Alumni Citations to be awarded at Homecoming 2008 - Summer 2008 Wartburg Magazine - Wartburg College

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Alumni Citations to be awarded at Homecoming 2008

Linda Clefisch ’72
Golden, Colo.

Linda earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Wartburg and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver. She is a licensed clinical social worker (applied psychotherapy and administration) and a board certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work.
Over the years, Linda has served a variety of agencies in Colorado and currently serves as executive director of Forest Heights Lodge in Evergreen.

“Linda generously shares her expertise with others through professional publications and presentations,” said nominator Dr. Susan Kosche Vallem ’66, chair of the Wartburg Social Work Department. “Linda is particularly known in the mental health profession for her outstanding workshops and training. She willingly shares her knowledge and skills with interns, students, families and other mental health professionals. She has the respect of colleagues, peers and clients. Linda also uses her expertise in a consulting role helping other agencies to develop programs that work.”

Karen Waltmann Kleckner ’82
New Brighton, Minn.

Karen is distinguished systems engineer at Bakken Fellow Medtronic Inc. in Mounds View, Minn., where she is also a Technical Fellow and Bakken Fellow. She recently authored the concept descriptions for two new implantable defibrillator products and was a key member of a team that designed and implemented a human clinical study of a novel heart failure therapy. She holds 14 U.S. patents, has written technical concept papers and presented at several trade
conferences.

After earning a degree from Wartburg in computer science and mathematics, she received a master’s degree in computer and information science from the University of Minnesota. She has also done continuing education in emerging medical device therapies, cardiovascular disease and personal development.
“I remember Karen well from her Wartburg years,” said nominator Dr. Lynn Olson, chair of the Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics Department. “I have vivid memories of her zeal for leaning and the vigor with which she attacked her coursework. Almost 25 years later, I still remember her compiler project and the effort she exerted in her attempt to add ‘error identification’ as an advanced feature.”

Dr. Judy Gore Manthei ’58
Newton Highlands, Mass.

Colleagues say Judy is a devoted teacher and mentor.
“Knowing that students need background knowledge for both reading and writing, Judy investigated and organized many field trips for students at Chittick Elementary School,” said principal Karen Slack. “She brought in special visitors to volunteer at our school to tutor and share their skills. Her willingness to continue to learn and bring it back and share with all of us … made her a very special person at the school.”

Slack’s comments mirror those of dozens who have written letters of support for Judy over the years. She earned master’s and a doctoral degrees from Harvard Graduate School of Education after receiving a certificate of education from Wartburg. In addition to her part-time work at Chittick Elementary School, she works as a public school consultant in the Boston Public School System and serves as an adjunct instructor at Boston University.

For more information on Homecoming, go to www.wartburg.edu/alumni.