Romelle Slaughter, Alumni Board Spotlight

Alumni Board Spotlight

Romelle Slaughter Graduation Year: 1998 Major/Minors: Political Science Work Information:I was recently a contracted Human Resource Assistant for the American Red Cross. I have a background in the insurance industry, doing administrative, research, and compliance work. Family Information: Single, no children. I have a wonderful and supportive family, in-laws, and two adorable nieces. About me: I'm a native of Waterloo, Iowa. Currently, I am in employment transition with a background in insurance, so I devote my time volunteering for non-profit organizations in Des Moines, such as the Des Moines Art Center, the American Diabetes Association of Central Iowa, and the Young Professional Connection (YPC). In 2011, I received the Iowa Governor's Volunteer Award, and the inaugural YPC Ashley Okland Community Service Award, in memory of fellow YPC member and realtor Ashley Okland, who was shot and killed while showing a model home in April 2011. Favorite Wartburg Memory:  My favorite Wartburg memory was the first time I visited campus on a summer junior high school field trip. I ended up learning how to play raquetball with the late legendary wrestling coach Dick Walker. The bus nearly left without me heading back to Waterloo, as Coach Walker and I kept playing raquetball. We could have played all day long, if I was allowed to! That experience left a lasting impression on me. On that day, I realized Wartburg was the right college for me. It's hard to explain it as an eighth grader, but it was the right place. Four years later, I applied and was accepted by Wartburg to attend school. It was the one life-altering decision I have never regretted. What do you enjoy doing? I enjoy volunteering, visiting family and friends, reading, following sports (especially Wartburg athletics), and traveling. What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools? Wartburg stands out because of the people and the lessons I learned during my time on campus. From Bret Billet to Tom Hubbard, from the late Duane Schroeder to John Kurtt, there are so many teachers, staff members, unsung heroes, and classmates that made a direct impact on my life. I am reminded of these individuals and life lessons everyday. As a deeply introverted student on campus, it was difficult at times to express my thoughts or voice an opinion without stuttering through each sentence. But their patience, empathy, and willingness to push me to be the best, not just in the classroom, but in life, is unmatched. The lessons I learned as a student may not resonate right away as a student at Wartburg, but it becomes a major part of your life later on. The Mission Statement makes it clear: "Wartburg College is dedicated to challenging and nurturing students for lives of leadership and service as a spirited expression of their faith and learning." Since graduating from college, I have developed a passion for community service and being able to interact with different people, without worrying about my speech disfluency. My faith has become steadfast through jubliant times and difficult periods in my life. What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg? My favorite thing about Wartburg is being amazed by the students who are now making their marks and making a difference on campus. I should not be surprised. They live the mission statement everyday. Another favorite thing is, as an alum, the number of alums that live in Des Moines and with whom I stay in contact. What does "Being Orange" mean to you? "Being Orange" is more than a way of life. You live the mission statement of community, service, leadership, and faith, after you leave campus. It's never being ashamed that you went to Wartburg or any other small college in Iowa. My non-Wartburg friends get rankled on how much I talk about Wartburg, but it is who I am: a Wartburg Knight. I represent Wartburg in my community, through my actions, and by investing in community service. Yes, I'm proud to be a Wartburg alum. All of us should by "Being Orange".

Alumni Board Spotlight - Bruce Lantzky '93

Major/Minors:
Finance and Business Management double major.

Work Information:
I’m the owner of Lantzky Farms and I also work as an Agricultural Insurance Consultant at First Insurance Services.

Family Information:
My wife Leasa ('94), and I have two kids: Trey and Natalie.

What do you enjoy doing?
The thing that I enjoy the most is simply taking time out to be with my family.

What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools?
I believe that Wartburg provides amazingly well rounded individuals that have a tremendous work ethic.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg?
Wartburg students have such an amazing involvement with the Waverly community.

What does "Being Orange" mean to you?
"Being Orange” is a special feeling that is shared by alumni of all ages. It is a feeling that you are a part of an extended family that will help in what ever way possible in order for you to achieve your goals.

A Great Alumni Story

I'm Terry Klein, class of ‘97, and I live in Spooner, Wisconsin, a small town in the northwest corner of the state. I am writing this post because recently I traveled to Guatemala on a mission trip. It was an amazing trip in which a group of 7 people from my church built a home for a family in need, experienced a culture far different from ours, had a great time playing with kids and made many new friends. You may be wondering what this has to do with Wartburg alumni. Well, an amazing “it’s a small world” experience occurred during the trip. One day as we were traveling to our worksite one of my teammates asked me where I went to college. My reply, of course, was, "Wartburg," and his reply was, “that’s where I went!” The fellow alum is Bob Nelson, class of ‘65. We had actually attended the same church for several years but first made the Wartburg connection while traveling in a van, on a bumpy mountain side road, in the middle of Central America. We shared stories such as the cost of tuition, living in Clinton, discovering we had both taken classes from the same professor (Mel Kramer), and Bob explaining Roy’s Place egg and cheese sandwiches. The connection with Wartburg does not end there. More importantly were the opportunities we had during our trip to share our faith and serve others. Opportunities we value, in part, because they were nurtured in us during our time at Wartburg.

Alumni Board Spotlight - Tom Buchheim

Graduation Year: 1993

Major/Minors:
Communication Arts (Electronic Media) and Political Science

Work Information:
I’m a social media administrator for American Family Insurance at our company’s National Headquarters in Madison, Wis. I’m the community manager for our Facebook and Twitter pages. This means I get to guide the strategy and develop the content for the company’s corporate social media channels.

Family Information:
I’m married to Jill Crawford Buchheim (Wartburg Class of 1995), who is the Music Director at our church – Norway Grove Memorial Lutheran Church. My son Andrew (11) is a fifth grader and a talented writer and pianist. My daughter Molly (8) is a third grader and is also an accomplished pianist and swimmer.

What do you enjoy doing?
Jill and I are very busy with church events and our kids’ activities. Molly and Andrew swim competitively for local club teams throughout the year. They’re also active with soccer and piano year-round. We’re blessed to have my parents (Bud and Dona Buchheim-also Wartburg grads) and my brother Jim (Class of ’85), his wife Renae (Class of ’87) and their sons close by. We enjoy connecting with other Wartburg grads, and current and prospective students, in the Madison area. In my spare time, I closely follow the world of sports and social media, writing about it on my blog, and tweeting about it @tombuchheim.


What do you think makes Wartburg stand out from other schools?
The people make Wartburg stand out from other schools. It starts with the quality students who attend Wartburg, but it’s uniqueness is also reflected in a caring and dedicated faculty and staff. Even though the look of the campus has changed dramatically since I was a student at Wartburg, the sense of community is unchanged. It’s what makes Wartburg so amazing to me, and why I keep telling my kids they are lucky to have an opportunity to one day Be Orange themselves.

What is currently your favorite thing about Wartburg?
Wartburg students amaze me, because while times have changed, students have not. In meeting with them on and off campus, and following their work online and in the Wartburg Trumpet, I’m struck by how today’s students carry the same priorities and commitment to service they always have.

What does "Being Orange" mean to you?
"Being Orange” means you’re often the first one who raises your hand when someone needs help. You’re the go-to person in your community, at church, or in your department at work. “Being Orange” is about staying true to your faith and living a service-driven life. It’s about doing the right thing for the right reasons and not worrying about awards or accolades.

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