Mark Your Calendar

Friday, September 5, 2025



FOUNDERS DAY ASSEMBLY

8:30 am

We are excited to welcome Lydia Hamilton '98 to campus as the featured speaker for the Founders Day Assembly. Lydia is currently an independent project management consultant with a strong background in operations and program leadership across corporate and nonprofit sectors.

A Milwaukee native and BA graduate, Lydia holds a degree from Loyola University Chicago. Her career has included roles at GE Healthcare, Northwestern Mutual, Wikipedia, and Vice President of Operations at The Philadelphia Inquirer, where she led strategic initiatives and supervised the construction of the company’s new headquarters.

Alumni are invited to attend the assembly to hear Lydia speak and are welcome to stay afterward to reconnect.

Fall Sports are Here



Our student-athletes have been training hard all summer in preparation for an exciting fall season. Game schedules are posted, so if you’re near campus, stop by and cheer on the Blue Knights!

Wait, you do not have any blue and gold to wear to the games? No problem! Check out our Online Store, where you can choose your design and even add "Alumni" to your gear!

Calling all alums - far and wide! Come by plane, train, or automobile - just get here! Mark your calendar, grab your blue and gold, and stretch your cheering muscles, it’s game night at BA! The excitement starts with Varsity Soccer vs. St. John’s Military Academy at 4 pm, followed by Varsity Football vs. Kenosha St. Joseph at 7 pm. Tailgating at the Fields of Freedom kicks off at 5 pm and rolls right through the first two quarters (because let’s be honest, snacks taste better under stadium lights).

After the game, head over to The Elbow Room, formerly Buddy’s and now proudly owned by alum Jake Dehne '95, for the unofficial “fifth quarter.” Catch up with classmates, relive your glory days, and enjoy a beverage or two and possibly a spontaneous BA fight song sing-along.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

ALUMNI CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Explorium Brewpub

11200 W. Burleigh St.

**NEW LOCATION!**

Saturday, January 24, 2026

ALUMNI GATHERING

Seattle, WA

Saturday, May 16, 2026

GRADUATION



The Class of 1976 (50 years) will be honored at the Class of 2026 Graduation.

Alumni on the Move

LYDIA BALISTRERI '20

Money-Smart and Mission-Driven

A financial advisor known for her client-first approach to financial planning, Lydia works with a wide range of clients to build customized financial strategies. She began her career at Northwestern Mutual and now serves clients at Raymond James in St. Louis.

A St. Louis University graduate, Lydia holds more licenses and certifications than most people have passwords, and she still finds time to give back through her volunteer work with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, contributing through volunteer work and philanthropic efforts at both local and national levels.

NICK WONG '11

Taking the Stage at Graduation

Nick was selected as one of three student speakers at the 2025 Wisconsin School of Business MBA & Master's Graduation Ceremony. His heartfelt address reflected on leadership, growth, and new beginnings. Visit Nick's LinkedIn profile to hear his speech.

Following graduation, Nick launched right into his career as an associate financial planner at Baird's Milwaukee headquarters.

Forever Wisconsin. On Wisconsin!

CAPT MARK STELIGA '93

A Salute to 26 Years

After 26 years of service, Mark retired as a U.S. Naval Intelligence Officer. His distinguished career included five years of overseas service, a deployment to the Western Pacific aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, and three deployments to Afghanistan with various Joint Special Operations Units. During this time, Mark served as the first naval intelligence officer to command a Naval Special Warfare unit, and most recently, as Chief of Staff to the Intelligence Directorate at the United States Strategic Command. Mark now resides in Omaha, NE, with his two kids and Aspen the Wundermutt.

Thank you for your service, Mark.



Photo: Mark proudly presents his daughter, Caitlin, with his retirement flag.

ELLA THOMPSON '24

A Summer in the Big Leagues (Almost)



Ella is a business major on the sports management track at Stevenson University, and this summer, she's living the dream as an intern for the Lakeshore Chinooks. From behind-the-scenes logistics to game-day hustle at the stadium, Ella is getting a firsthand look at what it takes to run a sports organization. Safe to say, she is learning more than how to dodge flying foul balls!

SARAH KAPUSTIN '99

Sarah's Third Project Hits the Stage

In the May newsletter, we spotlighted Sarah for Bach (De)constructed, her innovative solo film project reimagining Bach’s works. Now, her third film in the series has just been released.



Want to stay in tune with her next premieres? Subscribe to Sarah’s YouTube channel for automatic updates when new films appear.

Faculty Sightings

Unexpected Reunion: Northwest Edition

Ms. Renkert and Brian Trainor '04 crossed paths in Portland, Oregon, a surprise reunion proving once again that the BA world is surprisingly small.

Brian is senior corporate account manager with Direct Supply and currently resides in Denver, CO, with his wife Allison and newborn daughter Molly.

Brainpower Brunch

Drs. Solsrud and Kardatzke shared a long-overdue summer lunch, and while we can't confirm whether economic forecasts were exchanged, we are not asking.

Now both retired, they stay busy doting on their grandchildren. Dr. Solsrud still resides in the Brookfield area and frequently travels to Phoenix for family time. Dr. Kardatzke lives in Indianapolis and splits his visits between Brookfield and Houston to see his grandkids.

First Pitch, Full Circle

Coach Jake Kolasinski '13 (alum and BA Head Baseball Coach) had the honor of throwing the first pitch at a Lakeshore Chinooks game this summer. The video proves he still has an arm!

Become Involved: Alumni Opportunities

SPONSOR THE DAVIS-LAW GOLF OUTING

Monday, August 11, 2025

The Legends at Brandybrook

Thanks to overwhelming support, the Golf Outing is almost full. You can still participate from afar! Sponsorship opportunities are available and a great way to show your alumni support.



Please contact Peter Grossman in the Advancement Office if you would like to become a Golf Outing sponsor.

RE-ENGAGE WITH OLD CLASSMATES

Reunited? Show us the pics!



This summer saw some great impromptu alumni gatherings from the Class of 2004 hitting the fairways to the Class of 2010 hitting the ballpark!

We would love to hear from you, even if it is just to share an idea or offer a little of your time. Share your interest with the Alumni Office by completing this form.

Your Parents Got Your Mail Again?!

If your mom just forwarded you our newsletter with a “Thought you’d want this,” it is probably because we don’t have your updated contact info.

From future reunions to spontaneous alumni meetups (yes, with food and drinks), we want you in the loop.

Moved to a new city? Changed your number? Finally ditched that old email from high school? Let us know so we can keep the good stuff coming your way, not to your parents’ mailbox.