Knights to Know

Learn more about the unique challenges of guiding young adults as they explore their futures and spread their wings — all while being away from home. Hear from:Bob Dudolski ’96, Associate Director of Student Involvement and Engagement, Texas State University–San Marcos.Dr. Vern Klobassa ’07, Batalden Assistant Dean for Student Success and Belonging, Augsburg University, Minneapolis.Kelly Matthias ’04, Dean of Student Life, Concordia University, St. Paul.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at college athletics, from coaching to performance data, from Matt Entz ’95, head football coach at Fresno State; Tiffany Pins ’05, head women’s soccer coach at Washington & Lee; and Chris Winter ’04, Wartburg’s head football coach. (And get a little inside info on Wartburg Athletics while you’re here!)

What could be more important than teaching the next generation? Tune in to hear from Josh Lyons ’99, associate superintendent of teaching and learning in Solon, and Cynthia Phillips ’98, superintendent of schools in Independence, about how they’re tackling tomorrow’s educational challenges through service, passion, and culturally responsive practices.

Join to hear about the work going on in the creative industries from Ryan Hahn ’08, international marketing manager at Universal Pictures and a senior producer/creative director for Emoticon Productions; Tim Stockman ’97, founder of Blue Dog Video; and Christopher Warmanen ’95, VP creative director at the Leo advertising agency.

Hear from Kate Huffman Carroll ’15, associate director of donor operations at Springboard Collaborative; Myles Finn ’15, a former choral director and current drama teacher in Croatia; and Leah Podzimek ’12, an active singer and arts administrator, about the ins and outs of music — from teaching to performance to everything behind the scenes.

What does it take to put on a professional sporting event? What happens behind the scenes of your favorite sports teams? Find out from Alyssa Kozak ’17, associate producer at NASCAR; Hannah Onken ’19, director of stadium operations for the Nashville Sounds; Luke Shanno ’09, vice president of corporate communications for the Kansas City Chiefs; and Trevor Shannon ’99, vice president of finance and controller for Minnesota Sports and Entertainment (Minnesota Wild).

President Ehretsman hosts alongside student body president Alex Crawford as they learn more about the world of business and finance from Jodie Carlson ’07, finance chief of staff at Transamerica; Patrick Smith ’03, senior vice president for retail banking at First Bank; and Kirk Vogel ’83, a portfolio relationship manager at HSBC Bank USA.

Hear from Victor Thu ’97, Carly Nuehring ’17, and Sushant Dhakal ’08 about the work they’re doing in the tech space, including topics like machine learning, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, international security, and what it’s like working in Silicon Valley.

Tune in to hear from Eric Hanson ’96, anchor at KCCI; Jesse Kielman ’17, communication and media manager at the ACLU of Kansas; and Maribel Lopez ’10, head of PBS Digital Studios. They’re joined by President Becky and a student to discuss how we talk to each other, share information, and change minds in an increasingly divided world.

Join us for this special Knights to Know event where Dr. Rebecca Ehretsman, Wartburg’s 18th president, talks about her mission work in Guatemala.

Hear from Lt. Linette Ewing ’02, assistant professor of pediatrics and pediatric clinician, and Dr. Shannon Neale ’87, family medicine practitioner and professor, about the joys and challenges of working in health care.

Hear from Felecia Boone ’93, ’23 MA, a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant for Hennepin County; La Toshia Burrell ’07, owner of Redefine & Reveal Massage Therapy & Bodywork; and Azzie Forbes ’10, director of the social work program at York College, about the amazing work they’re doing!

Hear from Liza Gashi ’13, deputy minister of foreign affairs and diaspora in Kosovo; the Rev. Emily Harkins Norris ’08, founder of The Dwelling, a ministry focused on those who are unhoused; and Alexis Oberdorfer ’93, vice president of community engagement and partnerships at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, about their work serving the needs of others.

Hear from Kerri Blobaum ’94, a materials scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Erica Gallant ’99, technology strategy and partnerships leader for electrification of heating at Trane Technologies; and Dr. Jennifer Kurtz ’99, director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Energy Conversion and Storage Systems Center.