WHITEWATER — Five alumni who have achieved significant professional and community service success are being honored as the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater celebrates its 154th anniversary. The 2022 class of alumni award honorees include graduates with careers in education, communication, accounting, human resources and mental health — including a public servant who has served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate for more than a decade.

The awards will be presented at the Founders Day Celebration, held at UW-Whitewater at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 9.

This year’s recipient of the Outstanding Recent Alumni Award is Christopher Maniece. The award recognizes the professional accomplishments of Maniece, who earned a B.A. in psychology in 2013 followed by dual master’s degrees in 2017, and his work as a school counselor with the Madison Metropolitan School District. After earning his Ed.D. from Edgewood College in 2021, he is currently pursuing his MBA from UW-Whitewater, with expected completion in 2024.

The recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement is Frederick Arndt. Arndt, who earned a B.S. in political science and English in 1970, held executive and leadership positions in human resources in Fortune 50 corporations as well as startup and early stage ventures for more than 45 years, including McKesson Corporation, SegaSoft, Capitol Records, Apple Computer, Searle Pharmaceuticals, Frito-Lay, and Baxter International.

Also receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement is Amy Herbst. Herbst, who earned a B.S. in social work in 1993, is vice president, mental and behavioral health, at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and an industry expert with more than 25 years working with children, youth and families, including leading the largest child welfare and foster care programs in the state.

Sen. Howard Marklein is this year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for Community/Regional Service. After earning his BBA in accounting in 1976, Sen. Marklein pursued a successful career in public accounting as he devoted himself to public service, from community development to being elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2010. Since then, he has been elected to the Wisconsin State Senate and serves as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Finance.

The recipient of the Distinguished Alumni for Service to UW-Whitewater is William Lowell. Lowell, who earned a B.A. in communication in 1982 followed by an M.S. in speech–public relations in 1983, has taught in the Department of Communication since 1985 in addition to pursuing a long career as a marketing and management consultant. He tapped into his business relationships to supervise numerous internships in the College of Arts and Communication.