Class Notes

Dr. Christine Hedrick (DVM ‘01) published a novel, titled “Into the Fold,” about life from a veterinarian’s perspective. Hedrick had three goals as a child: 1) work with animals, 2) be a teacher, and 3) write a book. Hedrick has completed all three childhood goals!

Dr. Brian Brennan (DVM ‘90) has retired after 30 years of practice at the Indianola Veterinary Clinic. Brennan’s retirement ends a 60 year running. His father, the late Dr. Joe Brennan, worked at the clinic for three decades.

Andrea Kaitany (‘86 English, ‘88 MA English) and her husband Richard have spent over 14 years constructing Sibolei Girls’ Preparatory Academy in Iten, Kenya. Kaitany values the education she received from Iowa State and hopes that the academy will bring enriching and prosperous opportunities to girls in Iten. Read Kaitany’s full story, “Richard Kaitany Gives Back in His Return to Kenya” on runnersworld.com.

Richard Kaitany (‘83 plant pathology, ‘89 MS plant pathology), Iowa State cross country All-American, and his wife Andrea have spent over 14 years constructing Sibolei Girls’ Preparatory Academy in Iten, Kenya. Kaitany, a Kenya native, values the education he received from Iowa State, and hopes that the academy will bring enriching and prosperous opportunities to girls in Iten. Read Kaitany’s full story, “Richard Kaitany Gives Back in His Return to Kenya” on runnersworld.com.

Kyle Oppenhuizen (‘09 journalism & mass communications), an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association, has been promoted to vice president of communications for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Oppenhuizen has worked on the Partnership’s communications and marketing team since 2014. In this position, Oppenhuizen will manage communications activities that promote, enhance, and protect the organization’s brand reputation.

Marvin DeJear (‘00 management, ‘03 business administration, PhD ‘16 education), a life member of the ISU Alumni Association, has been promoted to chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. DeJear has worked as the organization’s senior vice president of talent development since 2021. This new position elevates a previous DEI-focused position and reflects the continued importance of cultivating a welcoming region through efforts in the community.

Joe Tedeschi (‘63 general science) has released a memoir, “A Rock in the Clouds,” about his experience in a plane crash in Vietnam. The book is available from Koehler Books.

Stephen Mosher (‘70 electrical engineering), a life member of the ISU Alumni Association, has recently been appointed to the Board of Judges of The Texas Literary Hall of Fame. The award recognizes authors whose body of work has made a significant contribution to the literary heritage of Texas, was first published in this country, and has been previously recognized for its literary significance.

Dan Winters (‘03 journalism and mass communications), a life member of the ISU Alumni Association, has accepted a position as vice president of communications and public affairs for BHE Renewables. After 18 years as a reporter and weekend anchor at WHO 13, Winters decided to leave television news so he could spend more time at home with his family.

Sonia Uytiepo (MS ‘88 economics), an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association, has been hired as branch manager of Community Bank at the Latham, New York location. Uytiepo will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating all operations of the branch, as well as mentoring, coaching and training staff. Uytiepo worked in Australia as a manager in a business banking department and has over 30 years of management experience in the banking industry.

Roger Christensen (‘62 farm operations), a life member of the ISU Alumni Association, has self-published two books, “100 Years of Pig Raising in Boone County Iowa” and “60 Year History of the Boone County Pork Producers.”

Debra Solberg Gibson (‘81 home economics journalism and family environment family services), a life member of the ISU Alumni Association, was awarded the 2021 James W. Schwartz Award, the highest honor conferred by the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication. She was the founding editor of ISUAA’s VISIONS magazine; netted more than 70 regional and national awards in writing, design and photography; and was a Greenlee senior lecturer, associate professor of practice, and Meredith Professional in Residence for 17 years.

Ken Sufka (‘86 psychology, MS ‘88, PhD ‘90), a life member of the ISU Alumni Association, has been recognized as a Distinguished Professor by Ole Miss: University of Mississippi. The Distinguished Professor title recognizes the best faculty members with sustained excellence at the university.

Joi Mahon (‘99 apparel merchandising, design, and production), an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association, is releasing her third book titled “The Ultimate Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes” with Fox Chapel Publishing this year. Mahon is a fashion sewing entrepreneur and founder of Dress Forms Design Studio, LLC. in Sioux City, IA.

Michelle Reding ('98 management information systems) is the co-founder of Dry Dock Brewing, a small independent craft brewery in Colorado. Since its founding in 2005, Dry Dock has won 26 awards in the Great American Beer Festival and eight awards in the World Beer Cup. That’s more than any other small independent brewery in Colorado. Dry Dock will soon expand to Kansas.

Kevin DeLange ('96 history, MA '98) is the co-founder of Dry Dock Brewing, a small independent craft brewery in Colorado. Since its founding in 2005, Dry Dock has won 26 awards in the Great American Beer Festival and eight awards in the World Beer Cup. That’s more than any other small independent brewery in Colorado. Dry Dock will soon expand to Kansas.

Curtis Cain (MS ‘99 educational leadership and policy studies and education, PhD ‘01 education and educational leadership and policy studies), a life member of the ISU Alumni Association, has been named the 2022 AASA National Superintendent of the Year. Cain has been superintendent for the Wentzville School District since 2013 and oversees the educational performance and well-being of more than 17,300 students and 2,600 staff members.

Patrice Bailey (MS '01 agricultural education and studies), an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association, has been awarded the Minnesota FFA Honorary State Degree for leadership involvement in agricultural, food, and natural resources education. Bailey has been Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture since June 2019.

Neil Hamilton ('76 forestry) emeritus professor of law and director of the Agricultural Law Center at Drake University Law School, recently spoke about his new book, "The Land Remains: A Midwestern Perspective on Our Past and Future (2022)" to Iowa State history graduate students.

Nicholett Dabb ('19 political science) is part of the first-year associate class at the firm Faegre Drinker. Dabb and the rest of the associate class participated in an immersive development program as they started their careers with Faegre Drinker. Their first six weeks at the firm were committed entirely to practical skills training before beginning client work. Prior to starting at Faegre Drinker, Dabb studied law at the University of Iowa.

Nicholas Nagawiecki ('19 architecture) is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020.

Janna Alampi, ('07 architecture) was selected as winner and named "Enclosure Expert" for the Building Design and Construction 40 Under 40 Class of 2022.

Dalia Matthias ('04 management & marketing) was recently hired as a vice president and senior trust officer at the Trust Company of Tennessee. Matthias has more than a decade of trust and wealth management experience, most recently working at Ameris Bank as vice president and trust advisor, administering trust accounts, building client relationships and performing annual regulation and compliance reviews.

Grant Hilbert ('20 economics & agricultural business) recently purchased 250 acres of Iowa farm land for $1.8 million - money he earned creating Youtube videos about farm gaming. Hilbert started his gaming channel on Youtube at 15 years old and now has 1.3 million followers on his account. Today, Hilbert farms and continues to operate his two Youtube channels.

We are excited to announce that Luke T. Mohrhauser has been elected to be the next Managing Member of McKee, Voorhees & Sease, PLC.. Luke's term begins on Jan. 1, 2023. "I am honored to have been chosen by my fellow members to be the next leader of MVS," said Mohrhauser. "I feel privileged to follow in the footsteps of Heidi and the other managing members who have come before her. I look forward to leading this great firm into the future, especially during this very exciting time for IP, and aim to maintain MVS's stellar reputation created by those who have practiced before me." Mohrhauser is the chair of MVS's Mechanical and Electrical Practice Group and has extensive experience for prosecuting patent applications in the U.S. and worldwide. He oversees the firm's U.S. Patent Filing Department, staying abreast of any changes and updates to patent law, both in the U.S. and internationally.