2018 Board Member Interviews: Pat, Lori, Vickie and Yvonne
Patricia Freer
Born and raised on a farm in the small community of Weyauwega, Wisconsin, Pat attended a one-room country school and went on to graduate from UW-Stout with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and a Master in Guidance & Counseling from UW-Whitewater. Pat worked in higher education administration for 38 years, the last 17 years as Executive Director of the University Center and Dining Service at UW-Whitewater before retiring in 2006. Pat and her husband, Jim, have been married for 51 years, and have two daughters and nine grandchildren. Their daughter Rachel graduated from WLC in 2001 and is using her education degree as a 3rd-grade teacher.
Pat’s interests include the Bachana Ministry to Pakistan, Pathways to Christ Retreat in Oshkosh, Builders for Christ projects, and many, many roles as a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Weyauwega.
Pat attended the first Butterfly Brunch in 2006. She then volunteered to be part of the planning committee for the next event. She continued her commitment to the CWLC, helping with the formation of the first board of directors, and served as president from 2010 to 2016. She has chaired the Leadership Initiatives Committee since 2010 and currently serves as the CWLC Treasurer.
“I truly believe in helping our young women to understand how the Lord has blessed them with leadership skills. I have enjoyed being part of an organization that provides them with opportunities to utilize these skills. By serving on the board, I have been able to meet some amazing women who share the same passions. Serving on the Leadership Initiatives Committee has given me the opportunity to see the impact of our efforts first hand through the grant and scholarship recipients.”
Vickie Walther
Vickie Walther is the Director of Development Services for Wisconsin Lutheran College and is the current WLC liaison to the CWLC Board. She has been at WLC for 10 years supporting a variety of fundraising and special event activities, including the Butterfly Brunch. She lives in Brookfield WI with her husband Daryl and is an active member of Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Brookfield. She has two adult children, Chris, a 2016 WLC grad, and Katie. She is passionate about Christian education and providing opportunities for students to develop their skills as our future Christian servant leaders.
Lori Lorig
Lori served on the staff of Trinity Lutheran Church as the Coordinator of Member Ministry from 2008 until 2015 where she developed a sustainable member ministry system. In 2017 she launched Faith Unleashed Consulting which seeks to assist other congregations in developing their own member ministry system to engage, equip and empower more members for personal ministry. Lori most recently has served on the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team, as a Travel Team Coordinator for Adventures for the Almighty and on the Illinois Lutheran School’s Wellness Committee. She is also a Bible Study Facilitator, and she hosts God’s Girls Growing in Grace on Facebook posting daily devotions.
Lori’s hobbies include reading, traveling and playing with her grandbabies whenever possible! Lori was introduced to the Christian Women’s Leadership Circle by then-President Pat Freer who invited her to serve on the Leadership Initiatives Committee. Lori subsequently joined the Board and currently serves as Vice President.
Lori says she was drawn to the CWLC because she was serving as a leader in her church and was looking for support, encouragement, and a network of female leaders within the WELS. “I believe in investing in others and helping them to grow in their leadership skills academically, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. WLC and the CWLC provide hands-on experiences that develop amazing servant leaders.”
Lori continued, “Wisconsin Lutheran College and the CWLC have been a blessing to me and to so many other women! If you are looking for a network of amazing women leaders and are interested in investing in tomorrow’s women leaders, you need to get involved with the CWLC. Join us in investing in Christian leaders for a better tomorrow!”
Yvonne Quint
Yvonne currently serves as the president of the CWLC, as well on the member events committees. Yvonne, a native of southern California, moved to Wisconsin with her husband Jeff in 2000. She became familiar with WLC through attending events in the Center for Arts and Performance. “I was so impressed by the beauty of the campus, and then once I started meeting the faculty and students, I knew this was an institution that I wanted to support with my time and money.”
As a fellow member of St. John Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, Yvonne met Sharon Schoeneck and her mother, JoAnne, and thus learned about the Butterfly Brunch and its mission of supporting female WLC students. “Although Jeff and I do not have children, we are committed to helping young people obtain a solid education in a Christian environment. Supporting the CWLC seemed a great way to do that – and that notion has been confirmed every year as I learn about the young women the CWLC supports through its scholarships, grants, and partnerships.”
Now retired, Yvonne’s professional career included over 25 years in human resources at McKesson Corporation in San Francisco, as well as serving Wisconsin Lutheran High School in the mission advancement office for six years. Her retirement years have been spent in volunteer work, gardening, quilting (or at least buying fabric!) and judging bar-b-que competitions with Jeff in the south and Midwest.
“Serving on CWLC committees and the board has been a joy. I continue to hone my skills – even in retirement – while serving others. I urge our members and friends to learn more about opportunities to serve on a committee.”