the education has consistently been topnotch, but I think what sets Wartburg apart is that it feels like a family. I live close to the University of Texas, which has tens of thousands of students who get lost in the shuffle. Wartburg is different, because I'm always amazed that I can come back five or 10 years later and the faculty still remember me. It makes me feel like I was important and not just a number. The funny name and bright orange colors also create a lifelong bond with other Wartburgers.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg?
My favorite thing about Wartburg is that the college is always focused on the future and provides an environment that is welcoming to a diverse array of students. Being a minority and not a native Iowan, I found Wartburg still made me feel right at home.

What does "Being Orange" mean to you?
Being Orange to me means standing out in the crowd by being the best you can be, being a leader, an innovator and being a part of something bigger than yourself, the Wartburg family.

Alumni Board Spotlight: Johnna Haag Klein '97

Majors: Social Work and Religion

Family Information: My husband, Terry, is a class of '97 Wartburg graduate as well. We married at the Wartburg Chapel, summer of '97. We have a son, Bridger, who is seven, our daughter, Carson, is five and we have our grand finale child due in the coming weeks!

Work Information: Upon graduation we moved to Apple Valley, MN, where I had an AWESOME opportunity to work with the Children and Youth at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Apple Valley. While working at the church I took classes at the College of St. Catherine and the University of St. Thomas to gain a Master's degree in Social Work. As part of my degree I needed to do an internship for three days a week, sadly I had to quit my job at the church to complete my degree. Soon after my internship ended I graduated and Terry and I had our son, Bridger, and I began my latest career of full time mom!

What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy spending time with my husband, children, parents and friends. When I have time I enjoy reading, going on walks and bike rides, drinking Chai tea, journaling and taking pictures.

What do I think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools?

The young men and women who graduate from Wartburg enter the post-collegiate world with the leadership skills beyond the text books, with the desire to be of service to others, beyond their own benefit and a greater knowledge and appreciation of the Christian faith and what role their relationship with Jesus will play in their lives as they journey on after life at Wartburg.

The genuine sense of belonging, welcoming, personal connections, warmth and feeling of "home" there is on campus between students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. The people and place of Wartburg College are inviting. There is beauty on campus that radiates from the inside out, from the campus population, the landscape, the buildings and permeates those who walk the halls and sidewalks. I don't know how someone could walk onto Wartburg's campus and not be drawn in by the spirit of the college?!

What are my favorite things about Wartburg?

-The feeling on campus I just mentioned.

-Meeting current students and chatting with them, they are amazing!

-Being more deeply involved by serving on the Alumni Board.

-The fact that my husband, kids, and I feel so at home here when we visit. My kids love being at Wartburg, running around campus, swimming at The W, having a cool cookie at the Den while looking forward to O.P. Pizza! What a gift to watch them fall in love with Wartburg College, a place that means so much to my husband and I!

What does Being Orange mean to you?

Being Orange means passing on your love for our Alma Mater to those around you as well as supporting the college in whatever ways you can.

-Wear Wartburg gear and share your stories of time at Wartburg.

-Offer to bring local high school students to campus for a visit!

-Put a Wartburg decal on your car, a pendant in your office, be loud and proud about where you went to school!

-Attend Homecoming, sports or music events.

-Give financially, as you are able.

** Don't only have Wartburg as a part of your past, make it a part of your present and future. That is what being Orange means to me and some of the ways I think each of us can Be Orange for Life!