Erin Nachreiner-MacKesey (B.S. ‘11) received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Nachreiner-Mackesey is a physical therapist at Wheaton Franciscan Hospital in Franklin, WI.

Eric Wenninger (M.Ed. ‘06) was selected by the U.S. Department of State for the English Language Teaching Fellow Program. The English Language Fellow Program is the premiere opportunity for highly qualified TESOL professionals to enact meaningful and sustainable changes in the way that English is taught abroad. Wenninger will participate in a 10-month fellowship project in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Valerie Thompson (Ph.D. ‘99) has been appointed dean of the University College at Alcorn State University.

Jeffrey Pesta (M.Ed. ‘95) was named interim principal for Kenyon-Wanamingo High School.

Sharon Shelerud (M.Ed. ‘90) received the 2015 K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award from the National Council for Geographic Education. Shelerud teaches social studies at Metcalf Junior High in Burnsville, MN.

Joseph Erickson (Ph.D. ‘90), professor of education at Augsburg College, delivered the opening keynote address at the 5th Asia-Pacific Conference on Service-Learning in Taipei, Taiwan in 2015. Ericson also facilitated several professional development seminars at Lingnan University, Hong Kong’s only public liberal arts university.

Kay Hawley (M.A. ‘88), beloved band director of Hopkins West Junior High, retired after 43 years of service to Hopkins Public Schools in May of 2015.

Mallory Wickman (B.S. ‘15) is a client service coordinator at FOX Sports North.

Charlotte Kodner (M.Ed. ‘85) received the 2015 Spirit of DCTC Award from Dakota County Technical College for her commitment to DCTC’s mission and tireless support of its students.

Mara Stommes (B.S. ‘15) is a research and communications intern at BridgeWorks.

Nicholas Csargo (M.Ed. ‘15) was awarded a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship. He will spend the 2015-2016 academic year at the University of Lisbon.

Delores Henderson (Ph.D. ‘82) received the Charles L. Hopson Racial Equity Principal Leadership award from the Pacific Educational Group at its 2014 annual national summit in New Orleans. Henderson was also recognized for her anti-racism work by the St. Paul Foundation at its Facing Race Ambassadors Awards program.

Alison Berkas (B.S. ‘15) is conducting her student teaching at Galtier Community School in St. Paul, MN.

Amy Barton (M.A. ‘15) is a career counselor for the University’s College of Liberal Arts.

Harold Grotevant (Ph.D. ‘77) has been named chair of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 2015.

Cody Athmann (B.S. ‘15) is a materials planner at Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc.

Brad A. Biggs (Ph.D. ‘14) joined the faculty of California State University, Fullerton as an assistant professor of reading.

Peter Nelson (Ph.D. ‘14) joined the faculty of Penn State University as an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling and Special Education.