Wendy Schrunk | President
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.   

Vince Mazza | Vice President
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.

Seamus Ahern | Secretary
Class Year: 2004
Major: Criminal Justice
Email: ahernsp@gmail.com

What was most memorable about your time at Loras?
One compelling experience was being on Campus the morning of 9/11. I recall coming back to Byrne Oaks after early football films and my roommates were all huddled around the television watching the first reports come in after the attacks on NYC and the Pentagon. I knew immediately our country would be changed forever. I recall attending the Rock Bowl that evening for a memorial service and was in awe at how many students and faculty attended the service to remember our fallen Americans. I was also struck how close our Loras College family really is and that is something that I will always remember and has always remained with me. 

Michael Otto | Treasurer
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.  

Robin (Fetter) Brown
Class Year: 1982
Major: Biology
Email: drrobinbrown@msn.com

How did Loras prepare you for your career?
The biological science classes provided the background I needed to succeed in medical school. The academic expectations of the faculty to do exceptional work prepared me for the rigors of medical education. In fact, we did a senior thesis with a formal presentation of our research which proved to be instrumental as I discovered my passion for medicine.

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. 

David Fautsch
Class Year: 2005
Major: Economics
Email: DFautsch@weinhardtlaw.com

How has Loras impacted your life? 
Every day I use the skills that I learned at Loras. In a broader sense, however, Loras taught me how to learn. That is, the college’s devotion to liberal arts education taught me to how to understand subjects that I come across for the first time as an adult.    

Tara (Kilburg) Feller
Class Year: 2011
Major: Biochemistry
Email: tara.feller13@gmail.com

How did Loras prepare you for your career?

I can’t express enough the value of a liberal arts education and becoming a well-rounded individual. As an Operations Manager for Adult Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital I interact daily with patients one minute and world renowned surgeons the next. Being able to think critically, be an active learner and be willing to learn and grow every day is something I learned at Loras.  You think you go to school to learn the facts about a subject, and you do, but it’s also to learn from and about others that is equally important.

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.

Diana (Pena Clavijo) Miller
Class Year: 2009
Major: International Studies/Finance
Email: dianacmiller@hotmail.com

How has Loras impacted your life?
As an international student, I was able to attend Loras thanks to the generosity of contributors who placed their faith in students from other countries being able to come experience a different culture and obtain an undergraduate education in the United States. Attending Loras has generated incredible opportunities for me on both the professional and personal fields. I truly feel that my life would be very different if I hadn't had the opportunity to obtain an education in a different country as well as at Loras specifically. 

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! 

Rob Murray
Class Year: 2001
Major: Engineering
Email: bert1murray@gmail.com

What are you hoping to accomplish as a board member?
I thought this was a great opportunity to give back to Loras.  If I can get more alumni involved in spreading the word about the quality of college education and experience that Loras provides, in addition to increasing the amount of giving from alumni, and shining a light on the quality people Loras is putting out into the workforce each year.

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!

Pat Noonan
Class Year: 1976
Major: Philosophy
Email: pjnoonan2@hotmail.com

How has Loras impacted your life? 
Loras College is an institution made up of great persons that had an impact on my ability to learn and think for myself. What stands out to me was the approachability of my teachers. They were always available either after class, in their office, or in a social situation to answer questions. One who stood out has to be Dr. Richard Clark, his knowledge, his humor and his commitment to the common good has made a lasting impression. 

Lauren (Squires) Ready
Class Year: 2008
Major: Media Studies
Email: lauren@foreverreadyllc.com

What advice would you have for fellow alumni?
Don’t forget where you came from. Seriously, it's important to realized the impact Loras College had on your career, perspective, life experience and understanding of the world. The more years that pass, the more important it is to continue to help provide those opportunities for current and future students. 

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!   

Dan Tropp
Class Year: 1999
Major: Economics
Email: dan_tropp@ajg.com

What advice would you have for fellow alumni?
Loras is OUR school and it's up to us as alumni to ensure that future generations have the same access and ability to learn and grow as people that we did. Whether it's mentoring a current student, helping a high school kid find Loras as a potential option, hiring an intern, reaching out to thank a professor for something they taught you, sending in a couple of bucks to help the school stay economically viable or as simple as wearing a Loras sweatshirt to the grocery store, we all play a part in building the reputation, history and culture of the school.   

Meg Bucaro Wojtas
Class Year: 1998
Major: Spanish
Email: meg@megbucaro.com

How has Loras impacted your life? 

Almost 25 years after graduation, I am still able to seek insight from professors like Chris Apel and Craig Schaefer on a regular basis. This does not happen just anywhere. Loras placed people in my life that would challenge me, support me and walk with me during a pivotal stage of life. The friends, roommates, teammates, coaches, administration, staff  and professors were exactly who I needed at that time and still today. I owe Loras my best now, for inspiring me to dream big and keep pushing. It is time for me to give back and I am honored to being able to do so on the National Alumni Board.