The University of Dubuque Honors Alumni at Homecoming

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque presented awards to seven distinguished alumni at the 2024 Alumni Awards Ceremony for their achievements in their communities and on campus. The event, held Saturday, October 5, 2024, in Babka Theatre, Heritage Center, was one of many Homecoming Week celebrations. Honorees were also recognized during halftime of the football game on Chalmers Field.

The alumni honored were Rev. Cathy (Foster) Young (MDiv'89) - Alumna of Distinction Award, Capt. Christopher "Chris" D. Trone (C'79) - Professional Achievement Award, Heather (Lange) Banner (C'14) - Award of Merit, Claudette Carter-Thomas (C'78) - Service to Community Award, Jeremy Jensen (C'15, MAC'18) - Volunteer Recognition Award, and COL USA (RET) Daniel "Dan" Kammiller (C'88) - Veterans Award for Distinguished Service.

Additionally, Jon Davison (C'61) was presented with the 2024 Alumni Distinguished Teaching and Service Award during the ceremony.

ALUMNA OF DISTINCTION AWARD
Cathy (Foster) Young (MDiv'89)

Rev. Cathy (Foster) Young graduated from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (UDTS) in December 1989 with a master of divinity. Prior to her call to ministry, she received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Colorado. She dedicated 54 years of service to the community of Cedar Valley, Iowa, as a public school teacher, including 26 years as a minister.

Cathy's professional career began as a seminary intern at First Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, Iowa, where she later served as associate pastor. She was ordained there on March 11, 1990. In 1997, she was called to serve as the senior pastor at Cedar Heights Presbyterian Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa. During her years of ministry, Cathy played a significant role in guiding her congregations and offering spiritual leadership in the Cedar Valley area.

In addition to her pastoral work, Cathy has made a substantial impact in her community. She co-founded the Family & Children's Council of Black Hawk County and the Waterloo Schools Foundation. She also chaired the W.B. Small Trust for two decades, awarding scholarships to seminarians with Iowa connections, and she continues to serve on the board. Cathy is a founding board member of the Otto Schoitz Foundation and has co-chaired the Women in Politics Scholarship at the University of Northern Iowa. Currently, she chairs the Stewardship and Finance Committee of the Presbytery of North Central Iowa and serves on the Presbytery's Executive Committee.

Cathy's involvement with the University of Dubuque has extended beyond her seminary education. She serves on the University of Dubuque Board of Trustees, chairs the Advancement and External Affairs Committee, and serves on the UDTS Advisory Council.

Cathy's journey to seminary was deeply intertwined with her family life, as she completed her degree while managing the responsibilities of being a wife and mother. Cathy and her husband, Rick, have been married for 55 years and reside in Waterloo. They raised four children, Kelly, Travis, Mike, and Mark (deceased and adopted as a 3-year-old from South Korea). Cathy and Rick are blessed with seven grandchildren who bring them much joy and pride.

Cathy has received numerous accolades for her service, including the UDTS Manning Award in 2002, and was honored as the Cedar Valley Woman of the Year by the Business and Professional Women's Club of Cedar Falls.

Throughout her life, Cathy has dedicated herself to education and ministry, always emphasizing the importance of teaching-whether it was in the classroom as a public school teacher or from the pulpit as a pastor. Cathy's impact will leave a lasting legacy in her community and to the University of Dubuque. Together, Cathy and Rick have been generous investors and established an endowed scholarship, making a significant difference in the lives of current and future UD students.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Christopher "Chris" D. Trone (C'79)

Capt. Christopher "Chris" D. Trone graduated from the University of Dubuque in 1979 with a degree in aviation and flight management. Born and raised in Rushville, Illinois, Chris always dreamed of flying, beginning his flight lessons at age 16. During his time at UD, Chris was part of The Three Freshmen with John Herrig (C'79) and Matthew Novak (C'79), and he ran track and cross country under Coach Jon Davison (C'61). He also wrestled for three years, earning the Most Improved award. Chris achieved notable success in long-distance running, setting a UD track record in the 1978 Drake Relays Marathon and medaling in the 1979 Drake Marathon. A proud member of the Thirteener Fraternity, Chris appreciated the strong mentorship and life lessons imparted by Coach Davison and his wife, Nita.

After graduation, Chris spent three years as a flight instructor at Monticello Aviation and almost five years at Britt Airways. Chris then began his 35-year career at American Airlines, where he started as a flight engineer on the Boeing 727 and flew the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 for nearly 29 years. He finished his career with American Airlines flying the Boeing 737-800 and 737MAX on international routes. Over his tenure, Chris was based out of Chicago, where he cherished the camaraderie of fellow airmen, flight attendants, and maintenance personnel, and is grateful for the opportunity to work with an exceptional team across American Airlines. A career highlight was his final flight as captain with his family aboard-a fitting conclusion to an extraordinary aviation journey.

His professional accomplishments include mentoring future aviators. Chris's first student mentee is now a retired United Airlines captain, whose son, Blake Fauconniere (C'06), is a UD flight operations graduate and is currently the head of the Walmart Flight Department.

Chris's commitment to his community is evident in his numerous volunteer roles. For over 30 years, he helped coach cross country and track at Rushville High School in Rushville, Illinois, and contributed to the creation of a successful local track facility. He also played a key role in restoring and running a 1916 movie theater in Rushville, now a community staple. As manager of his local airport, Chris continues to introduce others to the joy of flying. His involvement extends to serving on the local school board, on the hospital board, and in the church. He has also helped with numerous preservation projects, including the restoration of a 1925 Wurlitzer organ for a new community performing arts center.

Chris and his wife, Lynn, married on October 30, 1982, and will celebrate 42 years together this year. They reside in Rushville, Illinois, and have two children, Christopher and Glenna. Family is central to Chris's life, and he and Lynn fondly recall the joy of watching their children grow up and succeed in academics, sports, and the arts.

Chris remains passionate about flying and is grateful for a career that allowed him to fulfill his lifelong dream. Even in retirement, Chris is an active aviator, working as a contract pilot and staying engaged with UD's Department of Aviation. He often brings prospective students to campus and invests in student scholarships.

AWARD OF MERIT
Heather (Lange) Banner (C'14)

Heather (Lange) Banner graduated from the University of Dubuque in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in marketing. During her time at UD, Heather participated in cheerleading and was a member of Lambda Tau Delta, Enactus, and First-Year Experience Mentors. She also held multiple campus work study positions. She went on to Texas A&M University, where she received her master of business administration in human resources law and compliance.

After graduation, Heather began working in finance, and soon after in the nonprofit sector. In 2019, she transitioned to Serco Inc., where she currently serves as the alternate project manager and is responsible for leading global initiatives for the Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS). Heather's work has had a profound impact, helping veterans and military spouses secure employment faster and often with higher pay upon their transition from the military.

Heather has dedicated her time serving the military community in a volunteer capacity. From 2021-2023, she served as president of Operation Deploy Your Dress at Fort Cavazos near Killeen, Texas, providing over 1,000 pieces of formalwear to the military community and bridal gowns to military spouses at no cost. In addition, Heather held leadership roles on multiple nonprofit boards, raising significant funds for scholarships and essential services for military families. In 2022-2023, she served as a grant writer for the Fort Cavazos Scholarship Fund, raising over $81,000 in grants and providing scholarships to 55 military-affiliated high school seniors. She also raised over $70,000 to support nonprofit organizations focused on food insecurity, domestic violence, and military support. She has helped over 1,000 transitioning service members and military spouses achieve employment success.

Heather's impact has been felt both within her local military community and on a global scale, supporting military families across the world. In recognition of her efforts, Heather has received numerous awards, including the Serco Inc. Excellence Award and Impact Award as well as Volunteer of the Year for Fort Cavazos. She was nominated as Military Spouse of the Year and has received recognition from multiple military installations for work done in the community.

Heather is also a proud military spouse. Christopher and Heather have been married for 10 years and together have two children, Noelle and Allyson. In 2022, when the war broke in Ukraine, Heather's sister was deployed with a 24-hour notice to Europe. In an instant, Heather and her young daughter drove across the country so Heather could care for her five nieces and nephews for the next six months. This ultimately is what drove Heather to dig deeper into supporting the unique challenges that occur in the military community.

Heather and her family currently reside in South Korea. As a family, they love to travel. So far this year they have visited three continents and seven countries and have plans to visit a few more before the year is over.

SERVICE TO COMMUNITY AWARD
Claudette Carter-Thomas (C'78)

Claudette Carter-Thomas graduated from the University of Dubuque in 1978 with a degree in social work. During her time at UD, she was an active member of the Black Presidium student organization.

Claudette's professional career began in the summer of 1976, working at Job Services of Iowa and then for the Department of Human Services. Shortly after graduation, in July 1978, she began working as a probation officer with the First Judicial District Department of Correctional Services.

During her 38-year career as a probation and parole officer, Claudette played a pivotal role in many programs, initiatives, and committees. She was trained and promoted to deliver the Youthful Offenders program and a Women Offenders program. She was instrumental in the Back on Track program, which focused on addressing the needs of African-American teenagers and young adults in collaboration with the Juvenile Court and community members. Claudette was a key advocate for diversity and equality on committees including the Iowa Corrections Association, the Minority Issues Committee, and the Equity Committee of the Dubuque Community School District.

In addition to her professional contributions, Claudette has been deeply involved in the Dubuque community. She helped establish the Dubuque Chapter of the NAACP and co-founded the Rock of Ages Missionary Baptist Church, where she served in multiple roles, including as a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, choir member, choir director, and secretary. She currently serves as the financial secretary and treasurer. In a volunteer capacity, she has served the YWCA Board and Hillcrest Family Services Board. She also played an active part in organizing programs for the Girl Scouts and helped bring Dr. C.T. Vivian to the community to conduct Urban Potential Workshops. Her dedication to community service was recognized by several awards, including the University of Dubuque Black Achievement/Hall of Fame Award, the Iowa Department of Corrections MultiCultural Issue Award, and the Dubuque Salvation Army Volunteer Award for Most Volunteer Hours.

Outside of her professional life, Claudette enjoys taking relaxing walks along the Mississippi River, participating in jazzercise, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. A lover of the arts, she has performed in five plays, including The Waiting Room, Working, To Kill a Mockingbird, Crowns, and A Piece of My Heart. She was also an extra in the Field of Dreams movie.

Claudette married her college sweetheart, Jerome Thomas (C'76) (deceased). Claudette and Jerome have two children, Jarvis and Cavin. She is also a proud grandmother to Libby, who is currently attending the University of Dubuque. Claudette and her family reside in Dubuque, Iowa, where she continues to inspire and uplift her community.

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AWARD
Jeremy Jensen (C'15, MAC'18)

Jeremy Jensen attended the University of Dubuque as a non-traditional student through the Learning Institute for Fulfillment and Engagement (LIFE) program. He graduated from UD with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 2015 and a master's degree in communication in 2018. In addition, Jeremy is a 2016 graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Jeremy has served in law enforcement for over 32 years, spending the last 29 years serving the Dubuque community. In March 1994, he joined the Dubuque Police Department as a patrolman. During his tenure, he has worked in patrol, traffic, criminal investigations, tactical operations, community policing, training, and internal affairs. In December 2017, Jeremy was promoted to assistant chief and began serving as interim chief in 2021. In March 2022, he was appointed to police chief by a unanimous vote by the Dubuque City Council.

As police chief, Jeremy has been deeply involved in community initiatives, including emotional intelligence training for Dubuque police officers. In 2024, he co-led a three-day workshop at the University of Dubuque, focusing on self-awareness, self-management, empathy, and relationship management. Through the Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Network program at UD, Jeremy earned certifications as EQ Practitioner, EQ Assessor and the EQ Coach. These trainings aimed to equip officers with the emotional intelligence skills necessary to manage high-tension situations and improve communication with the public.

Jeremy has collaborated closely with UD on campus safety, providing training to the campus community on brain health initiatives, emergency response, and federal compliance. Specifically, Jeremy leads table top exercises for emergency response strategies to various situations. Jeremy is the liaison for all brain health needs and coordinates with the Dubuque Police Department, UD Cares Team, and UD students. Additionally, at the beginning of each academic year, representatives from the Dubuque Police Department visit campus to talk with the Office of Residence Life regarding drugs and identification of street drugs, alcohol, and other narcotics. Jeremy also supports UD on compliance with different federal laws, such as the Jeanne Clery Act. Outside of law enforcement, Jeremy serves as a volunteer coach for the UD wrestling program and is a guest speaker for classes throughout the academic year.

Jeremy and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 28 years. Together, they have two daughters, Jenna and JaNiese. Jeremy and his family reside in Dubuque, Iowa, where he continues to be an active leader in both the police department and the community.

VETERANS AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
COL USA (RET) Daniel "Dan" Kammiller (C'88)

COL USA (RET) Daniel "Dan" Kammiller (C'88) graduated from the University of Dubuque's Tri-College program with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1988.

Dan's military journey began on February 14, 1972, when he enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard as a combat engineer. He received his commission as an engineer officer from the Iowa Military Academy in 1977. In 1979, he transferred to the Infantry branch, where he spent most of his career. Dan held various leadership roles throughout his service, including platoon leader and company commander in the 1st Bn 133rd Infantry, as well as several key staff positions. At the battalion level, he served as S4 (supply officer) and S3 (operations officer). At the brigade level, he held positions as S1 (personnel officer), S3 (operations officer), and executive officer for the 105th Troop Command. He also served as the state mobilization officer. Dan retired as a colonel in June 2005, after over 33 years of dedicated service.

In August 2005, Dan began his role as a military instructor at the University of Dubuque, where he taught ROTC classes, managed scholarships and enrollment, and helped develop future military leaders. He retired from this position in January 2022 but returned to UD in July 2022 as the liaison for the ROTC program. As a leader in the ROTC community, Dan was recognized for his contributions as an army officer when he was inducted into the University of Northern Iowa ROTC Hall of Fame as the inaugural member in March 2022.

Throughout his career, Dan received numerous honors, including the Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medals, and the Order of St. Maurice. His commitment to both military service and education has had a lasting impact on his community and the ROTC program.

Dan has been married to his wife, Marilyn, for over 50 years. They have two daughters, Jessica and Jennifer, along with 13 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. They also maintain a close relationship with their Russian foreign exchange students, Denis and Masha. Their grandson, Nicholas Westphal (C'24), is a University of Dubuque graduate, and several of their granddaughters are exploring degrees at UD. Dan and Marilyn have a small farm near Rickardsville, Iowa, where they remain actively involved in the university community and enjoy spending time with their family. In addition, they are investors in student-veteran scholarships and the military memorial.

2024 ALUMNI DISTINGUISHED TEACHING AND SERVICE AWARD
Jon Davison (C'61)

Jon Davison graduated from the University of Dubuque in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in physical education teaching, K-12. As a student, Jon pledged to the Athenaean Fraternity and was a four-sport athlete, participating in baseball, basketball, football, and track. Continuing his education, Jon earned a master of arts in teaching degree from Michigan State University in 1965.

In 1966, Jon began his coaching career at UD, where he would dedicate 40 years of service to UD and its student-athletes. One of Jon's biggest contributions to UD was as the head men's basketball coach for 27 years, winning three Iowa Conference Championships and four NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. He held other coaching roles at UD including men's golf coach for 15 years, head men's cross country coach for 10 years, assistant football coach for eight years, head track and field coach for six years, men's tennis coach for three years, and head baseball coach for one year. Additionally, Jon served the University as athletic director for over 20 years and was instrumental in implementing international travel for athletic teams. He was also an associate professor of physical education and served as the department chair. After retiring from coaching, Jon joined the UD Office of Advancement, serving as senior counsel from 2016-2022.

In addition to serving the University of Dubuque, Jon served the Dubuque community throughout his life. Soon after graduating, Jon taught science at Washington Middle School and Dubuque Senior High School. He also coached basketball at Clarke University from 1995-2008, where he secured his 500th collegiate coaching victory. Jon is an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where he is a former elder and deacon. Jon enjoys staying connected with former athletes and can often be seen on the golf course or visiting retirement centers, having conversations, and bringing smiles to everyone he encounters.

The University of Dubuque is a special place for Jon. During his freshman year, Jon met his college sweetheart, the late Anita (Braughton) Davison (C'74). They were married in 1961. Anita was Jon's partner through all of life's adventures, supporting him on the sidelines, caring for student-athletes, and even serving as assistant coach. Jon and Anita have three children, Jane, Joan (C'86), and Jim (C'89), and two grandchildren, Garett and Jordan. In 2009, UD dedicated the Jon Davison Court in Stoltz Sport Center. In 2018, his former athletes established the Davison Disciples Endowed Scholarship in his honor. Jon is a member of the UD Heritage Society and the UD Athletic Hall of Fame, both as an individual and as head coach for the 1980-1981, 1985-1986, and 1987-1988 men's basketball teams.

Jon resides in Dubuque, Iowa, and enjoys attending as many UD events and athletic games as possible.

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