Kristy Bagley – Graduate Student (2029)
United States Marine Corps
“I served as a Marine Corps Field Artillery Officer for six years, with roles including Fire Direction Officer (FDO), Platoon Commander, Executive Officer (XO), and instructor at The Basic School (TBS). My time in uniform shaped how I lead, teaching me to thrive under pressure, collaborate across teams, and adapt in complex environments. I carry those lessons forward as I pursue a career as a medical doctor, and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead. The attached photo shows my husband and I at a traditional St. Barbara’s Day celebration honoring Field Artillery Officers and SNCOs.”
Stephen Bass – B.S. Natural Science (2014)
United States Navy
“Served overseas in Japan for 8 years traveling most of Asia on deployment. Currently stationed in Virginia and recently completed a 9 month deployment in the Red Sea”
Reed Bearden – B.A. Journalism (1984)
United States Navy
“Born and raised in Madison, I joined the Navy while in high school and returned home after serving as QM2 aboard USS Coontz – DDG 40, from 1974 to 1979. I sailed the North Atlantic with NATO forces and the Mediterranean Sea interdicting the Russian Navy. I crossed the Arctic Circle to earn my Bluenose. In the Navy I realized that Madison is a special place, notwithstanding the many ports of call I visited around Europe and the Caribbean. I set a goal to return and to graduate from UW-Madison and achieved my BA in 1984. I’ll always remember the faculty who mentored, encouraged and helped me readjust to civilian life. Post graduation I took my new wife (also a UW alum) to Atlanta, GA in 1985. I launched my career in business development with a small company, Scientific Games, that invented the ubiquitous scratch-off lottery ticket. I became senior director responsible for developing business proposals that expanded the US and internationally regulated lottery markets. In fact, we won contracts to startup 21 of 25 new US lotteries, including the Wisconsin Lottery in 1988. I retired on a high note shortly after producing the winning Mississippi Lottery startup bid in 2019.”
Rafael Camacho – M.B.A (2027)
United States Army
“Originally from Tampa, FL, I served in the United States Army Active Duty for 21 years (2000-2021) as a 12B Combat Engineer/68E Dental Specialist. After several deployments and duty stations, I proudly call Madison, WI my home. I am currently working at the Veterans Health Administration, supporting other Veterans while pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration from UW.”
Charles Creuziger – B.S. in Agriculture (1944)
United States Army
“(Submitting on behalf of my grandfather) Charles (Chuck) Ellwood Creuziger served his country for over 20 years, starting with ROTC at UW-Madison in the 1940s, joining the army in 1944, and then 20+ years of service in the Army reserves. He was stationed in a variety of locations including the Philippines, New Caledonia and Japan. Chuck completed his BS in Agriculture in 1944 at UW-Madison. He was married for over 50 years and died at 98 years old in 2020.” – Submission by Charles Creuziger’s granddaughter Mari Magler
Stephanie Escobedo – Professional MBA (2025)
United States Navy
“Stephanie Escobedo grew up in Wisconsin and served in the U.S. Navy, stationed on the DDG 144 – USS Ralph Johnson in Washington state. Now a second-year PMBA student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she is an active member of UW’s Veteran Club, passionate about connecting with fellow veterans on campus. With a background in engineering and a current role as a sales engineer, Stephanie has transitioned from gas turbine electrical engineering to the IT sector, specializing in Critical Power Distributed Infrastructure.
A dedicated runner, Stephanie recently achieved a major milestone by completing the Chicago Marathon. She’s passionate about the outdoors, exploring the arts, and embracing new experiences. Committed to service and giving back to her community, Stephanie is driven to make a meaningful impact in both her professional and personal life.”
Herb Evert – Retired from UW-Madison Office of the Registrar (1999)
United States Coast Guard
“I enlisted in the Coast Guard as a high school junior and went on active duty upon graduation, serving aboard the USCG Cutter “Mesquite”, an icebreaker/buoy tender ported in Sault Ste. Marie, MI, as a Quartermaster (navigator/helmsman). Afterward I attended UW-Milwaukee, receiving my BS degree in 1963, Evangelical Theological Seminary in Naperville, IL, receiving my M. Div. degree in 1966, and pursued graduate studies in philosophy at UW-Madison from 1966-1973. In 1973 I was hired by the Registrar’s Office where I was employed until I retired as Associate Registrar Emeritus in 1997, then returned as a part-time consultant until 1999. My wife Jeanne and I raised two children on a small acreage in the Cottage Grove area, and in retirement, I did some writing, some church and volunteer work, some traveling, some environmental work, and bred and trained field-bred English Springer Spaniels.”
Javier Flores – Undergraduate Student (2028)
United States Marine Corps
“My time as an active duty Marine was a priceless experience. It exposed me to different cultures, people, customs and courtesies. The Marine Corps and fellow service members taught me vital lessons in life and it opened various opportunities. During my time in the Marine Corps I spent time in Florida, California, Hawaii and South Korea. I am eternally grateful to the friends and family I met along my journey and I look forward to making new friends and family here at UW Madison. During my free time you can find me indoor climbing, running, or packing up the car for a family road trip to a National Park with my wife and two boys.”
Zach Gerras – M.S. Urban and Regional Planning (2026)
United States Army
“During my time in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, I had the opportunity to work with NGOs across Eastern and Southern Europe on projects that strengthened community resilience and improved local recovery efforts. My later work in Civil Affairs allowed me to continue building those partnerships, focusing on how coordination between civilian and military organizations can enhance disaster preparedness and long-term regional stability. Those experiences shaped my interest in planning, especially in understanding how data-driven policy and local collaboration can reduce vulnerability before crises occur.
In my free time, I spend as much time outdoors as possible, often hiking and rock climbing throughout the Midwest. I find those activities both grounding and inspiring—they remind me of the landscapes and communities I hope to help protect through thoughtful, resilient planning.”
Robert Griffin – Ph.D Journalism and Mass Communication (1980)
United States Air Force
“I was a “chairborne paragraph trooper” in the U.S. Air Force. I became an Air Force information specialist in 1969 just before the Vietnam War draft. I just graduated with a journalism degree and wanted to be an environmental reporter. But, like other young men of draft age in those times, I had to make a tough choice and the Air Force offered me a chance to develop my skills. I was fortunate. I eventually became the base newspaper editor at Grand Forks AFB, ND. “The Leader” earned various awards, and I received the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service. The Air Force granted me six months early release from active duty in late 1972 so I could start graduate studies at UW-Madison. My experience at UW was a positive turning point for me. I got my Master’s and Ph.D. degrees and shifted my career from professional journalism to academia and research. (Some quipped I was “seduced by the dark side of the Force.”) Meanwhile I also taught mass communication at the UW Center System campus in Janesville for five years. That’s where I discovered my passion for teaching. I started fulltime as a journalism and mass communication professor at Marquette University in 1978, retired as full professor emeritus after forty years service, and received a university-wide award for teaching excellence. My long-term research interests in risk and environmental communication resulted in my being elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Society for Risk Analysis.”
Jacob Hilgendorf – Pre-Nursing
United States Navy
“My name is Jacob Hilgendorf and I am in my second semester at UW-Madison. Before coming here, I was a Mass Communication Specialist in the Navy for five years, serving most of that time aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. When I am not in classes I enjoy running, hunting, and golfing – pretty much anything outdoors.”
Kristine Klasen – MBA (2022)
United States Army
“When I joined the Army, I was fortunate to spend a year at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, where I studied the Korean language. After additional training, I was eventually stationed at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, 751st Military Intelligence Battalion, 501st Military Intelligence Group. I was an analyst and we worked closely with South Korea to monitor electronic communications to determine if there was a pending threat. I enjoyed my time in Korea, traveling around the region when I could. When I left service, I eventually returned to Wisconsin and completed a degree in East Asian studies and Anthropology. I went on to a MA in Art History (East Asian) and an MBA from UW-Madison. I found a career path within museum administration, and I’m currently the Chief Operating Officer at the Chazen Museum of Art on campus. I was previously with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum where I enjoyed caring for the state’s collection of military history. ”
Brian Kline – M.B.A. (2014)
United States Marine Corps
“Originally from Oshkosh, Brian graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned into the U.S. Marine Corps. Brian served for 21 years in aviation and planning roles including combat operations over Kuwait and in Iraq. He earned an MBA from the Wisconsin School of Business and had spent the last seven years working on campus in the Natural Resources Institute. Go Navy! Semper Fidelis! On Wisconsin!”
Melanie Laflin – B.S. Elementary and Special Education (2026)
Wisconsin Air National Guard
“I had the opportunity to grow up in a military household since my dad has served in the United States Air Force since 1998 and is still currently serving. I decided to join after looking up to him my whole life and joining the military has been one of the best decisions I have made. I also have the privilege to lead a military-connected Bible study here on campus and love connecting with Christian service members.”
Damien Mohorne – Graduate Student (2026)
United States Army
“I served active Army from 2001 – 2013, deploying in 2003. I am married and we have 5 wonderful children. I have worked in HR for over 20 years. I enjoy coaching and leadership development.”
Bridget Montour – B.S. Accounting (1994)
United States Air Force
“I enlisted in the US Air Force after one year of college that I couldn’t afford. I was assigned the Missile Facilities Specialist role and was stationed at Ellsworth AFB where I helped maintain the Minuteman II missile system until we were ordered to stand down in the fall of 1991. From that point forward, I helped dismantle those missiles. I finished my degree in accounting after leaving active duty and then traveled with my husband to Ramstein Air Base in Germany where I worked as a civilian in my first accounting job.
I started my career with the State of Wisconsin in 1999 and came to the UW in 2009 shortly after the Shared Financial System (SFS) Grants implementation. I worked in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs supporting and improving that system for many years. I joined the Administrative Transformation Program in 2022 to help bring the Grants management processes in Workday to life and leave SFS behind. This has been like my Air Force experience in many ways!
I met and married my husband at Ellsworth AFB. We have two grown children. I enjoy fostering kittens for Underdog Pet Rescue, gardening, cooking and getting outside to enjoy the beautiful trails and lakes in the area.”
John Paschkewitz – B.S. Mechanical Engineering (1970)
United States Air Force
“I graduated in 1970 after 5 years at UW in Mechanical Engineering and AFROTC. I first went to Mather AFB, CA for navigator training. I was a C-130E and C-141A airlift navigator serving in Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand as well as to Europe and the Middle East. I separated after 5 years and worked in industry as a test engineer. In 1979, I returned to active duty in the Air Force and served a a system development engineer at 3 bases in OH, GA, and MA before retiring from the AF in 1994. I spent the next 25 years in industry as a product assurance engineer. I have been married for 52 years. We have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren.”
Mitchel Pratt – B.S. Electrical and Computer Engineering (2026)
United States Navy
“I met my wife Brenna, while serving on USS Nimitz in 2022, as she was passing through to get to her own assignment, USS Shoup. She charmed me with her stories of undergraduate days at UW-Madison, so I decided to become a Badger too! I am studying for a Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering and she is studying for a Master in Data Science and Human Behavior.”
Priscilla Reyes – B.A. Social Welfare (2027)
United States Air Force
“I joined the Active Duty Air Force right out of high school, not fully knowing what path it would take me on. I was stationed at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana, where I spent the entirety of my service and met some of the most incredible people along the way. I served proudly as a 1C and gained life-changing experiences, both personally and professionally.
After separating from the military, I was eager to continue my education and began by earning a liberal arts transfer degree at Madison College. During that time, I also had the incredible opportunity to be part of UW–Madison’s Odyssey Beyond Wars program; an experience that strengthened my voice, deepened my sense of purpose, and reaffirmed my passion for learning. Those steps ultimately led me to UW–Madison, where being a student now feels like a full-circle moment and a dream come true.
Born and raised in Madison, I’m now pursuing a degree in Social Work with the goal of serving others and bringing greater Hispanic representation to the field. As a proud first-generation Latina student and veteran, I’m passionate about equity, advocacy, and community. Beyond my academic journey, I’m also a sister, dog mom, girlfriend, and daughter. I love spending time with my dog, Winnie, and being with family and friends. Their love and support fuel everything I do.”
Elvis Rivera – Graduate Student (2027)
United States Navy
“US Navy Veteran , Stationed on Harry S Truman CVN 75 , in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent resolve in the fifth fleet, based in Norfolk VA”
Thi Tran – B.S. Biochemistry (2026)
Wisconsin Air National Guard
“Hello, I’m Thi Tran. I’m a senior at UW–Madison, graduating in Spring 2026, and I’ve served in the Wisconsin Air National Guard for about three years. I’m grateful for the opportunities the WI ANG has provided—supporting my education at my dream school and giving me hands-on experiences with mission-critical equipment and operations. I’m not originally from Wisconsin, but this state has been a welcoming home where I’ve grown as a student, service member, and community member. Wisconsin truly feels like home now! On, Wisconsin!
Outside of service, I’m passionate about healthcare and hope to continue serving in the military in a healthcare role. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, solving Rubik’s Cubes, and spending quality time with my family.”
Eyan Ven Roy – B.S. Biology (2027)
Wisconsin Air National Guard
“Eyan Ven Roy enlisted in the Wisconsin Air National Guard in 2021 and is currently a Staff Sergeant at the 128th Air Refueling Wing. Working in the Civil Engineering Squadron, he participates in the maintenance and upkeep of the base and its components. Eyan is a Biology major with a certificate in Health and the Humanities at UW-Madison with aspirations to pursue a professional healthcare career, ideally within the United States Air Force, as a physician. He also acts as the Military Community Advocate (MCA) for the UW-MIA Project located on campus, aimed at identifying and recovering MIA American service members from past foreign conflicts. Both Eyan’s brother and grandfather serve or have served in the Air Force, so military service is a staple in his family. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his two cats, Bucky and Bilbo, and building Lego botanical sets.”
Riley Wierzbicki – Doctor of Pharmacy (2027)
United States Army Reserves
“I am a current candidate for the Doctor of Pharmacy program at UW-Madison, and I’ll be graduating in 2 years! I graduated in 2024 with my economics degree and health policy certificate (also from UW).Outside of class, I like to run/workout, play guitar, and watch different anime and shows. I am also very close to my inner Wisconsinite as I like to do seasonal things such as pick apples, go skiing and have lake days in the summer with my family.”
