Alumni Awards 2014

October 13, 2014

The Buena Vista University National Alumni Association honored four individuals for their service to the University and to their communities at a special luncheon and at half-time of the Homecoming game on Oct. 4.

Those who were honored are:

Jeremy Peichel, Class of 2009, and his wife Wendy (Lehman) Peichel, Class of 2007, are the recipients of the 2014 Keith Briscoe Alumni Award. The award is named in honor of BVU's 16th President, who led the campus from 1974 to 1995 and recognizes recent graduates for their past student achievements and present career success.

Jeremy graduated from BVU with degrees in political science, public administration and environmental science, and Wendy received degrees in finance and banking and economics. After Jeremy's active service with the Army National Guard and their graduation from BVU, the couple relocated to Maryland where Jeremy earned his master's degrees in public policy and sustainable development and conservation biology from University of Maryland.

The Peichels now live in Roseville, Minnesota. Jeremy is a watershed forestry specialist with the USDA Forest Service, and Wendy is a financial para planner. She is an accredited financial counselor, Series 7 and 66 licensed, and she has passed Level I of the CFA Exam and will sit for Level II in June 2015.

They each participated in numerous organizations and activities while at BVU. Jeremy was active with the Army National Guard; served on the Student Senate; member of College Republicans; participated in Mock Trial; KBVU Radio DJ; contributor to The Tack; and served as vice-chair of SCATE (Students Concerned About Tomorrow's Environment). Wendy was vice president of service-learning and co-organization liaison for Student MOVE; student representative for CommUNITY Education Advisory Council; Campus Compact fellow; member of BVU choir, Vista Chamber Singers and band; Habitat for Humanity volunteer; assistant campus coordinator for College Republicans; and involved with Business Club.

The couple continues to be active in their community and professional organizations. Jeremy is a member of New Millennium Committee of the Planetary Society, Anacostia Watershed Society, Union of Concerned Scientists, and the Society of Conservation Biology. Wendy is a tax preparation volunteer at Prepare + Prosper, a non-profit that provides free tax preparation and financial empowerment programs to low-income people, and she is also a military spouse fellow for the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education.

Wendy and Jeremy remain involved with BVU as members of the Order of the Arch and by previously hosting BVU students in their home while they completed unpaid internships in Washington D.C. Jeremy serves as a mentor to current students and recent graduates and is currently developing an environmental regulation online course for Graduate & Professional Studies.

They have one son, Liam who will turn three in November and another baby due in October.

Dr. Susan (Hickey) Donovan, Class of 1980, of Baltimore, Maryland, is the 2014 John Fisher Alumni Award recipient. Established in 1970 and named in honor of the University's 14th president, the John Fisher Award recognizes a BVU graduate who possesses a consistent and persevering dedication to the qualities for which the University stands.

Donovan graduated with a degree in communications and went on to receive her master's degree in higher education from Florida State University and her PhD in education in higher education administration from Saint Louis University.

During her time at BV, Donovan was a resident assistant, participated in student government, played softball, was a basketball manager, and worked on the student newspaper, The Tack.

Throughout her career, she has held positions at Loyola University Maryland, including dean of residential life, dean of students, interim vice president for advancement, vice president for student development and dean of students, and her current role as executive vice president. She was also the assistant director of housing at Saint Louis University.

Donovan is a loyal donor to BVU, a member of the Order of the Arch, and served on the President's Advisory Council from 2004-11. She is also active in other commitments and community service, including serving on the board of directors of Stella Maris, Wheeling Jesuit University board of trustees, Loyola Notre Dame Library board, Keswick Multi-Care Center board, Changing Directions board member, Chesapeake Life board member (American Red Cross, Biomedical Services), and holding leadership roles with Jesuit Association of Student Affairs Administrators (JASPA).

In recognition for her work, she has received the Yanitelli Award for Lifetime Service from the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the Educator for Life Award from students at Loyola University.

Donovan's spouse, Dr. Bill Donovan is a history professor at Loyola University, and they have twin daughters, Meghan and Caitlin.

Sherman "Sherm" Wollesen, Class of 1962, of Lawton, is the recipient of the 2014 Henry Olson Distinguished Service Alumni Award. This award is the highest honor presented by the BVU Alumni Association. The award is named in honor of the University's 13th president and recognizes former students who have made significant contributions to society and/or the University, and for their exceptional effort, dedication, and self-sacrifice in service to others.

Wollesen graduated from BV with a bachelor's degree in biology and went on to earn a master's degree from Indiana University in 1967. He started his career as a teacher and football coach in the Sioux City and Holstein school systems. Wollesen eventually became the president of Standard Ready Mix in Sioux City, and after retiring, focused on farming full-time.

While a student at BV, Wollesen was a stand-out athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball, which led to his induction into the BV Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993. He continues to give back to BV by supporting a number of campus projects, including the Lamberti Recreation Center, Al Baxter Endowment, baseball and softball field projects, and the Estelle Siebens Science Center. Most recently, he was a lead donor to the Peterson Field project.

Wollesen returns to campus often for sporting events and athletic reunions with his former teammates, and he credits his education at BV with learning and understanding how to get along with diverse people throughout his career.

After losing their daughter in a car accident in 2003, Wollesen and his wife, Susan, established the Julie Jensen Higgins Wollesen Scholarship at BVU in her memory. They have three other daughters and a son, along with six grandchildren, and are expecting another grandchild in December.

Dr. Thomas Huerter, of Omaha, Nebraska, is the recipient of the 2014 Wendell Halverson Outstanding Friend Award. The award is named in honor of BVU's 15th president and recognizes individuals who, although not alumni of the University, have demonstrated a commitment to Buena Vista University and its students.

Dr. Huerter is an orthodontist and received his bachelor's degree and D.D.S. from Creighton University School of Dentistry. He completed his orthodontic residency at St. Louis University where he received a post-doctorate master's degree. He began his private practice in orthodontics in Omaha in 1980 to be near his family.

Dr. Huerter is active in his profession as a member of the Omaha District Dental Society, Nebraska Dental Society, Omaha Orthodontic Study Club, Nebraska Society of Orthodontists, Midwestern Society of Orthodontists, and the American Association of Orthodontists.

As an avid art collector and novice painter, Dr. Huerter was looking for a creative, high achievement, small liberal arts institution to begin an arts funding program with yearly donated gifts. He met former BVU professor and sculptor Mac Hornecker at a gallery opening, and the two worked to create a program that has resulted in numerous gifts of artwork bestowed upon the BVU campus and has also resulted in many artist visits to campus to interact with students and as part of the Academic and Cultural Events Series (ACES).

Dr. Huerter's hobbies include art collecting and supporting artists, painting, spending time with family, travel, sports of any kind, exercise, reading, and philanthropy. He is actively involved with many community and civic organizations, such as the Creighton University Athletic Department, Sacred Heart Ministries and CUES, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Seven Doctors Writers Workshop, and Hot Shops Art Center. He served on the BVU President's Advisory Council and has held roles in other organizations, including serving as past chairman of the Contemporary Art Society at the Joslyn Art Museum, board member of the Child Savings Institute, coach for Hillside Little League baseball team and Christ the King grade school youth basketball, and a past member of the St. Margaret Mary Parish Council.

He is married to Christian Ynes Pilcher-Huerter and has five children and one grandchild.