Alumni Stories

• Success Stories

  Eight graduates of Elmhurst's adult programs tell how they made their second acts the best.

• Hollywood Story

  David Rasche '66, star of stage, screen and sit-com, is a celebrated 'smart perfomer.'

• Veteran Pastor

  Bob Ullman '71 shares life's crises and joys with his church: "It's like living a novel instead of writing one."

• Renowned Scholar

  Walter Brueggemann '55 brings the Bible to life as a leading authority on the Old Testament.

• Seeing Patients Whole

  Brenda Fann '88 argues that the humble family physician could save the American health care system.

• Born Coach

  Al Biancalana ’82 has never had a losing season, but wins aren’t all he’s after.

• A True Pro

  Former Leader columnist Dan Pompei '82 has earned respect as one of the best NFL writers around.

• The Force of Common Decency

  An Elmhurst trustee and former Dean at Oberlin College, George Langeler ’49 thrives by pulling opposing sides together.

• Purposeful Journey

  Richard Nyako '67 is a doctor who's been driven for years by a vision of service.

• Envoy in Asia

  Laurie Rich '00 taught Shakespeare and learned Uzbek as a Peace Corps volunteer.

• Nature & Nurture

  Rob Carmichael ’87 has made a career of his two passions: education and the environment.

• Igniting Fond Memories

  Samantha Kiley’s transformational experience as a student pointed her toward her job as director of alumni relations.

• Rising Rocker

  Kris Myers '99 is the celebrated new drummer for the hot rock band Umphrey's McGee.

• Master Teacher

  Grace Vyduna-Haskins '49 found new ways to help children decipher words on a page.

• Dream Job

  Cancer survivor Kelly Ramljak ’08 cares for young patients as a pediatric oncology nurse.

• Selling Chicago

  Rita Athas '76 promotes Chicago to the world's business leaders as a great city for investment.

• Hungary Man

  August Molnar '49 started a foundation to celebrate Hungarian thought and culture.

• Federal Judge

  Bill Bauer '49 of the U.S. Court of Appeals takes his job very seriously and himself not at all.

• The Right Chemistry

  Glenn Lid '79 has won awards for teaching science but says the best prize is when students return to visit.

• Cancer Nurse

  Carol White '85 learns lessons about dignity and bravery from her patients every day.

• Guitar Czar

  Fred Gretsch '71 sustains a family business that's part of American music history.

• It Started with a Smile

  Hard work and a cool head helped former cashier Denise Jones ’90 rise to senior vice president.

• Opera Luminary

  David Kuebler '69 earns his full share of bravos and bravissimos on stages worldwide.

• Practical Ethicist

  Bill Nelson ’68 uses clarity, pragmatism, and humor to advocate medical ethics.

• The One Who Endures

  Bill Johnson '68 made history as the first openly gay man to gain ordination to the mainstream Christian ministry.

• Voice of Authority

  Terri Hemmert '70 rose to the top of rock radio with a well-informed, personal style.

• Vets Helping Vets

  Tom Mouhelis ’71 says his business is 'people's lives and their hopes for the future.'

• College President

  Charles Guengerich '70 of Wright College is a leader on the front lines of higher education in America.

• College Ministry

  Kelly Stone '03 found a divine fit in the chaplain's position at Wisconsin's Lakeland College.

• A Good Joe

  For the Reverend Joe Richardson '89 the spiritual life is not a theory. He lives it.

• On the Air

  For Justin Roman ’00, an Elmhurst internship led to a high-profile job at a Chicago radio station B96.