Notable Alumni of Thomas More University: A Legacy of Achievement and Service
Thomas More University, steeped in a rich history of academic excellence and commitment to community, has produced a distinguished array of alumni who have made significant contributions across diverse fields. These individuals, through their leadership, service, and dedication, embody the University's mission to examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world, and their responsibility to others. This article highlights some of the notable alumni who have left an indelible mark on their communities and beyond.
Honoring Outstanding Alumni: The Alumni Association Awards
The Thomas More University Alumni Association established the Alumni Association Awards to recognize outstanding alumni and community leaders whose talents and expertise have made a significant impact as they continue to live the Thomas More University mission. These awards celebrate the diverse achievements of alumni who have excelled in their respective fields and demonstrated a commitment to service and leadership. The Alumni Association welcomes ongoing nominations of outstanding alumni.
Alumni Award for Achievement
The Alumni Award for Achievement is awarded to an alum who has made a significant impact on the welfare of his/her community through service and leadership.
Recipients of this award include:
- 1968: Paul Simon ’58
- 1969: David Schneider ’63
- 1970: Sister M. Philip Trauth ’46
- 1971: Dr. Harry Flotemersch ’51
- 1972: Kenneth Reed ’57
- 1973: Kenneth Billman ’55
- 1974: Judge Lawrence Wichmann ’57
- 1975: Thomas J. Kindt ’63
- 1976: Harry Beck ’54
- 1996: Thomas W. Dooley ’52, Judge Anthony Wilhoit ‘ 55
- 1997: Dr. George Miner ’58, David L. Black ’58
- 1998: D. Lynn Meyers ’77
- 1999: Susan McEvoy ’64, David M. Otte ’74
- 2002: William L. Schmaedecke ’56
- 2003: Dr. Judith A. Marlowe ’69
- 2004: Dr. William H. Rauckhorst ’62
- 2007: Kathleen F. Collins ’86, Dr. James R. Connor, Jr. ’75
- 2009: Laryl Lee (Lahrman) Delker) ’49
- 2011: Brent Messmer ’94, Johnna Reeder ’07
- 2013: Dr. Edward J. Connor ’89
- 2015: Sr. Margaret A. Stallmeyer, CDP ’68
- 2017: Timothy Rahschulte ’93, David Schroeder ’90
- 2019: Jeffrey Mando ’80, J.D.
- 2021: Joe Shriver ’94
- 2023: Bob Stevens ’78, Linda Robinson ’87
- 2024: Michael Gieske, M.D.
Alumni Award for Service
The Alumni Award for Service is awarded to an alum who made a significant impact on the welfare of his/her community through service and leadership.
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Recipients of this award include:
- 1969: Wilbert Ziegler ’53
- 1970: Albert C. Parton, Jr. ’61
- 1971: Donald Wintersheimer ’53
- 1973: Dr. William V. Banks ’63
- 1974: Msgr. Donald Hellman ’49
- 1975: David Surber ’60
- 1976: William Schmaedecke ’56
- 1996: Sister Alice Gerdeman ’73
- 1997: Maureen Maxfield ’72
- 1998: Charles Biery ’70, Sister Immaculata Campbell ’46
- 1999: William J. Verax, III ’76
- 2002: Daniel Albrinck ’88
- 2003: Charles R. Scheper ’74
- 2004: Sue Ann Cole ’86
- 2007: Andrew J. “A.J.” Schaeffer ’96
- 2009: Kathy (Beechem) Nadherny ’73, Patrick J. Raverty ’73
- 2011: Joyce (Hamel) Asfour ’60, Nancy (West) Romer ’91*
- 2013: Wm. T. “Bill” Robinson, III ’67
- 2015: Neena (LaMendola) Volk ’07, Dr. C.
Honorary Alumni Award
Established in 2024, the Honorary Alumni Award is given to an individual or couple, while not a graduate of Villa Madonna College, Thomas More College, or Thomas More University, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the values, mission, and community spirit that has defined Thomas More University for more than 100 years. This award is given to those who have made a strong impact on Thomas More University through support and advocacy, leaving an indelible mark on the institution.
Faculty/Staff Legacy Award
Awarded to a faculty or staff member, past or present, who has demonstrated and continues to have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of current and former students.
Recipients of this award include:
- 1996: Sr. Mary Laurence Budde ’53, Michael Burch
- 1997: Dr. Patricia Sommerkamp ’71
- 1998: Nancy Bruns ’60
- 1999: Paul A. Tenkotte ’82
- 2002: Monsignor John F. Murphy ’52
- 2004: Rudolph A. Morow
- 2007: Dr. Ronald A. Mielech ’57
- 2009: Dr. William S. Bryant
- 2011: Dr. George J. Euskirchen, Joy E. Nolan
- 2013: Dr. Raymond G. Hebert
- 2015: Dr. John W. Ferner
- 2017: Dr. Christopher Lorentz
- 2019: Sherry Cook Stanforth, Ph.D.
- 2021: Sr.
Legacy Award
Established in 2024, the Legacy Award honors alumni, faculty, staff, or friends of the University posthumously for the impact made on the institution during their lifetime.
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Recipients of this award include:
- 2024: Sister Loretto Marie Driscoll ’39 CDP, Ph.D.
- 2025: Joseph F.
Outstanding Alumni
- 1975: Thomas W.
- 1980: Thomas Dietz ’69, Matthew Maley ’63, Ken Schmidt ’76
- 1981: Joseph Cleves, Sr. ’76, Monsignor Donald Hellmann ’49, Carol Walsh Jansen ’51, Anita Scheper Stautberg ’64, James Stautberg ’65, Alice Rabe Wintersheimer ’56
- 1982: Thomas W. Ginney ’52, Mary Joyce (Martin) Ginney ’54, John C. LaVelle ’66, Wm. T. “Bill” Robinson, III ’67, Janice Sherman Schmidt ’69
- 1983: Michael E. Crawford ’72, Thomas E. Kennedy ’52, Joan O. Noll ’61, Sr. Mary Ann Pitstick, SND ’50, Gerald Thelen ’61, Judge Donald Wintersheimer ’53
- 1984: M. Eileen Cassidy ’68, James R. Connor, Sr. ’50, Gilbert Hageman ’68, Jeanne Baskett Jacobs ’51
- 1985: Dr. William V. Banks ’63, Sr. Mary Laurence Budde ’53, SND Louis Esselman ’81, Helen Marie Laux ’43, Sr. Rose Rauen ’51, OSB, Judith Jack Wischer ’70
- 1986: Mary Sue Krippenstapel Deters ’52, David J. Kriege, Sr. ’60, Clotilde Kuchle ’29, Sr. Mary Ethel Parrott ’69, SND Patricia J. Smith Sommerkamp ’71, Patrick D.
Notable Alumni Spotlights
Michael Gieske, M.D.
Michael Gieske, M.D., a 2024 honoree, exemplifies the Thomas More University mission through his dedication to community welfare. A family medicine physician for over 37 years, Gieske serves as director of Lung Cancer Screening and Physician Advisor Advocacy at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. He has been a lung cancer screening program leader for over eight years, demonstrating his commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.
Terry Connor ’92
Thomas More University Vice President and Director of Athletics Terry Connor received the Service Award, honoring the time, energy and expertise he has provided and continues to provide to the University. Connor currently serves as vice president and director of athletics at Thomas More. He received his bachelor’s degree in history and went on to obtain a master’s degree in education from Xavier University in 1996. His first year working at the Thomas More was 1997.
John Cimprich, Ph.D.
Faculty Emeritus John Cimprich, Ph.D., was also honored. Cimprich grew up in southwest Ohio and now lives in Northern Kentucky. After earning three history degrees (Bachelor of Arts at Thomas More, Master of Arts and doctorate at Ohio State University), he was a temporary research fellow at the Andrew Johnson Papers, plus a temporary instructor at Ohio State University and Southeast Missouri State University. courses; and seminars on historiography and once on Lincoln.
Sierra O’Bryan ’13
The Emerging Leader Award went to Sierra O’Bryan in recognition of excellence in her post-collegiate life and commitment to Thomas More University as a recent alumna. O’Bryan is a software engineer at Clubhouse, specializing in native Android development. She takes pride in building user-facing products that help people.
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Sister Loretto Marie Driscoll, CDP, Ph.D.
The final honor, the Legacy Award, was awarded posthumously to Sister Loretto Marie Driscoll, CDP, Ph.D. Awarded posthumously, Sr. Loretto Marie graduated from Thomas More University (then Villa Madonna) with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Other Notable Alumni
- Whitney Johnson: The 2021 Outstanding Senior Award recipient, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
- Abby Link: The 2021 Presidential Service Award recipient, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics.
- Rebecca Gaeddert: The 2021 Digital, Graduate, and Professional Graduate Award recipient, graduated with a Master of Ethical Leadership (MAEL).
- Naomi Diedrichs: The 2021 Digital, Graduate, and Professional Undergraduate Award recipient, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
The Thomas More University Experience: Shaping Future Leaders
Thomas More University provides a transformative educational experience that prepares students for success in their chosen fields and empowers them to make a positive impact on the world. The University's commitment to academic excellence, coupled with its focus on service and leadership, fosters a community of engaged and responsible citizens.
President Joseph Chillo, LP.D., emphasized the significance of the Thomas More experience, stating, "As you go out into the world, serving as great leaders in your future endeavors, I know that you will succeed because of the education and Saints Experience you’ve received here at Thomas More."
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