Aaron Goodwin – Physics, B.S. (2020)
Served in the US Navy from 2010-2016 as an Electronics Technician (nuclear). I completed an around the world deployment in 2015 onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Abygail Boyle – Civil Engineering, B.S. & Russian, B.A. (2027)
I started attending UW-Madison in 2019, and once the COVID-19 pandemic started, I enlisted in the 128th Air Refueling Wing in the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 2020 as a Fire Protection Engineer. After completion of basic training and the Fire Academy, I deployed. While deployed, I completed an accelerated Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course.
At the 128th ARW, I am a Vice President of the Women’s Empowerment Council in order to help act as an advocate for women’s needs around the base.
Now I am home at UW-Madison and am pursuing my passions of Civil Engineering and Russian Language. I am a student of the Russian Flagship Program here at UW-Madison. I look forward to continuing my education at UW-Madison and hope to one day become a pilot in the Air National Guard.
Alvin Osterndorff – Computer Sciences, B.S. (2025)
Ten years in the Wisconsin Guard. Two deployments, Afghanistan both times. Drill Sergeant.
Brian Bieniek – Behavioral Science & Law, B.A. (1999)
Brian served from 1990-1994 in the U.S. Army with 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm. He then reenlisted into the Wisconsin National Guard while attending UW-Madison from 1995-1999. After graduating from UW, he accepted an active-duty position within the Wisconsin National Guard and continued serving in various units in the 32nd Infantry Brigade, 64th Troop Command, and 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade until his retirement in 2020. Brian served in various leadership positions over the years from Team Leader up to Battalion Command Sergeant Major, as well as other planning, training, and operations roles. Brian deployed overseas twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2005 and 2009) and trained in multiple other countries around the world. While in the National Guard, Brian assisted with responses to multiple floodings, winter storms, and the initial COVID outbreak. Brian now works for the State of Wisconsin in the continuity, risk management, and emergency management fields.
Colin Kenny – Professional Master of Business Administration (2025)
Captain Colin Kenny is a current serving Active Guard Reserve Officer with the Wisconsin Army National Guard (WARNG). CPT Kenny joined the WIARNG as a ROTC Cadet in 2013. He commissioned as a Medical Service Officer in 2017 through the UW-Madison, Badger Battalion Army ROTC program. His duty assignments in the WIARNG include Medical Platoon Leader, Medical Operations Officer, and Officer Recruiter. CPT Kenny has had the honor of being a part of America’s history serving in Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) as a Medical Operations Officer at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Colin Kenny has a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from UW-Madison and is currently working on a master’s in business administration from UW-Madison. He resides in Fitchburg with his wife Ava, dog Badger, and cat Maisy. Colin and Ava’s hobbies include ultimate frisbee, pickleball, house projects, board games, and spending time with family.
Craig Boehlke – Facility and Operations Manager, Division of Extension Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center
Originally from Appleton, Craig joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 1990 as a traditional guardsman. After graduating from UW-Oshkosh, he worked in video production until going on Active Duty with the Guard in 2002. Craig Served a total of 33 years with 21 of that being full-time. He deployed twice is support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and supported numerous domestic operations from storm clean up, flood response and civil unrest. He retired from the Guard in 2023 and joined Upham Woods full-time June of 2023.
Dale Mohr – Associate Professor, Division of Extension Community Development Institute
Dale Mohr joined the Army after High School and completed Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky as a Tank Crewman on an M60A3 Main Battle Tank. He has been a service member of both the Wisconsin National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve for over 20 years and attended the ROTC program at UW-Milwaukee. He has served overseas a number of times being attached to both the 82nd Airborne Division and the 1st Marine Division during the first year of the Iraq War (2003-2004) and additionally served 6 months in Kosovo attached to the 1st Armored Division. He retired from the military after 21 years at the rank of Major. He enjoys the outdoors, has raised three daughters with his wife of 27 years, and looks forward to full retirement on their country hobby farm.
Darrel “AJ” Feucht – Agriculture – Mechanization and Management, B.S. (1985)
Darrel, “AJ” served in the U.S. Army Reserve and Wisconsin Army National Guard for 30 years retiring in July 2013. He continued his education with an additional BA and MS degree. He was honored with various assignments and commands including two deployments in 2002 – 2003 and 2012. His career took him to every continent except one. His career culminated with having the privilege of commanding the Wisconsin National Guard, 82nd Agri-Business Development Team to Asad-Abad, Kunar Province, Afghanistan in 2012. The first of its kind for the State of Wisconsin. This mission was a collaboration of Wisconsin National Guard and UW-Madison, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to support legitimate crop production in Afghanistan’s Eastern Region.
Now fully retired after a successful military and civilian career with a Federal contractor for 35 years, resides in Monona, Wisconsin, enjoying volunteering, woodworking and his rescue beagle, Beacon.
David Hanson – History, B.S. (1991)
I grew up in Rice Lake, WI and always wanted to be a UW Badger and a soldier in the US Army. I accomplished both goals, serving two tours on Active Duty from 1984-87 and again from 1992-94. In between I graduated from the UW in 1991 with a BA in History and was a member of the outstanding UW Marching Band. After my discharge from the US Army, I served the remainder of my professional life as a Trooper in the Wisconsin State Patrol from 1995-2021. I love nothing more than a crisp autumn afternoon at a Badger game in Madison.
Dennis Carlson – Bachelor of Business Administration (1959)
I received my B.B.A. in 1959 in actuarial science. I worked in Hartford, CN, until late 1960 when I was notified that I would be drafted. I volunteered in the U.S. Army Reserves in military intelligence. For my six month’s active duty, I went to Ft. Dix, NJ for basic training and to Ft. Meade, MD for intelligence school. I left active duty in May 1961 and moved back to Madison. I joined a local reserve unit that was called to active duty in November, 1961, in the Berlin Call-up. We spent 9 months at Ft. Devens, MA. The first photo shows me in arctic wear that we were issued for a field exercise in Alaska in early 1962. I was serving as an aerial photo interpreter.
Emily Wallace – Aerospace Engineering, B.S. (2025)
I have been in the Army National Guard for several years now serving as a 15T- crew chief out of West Bend, WI flying Blackhawks for search and rescue missions. I am very grateful for the amazing experiences and opportunities the military has provided for me.
Erik Holeman – Civil Engineering, B.S. (2023)
Studying Civil Engineering and is currently in the Air National Guard with the 115th Fighter Wing out of Madison. I have just completed my first enlistment, and I plan on doing many more. Also, on the civilian side of the world, I will be working as a Project Engineer for Michels Corporation.
Gregory McClain – Master of Public Health (2023), Master of Physician Assistant Studies (2025), Clinical and Translational Science, PhD (2026)
I am a current graduate student here at UW-Madison, completing my Master of Public Health here in May 2023. I completed my undergraduate in Biomedical Sciences in Jacksonville, FL. I am currently pursuing a Master of Physician Assistant studies and a PhD in Clinical and Translational studies through the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR). I joined the United States Air Force in May 2013 at the age of 17. I have been stationed at Joint Base Charleston, SC and Whiteman AFB, MO. I serve as a Talent Management Consultant (Career Assistance Advisor) currently but have begun transitioning out of the military. Being born and raised in the south my hobbies are aligned heavily with the beach and outdoor activities that can be done all year around. I am interested in automobiles, mixology, traveling, and motorcycles. I hope to use my degrees to help positively impact underserved communities and marginalized communities. I am actively studying ways to reduce chronic Hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in people who inject drugs (PWID). I look forward to my time at UW-Madison!
Hannah Schuh – Doctor of Pharmacy (2025)
I enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 2017 as 74D/ Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist, while going to school for my bachelor’s in human biology at UW-Green Bay. I graduated in 2020 and spent the next year on 11 different state activations with the Military Police Co. in Kenosha. I started pharmacy school at UW-Madison in the fall of 2021, and I’m still serving in the National Guard. I’m hoping to continue my service after graduating pharmacy school as a pharmacist in the National Guard. Outside of school and the military, I enjoy spending time with friends and family and taking our GSP puppy to the dog park.
James Meinberg – Bachelor’s in Economics (1955)
I graduated from UW in 1955 with a Major in Economics. I went through the ROTC program and received my commission in the Air Force. I served 3 years on active duty. After my active duty, I went back into the Air Force Reserve and completed 21 years of service to my country. I was a navigator and have about 4,000 flying hours to my credit. I worked at the West Bend Co. for 35 years and 19 years after that at The West Bend Country Club working on the greens, fairways, etc. I am now retired. I love to play golf and I work 1,000-piece puzzles in my spare time which is a lot. We had 4 children and they produced 11 grandkids, and they produced 2 great grandsons so far. I was born in 1933 so I will be 90 years old on July 23, 2023. Joyce and I have been married 67 years as of Oct. 1, 2022.
Jerry Litzo – Electrical Engineering, B.S. (1999)
I attended UW via the Airman Education and Commissioning Program 1996-1999 and obtained a bachelor’s in electrical engineering. From there I went to Officer Training School and then to my first assignment as an engineer – Cape Canaveral where I worked Titan IV rockets. After that, I had assignments in Intelligence and Engineering and retired out of the National Reconnaissance Office in 2018. I continue to serve the country as a contractor, currently as Sr Practice Manager in National Security – Professional Services at Amazon Web Services in the Washington DC area.
Joseph Miller – Community Development Educator, Extension Iron County
Chicago native and two-time Yooper transplant, Joseph served as a Marine Corps CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) Defense Specialist from 2006 to 2010. In those four years, he deployed to Iraq, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and once jumped off an aircraft carrier into the Gulf of Aqaba. After his enlistment, he attended undergraduate studies at North Central College in Naperville, IL (English) and graduate studies at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Library and Information Science). Prior to joining the Extension Iron County team in 2023, he worked as a substitute teacher, bartender, Census field enumerator, project manager, software quality assurance manager, video game content copywriter, freelance photographer, and (his favorite job) Blockbuster Video customer service representative. He currently lives in the UP with his wife, Carly, and son, Wendell.
Justin Cape – Sports Leadership, M.S. (2024)
Justin grew up in Wisconsin and always wanted to be a Badger. He enlisted into the Air Force in 2012 as a Weather Forecaster and spent time in St. Louis, England, Florida, and three separate deployments to the Middle East. He is currently enrolled in the Sports Leadership program and intends to coach/teach when he retires from the Air Force.
Kari Patterson – Doctor of Pharmacy (2024)
In 2019, I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology from UW Oshkosh and then made a pivotal decision to serve my country by joining the Army National Guard, a chapter in my life that would be filled with both challenges and triumphs. After a year of military training in Oklahoma and Texas, I returned to Wisconsin and started Pharmacy School at UW Madison in Fall 2020. Unfortunately, while serving in the line of duty, I sustained injuries that ultimately led to my medical retirement from the National Guard in February 2023, but in the midst of adversity, I found unexpected blessings. My recovery journey was full of ups and downs, but through it I found my husband, and in January 2023, we celebrated our marriage. This unexpected turn of events reminded me that life’s twists and turns can lead to beautiful destinations! Throughout my journey, the support of UW Madison for military-connected students has been invaluable. I am grateful for their support and dedication to helping individuals like me achieve their dreams. I wouldn’t change a thing about my path; every experience has contributed to the person I am today. As one door closes, another one opens, and even though the military will no longer be a life-long career for me, I am grateful for the friendships made, training received, and lessons learned and I look forward to new adventures on the horizon as I get closer and closer to graduation from Pharmacy School in May 2024.
Lance Lazarte – Cartography and Geographic Information Systems, M.S. (2022)
Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, I moved to the US in 2007 and joined the Air Force in 2014 where I served 5 years as an Engineering Assistant. I was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas and deployed in the Middle East once. In 2017, I received my bachelor’s degree in Geography from Park University in Parkville, MO and when Covid hit, I looked up schools to pursue my master’s degree. A couple of years later, I graduated and I’m now a forever badger! #OnWisconsin
Matt Choquette – Executive Officer, University of Wisconsin NROTC (2020-2023)
Commander Choquette graduated from Lehigh University in 1998 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Economics. After earning his Naval Flight Officer wings in Pensacola, Florida in 2001, he reported to the Fleet Replacement Squadron, VAQ-129, for training as an Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO) in the EA-6B Prowler.
He has accumulated over 2500 flight hours and 630 carrier arrested landings in the EA-6B and EA-18G. He completed a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies at the Naval War College in 2013 and is also an Air Command and Staff College JPME I graduate. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Strike/Flight Air Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2) and multiple unit, service and campaign awards.
He currently serves as the Executive Officer and Associate Professor of Naval Science at the University of Wisconsin NROTC unit, where he mentors and instructs future Naval and Marine Corps Officers. He is nearing the end of his military career and is looking to transition to the public sector and join an organization where he can continue to use his wide array of leadership and organizational skills to lead people towards achieving success.
Miguel Pingol – Computer Sciences, B.S (2027)
Miguel Pingol was born in the Philippines and grew up in Long Beach, CA. He joined the Army as a junior in high school, spending nearly 10 years in Active Duty service as an Intelligence Systems Maintainer with assignments in Italy, North Carolina, South Korea, and Colorado, plus a deployment to Afghanistan. He separated from the military in December 2022 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. His most memorable experiences include traveling Western Europe and living at a remote outpost along the Korean DMZ.
Miguel is currently in his first year at UW-Madison. Between classes, you can often find him completing classwork at either the Transfer Engagement Center or Law Library. After classes, he’s usually at a student org event or trying to meet deadlines in College Library. In his free time, he likes to read, watch movies, and spend time outdoors either backpacking or trail running.
Mira Tcherneva – Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2025)
SSgt in the Air Force, currently as an F-35 Crew Chief. Worked on the F-16 Fighting Falcon for the last 4 years. Deployed to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Nathan Weier – Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Certificate (2016)
Enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard in 1999. Went Active Duty Guard after 9/11. Deployed to Iraq in 2003. Graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2008 with a BA in Business Management. Commissioned as a Warrant Officer in 2009. Graduated from Columbia Southern University in 2016 with a MS in Emergency Services Management. Deployed as a NATO Adviser in 2019 to Ukraine. Retired after 23 years of service in 2022. Now working as a Special Education Paraeducator at Waubesa Intermediate School in McFarland, WI. Actively involved with the McFarland Community as a Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster and Commander of American Legion Post 534.
Rita Stull – International Studies – Global Security, B.A. (2025)
I am a United States Army veteran; I enlisted straight out of high school and left two months after I graduated to basic training. I worked with patriot missiles for four years before I decided to get out of the military and pursue a degree. I have an Associate of Arts degree in Languages from a community college in Illinois called Harper College. In my free time, I like working out, reading, and spending time with friends and my little cat. I also just got accepted to work part-time with the Veteran’s Center on campus, and I am excited to interact with others!
Thi Tran – Biochemistry, B.S. (2025)
Hi, you are looking at the pictures of the best Tran out there in the world! My name is Thi Tran. I am originally from Vietnam and very new to Wisconsin. I’m currently a member of the 115th Fighter Wing in the Wisconsin Air National Guard and an undergraduate student at UW. I like to sleep most of the times. On my free times, I will study (no I’m seriously enjoying study) and maybe go for a hike, a walk, or a bike ride! Besides biochemistry, I enjoy learning languages. I’m currently learning my third language – Korean, and I hope that one day this can be beneficial to my military career. I really enjoy Madison, and I’m looking forward to earning a Bachelor’s degree from my dream school! To me, Madison, Wisconsin is where I could aim high and dream high, and I believe that it will also be where all of my dreams come true! On, Wisconsin!
Todd Nelson – Senior Assistant Athletic Director for Event Operations, UW Athletics
820th RED HORSE – Nellis Air Force Base / 1991-94; 414th Combat Training Squadron (RED FLAG) – Nellis Air Force Base / 1994-95; 353rd Combat Training Squadron (COPE THUNDER) – Eielson Air Force Base / 1995-97
