By Janelle Mathews
Campus Life Editor
The annual alumni weekend will take place on Oct. 14-16, and the featured event is the first ever “Friar Frolic,” a 5k run/walk.
“Over 100 participants have signed up,” said Kathy Duerwachter, director of Alumni Relations.
There will also be a pancake breakfast and a Viterbo heritage walk. This heritage walk explores a 10-block radius of the Franciscan neighborhood and takes walkers back in time. Buildings in this neighborhood include St. Wenceslaus Church and St. Rose Normal School which are now the San Damiano Chapel and the Franciscan Spirituality Center.
Other notable events include the performance of “The Sound of Music” which was the first musical ever performed at the Fine Arts Center. Linda Balgord Fenton of the Viterbo class of 1982, who has performed on Broadway, will be Mother Abbess.
Five outstanding alumni will be recognized as well as five distinguished student leaders.
Brenda Armstrong of the 1978 graduating class will receive the community service award, and Sr. Mary Ann Gschwind, FSPA 1965, will receive her award for service to Viterbo University.
The professional development award will go to Mark Skogen, class of 1992.
Two other recipients of awards are recent graduates of Viterbo. Kristina Smaby, who graduated in 2010 will get the young alumni award, and Shawn Wedlund, who graduated in 2011 will receive the spirit of St. Francis award.
The alumni weekend was put together with the help of the Viterbo events management class and the MBA alumni chapter.
Over 50 volunteers will help out with the events, including four nurses who will staff aid stations during the “Friar Frolic.”
“The weekend is a way for alumni and current students to get together and learn more about each other,” Duerwachter said. “The alums really want to get to know Viterbo students and help them out as much as possible.” The event is a way to bridge the gap between generations, and “there is something for everyone.”
More information about alumni weekend can be found at www.viterbo.edu/alumni.
