Recent Grads Make Unprecedented Gift

Five recent graduates made an unprecedented gift to Wartburg College, helping the Class of 2004 raise more money than any senior class in the college's history.
As part of the senior class gift campaign, each student purchased a life insurance policy and made Wartburg College both the owner and beneficiary of the policy. They will make premium payments for a number of years, and the cash value and eventual death benefit will ultimately benefit the college. Their commitment, together with cash gifts from 46 percent of the senior class, totaled $193,301, the largest senior class gift in Wartburg College's history. Although it will be many years before the college receives the benefit from these gifts, the impact and example set by these five young alumni is significant.

Derek Riley '04
Nashville, TN
Derek majored in computer science and mathematics and minored in engineering science. He is originally from Onalaska, WI, and completed an internship with NASA in California last summer. After the internship, he enrolled at Vanderbilt University, where he's pursuing a master's degree in computer science. His favorite memories of Wartburg College are his "great friends and involved professors."

Ben Shanno '04
Green Bay, WI
Ben is originally from Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was the first in his family to attend Wartburg College, and his parents enjoyed his experience almost as much as he did. They attended the Outfly gathering in Omaha, NE, after he graduated. "That says something very positive about Wartburg College," Ben says. As a student, Ben played on the golf team and worked on the Trumpet staff, serving as editor-in-chief his junior year. He also worked in the sports information department, reporting and photographing Wartburg College athletics. He considers the friendships he made to be the most significant benefit of his Wartburg College experience. Ben is now employed by ShopKO corporate offices.

Zac Henrich '04
Anamosa, IA
Originally from Pierson, Iowa, Zac majored in business administration with emphases in marketing and management. He served as student manager for the Knightcallers, a student organization that raises funds for Wartburg College. His lasting impressions from college include "crazy nights spent with great friends." Another memory he'll cherish is being a member of the back-to-back national championship wrestling teams. Zac is employed by RuffaloCODY in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as a program manager. Among his duties, he works with approximately 20 colleges on annual fund programs and senior class challenges.

Dia Dohlman '04
La Crosse, WI
Dia, a native of Eldora, Iowa, majored in fitness management and was recognized four times as First Team All-Conference in volleyball. She distinguished herself as the first-ever Wartburg College volleyball player to receive All-American honors. Dia was a three-time Iowa Conference champion and four-time All-American in track and field, and two-time national champion in the javelin. She also competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Sacramento, CA, last summer. Her favorite memory of Wartburg College is how close the volleyball team came to competing in the national NCAA Division III championships. She is now a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where she is pursuing a Master of Science degree in the physical sciences. She is also an assistant volleyball and track coach.

Brian Doyle '04
Waterloo, IA
Brian is one of nine Doyle grandchildren to graduate from Wartburg College. Originally from Manchester, Iowa, he was a member of the 2002 Wartburg College wrestling team, which placed second in the nation. He also served as student coach on the national championship wrestling team the following season. Brian is an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and Wartburg College Knights fan. He currently works as a financial representative with Northwestern Financial Network.