Alumni in the News

Alumni in the News

We love to see stories about our alumni in the news! If you would like to share a story with us, please email alumni.midlandu.edu.

Heading for Home: Five years later, former Rickards star BJ Johnson '21 looking to pay it forward

Heading for Home: Five years later, former Rickards star BJ Johnson '21 looking to pay it forward

July 1, 2021
It was five years ago when BJ Johnson, a Rickards High School baseball player without a place to call home, became a local celebrity, a figure the Tallahassee community rallied around. The story inspired many in our area to pay it forward to a young man in need. Now, five years later, Johnson has...Read more

Debra Ohnoutka, BSN, MHA is the new Executive Director of Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care in Kansas City

Debra Ohnoutka, BSN, MHA is the new Executive Director of Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care in Kansas City

June 24, 2021
Debra Ohnoutka, BSN, MHA, is the new Executive Director at Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care in Kansas City, Missouri. Ohnoutka is at the helm of one of the region’s leading end-of-life care providers overseeing more than 200 healthcare professionals serving nearly 2,000 local families each...Read more

Cindy Nielsen Retires After 44 years as a Teacher

Cindy Nielsen Retires After 44 years as a Teacher

June 14, 2021
For years, Cindy Nielsen raced to give children a love for science. She’d hook one plastic car to a 2-liter bottle of cola and another to a bottle of lemon-lime pop. Then she’d drop Mentos mints in the bottles—which pushed the pop out—and let students see which car went farther. The experiment...Read more

Dr. Seria Chatters ‘00 to Speak at Midland University Commencement

Dr. Seria Chatters ‘00 to Speak at Midland University Commencement

April 27, 2021
Midland University is pleased to announce Dr. Seria Chatters ‘00 as its keynote speaker for the 2021 Commencement ceremony on May 8th at 10 a.m. at the Wikert Event Center. Dr. Chatters is the Director of Equity and Inclusivity of the State College Area School District in State College,...Read more

Ree Ritzen celebrates 100th birthday with the Trail-Gazette

Ree Ritzen celebrates 100th birthday with the Trail-Gazette

April 2, 2021
Midland alumna Anna Marie "Ree" Ritzen celebrates her 100th birthday today and we couldn't be happier to celebrate this wonderful woman! Ree attended Midland in the 40's and was part of Choir, Tri Phi sorority, and Cardinal Key. Ree's husband, Rev. Ralph Ritzen '44, passed away in 2018, but is well...Read more

Elkhorn North Coach Ann Prince '91 Discusses Class B Title

Elkhorn North Coach Ann Prince '91 Discusses Class B Title

March 24, 2021
A big congratulations to alumna Ann Albrecht Prince '91 on a tremendous Elkhorn North girls basketball season and Class B girls state basketball title!! See the video here .Read more

Jim Toof '92 Joins Lincoln Federal as Assistant Vice President, Mortgage Loan Officer

Jim Toof '92 Joins Lincoln Federal as Assistant Vice President, Mortgage Loan Officer

March 1, 2021
Lincoln Federal Savings Bank is pleased to announce that Jim Toof has joined the lending team at their corporate office location, as Assistant Vice President, Mortgage Loan Officer. With more than 20 years of experience, Jim has a knack for being creative and overcoming obstacles in the home-buying...Read more

Brent Wasenius '86 Named News Editor at Walnut Radio

Brent Wasenius '86 Named News Editor at Walnut Radio

February 23, 2021
Walnut Media has named Brent Wasenius of Fremont as our new News Director for Big Dog 98.9/1340 and The Best Mix 105.5. Brent joins our radio stations after a 34-year career in the newspaper industry, including 32 with the Fremont Tribune. During his tenure at the Tribune, the Midland University...Read more

Kristen Harris '03 of Nye Health to Receive National Award

Kristen Harris '03 of Nye Health to Receive National Award

February 22, 2021
On Wednesday, McKnight’s Senior Living announced the winners of its third annual Women of Distinction for those who have shown a commitment to the senior living and care living industry. But out of the 17 Rising Stars, the award saw its first recipient from Nebraska: Kristen Harris, vice president...Read more

Real Time Medical Systems Welcomes Diana Smalley '74, FACHE, as Health System & ACO Advisor

Real Time Medical Systems Welcomes Diana Smalley '74, FACHE, as Health System & ACO Advisor

February 17, 2021
Real Time Medical Systems, the leading healthcare Interventional Analytics solution, is excited to welcome Diana "Di" Smalley, FACHE, to its team as an Advisor to Health Systems and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). In her new role, Smalley will work with Real Time's Executive Team to advance...Read more

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