From the first time I stepped on the campus of Lakeland College, my life was blessed with many wonderful achievements. While at Lakeland, I majored in English as a secondary education student, played football (4 years), wrestled (4 years), participated in track (2 years) and met my future wife, to whom I have now been married for 39 years.

I was fortunate to receive many honors for my athletic achievements and I got a job teaching and coaching immediately upon graduation. Now 37 years after graduating, I'm retired from coaching and teaching. I have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and 5 grandchildren. Barb and I just built our dream house in Hartford, Wis., on lake property.

I have had the opportunity to coach a DI state football championship while teaching and coaching at Mukwonago High School, A DIII National Championship at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and several other awards while coaching. In teaching, my students nominated me consecutively in the Who's Who of Teaching English on the secondary level. Much of this success has come from my college experience at Lakeland and the people I have become acquainted with over the years.

Now as my wife and I drift into retirement, I view kindly the opportunities a Lakeland education has presented me and the blessings it has brought.