Honoring our best

These five alumni have taken what they learned as students and used it to make the world a better place. They embody the calling of UD: learn, lead and serve.

Distinguished Alumni Award    
W. Robert “Bob” Kohorst ’75 

Bob Kohorst can certainly reflect on a career filled with distinction. The knowledge he has culled is something he wants to share with UD students.

“UD has much to offer future generations, and we all should help the institution achieve its mission,” he said.

Kohorst served as the U.S. Ambassador to Croatia from 2018 to 2021. He also practiced law and became a partner in a Los Angeles firm before developing business interests as founder of Everest, a company specializing in the purchase of apartments and other real estate. 

His business acumen is something for which he credits UD.

“UD provided me with a terrific academic classroom experience,” Kohorst said. “I [also] received valuable practical experience as business manager for Flyer News.” 

But, just as important as his academics as a Flyer was living in the student neighborhood, Kohorst said, the place where he made lifelong friendships.

When looking back on his four years on campus, Kohorst shared a few things he would suggest to current Flyers to make the most out of both their professional and personal lives.

“First, pursue activities and employment in a field where you feel passionate. Don’t just get a job; get a meaningful career,” he explained. “Second, surround yourself with great partners, including your spouse, your friends, your work associates. ... Life is too short to spend too much time with people who are not true friends. Third, take a risk in life and make corrections as necessary. Inaction is a decision and failure is a learning opportunity.”

Joe Belle Memorial Young Alumni Award   
Michael Sia ’20 

When Michael Sia wanted a change after his sophomore year at another university, he sought out a transfer scholarship at the University of Dayton. He had looked at other schools, but none offered a scholarship just for transfer students. Earning it made the ultimate difference in Sia attending UD.

“[It was] a blessing,” he said. “I came in as a junior transfer student from Tennessee, knowing no one on campus, but I had a gut feeling I had to be here.”

After settling in on campus, he joined the newly formed Asian American Association and became president of the association one year later, helping it grow into what it is today. 

Sia is a contract negotiator for the U.S. Air Force, based out of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, and CEO of Bandila Studios, which provides affordable website, branding and social media services for start-ups and nonprofits. 

“I am serving my country with the Air Force, and at the same time, I’m serving the community with Bandila Studios, helping local business owners,” he said. 

He launched Bandila in 2018 as a student while participating in the University’s Flyer Pitch competition. The company is now a sponsor of Flyer Pitch, which in 18 years has helped launch more than 80 new ventures, like Sia’s.

“Being at UD changed the trajectory of my life in a positive direction in every way. … I can’t imagine my life being any better.”

He graduated from UD School of Law in May, another decision, he said, that will only help him impact change — and pay it forward.

Special Achievement Award  
Valerie Dahlem ’85

Valerie Dahlem has served her country with distinction. Her Marianist values, cultivated at UD, propelled her to a distinguished civilian military career in the U.S. Air Force.

Dahlem received both her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and her master’s in engineering management from the University of Dayton. 

Her leadership record during her decorated career she attributes in part to her UD education and her mentors, some of whom were also UD grads. 

“I was fortunate to have two mentors. Gerry Freistler, who graduated with me in 1994, was very supportive, and Ted Fecke ’77, who was a chief engineer and was like a big brother to me,” she said. Fecke died in January of this year.

Dahlem spent more than 32 years working for the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base before retiring in 2020.

She led a team consisting of approximately 300 people, serving as senior material leader for the propulsion acquisition division and was responsible for buying propulsion systems and technology for the Air Force while managing an annual $1 billion budget.

Dahlem also expressed the importance of UD’s Marianist philosophy of educating the whole person.

“UD helped me understand the importance of building a sense of community to bring a diverse organization to one goal by learning how to value each individual,” she said.

One special guest will be in attendance when Dahlem receives her award — her father, Valentine Dahlem.

“I would not have become an engineer if  my dad hadn’t pushed me into it,” she said. 

Special Achievement Award   
Lisa Payne Wansley ’84

Lisa Payne Wansley grew up in the Bronx, New York. After graduating from the University of Dayton with a political science and public administration degree, she returned home to New York and got to work. 

She earned a master’s degree from Fordham University and enjoyed a 20-plus year career in the Bronx district attorney’s office, providing access to programs and services for the most vulnerable communities. 

In 2016, she joined the New York Power Authority, hoping to create a clean energy future for all New Yorkers. In her role as the senior vice president for environmental justice, community affairs and legislative relations, Wansley helps communities across New York create clean energy initiatives. 

“Environmental justice means being a good neighbor,” Wansley said in an interview with DiversityPlus Magazine.

She has implemented several community-centric programs, including STEM education programs for K-12 students, a scholarship program for students in underserved communities and various community-based energy services projects.

“We feel strongly that we have an obligation to support the communities where we do business,” she said of her company.

But when she first stepped foot in the energy industry, she found very few women in leadership roles and even fewer Black women. Now, she is making sure to help future female leaders.

“I try to instill in my employees, especially young women, that you have a place here, in the energy industry and in leadership roles,” she said.

Wansley retired in July but said her dedication to equity, education and clean energy has been the cornerstone of her 30-plus-year career — a career, she said, she owes to the education she received at UD.

Special Service Award  
Larry Woerner ’76

Larry Woerner has traveled a long and winding road to a successful business career. But it was some good advice from a legendary UD professor that helped propel him to find his success.

Woerner enjoyed academic and athletic success while at UD, graduating with a degree in mathematics and playing on the baseball team. He has served a nine-year term on the UD board of trustees.

In 1982, Woerner co-founded MW de Montigny Woerner Limitada, a benefits, human resources, and consulting firm in Latin America. He and his wife, Rosemari, are major supporters of UD baseball. The team’s field is named after the couple.

After a two-decade hiatus from UD, while living in Brazil, Woerner was approached by Tim Wabler — a former UD baseball player and then director of athletics. The encounter reconnected him with the University.

“Tim got me reacquainted with UD, and I became increasingly involved. It is truly a blessing to be able to be involved with so many things that UD has done and will be doing in the future,” Woerner said. 

Woerner said UD provided him with an excellent academic background and helped his development as a total person.

“My mentor (Dr. Kenneth C. Schraut) steered me toward a career in actuarial science — which was the perfect fit for me,” he said. Schraut was a professor of math for more than 50 years and directed research initiatives at UD, which grew into the UD Research Institute. 

As a longtime donor to UD, Woerner said giving back to a place so important to him was practically instinct.

“Giving back both in terms of time and money comes naturally considering all that I have benefited from UD,” he said.