Alumni Spotlights

Jes Adams
Class Year: ’08
Majors: Biology
Current Hometown: Caldwell, ID
Job:
Senior Manager - Strategic Solutions, Nordic Consulting Partners
“Going into Carthage I would have never guessed I would be doing what I do now, and at the same time I can’t imagine my life any other way.”

Yana Astter
Class Year: 2021
Majors: Chemistry and Biology
Current Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Job:
Medical Student at the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program
“Carthage gave me a strong education, incredible research opportunities, and a strong, supportive network that made me a competitive applicant for post-baccalaureate fellowships and medical school.”

Darrell Ballinger
Class Year: ’06
Majors: Biology
Current Hometown: Huber Heights, Ohio
Job:
Podiatrist, Owner of Advantage Podiatry
“Find a mentor and stick with that person. Once you have someone who gives you a positive bend toward life, you tend to give back more and be a better person.”

Katrina Gilbank
Class Year: ’13
Majors: Biology and Environmental Science
Current Hometown: Plymouth, Ind.
Job:
Environmentalist at the Marshall County (Ind.) Health Department
“The technical writing skills from thesis prep classes and lab classes have been skills I use daily.”

Suresh Graf
Class Year: ’15
Majors: Biology
Current Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Job:
Technology Consultant and Territory Manager at Arthrex Inc and Gemini Medical
“My time at Carthage gave me a head start on my peers and consequently I rose through the ranks at a fast pace.”

Steve Hobe
Class Year: ’15
Majors: Biology (Paleontology Track) and Musical Theatre
Current Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Job:
Senior Coordinator of Education at Adler Planetarium and Supplemental Chorister at Lyric Opera of Chicago
“When I learned that I could dig, prepare, and study fossil bones in a lab; hone my performance craft; and play hockey all close to home, attending Carthage was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Brady Holbach
Class Year: ’20
Majors: Biology (Paleontology Track) and Geoscience
Current Hometown: Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Job:
Fossil Preparator at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum
“What most prepared me for my career was being able to volunteer as a student at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum. I also gained a lot of experience thanks to the paleontology field course that was offered during Carthage’s J-Term.”

Cecil Jennings
Class Year: ’81
Majors: Biology, Natural Science, and Conservation
Current Hometown: Athens, Ga.
Job:
Research Biologist/Adjunct Professor
“Certainly, Carthage’s academic preparation was paramount, but that, coupled with learning the value of networking, provided many other possibilities that led to a successful and rewarding career.”

Dr. David Kreutz
Class Year: ’88, M.Ed. ’95, Ed.D ’19
Majors: Biology and chemistry
Current Hometown: Libertyville, Ill.
Job:
Anatomy/Physiology Teacher at Libertyville High School
“All of these people gave me hands-on experience that molded my path as an educator.”

Owen Lewer
Class Year: ’20
Majors: Biology
Current Hometown: Forest Lake, Ill.
Job:
Graduate Student at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine
“Do hard things: Travel if you have the means, and stretch your comfort zone. Not only will your future self thank you, but admissions committees and employers are looking for interesting and introspective applicants to fill their classes and offices.”

John Nykyforuk
Class Year: ’21
Majors: Biology
Current Hometown: Edmonton, Canada
Job:
Medical Student at the University of Alberta
“You will have lots of experiences during your years at Carthage, so do your best to learn and grow from them all.”

Claire Pfeffer
Class Year: ’19
Majors: Biology
Current Hometown: Lafayette, Indiana
“The entire Biology Department has helped me throughout my time at college by pushing me to succeed and guiding me. I have kept in touch with them, and they continue to support me, even though I am no longer at Carthage.”

Gregory T. Pierangeli
Class Year: ’78
Majors: Biology and Natural Science
Current Hometown: Racine, Wisconsin
Job:
Market Clinical Manager at MyEyeDr Wisconsin
“Carthage gave me a solid scientific and analytical background.”

Kim Wendt
Class Year: ’06, M.Ed. ’06
Majors: Biology, Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Job:
Science Teacher at Mitchell Middle School in Racine, Wisconsin
“Don’t give up. Don’t be afraid to dream big and be an advocate for change. You’ll never know if those crazy ideas turn out to be an amazing success until you try.”

Amelia R. Zietlow
Class Year: ’20
Majors: Biology (Paleontology Track)
Current Hometown: New York City, New York
Job:
Comparative Biology PhD Candidate at the Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History
“I am grateful that I was able to have such close relationships with my advisors and professors at Carthage, and I will always owe my successes to them.”