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Alumni Board

Wartburg Alumni Board members are volunteers who serve as liaisons between the larger alumni community and the college. The Alumni Board provides advice and support to the professional staff in the Alumni & Parent Engagement Office while encouraging alumni participation in the life of the college.

The Alumni Board poses in The W in fall 2025.
The Alumni Board poses in The W in fall 2025.
Board Member Application (Due March 1)
Job Description

Questions? Contact the Alumni & Parent Engagement Office at 319-352-8491 or alumni@wartburg.edu.

Alumni & Parent Engagement

Board Members

President
Jen Bye Christy ’95, Johnston, Iowa

President-Elect
Kris Erickson Roberts ’00, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Board Members
Robin Abraham ’84, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Amelia Armstrong ’04, Platteville, Wis.

Maddie Baez ’18, Rock Island, Ill.

Vernon Birmingham ’00, Kansas City, Mo.

Emmett Buckles ’17, Chicago, Ill.

Drew Crawford ’13, Ames, Iowa

Mike Crawford ’91, Sycamore, Ill.

Tim Greenwald ’08, Waverly, Iowa

Meg Harper Rath ’17, Oelwein, Iowa

Anna Javellana ’10, Minneapolis, Minn.

Jay Kelley ’93, ’24 M.A., Chouteau, Okla.

Abby Klug ’19, Northampton, Mass.

Roger Kobliska ’02, Waverly, Iowa

Luke Kotz ’02, Olathe, Kan.

Amy Lockhart ’91, Denver, Iowa

Liz Wenske Mullinax ’75, Overland Park, Kan.

Carol Ratekin ’85, Johnston, Iowa

Randy Ratekin ’85, Johnston, Iowa

Abby Singleton ’18, Minneapolis, Minn.

Tyler Ulrich ’07, Chariton, Iowa

Juliane Herder Winters ’12, Stillwater, Minn.

Campus Liaisons

Ellen Engh ’08, Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement, Waverly, Iowa

Kennedy Hiles ’21, Assistant Director of Alumni & Parent Relations, Waverly, Iowa

Dr. Joy Becker ’97, Faculty Representative, Waverly, Iowa

Jerry Swanson ’73, Golden Knights Representative, Rochester, Minn.

Ashlyn Scharr ’28, Students UKnight President, Freepoint, Ill.

Members selected by the Board

Alumni Board Job Description

MISSION STATEMENT: To actively advance and participate in the mission of Wartburg College through alumni connections. 

Position: At-large member of the Wartburg Alumni Board 

Description: Serve as a volunteer member of the Wartburg Alumni Board representing alumni and serve as a liaison for the sharing of information between alumni and the college. The alumni board provides advice and support to the professional staff in the office of Alumni & Parent Engagement. In addition, the board will assist in encouraging alumni participation in the life of Wartburg College. 

Responsible to:

  • President, Alumni Board 
  • Director of Alumni & Parent Engagement 

Term: Members are elected to a two (2) year term. Members can serve up to three consecutive terms for a total of six years. 

Meetings: Board meetings are held two (2) times per year. Members will be assigned to Board related committee work and are required to participate in those meetings. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

PARTICIPATE 

  1. Participate in all scheduled board and committee meetings. (Full board meetings are typically held during homecoming and Rice Day.) Board members who miss two meetings during their term will be asked to meet with the president and president-elect to evaluate membership. 
  2. Accept leadership and participatory roles in college programs and activities as needed, including but not limited to hosting events during homecoming weekend and RICE Day. 
  3. Respond to inquiries from the Alumni & Parent Engagement Office. Primary means of communications will be electronic. 
  4. Serve on one alumni board committee. 
  5. Notify staff members of alumni concerns in your area. 
  6. Attend as many regional and campus activities as possible. 
  7. Volunteer to assist with at least two Homecoming events each year and Rice Day events as needed. 
  8. Perform Alumni Award research: Seek out and nominate alumni for the Alumni Citation and the Young Alumni Award. 
  9. Follow the Alumni Board Facebook Page. 

PROVIDE 

  1. Contribute annually to the Alumni Board Scholarship Fund as part of the Board’s goal of 100% participation in the Scholarship Fund. 
  2. Contribute annually to UKnight Day as part of the Board’s goal of 100% participation during Wartburg’s Day of Giving. 

PROMOTE 

  1. Support and encourage active engagement of alumni in Wartburg College. 
  2. Promote regional event development under the direction and guidance of the staff. 
  3. Serve as a representative and spokesperson for Wartburg when requested, including representing Wartburg at local college fairs as needed, calling prospective students in your area as requested by Admissions staff, volunteer at Alumni & Parent Engagement events, and refer students through the Alumni Referral Award program. 
  4. Provide leadership within the Board and in the community on behalf of Wartburg and its programs. Serve as an advocate for Wartburg.