President - John O'Brien
Class Year: 1984
Major: Business 
Email: job@salestalentgroup.com

How did Loras prepare you for life after college? 

The list is long, but I would have to say the most important life lesson was perseverance and don’t give up attitude. When you surround yourself with good people that genuinely care about you, it is hard to fail at anything. School did not come easy to me and I had to work harder than the average student to get a good grade. I really did learn that by working hard, listening to wise people (teachers, counselors, faculty), sticking to it and believing in myself things would eventually pay off. They did at Loras and they have in life. I am very thankful for my experiences at Loras.

Vice President - Wendy Schrunk
Class Year: 2007
Major: Finance and Economics
Email: schrunk.wendy@gmail.com

How did Loras prepare you for life after college?

The faculty, staff and students I interacted with and got to know through my time at Loras have shaped the way I think, act and live. The people I met and the relationships I formed during my four years on campus helped me define what's important in life and helped me discover my strengths.   

Secretary -  Brian R. Schermerhorn
Class Year: 1997
Major: Finance
Email: bschermerhorn@ahtins.com

What advice would you give to current or prospective students?

This is simple: Enjoy it!  Embrace it!  Live it!  The four years I spent at Loras exploring who I was and the friendships I made – are some of the best of my life. It is why I have spent 12+ years since graduating trying to find ways to help others have the same experiences. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and have fun!

Treasurer -   Luke J. Vandermillen 
Class Year: 1988
Major: Finance
Email: Vandermillen.Luke@principal.com

What advice would you give to current or prospective students?

I would encourage current or prospective students to take advantage of all the opportunities that Loras has to offer. The size of the school provides you with the ability to interact with the faculty as well as your fellow students in a way that you will not find at other institutions. The culture of Loras is something that you will appreciate not only while you are a student, but for many years to come.

Katie (Bellendier) Schons
Class Year: 2006
Majors: Media Studies and Public Relations
Email: kat1446@gmail.com

How did Loras prepare you for life after college?

Loras taught me how to go above and beyond and branch out of my comfort zone. Being involved in LCTV, I not only learned about myself but about the surrounding community through conducting interviews for news stories. By being involved in this and many other activities and organizations I learned how to network with many diverse groups. 

Bill Burns
Class Year: 1962
Email: billburns.40@gmail.com 

What advice would I give a current or prospective student?

I usually don’t give advice unless asked. However, if this be that case, I would encourage any student to fill your Loras plate with as many opportunities as possible, be they academic, service, athletic, spiritual. I would also recommend trying something totally new and different to expand your knowledge and experience base. And, don’t be in too big a hurry to make your career decision. Of course, you will have a focus defined and ultimately a post Loras initial career as your beginning. But remember, most likely you will change your career focus a number of times, so use your Loras experience to check off as many items on your college bucket list as possible. I’m reminded when I return to campus how unique and special the college experience was and still is. It will always remain a singular highpoint in my life, and it should be yours as well.

Janelle Domeyer
Class Year: 2005
Major: Politics
Email: jando_27@hotmail.com

How did Loras prepare you for life after college?

Being involved in so many extracurricular activities was probably the greatest preparation for life after college. I was the director of LCTV News from my sophomore year through senior year. I helped lead retreats and service trips through Campus Ministry. I was a Resident Assistant for two years and led Summer Orientation and Fall Welcome Days. Getting the change to have so many different responsibilities gave me confidence to enter the workplace and take on leadership roles in my career. Academic work is important, but even in the classroom having the opportunity to collaborate with classmates and managing those interpersonal dynamics is great preparation for what you will encounter in your future profession. 

Rob Elwood
Class Year: 1991
Major: Finance, Marketing
Email: elwood.rob@principal.com

Why did you choose to attend Loras?

Loras provided me with a foundation of academic, religious, and social skills. The interaction with faculty, students, alumni and the Dubuque community provided valuable experiences that I continue to draw from today. I was able to leverage the size of the school and take advantage of a culture that allowed me to stretch for goals that were set high.

Kathleen M. (Keller) Giovingo
Class Year: 1976
Major: Speech Communication
Email: Duhawksx2@aol.com

Why did you choose to attend Loras?

Coming from a large high school of nearly 5,000 students in the suburbs of Chicago, I wanted to attend a smaller college where I was treated like a person and not a number. The minute I walked on the campus, I knew it was the place for me. I loved the beautiful rolling hills of the campus along the Mississippi River, the friendly people, the small teacher to student ratio and the many opportunities for me to get involved.

Jeff Heitzman
Class Year: 1975
Major: Mathematics
Email: JRHHOU@aol.com

What advice would you give to current or prospective students? 

Get a balanced education at Loras. For example if you major in a STEM discipline, then minor in one of the humanities or vice versa. This plus a graduate degree later on will have you prepared for the world ahead.

Chad Kunkel 
Class Year: 1998
Major: Marketing
Email: chad.kunkel@kunkel-inc.com

Which staff or faculty person influenced you most?

I was instantly attracted to the Marketing Club and went on a number of trips with this group; there were two faculty members, Pat Marzofka and Gene Steidinger who not only kept me engaged but so many other students. I can remember Marzofka and Steidinger walking into the classroom and saying “today is going to be a good day, because we’re going to talk about marketing!” I loved their passion and dedication and it was contagious. This small classroom environment combined with dedicated faculty and staff are what sets Loras apart from anywhere else.  

Kate (Kenneally) McLenaghan 
Class Year: 1995
Major:  English Literature
Email: katiemclenaghan@gmail.com

Which faculty or staff person influenced you most and why?

Dr. Donna Bauerly. She had a wonderful way of getting her students to connect to the literature she was teaching. She opened up your mind to different ways of thinking and she made you feel your viewpoint and perception was just as important as anyone elses and she found value in everyone's opinion. In addition to being an incredible teacher, she was also an excellent listener who was compassionate and truly cared about her students as individuals as well. Each and every one of her students mattered to her.

Vince Mazza
Class Year: 1991
Major:  Marketing and Management 
Email: vpmazza@aol.com

How did Loras prepare you for life after college?

Loras allowed me to make important mistakes in a safe environment. The key was learning from those mistakes. Many of the classes and simulations we as students participated in were based on situations that really do happen in the work world. While academically Loras taught me much of the same content that most other business graduates learned from their schools, the liberal arts side and working with other students in teams provided more of an appreciation for diversity and how to get things done with and through others. Hard work, maintaining and open mind and accountability were stressed then and learning those skills early have been tremendously helpful after college. 

Jane (Lyons) Mueller
Class Year: 1987
Major: Management/Marketing
Email: jmueller@cottinghambutler.com

What advice would you have for students today?

Keep an open mind, you don’t need to know exactly what you want to do, immerse yourself in the full experience, whether it be academics, arts, athletics; take advantage of student experiences outside the classroom, this will make you a well-rounded individual. Receiving a Liberal Arts education at Loras exposes you to an array of topics and subjects so no matter what career path you want to pursue, you develop a broad base of knowledge that can serve as building blocks as you grow into your career.  Always stretch outside your comfort zone, you just might surprise yourself! 

Derrick Nix
Class Year: 1994
Major: Speech Communication/Media Studies and Elementary Education
Email: derricktn31@yahoo.com

How did Loras prepare you for life after college?

Everyone I encountered as a student seemed genuinely interested in making sure I succeeded. From the staff and faculty to the coaches, they encouraged and challenged me to do more than I ever dreamed possible. Loras prepared me for real life events in an ever changing environment. The relationships that I developed continue to this day and these friends and mentors continue to have an impact on me. I value the education and life preparation I received at Loras!

Thomas P. O'Brien
Class Year: 1982
Major: English
Email: tomobrien82@gmail.com 

What advice would you give to current or prospective students?

Make the most of it. Your classes, friends you make, excellent professors, the extracurricular programs, intramural games, the Catholic foundation – all provide an excellent atmosphere to help you learn and grow. Go to class, study hard, play, enjoy the people – students and faculty – and have fun!

Michael Otto
Class Year: 1994
Major: History and Speech Communication
Email: otto2030@yahoo.com

How did Loras prepare you for life after college?

By challenging me to think and articulate why I think that way. This was not only done by my professors, but roommates and friends as well. It changed how I looked at the world around me. By seeing that there is more than one correct answer (but some answers better address the question than others) and that most everyone means well with their answer. I learned to listen and hear what people are saying and evaluate their statements based on my knowledge and beliefs. This has greatly helped in me by everyday interactions with my clients and colleagues and has been a part of my professional successes.  

Peter L. Streit
Class Year: 1977
Major: Mathematics
Email: streit.peter@mayo.edu

What did you enjoy most about your Loras experience?

The small student faculty ratio. My professors knew who I was and held me accountable. Loras and the dedicated staff and faculty members prepared me well for the various roles I have held over my career and the people I met during my four years at Loras, have become life long friends!