Distinguished Alumni Honored During Viterbo Days
If school seems difficult right now, don’t fret. The recipients of the Viterbo Distinguished Alumni Award have proven to us that our hard work will pay off. On October 13, the Award Recognition Ceremony was filled with cheerful laughter, smiles and words of endearment as members from alumni classes became acquainted once again. They all gathered to congratulate five distinguished alumni that came from their same, great alma mater. Maomoua Vue (’98), Richard Ruskell (’79), Maracella Steffes, FSPA (’56), Rosine Urujeni’ (’11), and Joseph Stamp-Romero (’12) received awards.
Tom Thibodeau made it clear to everyone attending the ceremony that these awards are not given but earned, and have been earned by 132 alumni of Viterbo University. Vue earned her community service award by becoming the first Hmong director of a Wisconsin Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Center, among many other achievements. Steffes, of the FSPA, has done many things to earn her service to the university award including beginning the annual Suzuki Festival held at Viterbo from 1987 until 2010. Ruskell prospered in his career by becoming one of the first graduates from what is now known as the International Culinary Center, to creating edible masterpieces for A-listers across the country. He continues to teach cake decorating in his spare time, earning him the professional development award.
Unfortunately, Urujeni was unable to make it to Viterbo due to an illness. However, she was housed by Paul and Barbara Rusterholz during her education here at Viterbo, and they were able to accept the award on her behalf. When Barbara Rusterholz was asked what it meant to her for Rosine to receive the Spirit of Francis award, she had this to say: “I expected her to be president of Rowanda someday, and I told her that 10 years ago. She came to Viterbo to learn English so that she could go back to serve an important role in her home country. She is brilliant, ambitious, and there isn’t anything she can’t do.” Stamp-Romero was also unable to make it back to La Crosse this weekend, but he is continuously working on projects that have earned him the young alumni award. He works with the youth of Belize, where he resides, and helps kids express traumatic experiences through art. Thibodeau commented that Stamp-Romero is doing great things by providing hospitality in a place where they only receive hostility.
Along with these distinguished alumni, many members of the class of ’68, ’98, and the nursing class of ’08 were present. Cheryl Klos-Montalbano (’68) mentioned how “truly wonderful it is that the community is just as, if not more, vibrant now” than it was when she was at Viterbo. Whether you are a distinguished alumnus or not, Viterbo University will always be the one thing we all share. Viterbo President Glena Temple wants to make sure every Viterbo alumni knows you are always welcome on campus. To all alumni: welcome home.