Fred Ladehoff, ’90 of North Bend, Neb., majored in Physical Science and Natural Science at Midland. He went on to UNL to earn a Master of Arts in Geography, with a concentration in Meteorology/Climatology. In the early 90s he served as a graduate teaching assistant in the Geography Department at UNL and as an Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Midland. Since 1994 Ladehoff has taught Physical Science, Chemistry and Physics at North Bend Central High School, where he also serves as Boys Basketball Head Coach. He is active in his community and at Midland. Ladehoff is a member of the North Bend Community Band, serves on the church council of St. Peter Lutheran Church, and currently is president of the Midland Athletic Boosters. He commented: "the friendships I made at Midland both with fellow students and faculty, remain special to this day."

Dr. Dudley Syre, ’61 of Council Bluffs, Iowa, retired in 2009 after 33 years of private practice as an Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgeon. He graduated from Midland with a German/History degree before pursuing a Doctorate in Medicine. His residency in Otolaryngology was at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He went into private practice and continues to serve as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Med Center. He previously served as Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs and as Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Jennie Edmundson Hospital, also in Council Bluffs. Syre is a member of various professional organizations, has participated in medical missions in Jamaica and Dominican Republic, and is active in his church, Kountze Memorial Lutheran in Omaha. His Midland roommate, Larry Collier, commented: "Dudley lived the Midland ideal and contributed substantially to the betterment of humankind as well as to the future of Midland Lutheran College."

Dr. Linda Schedler Winkler, ’76 of Oil City, Penn., is the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Director of International Programs at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville. She also serves as Professor of Anthropology and Biological Sciences at the University. After earning her degree in Religion/Social Work at Midland, Winkler went to the University of Pittsburgh where she earned a master's and a doctorate in Anthropology. One area of expertise is her research and study of Orangutans. She has written for dozens of publications and presented nationally. She also has done extensive research with her connection with Tanzania and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Other research interests include Global HIV/AIDS, Human Health and Disease, and Anthropoid Dental and Skeletal Development. Winkler is a member of numerous professional affiliations and has received countless grants and awards. Her special memories of Midland include "Delta Tau Sorority, theatre productions (I worked on costumes), football games, studying over coffee until 2 a.m., and encountering anthropology for the first time."


Outstanding Young Alumni

Hans Julius,’04 of North Platte, Neb., is the Assistant Vice President of NebraskaLand National Bank. He earned a Business Administration degree from Midland, with a concentration in marketing and management. Julius began his career as a Credit Manager at Wells Fargo in Norfolk, then advanced to Credit Analyst/Junior Lender for First National Bank in North Platte. His current position at NebraskaLand Bank includes responsibilities for originating, closing and servicing commercial and agricultural loans; managing existing accounts and soliciting new ones. His involvement in his community includes serving on the Mid Plains Community College Business Advisory Committee, Crown Ministries Financial Coach, and he is a certified Hunter's Safety Instructor. Julius also serves on the Midland Lutheran College Business Advisory Board and is actively involved with Phi Beta Lambda. His Midland memories include: "Phi Beta Lambda trips (to Denver & Indianapolis) which gave me the opportunity to get to know classmates and professors."

Sara Mertens Roberts, ’95, is the Founder and President/CEO of Roberts Golden Consulting, Inc. in San Francisco, Calif. Roberts earned a Bachelor's in Education while at Midland, then earned a master's degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In 2004, she founded her consulting firm. Her team has led organizational transformation for Fortune 500 Companies including FedEx and Hilton Hotels. Prior to founding Roberts Golden, she held senior consulting positions within companies including Sprint, Andersen Consulting and Ketchum. Roberts is the co-author of the book: "Light Their Fire: Using Internal Marketing to Ignite Employee Performance and Wow Your Customers," published in 2005; and is a contributing author in a 2009 book "Millennials into Leadership." She is a frequent keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Oakland, Calif., non-profit "Family Builders by Adoption" and helps find permanent, adoptive homes for children. She is a former board president for a San Francisco non-profit that provides art therapy programs for homeless children. Special Midland memories include: "my friends; the professors that really took the time to get to know you; Tri Phi Sorority; choir; participating in theatre performances."

John Maisch, ’92 of Oklahoma City, Okla., is the Legal Counsel for the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission and also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Central Oklahoma. He previously worked as a private attorney and small businessman where he focused on and brokered commercial real estate. He served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma for eight years. His community involvement includes the Oklahoma City Downtown Lions Club, and he serves on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and the Ronald McDonald House. Maisch received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Midland and went on to earn a law degree from the University of Tulsa. While at Midland, John served as President of Phi Beta Lambda and participated in intercollegiate tennis.

Harnisch Family - Brothers Jerry Harnisch and Burdell Harnisch attended Midland in the 60s; both are Fremonters. Jerry earned his degree in 1963, Burdell in 1968. Jerry married Lynette Landholm Harnisch, a 1966 Midland alumna. They have 5 children, all Midland grads:

• Gayle Harnisch, '91 of Littleton, Colorado
• Gordon Harnisch, '91, and wife Shelly Johnson, class of 1991, of Omaha
• Jessica Harnisch Masin, '95 of Lincoln
• Jason Harnisch, '01 of Omaha
• Joe Harnisch, '01, and wife Sherri Lee, class of 2002, of Omaha

The Harnisch brothers, from left, Jerry, '63; Larry; Burdell, '68; and Delwyn. At one point, all served as high school educators.

Harnisch family on Midland graduation day for Gayle and Gordy Harnisch, May 1991.