When we pass our light on to others, Wittenberg shines. Since 1845, our alumni have been exemplifying our motto, “Having Light We Pass It On To Others.” Their Wittenberg experience has shaped the way they engage with the world and interact with others in the communities they serve. They use their unique gifts for good in the world, passing their light on to others to make an impact. Here are a few of their stories.
Gretchen Bonfert ’81
Choosing Wittenberg and majoring in biology greatly influenced my career and life. I had excellent professors in botany, Ron deLanglade, limnology, Horton Hobbs, and advanced French phonetics, Leanne Wierenga.
The campus-wide writing proficiency requirements provided a strong foundation. Faculty-led interdisciplinary field experiences in the Smoky Mountains and a course snorkeling in the Bahamas were terrific. Being active on campus yielded much personal growth. I was a resident advisor in women's dorms for two years and in Alpha Xi Delta sorority. One year, I was selected by the student body to be Alma Mater, representing the symbols and ideals of Wittenberg. After graduation, I backpacked in France and four other countries.
At Southern Illinois University - Carbondale, my master's degree research in botany demonstrated native prairie grasses reclaiming mined land. I spent the next 17 years in Springfield, Illinois, in state government, as an assistant to the governor for natural resources and deputy director of the Nature Preserves Commission, and, in consulting, as the Lt. Governor's Illinois River advisor.
I spent the next 10 years in Minneapolis, as director of the McKnight Foundation's Environment Program, awarding grants in 14 states. I was fortunate to receive state and national awards for my master's thesis research in environmental policy advocacy and philanthropic work.
Next, I spent 10 years in New Orleans, working primarily as a grant-writing consultant to nonprofits and also as a musician, using the stage name “Giselle Bonfaire,” accompanying myself on piano while singing French love songs from the 1940s. Native French speakers remarked that I didn't sound like an American, and I credit phonetics courses at Wittenberg.
Since 2021, with a motto of “stopping working to start living,” my new priorities are fitness, fiction, and travel. My advice to future students is to take risks to obtain new life experiences.
Amb. Robert Perry ’67
I was fortunate to attend Wittenberg University in the 1960s. I was influenced by Mr. James M. Schooler, who graduated in the 1920s, and two of his sons, Dr. James M. Schooler Jr., and Dr. Ronald Schooler, who graduated in the 1950s.
Mr. Schooler, my junior high school principal in Durham, North Carolina, encouraged me to include Wittenberg on my college tour list. During my visit, I was attracted by the friendliness of Richard Stewart, my tour guide and senior year roommate, and Wittenberg's physical beauty. I was looking for a small college versus a larger one, and Wittenberg checked all the boxes.
My interest in political science grew with Professor Robert Hartje, Professor Melvin Laatsch in political science, and Professor Jeffrey Mao. During my senior year, Dr. Mao helped me apply for a Ford Foundation fellowship, which included a State Department internship and an M.A. from American University. That introduced me to a 34-year career in the Foreign Service, beginning in Vietnam and including several posts in Latin America and Africa.
Those assignments included managing the State Department's counter narcotics programs in Latin America and serving as deputy chief of mission in Mauritius and Bolivia, before being appointed to be U.S. Ambassador to the Central African Republic.
After retiring, I served on the boards of the Phelps Stokes Fund and the South African Washington International Program. When I returned to Wittenberg for my 50th class reunion, I was pleased to learn that Professor Mao, as a Chinese diplomat, had helped to lift the Chinese Exclusion Act that fostered a strategic relationship between the United States and the Republic of China during World War II.
My advice to a freshman is to be aware of your family and community support that led you to college, and to take advantage of the opportunity to expand your knowledge of other people's cultures and values to shape your life's journey.
Becky Sittason ’89
My time at Wittenberg University was incredibly important to me and my identity as a Lutheran. I was highly involved in the Weaver Chapel Association, attending chapel Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. We had a lot of fun and even got into a bit of trouble!
I was the 11th person in my family to graduate from Wittenberg, which goes back several generations. I chose to major in history and had some amazing professors, such as Sarah Tyree, Pastor Michael Wuchter, Pastor Larry Houff, Dr. Cynthia Behrman, and Dr. Richard Ortquist.
During my time at Wittenberg, I matured a lot and was exposed to so many new ideas and concepts. I wanted to get the full college experience and learn as much as I could. Looking back, I feel that my time at Wittenberg prepared me for life after graduation. I became a great writer, researcher, and communicator, which I use in my career. It was challenging, but worth it.
Joel Capell ’00
My favorite memories of Wittenberg were with the swim team. I started out not being able to do a flip turn, but with the help of Coach Bob Rueppel, I was able to become a record holder. I loved the challenge of it and the camaraderie of the team. I was also a Shifter on campus, and I had a great Spanish professor who gave me a chance to do a Spanish play to pass the class.
After college, I started working in the construction field and then was called up to active duty in Iraq in 2003. I wrote a book, 'Radio Silence,' about my experience of going to war and trying to recover. I've had many people contact me after reading the book, and I even had a Vietnam chopper pilot send me one of his books.
I'm now working with the Department of Defense due to my ASVAB scores and my degree. Wittenberg was a great experience for me, and I'm grateful for the memories and the impact it had on my life.