Fox Cities News

Several University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO) alumni have recently been recognized for achievements in their professional and personal lives.

Norm DeBriyn, who graduated in 1963, was named to the College Baseball Hall of Fame. DeBriyn served as head baseball coach at the University of Arkansas from 1970 to 2002, where he led the team to a .641 winning percentage, multiple conference titles, and four NCAA College World Series appearances. He is the winningest coach in school history.

Daniel Kozie, class of 1967, retired from his medical career in 2015 and now spends time hiking, kayaking, biking, and traveling internationally.

Michael Tomczyk, a 1970 graduate living in Pennsylvania, published his third book in November titled "Neo-Innovation: Ideas, Insights and Tools to Compete in a New Era." The book discusses new approaches for managing companies and marketing products after the pandemic.

Carl Wegner and Marlene (Lechner) Wegner, both class of 1973, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this May. They met during an accounting class at UWO and went on to careers in accounting. They have four children and six grandchildren.

Cheryl Walker (1981), from Milwaukee, became a board trustee for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. She worked as a special education teacher for over three decades before retiring and continues to volunteer in her community.

Todd Ziegler (1985), based in Appleton, is station manager at WLUK (Fox) and WCWF (CW) in Green Bay. He has managed sales and marketing teams at these stations since 2015.

Gary Ryan (1989), chief credit officer at National Exchange Bank & Trust in Fond du Lac, has spent his entire 35-year career with the bank. He became senior credit officer in 2019.

Cindy Ladd (Allen), who earned degrees in 1992 and 1999, is retiring from her position as a middle school special education teacher with Sauk Prairie School District. She plans to travel more during retirement.

Dennis Schroeder (1993), financial aid director at Los Angeles Mission College, received the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Community Colleges Student Financial Aid Administrators Association. In addition to this honor, he received another award for meritorious service from the California Association of Financial Aid Administrators for two decades of committee work.

Lisa Kimmel (Weinshrott), class of 1998, owns Sharp Edge Lighting Design based in Florida. She works as a lighting designer and stage manager for events nationwide including Walt Disney World. Kimmel also mentors others entering theatrical arts fields such as Broadway or Pixar productions.

David Tiefenthaler (1999) teaches seventh grade at Slinger Middle School. He has set out to catch 1,000 fish species while making educational videos about each experience.

Bonnie Nickasch—who earned degrees from UWO between 2000 and 2014—is director of UW-Oshkosh’s psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program. She recently celebrated her wedding anniversary with fellow alumnus Greg Nickasch.

Andrea Pannier (2008) is now director of Plymouth Municipal Band; she also teaches music privately in Fond du Lac.

Timothy Scottberg (2008/2013) serves as associate director for the Wisconsin Resource Center for Charter Schools through CESA 9 after working as principal at Fond du Lac STEM Academy.

Kayla Williams (Chilsen), class of 2008, was named July’s Young Professional of the Month by the Wisconsin Broadcasters’ Association for her impact on local broadcasting as an account executive with Results Broadcasting.

Kelli Calkins (2020) works as social media director at Meyocks branding agency after leading campaigns across several platforms during her previous role at Charleston Orwig.

Joshua Labbe (2020), living in Michigan with spouse Kayla Bringman—a fellow UWO alumna—graduated from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and is training as a neurology resident at Henry Ford Hospital.