Women of Midland Stories

Women of Midland Stories

Read inspirational stories about Midland women, shared by alumni and friends. To share a story about a Midland woman, please complete the Women of Midland Stories Form.


Maria Rosenblatt
Salute to Maria M. Rosenblatt

Submitted by Joan Zanders '67

I, too, have fond memories of Fraulein Rosenblatt, though she was Mademoiselle Rosenblatt to me.  I was a French education major, a first for Midland I was told.  Mademoiselle Rosenblatt was my advisor.  She actually created classes for me so I could complete a major in French, which didn’t exist at the time.  I felt like I had a personal mentor and advocate.  Professor Trautrimas was my Spanish instructor; Spanish was my minor.  I wanted to be a UN interpreter, but that never quite worked out.  Besides saying “Si” in French class and “Oui” in Spanish class and never having the opportunity to “live” the languages, my parents didn’t want me to go to Omaha, much less NYC! 

I transferred to Midland after my sophomore year of college.  My husband changed jobs, which moved me away from my previous college.  I never once considered not finishing and commuted daily from Oakland to Fremont to finish my last two years, graduating in January of 1967.  Though I transferred twice, I never lost a credit, though I graduated with 132 credits due to additional Christianity requirements.  Those additional credits undoubtedly influenced my becoming a high school church choir and youth group director and my developing and leading ten cross-cultural mission trips for high school and college students.  My total undergraduate experience spanned only three and a half years.  Though colleges and universities presently seem to be articulating better transfer agreements, I doubt I could have done that today.

By the time I graduated from Midland, my husband and I were expecting our first child.  I was studying for my required written and oral comps, student teaching fall term and teaching full-time at the same school spring term--and studying for finals.  I will forever remember Professor Rosenblatt looking at me--six months pregnant—and hearing her say, “Ach…you young people!  Must you do everything at once!?“

I always say my career went from one foreign language to another—French to Financial Aid!  At COB on August 31, 2021, I retired after 34+ years as a college Financial Aid Director, most recently serving for 13+ years at Northern Virginia Community College, a large six-campus college of over 72,000 students from 180 countries, each with unique circumstances and needs.  I wish for all students the personal care and concern I received from Midland and Professor Rosenblatt.  I have pondered many times the journey she took to get to Midland.  She was quite a lady and an inspiration, tough but caring.  She certainly made a difference in my life, and I cherish those memories.

Visit the Women of Midland Stories page to read more Midland women stories.


 

Connie Kreikemeier
Connie Kreikemeier

Submitted by Brenda Wilberding '07

Connie Kreikemeier has been the leader of the Career Studio at Midland University for the past eight years. Her ability to spot strengths in the students and employees has made her a key person for everyone on campus to know if they are looking to grow as a professional. Connie not only works with every department on campus through a lens of growth, but the community of Fremont also looks to Connie as a resource for individual leadership growth through the Leadership Fremont program. Connie is incredibly connected to the community and she readily provides students opportunities to thrive by forging successful, mutually beneficial relationships between employers and students whether through an internship or job. Connie is focused on and committed to preparing students and supporting staff in their journey to finding their personal excellence! Myself, the Midland community, and the community of Fremont are better just because of knowing Connie!


Brenda Wilberding
 
Brenda Kalisek Wilberding '07

Submitted by Dani Wooldrik '08

I would like to nominate Brenda Kalisek Wilberding as a true woman of Midland. Brenda and I grew up together and she has been a light of goodness since we met. Brenda doesn’t know a stranger and will make it a point to make sure everyone present feels welcome and included in any situation. If you were at Midland when Brenda was a student, you knew her. Brenda was active in every area of campus: athletics, journalism, Greek, and the arts. She has been working at Midland for years in various roles and continues to shine her light in every way possible. Midland, Fremont, and all of us are better for having known Brenda.