By Brennan Bogert
On April 9, Regina held its first annual Alumni Career Day. The students and faculty welcomed back graduates to learn about jobs ranging from entrepreneur to funeral director. All the alumni shared their unique views on work, schooling and the circumstances that led them to where they are now.
Jana Michael, class of 1983
Jana Michael is a helper by profession. Michael graduated from the University of Iowa and has held positions with Iowa Athletics, the University of Iowa Foundation and the American Cancer Society. She now works as the Director of Development at the Henry B. Tippie College of Business.
“I work one-on-one with people; I find out what they are interested in and I see if I can get them interested in a certain area (of fundraising),” Michael said. She explained the education that is necessary for her job. “But don’t feel like you have to have a set path.” She said the inspiration for her job came from the book, “What Color Is Your Parachute?”
Bob Boyd, class of 1963 and Ted Pacha, class of 1966
Bob Boyd and Ted Pacha have known each other since attending Regina High School. Still, both went their separate ways following school.
Boyd went on to serve on the Mercy Hospital Foundation Board and was its president from 1999-2000. Boyd served on the Iowa City Free Medical Clinic Board and was president and member of the Regina Board of Education. He served six years in the National Guard. He is the president of City Electric Supply across the street from Ted Pacha’s Iowa Medical Supplies.
Pacha founded Hawkeye Medical Supply in 1975. He served on Regina’s Board of Education, helped to develop the ICRR Run for the Schools, and serves on the Regina Foundation Board.
“I learned how not to do a lot of things,” says Pacha.
“I learned success is more attitude than aptitude. When you work you’re getting a moral fiber,” says Boyd.
Rob Lehnertz, class of 1983
Rob Lehnertz graduated from the University of Kansas with a major in broadcast communication but now works in architecture for the University of Iowa. “I didn’t know what I wanted to study. (Now) I’m in charge of an office of over 50 architects, engineers and construction workers.”
Lehnertz is in charge of planning the 2.5 million square feet of growth of the University of Iowa per decade. He emphasizes the importance of writing in his field and at the university. “If (architecture companies) could find somebody who knew how to write, they’d hire them now.”
