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2009  |  2008  |  2007  |  2006  |  2005  |  2004  |  2003  |  2002  |  2001

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2009

Eric Stibbe & Dolly (Stibbe) — Beloit, WI,  welcomed their third child, Bennett, on April 1, 2025. 
Submitted: April 25, 2025 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

Marilyn A. Wikner — Kenosha, WI,  is celebrating three exciting milestones in the fall of 2025. She will​ celebrate her wedding anniversary with Steven Wikner, her spouse of 30 years. ​They met at a laundromat in Waukegan Illinois and have been together ever since. She will also be celebrating her 70th birthday and her retirement from Gateway Technical College after 28 years. She currently serves as the Administration Assistant for an Executive Vice President of Student Affairs. Marilyn graduated from Gateway in 2001 with a degree in Information Systems/Microcomputer Specialist, then completed her education at Carthage College in Management Information Systems in 2009. 
Submitted: February 17, 2025 — Category: Other News

Allison (Benthusen) Remnes — Elgin, IL,  was named the 2023 State of Illinois Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the 40 & 8 Veteran's Organization. Remnes was nominated for her work as a school resource officer with the DeKalb, IL police department, where she has been an officer for eleven years. 
Submitted: June 4, 2024 — Category: Other News

Rob Miller — Mount Prospect, IL,  and his wife, Brooke, welcomed their first baby, Cory Sue Miller, on November 16th. They are overjoyed to be new parents (and their dog, Hazy, is warming up to the idea. 
Submitted: December 4, 2023 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

Eric Stibbe — Beloit, WI,  and his wife, Dolly, welcomed their second child, Oliver, on May 18. The couple reports that he’s deeply loved by big brother Jonah. 
Submitted: August 17, 2022 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

Chris P Krepline — Kimberly, WI,  was hired as field manager of the Green Bay Rockers baseball team in November. The Rockers compete in the summer collegiate Northwoods League. 
Submitted: February 25, 2022 — Category: Other News

Aaron Tinjum — Saint Paul, Minnesota,  and his wife, Yara Benavides Paz, celebrated their wedding with close family and friends in Medellín, Colombia, on Dec. 29, 2021. 
Submitted: February 9, 2022 — Category: Marriage Announcement

2008

Jason Wendt — Chicago, IL,  is writing a book! The working title: Beyond the Numbers– A high achievers guide to finances with out sacrificing their values. The book will discuss wealth management and adding family/personal values along the way. Jason will be hosting a book launch in July! 
Submitted: April 2, 2025 — Category: Personal Achievement

Jason Olchawa & Kathleen (Styczynski) — Yorkville, IL,  met during their freshman year at Carthage. They have just welcomed another child into the world, Nolan Wyatt Olchawa. He was born on 10/22/24. He was born with symbrachydactyly of the right hand (finger bones didn't form). Their daughter, Whitney Olchawa, was born in 2022. 
Submitted: February 11, 2025 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

Danielle (Sass) Hilbrich & Andrew (Hilbrich) 2006 — Mount Pleasant, WI,  welcomed their second daughter, Adelyn, into the world on June 23, 2021. She weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and was 20 inches long. 
Submitted: August 31, 2022 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

Jason Thomas Olchawa & Kate (Styczynski) — Yorkville, IL,  and his wife, Kate (Styczynski), welcomed their first child, Whitney Rose, on Jan. 18 and celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary on May 13. They met at Carthage in 2005. 
Submitted: June 2, 2022 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

2007

Alicia (Fatka) Cowan — Fairbury, IL,  a member of Sigma Alpha Chi, Wind Orchestra, Carthage Concert Band, and Carthage Pep Band married Micah Cowan on Friday, August 16th, 2024 in a small, intimate wedding in Vancouver WA. Alicia met her husband, Micah on the dating app Bumble while he was traveling from Portland OR to Jacksonville FL and had a layover in Chicago IL in August of 2019. They had been dating for 5 years, and have spent the last 3 years living together in Vancouver WA while Alicia worked in Portland OR for the State of Oregon prior to marrying in August. They are excited to start this new chapter together and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for them as Mr and Mrs Cowan. 
Submitted: August 24, 2024 — Category: Marriage Announcement

Jacob Gawlik , M.Div. — STERLING, IL,  has published a new book. Because the Church is a Business tells the satirical story of a young minister trying to come to terms with the expectation of being called, the reality of being hired, and a work-life balance that never seems to really be balanced. Pastor Jacob uses unexpected comedy to explore #pastorlife in ways that otherwise might go untold. As a result, we receive a unique narrative told in short scenes and original doodles that make one laugh, cry, and pray the whole church find its way. 
Submitted: February 3, 2024 — Category: Other News

Lauren Croix — Mequon, WI,  earned a Doctor of Education degree with a concentration in entrepreneurial leadership from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Ms. Croix is the executive director of educational services in the Mequon-Thiensville School District. 
Submitted: July 29, 2023 — Category: Other News

Courtney (Landem) Ulrich — Chicago, IL,  and husband John welcomed their first child, John “J.J.” Michael Ulrich III, on Sept. 25. He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce at birth. The couple celebrated their one-year anniversary on Sept. 12. 
Submitted: February 2, 2023 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

2006

Valerie (Coduto) Mulvenna — Rockford, IL,  earned her doctorate in Education in July 2024 from Hamline University. Her mixed methods research focused on the effects of student engagement pre-and post outdoor recess breaks and the professional perspectives of Illinois educators on the recent passage of The Right to Play Every Day Act. Valerie would also like to thank former Carthage professor, Dr. Julio Rivera, for his assistance with quantitative data analysis. 
Submitted: August 28, 2024 — Category: Other News

Nick A. Demske — Racine, WI,  has accepted an offer from the board of the Racine Public Library to become the library’s permanent executive director. Demske transitions into this role after a 17-year career with the library, most recently serving since July 2023 as the library’s interim executive director. 
Submitted: August 20, 2024 — Category: Other News

Darrell Fitzgerald Ballinger , DPM — Kettering Ohio,  is grateful for all the wonderful experiences I have had at Carthage helping to shape me as a surgeon today. I hope all in my graduating class has felt they grew as a person at Carthage and its shaped their future for the better. 
Submitted: January 13, 2024 — Category: Other News

Shea’na Grigsby & Todd Taylor Jr. 2015 — Minneapolis,  welcomed their first child, Rainha Aurielle Taylor, on June 24, 2023. Arriving two weeks earlier than expected, she weighed 7 pounds, 1 once at birth. 
Submitted: September 11, 2023 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

Derek Hartmann & Rebecca Hartmann (Swanson) 2008 — Crystal Lake, IL,  excitedly welcomed baby boy Greyson Lee Hartmann to their family. He weighed 8 lbs and 5 oz. His big sister is ecstatic! 
Submitted: September 27, 2021 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

Kara (Grudzien) Batchelor & Ross — Louisville, KY,  welcomed a daughter, Ashton Violet, on March 28. 
Submitted: July 20, 2021 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

Annelamia M. Hodges — Wauwatosa,  did a phone interview with Sean Yseult, who was not only the bassist and co-founder of the Horror Groove Metal band, White Zombie, but also Rob Zombie's ex-girlfriend. 
Submitted: July 16, 2021 — Category: Other News

Jamin McGinnis — Chicago, IL,  and his wife, Ekua, were originally married on their front porch on May 30, 2020, with just their parents. But, on November 1, they had the opportunity to complete their original plans of having a small ceremony in Negril, Jamaica. A couple fellow Carthage Alumni were also present to witness the gorgeous day: Keena Johnson ‘05 and Brandon Jones Harris ‘07. 
Submitted: March 29, 2021 — Category: Marriage Announcement

2005

Melissa M (Nicholson) Rojas — Mt. Morris, IL,  married Eric Rojas on Sept. 25 at Trinity Lutheran Church. 
Submitted: March 1, 2022 — Category: Marriage Announcement

Nathan Hawk — Columbus, Ohio,  accepted a position as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture at Texas A&M University. He started in fall 2021, after earning a Ph.D. in educational technology from The Ohio State University. 
Submitted: April 26, 2021 — Category: Other News

Adrienne Leigh (Saputo) Hoyt — Atlanta, Georgia,  was promoted to Vice President of Internal Communications at CNN. Mrs. Hoyt has been at CNN for the last nine years – in this new role, her responsibilities expand to cover WarnerMedia News & Sports internal communications and employee engagement worldwide, including crisis, executive, and diversity, equity, and inclusion communications. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children. 
Submitted: April 7, 2021 — Category: Other News

Christine Hugon-Wiet , MSW, MSCSJ & Mike (Wiet) — Plainfield, IL,  My Sigma Omega Sigma sistas who flew and drove in from all over the world truly filled the family void left by the loss of my parents. It was so INCREDIBLE to be surrounded by so much love. I thank Carthage for bringing us all together. 
Submitted: March 24, 2021 — Category: Marriage Announcement

Kristen Serio & Pete Serio 2005 — Joliet, IL,  Pete & Kristen welcomed Greyson on June 24, 2020. He is a healthy boy and weighed 7lbs 2oz and 20 inches. Big brother, Caleb, is excited to have a new playmate. 
Submitted: January 4, 2021 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

2004

Andy D. Fekete — Algonquin, IL,  recently earned CETL (certified education technology leader), one of the premier national accreditation programs. 
Submitted: January 20, 2023 — Category: Other News

Sarah Gorke — Marshfield, WI,  was promoted to Director of Career Exploration and Design within Carthage’s Aspire Center; Carthage’s unique and personalized 4-year personal and career development program. In this new role, Sarah will focus on providing students with a comprehensive lens of reflection and guidance surrounding their skills, interests, and values and how those lead to building a purposeful life. She also has been nominated to serve on the executive committee of the Steering Committee of the Academies of Racine, one of Carthage’s regional K-12 partners. 
Submitted: August 14, 2021 — Category: Other News

Hank Johnson — Delavan, WI,  completed a master’s degree in educational administration from Concordia University Wisconsin in November. He also became athletic director and community outreach director at the Williams Bay (Wisconsin) School District. 
Submitted: July 30, 2021 — Category: Other News

2003

Rachel Lesinski-Roscoe , Ed.D — Grayslake, IL,  co-authored “Content Area Literacy: Toolkit of Disciplinary Literacy Strategies for Middle and High School.” She is a high school reading specialist and special education teacher. 
Submitted: July 29, 2023 — Category: Other News

Hannah J. (Stolzfus) Stolze — Waco, TX,  was appointed the inaugural William E. Crenshaw Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Management in the department of management in the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Dr. Stolze, who will join Baylor this fall, currently holds a joint appointment as director and associate professor of supply chain management at Lipscomb University in Nashville. She also serves as executive director and visiting professor of core studies in business at Wheaton College in Illinois. Earlier in her career, Dr. Stolze was an assistant professor at Florida State University. Dr. Stolze is a graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where she majored in international political economics and Mandarin. She earned an MBA at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, and a Ph.D. in business administration at the University of Tennessee. 
Submitted: February 24, 2023 — Category: Other News

Lindsay Jones Parkis — Libertyville, IL,  and her husband, Michael, welcomed new family member Avery Jane Parkis on Feb. 9, 2021. Avery joins big sister Noran and big brother Hayden. 
Submitted: April 4, 2022 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

2002

Bryan J. Boatright — St. Marys, OH,  was named interim co-vice president for academic affairs at the University of Mount Union in July. He has been the university’s assistant vice president for academic affairs and registrar since 2016. Mr. Boatright finished the 2021-22 academic year as an ACE (American Council on Education) fellow at Mars Hill University in North Carolina. 
Submitted: August 8, 2022 — Category: Other News

Kevin Burrow — Kenosha, WI,  and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed son Benedict Joseph Augustine Burrow on April 27. He weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured 20 inches at birth. Last year, Kevin also accepted a position as director of music and organist at St. Elizabeth and St. James Catholic churches in Kenosha. 
Submitted: May 31, 2022 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

Patrick Ryan & Kelly (Kotlarz) 2003 — Bartlett, IL,  welcomed baby Patrick Leonard on Aug. 4, 2020. He weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 20.5 inches. He joins three older sisters: Kaitlyn, Kelsey, and Mackenzie. 
Submitted: September 7, 2021 — Category: Birth/Adoption Announcement

Rachel (DeSerto) Peck & Michael DeSerto 2009 — Marengo, Illinois,  just celebrated their first year of starting up their fully integrated hemp farm, High Hopes Farm in Marengo, Illinois. 
Submitted: January 31, 2021 — Category: Other News

2001

Ryan J. Banta — Chesterfield, MO,  won the 2022 statewide coach of the year award in girls’ track and field after guiding Parkway Central High School to the Class 4 state title. The Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association previously inducted him into its Hall of Fame, and his book “Sprinter’s Compendium” has been sold in 45 countries. 
Submitted: February 8, 2023 — Category: Other News