Class Notes

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.

Nate Kauffman ('12 economics PhD) was recently promoted to senior vice president for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Kauffman is the Kansas City Fed’s principal expert on the agricultural economy. He directs the Kansas City Fed’s research and outreach on agriculture.

John Heithoff ('74 psychology) published an inspirational story titled, "The Rosary Tail." The story shares how a broken rosary helped John mend his faith and how the sacred object would have a purpose in his life.

Carl Whitcomb ('66 MS, '69 PhD) was recently honored with an award from Oklahoma State University recognizing his work in horticulture and plant breeding and 40-year long career in the field. Whitcomb's work has led to several patents and trademarks.

Kyle J. Larson, CFA (‘08 accounting and finance) has been selected to join the Leadership Iowa Class of 2022-2023. Leadership Iowa is a premier issues-awareness program for current and emerging leaders from across the state, offered by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation.

Lynn Ketelsen (‘75 Journalism and Mass Communication) Lynn Ketelsen was inducted into the MN Broadcasting Hall of Fame at the Pavek Museum in St. Louis Park, MN on Sept. 17, 2022. Ketelsen was one of five inductees to be honored the most well-known radio personalities in Minnesota.

Robert Roller (‘04 political science, history) began fighting wildfires in Wyoming and Idaho after graduate school. Roller has taken on many roles including firefighter, paramedic, and emergency manager. Read about his experiences in his newly penned memoir, “Trail Dogs and Firefighters: A Memoir from the Burning West,” which can be found on Amazon.com.

David Barclay Moore ('07 English) published the novel “The Stars Beneath Our Feet,” in 2019. This children’s novel is being turned into a movie.

Brent Sevcik (MArch ‘05) has been promoted to principal of Greeley and Hansen Architects. As Principal, Sevcik will oversee and direct day-to-day business operations and advance strategic growth plans.

Ron Timmermans (‘72 architecture) has been honored as an inductee in the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame. Administered by the National Association of Flight Instructors, the hall of fame honor highlights the foundational role flight instructors like Timmermans play in the safety of the entire national air transportation system.

Terry VanDeWalle (‘86 animal ecology) wrote the book, “The Natural History of the Snakes and Lizards of Iowa.” This book is an in-depth look at the natural history of every single snake and lizard species/subspecies found in Iowa. VanDeWalle’s book is available on Amazon.

Liz Ulrichson (‘16 financial counseling & planning) of CAPTRUST Financial Advisors was one of 250 delegates at the National Association of Plan Advisors’ (NAPA) Annual DC Fly-In Forum, an exclusive gathering of the nation’s leading retirement plan advisors. Delegates listened and briefed top congressional leaders about the impact of workplace retirement plans, and how proposed laws and regulations might impact American workers’ retirement security.

Shad Brook (‘06 industrial engineering) has been hired as The Procopio Companies director of operational excellence. In this role, Brook will apply manufacturing principles to Procopio’s construction operations to standardize processes and procedures, ensuring value creation and efficiency are top of mind for continuous improvement.

Terri Krysan** (‘87 home economics education) and her husband, Alan (Al) Krysan** (‘87 agricultural business), established the Alan E. Krysan and Terri M. Krysan Design Closet Endowment, which supports ISU College of Design students by funding supplies and materials required for their design classes. Al and Terri value giving back because others did before them, providing them both with the opportunity to attend college. They have also established an endowed scholarship in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in honor of Terri’s grandparents, Ted and Hazle DeBerg. With the Krysans’ support, the college will be able to provide free design kits to about half the student population that needs them. Terri works as a strategic accounts manager with WestRock Company, a leading global paperboard and packaging company. She’s an accomplished competitive quilter as well. To read more about the Krysans’ endowment, read the full story at design.iastate.edu/news.

John Ferrell (PhD ‘15 rural sociology) has been promoted to business programs director by the USDA Rural Development agency. Ferrell has been serving as a business programs specialist while covering a large portion of southeast Iowa. He has also worked in marketing and regulatory programs at USDA National Office in Washington, D.C., and as a staffer on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

Carson Praefke (‘79 industrial administration) has retired from his facilities maintenance specialist position with the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Housing Department.

Jyotika Athavale (‘96 electrical engineering) has been nominated as a candidate for the IEEE Computer Society 2023 President Elect (2024 President). “I look forward to continuing to serve the Computer Society, and am very excited to work together with all the great volunteers around the globe,” Athavale says. The Computer Society elections will open on Aug. 8, 2022 and voting instructions will be posted online. To read more information about Athavale’s personal statement and biography, visit her website at jyotikaaathavale.com.

Clair Peterson (‘75 journalism & mass communications) is stepping down from his role as executive director of the John Deere Classic PGA Tournament (JD Classic) in the Quad Cities after 20 years. During that time, the JD Classic raised $150 million for area non-profits through its Birdies for Charity program.

Andrew Lehman (‘06 health & human performance) will serve as executive director of the John Deere Classic PGA Tournament (JD Classic) in the Quad Cities. The JD Classic has raised over $150 million for area non-profits.

At age 90, Nan Fisher** (‘54 textiles & clothing) has been awarded the Outstanding Technical Achievement award by the Ocala Civic Theatre for her volunteer work in the costume shop. One of her most notable achievements in her seven years of volunteering is her work on the costumes used in the theatre’s Beauty and the Beast production.

Dr. Jessie Juarez (‘10 animal & dairy science, MS ‘12 animal science, DVM ’14, MS ‘20 agricultural & life sciences education) has been named the new director of South Dakota State University’s Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine.

Brad Baer (’07 architecture-professional degree), is the chief strategist at Bluecadet, and he has been honored as a 2022 Philadelphia Business Journal 40 under 40 recipient.

Clayton Cartland (MFA ‘99 interior design) has accepted a position as facilities construction manager at Ames Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy research facility on Iowa State University’s campus.

Jennifer Lehmkuhl Corkrean (‘06 interior design, MArch ‘09) has been honored as one of Retail TouchPoint’s 2022 40 under 40 award winners. This award highlights innovative leaders who have done remarkable work and have made significant contributions to the progress of the retail industry.