Five alumni, faculty, staff, and community members will be honored by the UW-Superior Alumni & Friends Foundation for their accomplishments and contributions to the university next month. The 2024 Alumni & Friends Awards will be presented at a Superior Soirée, on Saturday, October 12, at UW-Superior. The fun, semi-formal event is open to everyone, and proceeds will benefit both students and alumni. Visit uwsuper.edu/Soiree to learn more and purchase tickets by October 4.

“All of our awardees are outstanding in their achievements and passion for our university,” said UW-Superior Chancellor Renée Wachter. “We applaud their accomplishments, their service and dedication, and look forward to celebrating them.”

The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented to alumni whose successes serve as an inspiration for current and prospective students. This year’s recipient is Dr. Carolyn Anderson, class of 1985.

Originally from Superior, Anderson graduated from UWS with her B.S. in chemistry and went on to earn a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry at Florida State University. For more than 30 years, her pioneering research has laid the foundation for the growth of radiometal-based agents for diagnostic imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy of cancer, a field now known as “theranostics.”

She began her first faculty appointment at Washington University (WU) in St. Louis in 1993 as an assistant professor of radiology. After 20 years of research and developments at WU, she joined the University of Pittsburgh as a professor of radiology to establish a small animal imaging shared resource at the Hillman Cancer Center. In 2016 she became a professor in the Department of Medicine at Pitt and collaborated with clinician scientists to develop imaging agents.

In 2020, Anderson became the Simón-Ellebracht Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and professor of radiology at the University of Missouri (MU). She is also an associate director of the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, performing ongoing research on theranostics. At MU, Carolyn founded the Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Center and is highly active as a mentor to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows.

Anderson has also received numerous honors, including the Michael J. Welch Award, the Paul C. Aebersold award, the Georg de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award from the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, a Distinguished Investigator Award from the Academy of Radiology Research, and the Glenn T. Seaborg award in Nuclear Chemistry from the American Chemical Society.

The Recent Alumni Achievement Award is presented to alumni who have graduated within the last 10 years and have had significant professional or personal accomplishments. This year’s recipient is Jennifer Gravrok, Ph.D., class of 2015.

Gravrok grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota, and began her college career at the University of Maine at Farmington. After a summer internship at Michigan State University studying honeybees, she landed at UWS, earning her B.S. in biology with minors in both psychology and chemistry.

Gravrok then moved to Australia for four years to pursue a Ph.D. in anthrozoology at La Trobe University. She was awarded a full scholarship with stipend to study human-dog interaction and the experiences of first-time assistance dog handlers. During her studies, she published multiple scientific papers in reputable journals and presented at international conferences. Her thesis was ultimately awarded the Nancy Millis Medal for Thesis of Exceptional Merit, a very prestigious honor. While in Australia, she also volunteered for multiple assistance dog organizations and integrated her life into Australian culture. After completing her Ph.D., she solo traveled around Southeast Asia for four months.

Upon returning to the United States in 2020, Gravrok worked for two organizations focused on medical alert and mobility assistance dogs: Eyes Ears Nose and Paws in North Carolina, and Can Do Canines in Minnesota, where she currently resides. In 2023, she published “Understanding Assistance Dogs: Is an Assistance Dog the Right Tool for You?” The book is available on Amazon and other retailers.

The Honorary Alumni Award is presented to a person who is not an alum, and whose dedication to the university and successes serve as an inspiration for current and prospective students. This year’s recipient is Krisi (KP) Patterson.

Patterson, known to most as KP, has been a valuable member of the Campus Recreation team at UWS for nearly 20 years. However, her lengthy career in recreation began while she was attending UW-Stout. While studying for a B.S. in hospitality and tourism, Patterson obtained a work study role in University Recreation. Over the next three years, she learned the importance of student development with campus employment in terms of financial support, mentoring, and personal and professional development. 

Her work in higher ed recreation continued after graduation when she became a recreation coordinator at Stout in 1992. This position, along with a full-time position at a golf and country club, helped Patterson gain knowledge and skills in customer service and more. She worked in recreation for 15 years at Stout before accepting the role of assistant director of Campus Recreation at UWS in 2006. Patterson and her two daughters moved to Superior and began a new adventure. 

Her passion for programming, services, and student experiences grew exponentially and her dedication to the industry continued to flourish. She is now the director of Campus Recreation at UWS, overseeing Marovich Wellness Center and Siinto S. Wessman Arena operations, recreation programming, and staff and student employees. Patterson furthered her education and obtained a master’s in recreation management from UW-La Crosse in 2021. After 30 years in the field of recreation services, she firmly believes the work that is generated from the unit changes student lives and meets many institutional and community needs.

Dr. Mary Balcer, class of 1977, is the recipient of the 2024 James Rainaldo Outstanding Mentor Award. This award recognizes current and retired faculty or staff members who have touched the lives of students in a unique and significant way.

Balcer graduated from UWS with a B.S. in biology and chemistry and continued her education at UW-Madison, earning her Ph.D. in zoology. In 1983, she returned to UWS as director of the Lake Superior Field Station on Wisconsin Point where she developed and taught programs on the university’s research vessel, the L.L. Smith, Jr.  Along with her colleagues at the Center for Lake Superior Environmental Studies (now the Lake Superior Research Institute/LSRI), Balcer developed a diverse aquatic research program and gave many students the opportunity to join in research activities.

Always eager to interact with students, Balcer volunteered to teach classes in aquatic ecology and environmental sciences for the biology program. She soon landed a tenure track faculty position, beginning a career which led to years of service as the department chair of Natural Sciences as well as the director of the Research Institute.

For 33 years, Balcer served as a professor and mentor to UWS students and colleagues. She inspired and encouraged students to work hard and emphasized the importance of quality work. Balcer was available for help at any time and worked tirelessly to assist her students in countless ways. Her hands-on approach to teaching, her leadership for all sciences at the university, and her engagement in the programs of LSRI have amply earned her this recognition.

The Edward and Betty Kossak Service Award was created to honor those who have made significant contributions in time, leadership, and support to further the goals of UW-Superior. This year’s recipient is John McNeil, class of 1967.

McNeil grew up in rural Douglas County, on the famous Brule River. He attended UWS, graduating with a degree in liberal arts. While a student, he met his wife, Anna, and they were married in 1963. They had three children and now reside in Waunakee, Wisconsin.

He was employed in property and casualty insurance for General Casualty, a Wisconsin-based company, for 35 years. In addition to working fulltime, McNeil volunteered his time and talents. He was active with the Parent Teacher Association throughout his children’s schooling and volunteered with the Wisconsin Literacy Council for several years.

McNeil has been an active volunteer and advocate for UWS for 23 years. In 2002, he collaborated with the Alumni Association to form an alumni chapter in the Madison area and served as chapter leader for more than 20 years. He scouted event locations, recruited volunteers, and worked to ensure alumni attendance at events. McNeil and Anna also solicited many alumni and businesses to obtain silent auction items for the benefit of student scholarships.

McNeil completed three terms on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, serving as Board chair and chair of the Governance Committee, and is now an emeritus member of the Alumni & Friends Foundation Board of Directors. In addition, McNeil and Anna have been long time financial supporters of UWS and have actively encouraged other alumni and friends to do the same.

To nominate someone for an Alumni & Friends award, please visit uwsuper.edu/Alumni/Recognition.