Sam Bader ’18
Sam Bader ’18 was an Anthropology major at Lawrence, who is now a College and Alumni Success Coach at Navajo Preparatory School, Inc..
"I remember eating in the café right before midnight and studying in Warch Campus Center even later, performing music with my classmates in Memorial Chapel and Downtown Appleton, laughing when times were great and crying when times were difficult with my support systems in the Diversity and Intercultural Center, and leading events with Lawrence’s Native American and indigenous student organization promoting our cultures around Wisconsin and beyond. Most of all, I remember being able to relate to people, help people, and learn with people who changed me for the better."
Gabriel Baker ’20
Gabriel Baker ’20 was an Economics major at Lawrence, who is now an Area Manager at Amazon.
"From the vast exposure to leadership opportunities, brilliant peers, and cherished moments waiting around every corner, I was able to accelerate my personal growth from the well-earned wins and lessons learned. Simply attending Lawrence University will not guarantee one’s vocational or personal success, but those who are willing to bear risk, relentlessly pursue what they love, and take complete ownership over their development will find spending their undergraduate career at Lawrence to be a fruitful endeavor."
Kelsi Bryant ‘22
Kelsi Bryant ‘22 majored in Government at Lawrence and now is a masters student at Louisiana State University and works as a Residence Coordinator.
"A few years later, I was fortunate enough to serve as Lawrence University Community Council president for two years. In this role, I met frequently with university administration, including President Dr. Laurie Carter. By witnessing their direct impact on the student experience in academics, the area surrounding the university, and student day to day student life, I was motivated to change my career aspirations. Lawrence taught me that University has the opportunity to change lives for the better, and I now participate in that work."
Susan Chadwick ‘09
Susan Chadwick '09 majored in Psychology and Religious Studies. She is now the Director of CSS Profile and IDOC at the College Board.
"In my later years at Lawrence, I gained confidence through various activities. I became an RLA and a tour guide, and joined the club women’s ice hockey team, eventually becoming a captain. These opportunities changed my life, particularly as I found amazing friendships."
Rick Chandler ’74
Rick Chandler ’74 majored in Government. He is now retired after spending the majority of his career working for the State of Wisconsin, including service as the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and as State Budget Director.
"Lawrence prepared me with the skills I needed for law school and my career, helped give me confidence, and taught me the value of being curious about many subjects, being open to new experiences, and getting to know different people."
Brienne Colston ‘15
Brienne Colston ‘15 majored in Gender Studies at Lawrence and now serves as the Co-Executive Director of Community Healing & Transformation at the U.S. Department of Arts & Culture.
“My education at Lawrence propelled me with the audacity to start an organization dedicated to actualizing equity through healing in my hometown of The Bronx.”
Hugh Dellios ’83
Hugh Dellios ’83 was a History major at Lawrence, and now manages the Journalism program at The Joyce Foundation in Chicago.
"Half kidding, I tell people my Dad tricked me into getting a Lawrence education. I was a jock coming out of high school, and just wanted to find a small college where I could play football. My Dad graduated from a liberal arts college in our hometown, but he pointed me toward Lawrence. Yes, I could play for the Vikings, and I did. But my Dad knew Lawrence’s reputation. He knew what I would find on campus – beyond the Banta Bowl -- and how it would shape the rest of my life. And he was right, again."
Tracy Donald ‘95
Tracy Donald ‘95 majored in Economics at Lawrence and is now a District Business Leader for Alkermes.
“My Lawrence story began during a senior year visit to the campus with a couple of my best friends and ended as an individual with so much more than I could have ever anticipated during that Fall visit.”
Chuck Erickson ’02
Chuck Erickson ‘02 completed the double-degree program in Spanish and Choral/General Music Education and is now an Independent Educational Consultant with College Connectors.
"Lawrence was very different from my small, rural high school, and I was unprepared academically or socially for the Lawrence bubble. I was a rural kid that got a huge wake-up call. Thankfully, I joined Phi Kappa Tau and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, which changed my life forever."
Rebecca Vande Hei Frostenson ‘04
Rebecca Vande Hei Frostenson ‘04 is Director of Marketing Learning at Microsoft. She double-majored in Classical Languages and English Literature at Lawrence.
"That is how my Lawrence experience came to begin with a surprise ally in the Finance department. I remember breathing to stop my tears as I explained my situation over the phone, and how they welled back up when the woman said, “we’ll figure this out together.” She helped me secure an alumni grant and confirm a Work Study option, and she partnered with me throughout my time at Lawrence."
Mohit Gupta ‘11
Mohit Gupta ‘11 is an Internal Medicine Physician for the Dupage Medical Group. He was a Biochemistry major at Lawrence.
"Whenever I struggled in a class, I knew I could rely on classmates to steer me in the right direction. Lawrence did a great job of creating an academic environment that encouraged this cooperation and collaboration."
Alison Guthrie ‘86
Alison Guthrie '86 is the owner of Allegro Academy of Music, LLC and majored in Piano Performance at Lawrence.
“In addition, my varied experiences with some students and faculty and even the City of Appleton left me feeling isolated, undervalued and lonely during my stay at Lawrence. African American students at that time were not always welcomed in our community. Still, there were wonderful moments, which included forming a close friendship with a fellow Lawrentian, which remains today. The years from freshman year to senior year can include exponential personal growth and all of these experiences facilitated my transformation.”
Dr. Linda Berger Hellmich ‘82
Dr. Linda Berger Hellmich ‘82 is a Psychologist at KSB Hospital who majored in Psychology at Lawrence.
"My first advisor was a female chemistry professor who was simultaneously brilliant, kind, compassionate and challenging. This was my first exposure to a woman like this. She expressed confidence in me, and a seed of confidence began to grow in myself."
Mary Jo Johnson ‘79
Mary Jo Johnson ‘79 majored in Psychology at Lawrence. She is the CEO and owner at EO Johnson Business Technologies.
“I cherish my days at Lawrence University and wish I could have spent all four years there. Being a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, the Concert Choir (under Dr. Karle Erickson), sledding down the hill on food trays from the old Downer Commons, The Viking Room, tutoring undergrads, TRIVIA!, Phi Beta Kappa and volunteering within the community are just a few of the many great memories I hold dear. And the friends made…..for life.”
Aaron Lindberg ‘96
Aaron Lindberg ‘96 majored in Music at Lawrence and is now the Director of Admissions at California State University-Northridge.
“At Lawrence, I found my outlet through student activism and eventually became the president of the LGBT club. While I faced adversity, what I remember the most is LU’s strong sense of community with faculty and staff who truly care for students. Dean Marti Hemwall, Professor Tim Rodgers, Susan Dean and Linda Fuerst helped me navigate challenging academic and personal situations throughout my four years at Lawrence; I still think of them often.”
Gayatri Malhotra ’14
Gayatri Malhotra ‘14 majored in Biology (pre-medicine) at Lawrence and is now a Gender Technical Advisor at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GenDev) Hub.
"But the most enduring lesson Lawrence imparted was the art of building a supportive community and speaking up for what I believe in. I discovered how a community can provide the space and freedom to express your authentic self and reach your full potential."
Virginia Merrifield ’80
Virginia Merrifield ’80 majored in Spanish at Lawrence and is now AVP of Marketing Execution at Wells Fargo Bank.
"Between the excellent education provided, the friendships forged, and the life lessons learned, Lawrence truly shaped the course of my life. I have enjoyed a successful career in Marketing since my Lawrence days, but the honor code, values and friendships solidified at Lawrence have been a constant guide."
Matthew A. Murphy ‘06
Matthew A. Murphy ‘06 is the Operations Group Senior Manager for Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. He majored in Theatre Arts and Voice Performance at Lawrence.
“As I turned 19, I wasn’t sure I would last at Lawrence. At 39, I can’t imagine my life without it.”
Madhura Samarth Nathwani ’95
Madhura Samarth Nathwani ’95 majored in Economics at Lawrence and is now the Founder of Ripple Animation.
"As I look back on my career over these last 28 years, I can say that I owe every success I’ve had to my education at Lawrence. I majored in Economics and started out as an investment banker on Wall Street in New York. I realized within two years that investment banking wasn’t for me and pivoted completely to a field in which I had absolutely no experience - creating videos for brands and businesses."
Emily Dalton Niles ’09
Emily Dalton Niles ’09 majored in Government and Music at Lawrence and is now a Communications Leader at GE Healthcare.
"It was music that brought me to Lawrence, but it's the people at Lawrence that will forever stay with me."
Jismy Raju ‘11
Jismy Raju ‘11 is a Senior Customer Success Manager, LinkedIn and was a Spanish major at Lawrence.
"Lawrence will forever hold a special place in my heart, as a place that was once foreign and later became one of my greatest adventures."
Margaret H. Schmidt ‘12
Margaret H. Schmidt '12 is the Supervising Attorney-Healthy Together Program, Children’s Law Center. She majored in Government at Lawrence.
“Freshman year was not easy. I transitioned to being hundreds of miles from home. My roommate suffered a devastating loss and I learned to be there for her. I was hurt by a classmate and took the next year to figure out how to address it. From it all, I learned some of the most important lessons that have guided me through life. First, your true friends are the ones who are there when you are at your lowest points (including staying up with you when you can’t sleep and ordering late night pizza). Passion can be driven by more than just academic knowledge. And to appreciate where you have been in life, even if it is not always easy.”
Schuyler T. Thornton ‘14
Schuyler T. Thornton ‘14 is a Lecturer of Flute and Director of the Flute Ensemble, Muhlenberg College. She majored in Flute Performance and Government at Lawrence.
“Lawrence has defined almost every aspect of my being for the past decade. On one hand, it is hard to believe that it has only been 10 years since I first arrived on campus, as it is difficult to remember who I was before Lawrence. On the other hand, it seems like just yesterday that I fell in love with Appleton and the Lawrence community. Coming from New Jersey, I remember my hesitation in applying, auditioning, and even in attending the admitted students' day (thanks for the push, Mom!)- why did I need to go to Wisconsin for college? But from the moment I stepped onto campus, I knew I was home. What I did not realize was Lawrence will always feel like home.”
Eric Simonson ‘82
Eric Simonson ’82 was a Theatre and Drama major at Lawrence, who is now a director for theatre and film.
“When I came to Lawrence, I hadn’t had much experience in the world. I was coming straight from a farm in southeastern Wisconsin and was surrounded by rural poor, where most kids were eager to graduate and run the family farm, which is fine, but I knew that wasn’t me. That said, I really didn’t know much about anything and was grateful for the time Lawrence gave me to decide what I might be interested in. So I tried a lot of different things. This led me onto stumbling into a directing class in the theatre department which, at that time, had only two professors. I found I had a talent for directing plays and was encouraged to pursue this.”
Michael Stein, MD ‘80
Michael Stein, MD ‘80 is vice president and head of the medical experts and medical standards divisions of Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts at Lawrence and studied Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Medicine.
“When I stepped on the Lawrence Campus, I underwent a rather sudden and remarkable transformation. I am not sure if it was removing myself from the environment where mediocrity was acceptable, if I sensed and adapted to a culture of scholarship and excellence, or if I just 'grew up.' Rather suddenly, I had a thirst for learning, a desire to excel and an attitude of questioning nearly everything. I learned critical thinking in Freshman Studies and was encouraged to hone this skill throughout my years at Lawrence. The knack for critical thinking that I learned as a Lawrence undergraduate has served me throughout my professional and personal life.”
Wesley S. Varughese ‘16
Wesley S. Varughese ‘16 is a MBA student at Georgetown University. He majored in Government and Spanish at Lawrence.
“I didn’t graduate with honors or anything, but the experiences I garnered both on and off campus are a part of the badge of honor I carry today. I came out of Lawrence more humble, more open-minded, and most of all, more willing to try anything put in front of me. You won’t know until you’ve tried – Lawrence taught me that.”
Jiayi Ling Young ‘94
Jiayi Ling Young ‘94 is an Associate Professor in the Design Department at the University of California-Davis. She majored in Art and Physics at Lawrence.
“Dorm life also taught me a lot of things. There, I met students from all walks of life. My dorm roommate was a Christian scientist. I learned that not everyone goes to the doctors when they are sick because of differences in religious beliefs. Growing up in a big city in communist China, I was much more accustomed to a homogenous lifestyle and ways of thinking. Dorms are where I met fellow Lawrentians whose families are Wisconsin farmers who welcomed me and shared their love and lives with me. I learned that Wisconsin dairy farmers get up at 4:30 am even if it is forty below with blizzard snow because the cows have to be fed and the manure has to be shoveled. In addition to working hard at school, these students also had to shoulder family obligations to help out on the farm. Dorm life was full of fun as well. I remember once that two floors worth of rooms blasted Pink Floyd's We don't need no education! Then, the resident dorm staff shut us down (LOL). Finals week was always all-nighter after all-nighter, then the doom would be dead the day after because everyone would be catching up on sleep.”