💙💛 MUSKIE LOVE WEEK 💙💛
For Erwin Miller ‘59 and Neva Miller ‘59, love began at Lakeland and has lasted for 67 years.
Neva, a Kansas farm girl, chose Lakeland because her uncle was the Dean. There, she met Erwin, a Canadian student, and their friendship quickly turned into something more.
While Neva was in nursing school in Milwaukee, Erwin accepted a teaching job in North Dakota. Unsure of what their future held, they sat in silence—until Neva surprised herself by saying:
“I could quit training if we could get married.”
And just like that, she proposed!
Decades later, Erwin and Neva still laugh about that moment as they celebrate a lifetime of love, proving that sometimes, taking a leap of faith is worth it.
Stay tuned on Facebook for more heartfelt #MuskieLoveWeek stories!
There’s still time to share! Did you meet your best friend or significant other at Lakeland? We’d love to hear your story!
Email: alumni@lakeland.edu
2025 LU BLASTER’S GOLF OUTTING
Join us for Lakeland University’s annual golf tournament — The Blasters — on Friday, June 13 at Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wis.
This continues to be a sold-out event, so don’t miss out, reserve your spot today!
All proceeds from the event will support our Life & Career Studies (LCS) program, which offers a full college experience for young adults (ages 18-25) with intellectual disabilities. LCS empowers students by providing access to academics, employment opportunities, independent living skills, and community engagement—ensuring they experience college life alongside their peers.
Highlights from 2024 Blaster’s Golf Outing
Muskie Women’s Wrestling Featured on FOX 6 News
Our Muskie Women’s Wrestling Program, led by Coach Shannon Gillespie, has earned the spotlight on FOX 6 News. This feature highlights the commitment and achievements of our wrestlers under the expert guidance of Coach Gillespie.
Watch the full story and support our athletes’ impressive journey in the wrestling world.
Upcoming Alumni Engagement & Event Opportunities
Mark your calendars and stay up to date! We have a series of engaging activities planned that you won’t want to miss:
February
Essence of Heritage: February 15 at 6 p.m., Weill Center for the Performing Arts. Join us for a Black History Celebration in partnership with Black American Community Outreach. The evening will feature a pre-event reception at 5 p.m., keynote by Judge Derek Mosley, and Rodney Ellison as Master of Ceremonies. Free admission. No tickets are required. Learn more. Lakeland partners to create Black History celebration in February
March
Muskies Softball & Baseball Florida Spring Break Trip: March 8-15. Join in cheering on the Muskies in Auburndale and Winter Haven, Florida, as they face off in a series of spring sports competitions. Come support our teams at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex and the Diamond Plex and show your Muskie pride! See full athletic schedule here. Composite Schedule – Lakeland University Athletics
Alumni Gatherings in Florida: March 11-12. Celebrate with alumni and friends on Tuesday, March 11th in The Villages and Wednesday, March 12th in the Orlando area. Reach out to Shelby Lang at LangSL@lakeland.edu to register and learn more. See you in Florida!
Senior Celebration Event: March 25. We’re actively seeking alumni and alumni employers to participate in our event hosted on the main campus from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. More details to come. Interested? Email PingitoreS@lakeland.edu
April
Spring Musical: April 4–6. Don’t miss the creativity and talent of our students in this year’s Spring Musical.
International Night: Explore a showcase of global cultures right here at Lakeland.
Undergraduate Research Symposium: April 16. Be inspired by the innovative projects our students have been working on.
May
Commencement: May 10. We’re looking for alumni volunteers to help during commencement as we welcome our students into the alumni association. Interested? Email PingitoreS@lakeland.edu
June
Lakeland Blasters: June 13. Join us for Lakeland University’s annual golf tournament — The Blasters — at Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wis. Don’t miss out; reserve your spot today! Questions? Email Blasters@lakeland.edu
Want more details or to get involved? Email us at alumni@lakeland.edu for more information on how you can participate.
Lakeland Alumni in the Spotlight
We’re proud to continue showcasing the incredible achievements of our alumni:
Elizabeth Oberreich ’80 retired from her position as a junior underwriter at National Exchange Bank & Trust on January 3, 2025. Before joining the bank in 2005, she worked as an underwriter for various financial institutions. Throughout her career at the bank’s Howards Grove location, Elizabeth was instrumental in supporting the underwriting process, managing rate adjustments and other communications, and handling the underwriting functions for large Home Equity Lines and Mobile Home Loans.
Elizabeth Oberreich Retired| NEBAT Blog
Mark Welch ’05 has recently joined Bank First as vice president of retail loan underwriting. Mark brings over 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry to his new role where he will lead efforts to enhance loan processes and improve customer experiences. Outside of work, Mark is a committed supporter of the United Way and the Salvation Army
Ben Kosewski ’09 has been appointed as the next president and CEO-elect of Lorain County Health & Dentistry (LCH&D). Ben brings over a decade of experience from Mercy Health, where he led the oncology service line, and previous roles include executive director of cancer services at UPMC Western Maryland. Ben holds an MBA in organizational leadership and a master’s in genetic counseling.
Lorain County Health & Dentistry names Ben Kosewski new president, CEO | Chronicle Telegram
Additional Alum Spotlights
Le’shay Guy ’16 MAC ‘20 has been appointed as the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Lakeside.
Kerstin Sauerbrei ’24 has recently accepted a position as a Marketing Intern with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, the High-A Affiliate of the San Diego Padres, for the 2025 season.
Tony Call ’97 has been promoted to lead all IT applications operations management at General Dynamics Mission Systems.
Dylan Penny ’22 has been promoted to Outside Sales Representative at The Outdoor GreatRoom Company
Irv Kaage ’73 recently published his first book titled “Extra! Extra! My Route from Newsboy to CEO.” It is available on Amazon and includes tales from his time at Lakeland along with travels to 38 countries. https://a.co/d/aCnFDq0 https://a.co/d/ek2YIhC
We love hearing your stories! Have exciting news to share? Whether it’s a new job, wedding, or family addition, we’d love to feature you in the next edition of the Lakeland Magazine and on our social channels.
Join the Lakeland Alumni Mentor Program
Want to make a lasting impact this year? Join our Alumni Mentor Program and guide our current students toward success. Your experience could shape the future of a Muskie and strengthen our community.
Class Notes
Mike Okray ’73 & Donald Cerra ’73
Adventures and Laughs at Lakeland
Mike Okray led an eventful life at Lakeland, not only as class president and the founder of the first trapshooting and soccer teams but also as a central figure in creating lifelong memories. His college days were marked by the significant milestone of meeting his future wife in Spanish class, celebrating their union for over fifty years.
Don Cerra’s tales from those days reflect the humor and spirit of their adventures. The duo’s escapade to a national trap shooting competition in Missouri turned memorable when they endured one of the Midwest’s worst snowstorms, resulting in an unintended extended stay in a cramped Motel Six. The situation lightened when Donald, in search of food, inadvertently became the guest of honor at a local party, thanks to a helpful stranger with a Camaro.
Their return trip was just as chaotic, navigating snow-blocked roads and finding the interstate back home a wintery parking lot. These experiences, filled with challenges, laughter, and tight quarters, epitomize the adventurous spirit and tight-knit friendships formed at Lakeland.
We love hearing from our alumni and learning about where life has taken them since leaving Lakeland. If you have memories you’d like to share, please send them our way for future editions of our newsletter!
Lakeland University Secures $365K Grant from Kohler Trust
Lakeland University enhances student opportunities with a $365,000 grant from the Kohler Trust for the Arts and Education, funding key programs like the Kohler Teaching Scholars and the Sheboygan County Scholars.
Stay Connected with Lakeland Alumni on Facebook!
Follow the Lakeland Alumni Facebook group for updates, events, and Muskie pride! Join the fun with #MuskoMonday, #TriviaTuesday, #WehrWednesdays, and #ThrowbackThursday.
Share your memories with #aLUmni and follow us here:
Giving Back
Lakeland’s success is built on the generosity of people like you.
Whether you’re an alum or a friend of the university, we are deeply grateful for your support. Your contributions directly impact our students and help shape their futures. Thank you for making a difference!
Got a new job? Got married? Moved? Don’t forget to update your contact information!
Upcoming Events
Please visit lakeland.edu/calendar for the most up-to-date listing of events.