Alumni Board Spotlight - Ken Vetter

Graduation Year: 1954

Major/Minors: English; Music and German

Work Information: Retired. Was a former parish pastor, a former marriage and family counselor, and a former psychotherapist with a psychiatric hospital.

Family Information: He and his wife, Deborah, have four children, three step-children, five grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren.

What do you enjoy doing? Traveling, I am currently researching and planning a cruise down the Volga River in Russia. I also enjoy researching topics on the internet.What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools?I think its ethics, its ability to get good teachers, and its beautiful campus make it stand out.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg? The Homecoming celebrations are great. I also enjoy being on this Alumni Board.

What does "Being Orange" mean to you? I think it means supporting your college in any way that you are able.

Alumni Board Spotlight - David Fredrick

Graduation Year: 1965

Major/Minors:
Economics; Business Administration

Work Information:Retired from U.S. foreign service and from international admissions work at Wartburg College; currently working and volunteering for international education, travel, and sustainable development.


What do you enjoy doing?Fishing, travel, garden/landscape

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools?Wartburg College has a strong sense of community embracing students, faculty, staff, alumni, and Waverly residents. Wartburg is unique in Iowa, the Midwest, and the entire nation in the large number of American minority and international students, coupled with the student body's substantial participation in overseas education and world-wide service. All these factors work together to create a very positive learning experience.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg?The international students' annual culture week; Karen Black's organ performances; Wartburg-Augsburg wrestling matches; the "W"; and "Keep on Learning."

What does "Being Orange" mean to you?My dad, Walter Fredrick, my five brothers and sisters, my wife, our son, two nieces, one nephew, and the daughter of one cousin all went to Wartburg College. We are working on the next generation. Orange is a family thing!

Alumni Board Spotlight - Lia Kampman

Graduation Year: 2008

Major/Minors: Psychology, Community Sociology/Business, Leadership

Family Information: I have wonderful parents, siblings, in-laws, and nieces and nephews.

Work Information: I am the Director of Stewardship in the Development Office at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.

What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy running, reading and catching up with other Wartburgers.

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools? Although there are many fine higher education institutions in the world, they are all so unique. Which is perfect, because there is not one right answer for everyone as to where to attend college. Wartburg was the right choice for me. It stood out for its caring faculty, staff, and students; for its liberal arts focus; and for all the reasons that make up Being Orange.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg? Currently, my favorite thing about Wartburg is remembering it. Very few days go by without something reminding me of a Wartburg story...that I then tell to whoever will listen!

What does "Being Orange" mean to you? Be Orange is so much more than a slogan. It is a way of life. It is beyond the facts and figures that describe the college, although it also includes them. It is the "hellos" in the skywalks, the friendly faces in the administrative offices, and the genuine concern of the faculty. It is everything one cannot put into words about Wartburg. It is the "feeling" that makes Wartburg College home

Alumni Board Spotlight - Rick Klahsen, '86


Major/Minors: Accounting

Family Information: Married to Jane (33 years), who was also a Wartburg student but not a Wartburg grad. My graduation and employment got in the way of that, and she finished her degree at Concordia-St. Paul. We have two adult sons, both of whom are married and live in the Minneapolis area, and we've been blessed with six grandchildren. Three boys and three girls, ranging in age from 9 months (a Christmas 2010 girl) to a 10 year old grandson.

Work Information: I am a CPA and have been in public accounting since my graduation from Wartburg. I started my career with Arthur Andersen in the Twin Cities. I am now with McGladrey, the fifth largest accounting/tax/consulting firm in the US, where I am a managing director in the firm's tax practice. Currently based in Orlando, I am the tax practice leader for McGladrey's Southeast Market Circle, which includes six southeastern states.


What do you enjoy doing? I am a sports fan and cheer for the Knights, Hawkeyes, Cyclones, Panthers and Bulldogs (in that order). I enjoy reading, and read mostly American history (pre-Revolutionary War to the Civil War eras), Christian and business leadership titles. We enjoy traveling, although we seldom take long extended vacations. Instead, we enjoys trips of 3-4 days, often extended weekends, and have traveled to 44 of the 50 states. And last, but definitely not least, we spend a great deal of time with our kids and grandkids, although that time has diminished with our relocation to Orlando from Minneapolis approximately one year ago.


What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools? Wartburg stands out for a number of reasons. As a native Iowan, I appreciate Wartburg's continued focus on Iowa and Midwestern students, with a generous addition of students from across the country and the globe. I appreciate the smaller size of Wartburg, which allows a level of interaction and familiarity that isn't possible at larger colleges and universities. And the quality of education, in a Christian environment, is especially important.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg? Although somewhat repetitive of my response to the question immediately above, my favorite thing about Wartburg is that it offers an exceptional, high-quality education in a Christian environment and a comfortable, close-knit setting.

What does "Being Orange" mean to you? Being Orange to me is being proud of the education I received from Wartburg and the opportunities it has provided me, and making a commitment to continue to support the College as best I can.

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.

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

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!