Campus News

by Kyle Fritz, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications 

Rockford University’s junior and Men’s Basketball forward Kevin Diemer surpassed another career milestone this past season, when he scored his 1,000th career point in the Regents’ 74-64 win at Benedictine University. Kevin is no stranger to achieving career milestones however, as he is also in the men’s basketball record book for grabbing his 500th career rebound in the 2021 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament (NACC) Championship game at Wisconsin Lutheran College. 

Currently, Kevin is one of only 17 RU men’s basketball players with 500 career rebounds, one of only 26 players with 1,000 points and one of only 15 players in program history with both 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. All of these accomplishments put him among some of Rockford’s best players, as he currently sits 21st on the all-time scoring list with 1,081 points and 12th in the all-time rebounding list with 659 boards.

“It was a really awesome experience to be able to reach that milestone, and what made it even more special was that it came in the most important win of our season thus far,” Kevin said, when asked about reaching 1,000 points. “My teammates truly are the best, and I want to thank them for helping me along the way. They really made it a special night for me, and I could not be more grateful for them.”

Kevin is not the only Diemer to make both of these lists. His older brother Tony accomplished both of those feats just a few years prior. Tony joined the 1,000 point club with a 26-point effort at Edgewood College back on January 23, 2018. Tony then joined the 500 rebound club ten months later with 10 rebounds in the Regents’ opening game of the 2018-19 season at Carroll University. Both of these were special moments for the Diemer family, as Kevin played alongside his brother during each of those seasons and was able to watch him hit both career milestones.

Tony finished his career fourth on Rockford’s all-time scoring list with 1,650 points and tenth in program history with 679 rebounds. However, Kevin is close to surpassing both of Tony’s marks and still has another year of eligibility remaining. Kevin currently needs just 569 points and 21 rebounds to vault ahead of his older brother on Rockford’s career scoring and rebounding lists. No matter who ends up on top though, Kevin and Tony have already made history as the first pair of brothers to score 1,000 points and grab 500 rebounds at Rockford University.

“Our entire childhood we competed in any way we could, which really helped both of us get better in the long run,” Kevin said. “I know I would not be the competitor I am today without him.” 

The 2022-23 men’s basketball team qualified for the NACC Tournament by winning their final four NACC games of the regular season against Benedictine, Lakeland, Aurora and Illinois Tech. Those four wins sent the Regents to the conference tournament for the third straight year and for the fourth time in the last five years. 

The Regents entered the 2023 NACC Tournament as the number six seed, but unfortunately came up short in their first round game at third seed Marian University. Despite the postseason loss, Rockford still had an outstanding season. Rockford finished with a 13-11 overall record, marking the third straight year the Regents have posted a winning record, which is the longest such streak in 20 years. 

This story was originally published the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of Catalyst. 

By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist

The year 2013 became the start of a new chapter for Rockford University. It was the year that the institution announced its name change from Rockford College to Rockford University. 

In honor of ten years since this milestone and their own graduation, multiple alumni from the class of 2013 shared their favorite college memories, and how RU prepared them for their careers. 

Joanna (Bares) Mladic

Joanna Bares (now Mladic) said she was originally drawn to Rockford College because of the vast volunteer opportunities available. Mladic studied history and secondary education during her time at RU, and initially aspired to be a history teacher, she said.

As a student she wrote for RU’s student newspaper the Recensio and participated in volunteer projects through Rotary International. She said her time in Dr. Catherine Forslund’s history classes were some of her fondest memories. That’s where she said she learned to analyze and interpret historical documents. 

“All my professors were wonderful,” Mladic said.

After graduating, Mladic decided that instead of pursuing a teaching career, she would use the skills she learned in Forslund’s history classes. In 2014, she worked at RU as a technical services assistant, serial manager and archivist. Later, she became RU’s Electronic Resources Librarian and Archivist. 

Today, Mladic works at the North Suburban Library District, located in both Loves Park and Roscoe, as the Global History Librarian.

Julia Halsted

By the time Julia Halsted began studying at RU, she already had a family and a home in Rockford. She said she needed a bachelor’s program with flexibility since her family was the first priority. She enrolled in the Rockford University Degree Completion Program.

“I ended up being a ‘comeback kid’ as they call it around here and relocated back to the (Rockford) area,” Halsted said. 

She said the program fit perfectly for her lifestyle. Halsted was able to finish her bachelor’s degree at her own pace. Halsted said she wanted to do something related to business so pursued the management studies degree. Since then, she has worked for RPS 205, the Rockford Park District, Winnebago County, and is now the Director of Operations of Administration and HR Finance at Region 1 Planning Council in Rockford.

When Halsted graduated from RU, she walked at commencement while pregnant with her second child, Anabel. 

“I chose to have Rockford University (instead of Rockford College) on my diploma,” Halsted said on her degree. “I think because I’m so forward looking, I was really excited to be among the first to have that distinction.”

Bill Newkirk

Alumnus Bill Newkirk was visiting friends who lived in the Rockford area when he heard about Rockford College for the first time. He said he was drawn onto the beautiful campus during that trip.

Newkirk received both his bachelor’s degree and MBA in accounting from RU, in 2012 and 2013, respectively. He credits his mother, who is a certified public accountant, for inspiring him to go into the accounting field. 

During his time at RU, he was involved in student government and was even a resident advisor, he said. He recalls having many professors who made an impact on him, such as Bob Evans, Bill Lewis and Hank Epstein. 

“It laid the foundation for my accounting knowledge,” Newkirk said.

Since graduating, he has taken over the family accounting firm, Newkirk and Associates, He said he has been able to use his foundation at RU in the real world and since 2016, has helped grow his family business.

Newkirk is now married to his wife Susie (previously Smith) who graduated RU in 2009. They have three children together.

This story was originally in the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of Catalyst. 

By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

This year celebrates fifty years since the class of 1973 graduated from Rockford College (now Rockford University). Graduates from this golden grad class shared stories with us on why they are proud to call Rockford their alma mater.

David & Barbara Tanaglia

High school sweethearts Dave Tanaglia and Barb Ragnar (now Tanaglia) met at Auburn High School in Rockford. For their first year of college, they chose separate schools.

Dave received an athletic scholarship for swimming at RC, which secured his decision to stay in Rockford, he said.

Barb originally went to Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois during her freshman year, but said she quickly realized a big campus was not for her. So, she decided to join her boyfriend —now husband — and other friends from Auburn at Rockford College.

“Besides David, there were a number of other people from our class in high school (at Rockford College),” Barb said. “It was almost like going to high school. It was a familiar environment.”

Aside from the social experience, Barb said she appreciated the visiting professors.

“As an economics major, I took a lot of history and English classes,” she said. “I remember one year we had one from France and he had lived through World War II. One of my economics professors was very bright, had a photographic memory.”

After getting her economics degree, Barb said she moved on to pursue a career in banking. Later she would get her Master of Library Science and switch careers.

While Barb progressed in her career, Dave used his Biology degree to become a veterinarian.

The couple later married after their time at Rockford College and eventually had two daughters.

Barb is currently on the RU Board of Trustees and is an active member of RU’s alumni association. 

“We both have had successful lives,” Barb said. “We want to give back to the university because we really feel that this is a place that has a lot to give people. We want to make sure that it stays successful in the future.”

Barry Smith

Barry Smith said he chose Rockford College after being influenced by his mother, an alumna from the class of 1939. 

Some of his fondest memories from the Rockford College days include special people like his academic advisor Dr. Victor Crawford. He said he also remembers the day he discovered that his sociology professor was actually his mother’s roommate during her time at RC. 

He even remembers getting to sing in the U.S. Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C. in January 1973 with RC’s Regent Singers.

Smith graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Biology in 1973. He would later receive his doctoral degree in Plant Biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Although he studied biology, Smith said he spent his entire career working in the Chicago advertising market through retirement. 

“I have valued my original liberal arts education, it has allowed me to do different things without having to be specifically trained in something,” Smith said. 

Now, Smith lives with his husband John Hobbs in North Carolina, where they live close to Hobbs’ grandchildren.

—

This story was featured in the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of Catalyst. 

By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

Rockford University Alum and Rockford Artist Sarah Reed-McNamara has been the owner of art/print shop GEM (Gather, Engage, Make), located in downtown Rockford, since its inception in 2019. 

Some may know her as the mayor’s wife, but Sarah wears multiple hats —wife, mother and owner of GEM, which was recently renamed to SRM (her initials) Prints. The soft opening was Tuesday, Aug. 1, but the grand opening is set for Saturday, this Aug. 5. 

Reed-McNamara is now the only owner of GEM, and started a new chapter on Tuesday, she moves her shop location down the street and will change her shop name to her business name: “SRM Prints.”

Reed-McNamara said she fell in love with printmaking while studying at RU. That interest was sparked early in life, which led to an art career that started online, later becoming brick-and-mortar, she said.

When one walks inside the printmaking studio and storefront, you can see the variety of art, prints, gifts, stationery items and more from Reed-McNamara and other artists alike.

Some of the art is specifically made by Reed-McNamara who found her artistic voice and developed a love of printmaking during her time at Rockford College (now University).

THE MOVE

Reed-McNamara first landed in the Rockford area during her high school years after growing up in Fox River Grove, Illinois, about 61 miles west of Rockford. After high school she moved around to Chicago, Madison, Wisconsin, and Montana before returning to Rockford in her mid-20s, she said. Reed-McNamara started attending Rockford College when she was around 27 years-old and decided on Art History as her major, she said.

“I never thought that’s what I would end up doing, but it’s what I loved,” she said. “I’ve always been pretty creative but never did studio art. But, I was determined.”

When she started studying art history, Reed-McNamara said she decided to take her printmaking as an elective course. She was influenced by her friend and then art mentor Dave Menard and his wife Molly who suggested she take the course. When she started studying printmaking she started to form favorite artists like German expressionists and learned linoleum block printing, she said.

“Which is kind of funny because so many people think printmaking is scary,” she said. “But it just seemed like such an enjoyable elective to take. I just loved the process and making the prints and carving.”

“Dave (Menard) in his classes talked a lot about preparing yourself as an artist for the outside work and don’t think you’re too good for anything when you first get going,” she said. “Which was huge for me just between humbleness and feeling secure in what you’re doing.”

Reed-McNamara also credits RU’s Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities Jennifer Langworthy for preparing her for a career in arts. 

After graduating in 2012, Reed-McNamara said she worked in the service industry full time at Rockford restaurant Octane, and did her art on the side at different pop-up events in town. She said she needed a name to put on her business cards so she called it “SRM Prints.” 

It was during this time that she met her husband Tom McNamara, the mayor of Rockford, at the downtown Rockford art event Greenwich Village Market. 

The couple married in 2011 and have two children together, who will often be present with Reed-McNamara at her store. Right after Reed-McNamara had her first child, her art career started to take off online, she said. 

“I decided I wanted to keep moving forward with the storefront and go into this new space,” she said. “The layout works out much better for what I want to do long term, which is to have my studio inside of a storefront and have it blocked off by my checkout counter and have a really fun, happy, and inviting retail environment.”

SRM Prints is now open and located at 330 E. State St. in downtown Rockford. For more on SRM Prints, you can find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Etsy.

By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

Rockford University alum and local Julia Schade spends the majority of her time in the Big Apple aka New York City these days, rather than in her hometown of Rockford. Schade, currently the musical director of Six, has recently been inducted in the Rockford Public Schools 205 Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

The district-wide event highlights individuals and groups each year as a way to celebrate the past and current successes of the fine arts in the district. Although Schade said she’s rarely in Rockford, she made a special trip home for the April 21 induction ceremony. 

“I miss working at Rockford University, I miss working with Timm Adams and playing for the shows and working with students,” Schade said. “I really love working in education and Rockford University was a great fit for me.”

The event was held at The Standard, 214 East State St., in Rockford. Schade is an Auburn High School Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) alumna and graduated in 2006 from Rockford University’s Performing Arts program with a B.A. in Music.

Schade said that getting to see students come in as freshmen and then playing with them during their senior seminars has been rewarding. 

“I feel really excited and proud,” Schade said about the recognition. “I’m proud to have come from Rockford and to have grown up in Rockford public schools.”

Schade said she remembers having talented music teachers growing up who could tell she really had a passion for music. Her teachers were very encouraging when she started to take piano lessons, she said. 

Later, after Schade graduated from Rockford University, she did a patriotic themed recital and invited her elementary school music teacher Mrs. Simon to come and play the piccolo part on the song, “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and she did, Schade said. 

Schade said she also remembers being involved in the music and art scene for years as an accompanist in both RPS choirs and musicals, and the musicals at RU. 

“I liked giving back and being in an educational environment,” she said. ”I feel happy that I was always able to support myself as a musician in Rockford. There was always work for me to do there.”

She added that she wouldn’t be where she is today without her opportunities in Rockford, which was the catalyst to her moving to Chicago and meeting the team for Six the musical.

Chapter “Six” 

Though the musical Six was supposed to open in March 2020. The world had another plan and Broadway was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Schade came back to Rockford and worked in Rockford University’s Performing Arts department where she taught classes with friend and mentor Timm Adams, and worked as a co-music director on the production of “Legally Blonde.”

Finally in August of 2021, she returned to NYC and began work on Six again.

“The show felt different, same lyrics, same tech,” she said. There were many who had lost people in that time and gone through financial troubles. It was just so much trauma so the show felt different.”

The show centers around the six wives of Henry VIII and is presented like a pop music concert. 

Despite the pandemic causing delays, the musical went on to achieve immense success, she said. Schade performed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America, and also the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live with the cast. 

The musical was also nominated for multiple Tony Awards and Schade and the cast performed a musical number live at the Tony Awards on June 12, 2022, also her birthday, which she said was also a very big day for her. 

“My 44th birthday (I was) performing at the Tony Awards,” she said. “I have to tell you the stage manager still managed to do a little birthday thing for me at the theater with treats, it was so cute.”

“Six” won two Tony awards that night for Best Costume Design and Best New Musical Score, she said. 

Schade continues to perform on Broadway, as part of the backing band in Six, at least 5 to 6 times a week, and as musical director. Tickets are still available for the musical from now until September 2023, here.

Our last catch up with Schade in 2021 can be read here. 

[Show slideshow]

Linda Ploenzke Sandquist is the recently appointed Interim VP of Advancement and a 1985 RU graduate. Sandquist shared her thoughts on her new position at RU and on Women’s History Month in general.  

How has your career brought you to your present-day role as Interim VP of Advancement? 

I came to my role as Interim VP of Advancement through a series of incidents in my life, some planned and some unplanned. My mother suggested I go to Rockford College because she wanted to keep me close to our home in Loves Park. I met my husband at RC and after he finished law school, he was offered a job here in Rockford.  

When I was staying home, raising our two daughters, I volunteered for nonprofit agencies doing fundraising and marketing. I re-entered the workforce using those skills at the Community Foundation and eventually United Way. I was lucky enough to be on RU’s Board of Trustees when the Advancement Office was reorganized and now here, I am! 

How do you celebrate Women’s History Month? 

I celebrate Women’s History Month by taking pride in the lives of our two grown daughters. My daughter, Amy, is a hospice social worker and my daughter, Kelly, is a kindergarten teacher. Someone once told me that they were “do-gooders.”  

Currently, they are stay-at-home moms raising their own children. They will most likely re-enter the workforce one day, but right now I couldn’t be more proud of the good they did in their early careers and the good they do now helping my grandchildren feel loved and safe as they grow. 

What are you looking to accomplish in your new role as Interim VP of Advancement? 

In this role as Interim VP of Advancement, I am hoping that my colleagues and I can connect with RU alumni and make them feel a worthwhile connection to our university. Over the past two years, I have come to appreciate how valuable having an affinity for your alma mater is.  

Many alums tell me Rockford College/Rockford University felt “magical” to them when they were here. It’s my hope that more and more alums can remember that feeling and that together we can celebrate our past and ensure a bright future for alums yet to come.  

By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist 

Performing Arts Alum Erin Nicole Farsté (2015) had done theater her whole life, but never considered it as a career until her senior year of high school. It was during her senior year that her friends encouraged her to look into Rockford University’s Performing Arts program, after Farsté saw RU’s Performing Arts Booth at a college fair she attended.

Farsté graduated from RU in 2015 and immediately started auditioning for productions all over the country through the group United Professional Theatre Auditions (UPTA), which is based in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Her current role is the understudy for the role of “Mother” in Children Theater’s Company production of Corduroy, based on the classic 1968 Children’s book. The production runs now through April 2. The Children’s Theater Company is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and tickets can be found on it’s website.  

During her senior year of high school, Farsté recalls her mother telling her theater would not be beneficial and to be realistic, so Farsté originally planned to be a doctor. 

“I was one of those people that was like, well I have to prove it to you,” Farsté said. “This is the only thing I can do. I actually auditioned for the (Missouri) state show, which was Jekyll and Hyde that year for the Missouri Thespian Festival.”

Farsté, who is originally from Kansas City, Missouri, got cast in the show and told her mother, who was still not convinced. Later though, Farsté said she finally stood up to her mom and told her she wanted to do theater full time and study it in college. She then attended a college fair at the Missouri State Theater Festival where she found the Rockford University booth and met Timm Adams. 

“Everybody in my cast was like, Rockford (University) is amazing and a big deal and you’re so lucky,” she said. 

Once she was at RU and accepted into the BFA program, she became a member in acapella group Vocal Collective and worked with different professors within the theater department that inspired her. When she worked on the show “The Trojan Women” it set off her love for Greek theater. Farsté said her favorite musical she performed at RU was “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.”

Once Farsté graduated from RU, she immediately began traveling for her work. 

“My dream was always to leave and perform out of state as often as I could,” she said. “I decided to take a chance and they (UPTA) had me in their 2016-17 season. We had very intensive training before we would go on the road and perform for elementary schools and community centers around Minnesota and Wisconsin.”

Farsté followed that tour with another one for the National Theatre for Children in Minneapolis. She performed with a smaller group and went around to elementary schools in the south (Texas, Louisiana, and more) where she taught electrical safety to elementary students. Her contract with the theater was seven months. When that tour was over she said she realized she had grown tired of the touring life, after two back-to-back acting gigs on the road.

It was then that she decided to stay in the Twin Cities area and settle down. Since making that decision she has worked in most of the theaters in the Twin Cities, such as Park Square Theatre in St. Paul, Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Artistry Theater in Bloomington, and Old Log Theatre in Excelsior.

It was during that time that she started working as a social media manager, which she said gives her the flexibility to juggle theater and work. 

Minneapolis’ Acting Scene

Her current role in Corduroy has been challenging, she said, but also very rewarding. Before the production started she prepared every day by memorizing her lines and when she comes into rehearsals she is learning more about blocking and how the character has developed from rehearsal.

When looking toward her future, Farsté sees herself staying in the Twin Cities area and continuing her theater career there.

“There’s a lot of theater opportunities here,” she said. “More theaters are starting to pop up around. As a Black actress, there’s a lot of opportunity for me. There’s a lot of Asian theater here in town and a lot of Latinx theaters in town, and Indigenous theaters in town.”

Farsté said she is ultimately grateful for her time at RU for giving her the tools she needed to be a working actor today.

“The rigorous training from musical theater to singing with Vocal Collective to the amazing teaching that Miss (Deborah) Mogford and Jeff (Hendry) and Timm (Adams) have been able to provide for the students,” she said. “That’s really how I’ve been able to have a thriving career in theater. Just being at the right place at the right time has definitely helped as well.”

By Sara Myers

We’ve been speaking to Rockford University students and alumni about Black History Month. Throughout the month of February, the university will highlight different individuals and their thoughts about the historic month and its importance.

We spoke with 2017 RU graduate Dominique Campbell on what Black History Month means to him and how he celebrates. Campbell received his Bachelor of Science degree from RU in physical education with a minor in health. He later received his Master’s in Business Communications from the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa.

Campbell, who currently lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and works as a Commercial Underwriter at United Fire Group.

Here are Campbell’s thoughts on Black History Month.

Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

How do you honor or celebrate Black History Month? 

Oftentimes, I attend an African American Gala in Waterloo, Iowa or Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I also try to post a fun African American history fact on social media every day during the month of February. I take my kids to the African American Museum where we participate in fun activities and learn about our culture and what makes this month so significant.

Name a Black figure – past or present –that you admire. Why?

Muhammad Ali because he stood for something that he believed in and was not afraid to speak his mind. He did not spew out nonsense. He stated facts and wanted to be treated equal. During a time when Black men and women were treated so unfairly, he gave our people hope, he let it be known that he was Black and proud.

I also admire rappers Jay-Z and Rick Ross. They continue to surprise me, not only by their music but by their actions in between the lines. They are both marketing geniuses and changed not only Hip-Hop culture but Black entrepreneur culture. Whether it is real estate, art, building a brand and music, they continue to show Black men and women that you can come from a tough background and rise above. 

Why is Black History Month relevant today? 

Black history has always been relevant and will never stop being relevant. America was made on our ancestors’ backs and I hope one day we realize that. Today, we live during a time where Black History Month is not talked about in the schools as much. Black History Month affords us the chance to challenge what we learned in history, dig deeper, and find out the actual events of the past that were not taught in schools or portrayed in the media. 

The media tends to showcase the negatives of the Black community, such as poverty, drugs, incarceration, lack of education, etc. These portrayals paint a biased and unfair stereotype in our minds. Black History Month allows us to learn about, celebrate, and honor Black leaders. Many of these leaders who contributed to the world in the name of science, innovation, and economy were never acknowledged and/or received their honor. Black History Month celebrates and puts their achievements in recognition and mitigates the damage caused by the unfair depiction of Black Americans in the media.

By Sara Myers | January 20, 2023

Many things have changed in Dr. Kara Wada’s life since graduating from Rockford University (then Rockford College) in 2006.

For one, her last name has changed. Dr. Wada (formerly Simonson) met her husband, Dr. Akira Wada, on the first day of medical school. Dr. Akira Wada is an advanced imaging cardiologist.

The Wadas now have three children together: seven year-old Charlotte; four year-old Josephine; and one year-old Oliver. Home is now in Columbus, Ohio, where both doctors were placed during their residency in medical school at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. 

“The programs put their top applicants in rank order and the computer decides where you end up,” Dr. Kara Wada said. “That’s how my husband and I ended up in Columbus, Ohio. It was where we matched.”

Since that match 12 years ago, the couple have made Columbus their home, despite having no family connections. Dr. Wada works at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center as an allergist and immunologist. In 2017, Dr. Wada was brought on as faculty at the university. 

However, just a year later, Dr. Wada started feeling burnout which was in addition to some health issues she began experiencing.

“I ended up being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition and got pretty sick and I ended up cutting my hours in the office and re-evaluating things,” Dr. Wada said. 

She was diagnosed with the autoimmune condition Sjogren’s syndrome, a disorder of your immune system which can commonly cause dry eyes and a dry mouth, according to mayoclinic.org.

Her diagnosis was a turning point for Dr. Wada. Following this, she created her own online business the Crunchy Allergist, became certified in lifestyle medicine and as a life coach, and started a podcast in 2022. 

In 2022, Wada has also revisited a passion of hers that started during her years at RU: competing in pageants. During her studies, she competed in the Winnebago County Queen competition. Dr. Wada was always a fan of getting dressed up and thought it would be great to earn another scholarship to pay for her education (Dr. Wada was awarded one of the Presidential Scholarships during her time at RU). 

Wada entered and received runner up at the Winnebago County Queen Pageant. Her RU classmate and fellow pageant competitor Stephanie Sharp and another mentor of her’s encouraged her to continue competing. 

Wada won the Miss Freeport competition and competed at the Miss Illinois competition on two occasions during her undergraduate years. 

“I figured this is great,” she said. “I won some scholarship money. It was really fun and I met some amazing women who I still keep in touch with and are doing really cool things in the world.”

Cut to 2022, Dr. Wada figured the pageant life was far behind her as a mother of three and doctor. Then, on social media she found out about the Dr. America pageant competitions. 

“It essentially had a lot of the same values and opportunities as Miss America,” she said. “I thought it’ll be a fun experience to share with my daughters and it’ll be a great way to get involved with the Columbus and Central Ohio community and a platform to really bring my passion for invisible illnesses.”

She explained that invisible illnesses are health conditions that the world cannot see outward. These conditions include autoimmune conditions, long COVID-19 or mental health conditions. The condition that Dr. Wada has, Sjogrens, affects up to one in 100 people and 90% are women.

“I figured if I could show people that I can make Sjogrens sparkle that this would be a really fun, experience and opportunity,” she said. “So, I competed for Dr. America in October and got first runner-up. I will be completing this October as Dr. Midwest and trying to take the crown.”

Her work as an allergist and immunologist is always at the forefront of her mind. Her education at RU is something she has been revisiting and grateful for in the last few years.

“When I first toured (RU), I met Dr. (Deborah) Breiter,” Wada said.  I thought this is a really incredible woman who is doing great work in her field and also succeeding in family life too. It would have been probably my junior year. She and her husband collaborated and offered an immunology course and that was my absolute favorite class.”

Wada said she is now re-learning that same material in a slightly different context for much of the work she has done in the last couple years during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Having that background and knowing how certain lab tests are run and some of the nuances of the science and the technology continued to be really helpful.” she said. 

For more on Dr. Wada, visit her website at drkarawada.com. 

During his time at Rockford University, Tony Capriotti ’11/’19 grew his passion for education and football.

Capriotti knew he wanted to stay involved with football after playing for the Regents for three years and for him, majoring in education opened that door.

“I was an average math student that had incredible support,” said Capriotti. “(Professors) Mehmet and Filiz Dik would work with me after class hours and were always available. I’ll never forget how much they cared.”

Having this support from faculty and staff on campus opened his eyes to the idea of being a teacher.

“It made me want to become an educator myself,” said Capriotti. “RU demonstrated how important the relationship aspect was to education. There were several times that I wanted to do well because I liked my professors. I didn’t want to let them down!”

Since graduating from RU, he has been teaching math at Guilford High School and serving as an assistant football coach.

“An average player makes the best coach,” said Capriotti. “I know how to explain the small details to others in a way that makes sense. It’s the same with math for me. I needed detailed explanations when learning and now I’m able to apply that in my teaching style.”

In December 2019, Capriotti returned to RU to obtain his Masters of Education with a Learning Behavior Specialist 1 endorsement, which has helped him better work with students of all skill levels.

In June 2021, Capriotti was named head football coach for Guilford and is one of the youngest NIC-10 football coaches in recent history.

“Teaching and coaching is a total blast,” said Capriotti. “It’s awesome to meet and work with so many different types of people. It’s also extremely humbling to be able to impact students and athletes. Whenever I see a former Guilford Viking and they are excited to see me…that is really one of the most dynamic feelings I’ve ever experienced.”

Capriotti is looking forward to continuing his work with students on and off the field saying, “I want our athletes to feel what it’s like to work hard, plan, improve, and accomplish their goals. Nothing is more rewarding than the feeling of earning something you’ve sacrificed for.”