The University of Wisconsin-Parkside will honor eight individuals with the Distinguished Alumni Award and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Distinguished Alumni Awards at a ceremony on Friday, Oct. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the University Ballroom. In honor of the 40th anniversary, all past awardees are invited to attend and will be recognized at the event. A pre-ceremony reception will begin at 5 p.m. outside of the ballroom followed by the ceremony at 6 p.m.
Rebekah Kowalski 
Jennie Tunkieicz
Kamaljit Jackson 
Nick Smith
The UW-Parkside Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrate and honor the rich legacy of learning and accomplishments by graduates who have excelled in their chosen field or performed exemplary service to our community. Each year the awards program recognizes alumni from each of the university’s four colleges in the categories of achievement and service.
The 2022-23 Distinguished Alumni honorees are:
- Rebekah Kowalski ’97 (Franklin, Wis.)
- Jennie A. Tunkieicz ’87 (Kenosha, Wis.)
- Kamaljit Jackson, MBA ’16 (Kenosha, Wis.)
- Nick Smith ’05 & MBA ’11 (Kenosha, Wis.)
- Dr. Daniel S. Alessi ’00 (Edmonton, Canada)
- Gregory Herman, Ph.D ’85 (Albany, Ore.)
- Jody L. Bloyer ’04 (Racine, Wis.)
- Elizabeth J. Krimmel ’86 (Cedarburg, Wis.)
The 2022-23 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients exemplify the success of UW-Parkside alumni in education, business, healthcare, technology, and other professions.
Dr. Daniel Alessi 
Gregory Herman
Jody Bloyer 
Elizabeth Krimmel
They play an important role in economic, civic, and talent development on both a national and local level. UW-Parkside alumni have a notable impact on the region, as approximately 70 percent of UW-Parkside alumni continue to work and reside in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois following graduation.
UW-Parkside is currently accepting nominations for the 2023-24 awards. Nominees must have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and are considered based on criteria for the Achievement Award or Service Award.
To learn more about this year’s recipients or to nominate a UW-Parkside alum, visit: https://www.uwp.edu/alumni/awards/
