Alumni Feature
Lisa Lothringer
Graduation year ( from SHU ): 2014 .
Current title / position : Assistant Executive Director , Downtown Development Authority , Van Buren ( Mich .) Township .
What Lisa is doing : She is responsible for all marketing and community outreach for the Downtown Development Authority . She works to promote the businesses within the DDA boundaries , build relationships with neighboring municipalities and strengthen the sense of community . Lothringer also takes part in and organizes trade events to showcase and introduces the opportunities within the township to businesses locally , regionally and nationally .
My favorite moment / story while a student at Siena Heights was : Realizing that even with balancing family and working full-time , I was able to graduate cumma sum laude .
My favorite person at Siena Heights was : Julie Edwards .
Ultimate goal in life : “ To enjoy what I do for work each and every day so it does not feel like a job .”
My best piece of advice for SHU students is : “ Never stop reaching for your goals . Returning to school to finally finish my degree was a promise I had made to my dad just before he died . Fifteen years later , I know he was smiling down from heaven as I crossed that stage and received my degree .”
Peter Sarnacki
Graduation year ( from SHU ): 2012 .
Current title / position : Medical student , Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine , Lansing , Mich .
What Peter is doing : After Graduating SHU in 2012 , he studied pre-medicine at Northwestern University . He then served with City Year Detroit , an Americorps program fighting America ’ s high school dropout crisis by providing mentoring to Detroit youth , focusing on school attendance , behavioral intervention and course performance . After City Year , he worked with Hope Network ’ s DART program , a child caring residential facility for children with various developmental or psychiatric conditions , often with a severe history of trauma . Sarnacki began medical school at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in June 2016 . He and his wife , Alexandra , are raising their daughter , Zara .
My favorite moment / story while a student at Siena Heights was : “ My dad will always talk about my first college basketball game ; in the first few minutes , I had a two-hand slam dunk that bent the rim . The referees needed to pause the game until the rim could be set back in place .”
My favorite person at Siena Heights was : Drs . Mark Schersten , Tom Wassmer , Jeff Lindstrom and Peggy Motsch , and his coaches , Al Sandifer , J . O . Owens , and Bobby Plumer .
Ultimate goal in life : “ Give everything I can to my family and those who need help .”
My best piece of advice for SHU students is : “ Question and scrutinize everything , even if it is held emotionally close or assumed to be a first principle . Ask yourself , ‘ Where is the evidence for this ? What does the evidence really suggest ?’ Also , you are paying to be in a room with experts at SHU ; learn everything you can and take advantage of this opportunity .”
Brandon Bowers
Graduation year ( from SHU ): 2013 .
Current title / position : Doctor of Physical Therapy , Athletico Physical Therapy , Columbus , Ohio .
What Brandon is doing : He is currently employed by Athletico Physical Therapy as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in the Columbus , Ohio , area . Athletico is an outpatient , private practice physical therapy company based out of Chicago . On a daily basis he treats patients who range in age from elementary school children to senior citizens that include a variety of diagnoses . He also serves as an injury analyst for Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider and The Orange and Brown Report for the Cleveland Browns .
My favorite moment / story while a student at Siena Heights was : “ While I was at Siena , I spent three years as an orientation team leader . I really enjoyed working as a group with the other O-Team leaders in order to aide first year students with their transition to life as a Saint at SHU .”
My favorite person at Siena Heights was : Michael Orlando .
Ultimate goal in life : “ I aspire to eventually obtain a job working with baseball players , with a focus on injury prevention , rehab and performance enhancement .”
My best piece of advice for SHU students is : “ Get involved . SHU may be a smaller institution , however , the university doesn ’ t lack opportunity . Between the numerous clubs / organizations , athletic teams and theatre / art , there are opportunities for all students to get involved at Siena . Embrace your time at SHU and don ’ t take it for granted , you ’ ll graduate before you know it .”
Kim Stoutenburg
Graduation year ( from SHU ): 2009 .
Current title / position : President , On-site Operations , Wilson-Bennett Technology .
What Kim is doing : For seven years she has worked for Wilson-Bennett Technology , Inc ., an industry leader in providing fundraising services to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations . Starting as an entry level employee , and has since advanced into several new positions . She is currently responsible for overseeing the company ’ s day-to-day operations .
My favorite moment / story while a student at Siena Heights was : “ Shouting offbeat and out-of-tune the intermittent words , mainly the chorus , of ‘ Livin ’ On A Prayer ’ with my Saints ’ soccer family . The most impactful and life-altering memory : a semester in Merida , Mexico offered through the Spanish Department . My experience abroad was nothing short of all the clichés on the benefits of cultural immersion . I lived the eye-opening , yet mentally and emotionally challenging , venture in which you learn to appreciate the vast differences between the foreign way of life and that of your homeland , including the language , food , daily commute , the environment . It unfortunately included befriending the sugar ants and suffering Montezuma ’ s revenge , but the best of all , amazing friendships and exploration ! … ( Note : I learned in retrospect some of these escapades should not be divulged to your mother until after the trip ). Bottom line : study abroad !”
My favorite person at Siena Heights was : “ Dr . Patricia Wallace , former program director of the McNair Scholars Program . Dr . Wallace was strict , demanding , and held high expectations of her students which earned her a great deal of respect , and moreover , motivated and empowered us to set lofty goals and stop at nothing to achieve them ! Her unwavering resolve and genuine belief in the scholars ’ success , both academically and personally , embedded in us a sense of pride , determination and certainly a higher level work ethic . I admire her intellect , value her thoughtful and fun-loving demeanor , and will be forever grateful for her many life lessons which have undoubtedly helped shape who I am today .”
Ultimate goal in life : “ To live happy , travel often , love much and die with more memories than dreams !”
My best piece of advice for SHU students is : “ Hard work breeds good luck . Don ’ t stress over knowing what you ’ ll do after graduation ; instead , listen intently , be diligent , take chances and then pour your heart into those opportunities . And above all , live your journey with passion .”
Reflections Fall ’ 16 | 27