Brad Jansen ‘99, Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Quincy University
Bachelor of Science in Finance, Quincy University
Master of Science in Accounting, Illinois State University
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Fraud Examiner
We thank Brad Jansen ’99 for sharing highlights of his time at Mater Dei, his career, and his personal passion for this alumni spotlight!
When asked how Mater Dei influenced his life, Brad stated, “During an important part of my life, Mater Dei provided an excellent overall experience and environment in which I could develop. Additionally, the curriculum and the teachers provided a base for my ability to excel in life. Finally, my classmates and I became lifelong friends.”
In 2005, Brad began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as an audit associate in Peoria, IL. He was then promoted to the PwC National Office in New York, where he worked until 2015. Brad now practices in the Milwaukee, WI office, where he serves as a PwC partner (having been admitted to the PwC partnership in 2020).
Inspired by the many craftsmen in Clinton County, Brad has always possessed a passion for creating. In the craft of bladesmithing, which combines the art and the science of forging metals to make knives, Brad earned the rating of Journeyman Bladesmith through the American Bladesmith Society (ABS). He stated, “While the field of accounting may seem contrary to the art of bladesmithing, it has improved my attention to detail and to quality, which has ultimately allowed me to be a better craftsman.”
published March 2022
Marla (Pingsterhaus) Kilpatrick ’85, Accounting
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Illinois State University
Master of Business Administration, The University of Chicago
Certified Public Accountant
We thank Marla (Pingsterhaus) Kilpatrick ’85 for sharing her Mater Dei story for this Alumni Spotlight!
When asked how Mater Dei influenced her life, Marla stated, “Mater Dei provided an incredible foundation for both my personal and professional life. Mater Dei’s mission is to nurture the spiritual, moral, intellectual, emotional, and social growth of its student body. Mater Dei provided me with tools in each of those areas, including preparing me to complete my college education, to be married and have a child, to face the various challenges I have met in my professional career, and ultimately, to continue in my faith today. I have found, time and time again, that I look back on my days at Mater Dei and am grateful for the education and spiritual, moral, and social guidance that the administration and teaching staff provided. This foundation has provided me with the fortitude to complete some of the most challenging professional projects I have led and the reminder to always ‘pay it forward’ to individuals with whom I work.”
Marla serves as the Chief Accounting Officer for Weber Inc. (at the time of this publication). She is pictured with her husband, Mike, on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange, when, as a member of the senior leadership team, she attended Weber Inc.’s listing day on the New York Stock Exchange (August 5, 2021).
published December 2022
Alex Tebbe ’11, Animal Nutrition
Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences, University of Illinois
Master of Science in Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University
PhD in Nutrition, The Ohio State University
We thank Alex Tebbe ’11 for sharing his Mater Dei story for this Alumni Spotlight!
When asked how Mater Dei influenced his life, Alex stated, “Before high school, I was passionate about agriculture and knew it was my career field of choice. What I did not know was 1) the large size and scale of the Ag and 2) how quickly Ag continues to grow. To keep up with the growth and complexity of Ag businesses, Ag needs more specialized people with advanced training and continued education. For many reasons, my education and experiences at Mater Dei were essential to setting the foundation for furthering my education and my current career as a specialist in the dairy industry.
First, the advanced math, science, English, and communication classes I completed at Mater Dei often provided me with an advantage in my Animal Sciences courses at U of I. In fact, Mater Dei’s dual credit classes fulfilled most of the general education courses required for my B.S. degree, which allowed me to enroll in more specialized Animal Science courses at U of I and then Ohio State. On a daily basis, I also still use many of the additional skills I learned at Mater Dei. (I wish I had paid more attention in Spanish!)
My involvement in athletics and clubs also nurtured the development of my integrity, communication skills, understanding of teamwork, and work ethic, all of which are important characteristics in the Ag business. And last, but not least, the environment at Mater Dei is one that cares about the success of students regardless of their career path. Being a teenager and being forced to make career decisions was not always easy, but having coaches and teachers to mentor and guide me to success is what I remember most.
Without my teachers and coaches at Mater Dei, I would not be where I am today. Thanks to all of you!”
Alex serves as a dairy technical specialist and consultant for Purina Animal Nutrition (at the time of this publication).
published September 2022
Grace Chiarolanza ’15, Military Service
Bachelor of Science in Management, U.S. Air Force Academy
We thank Grace Chiarolanza ’15 for sharing her Mater Dei story for this Alumni Spotlight!
When asked how Mater Dei influenced her life, Grace stated, “Mater Dei’s focus on faith and education helped me tremendously during my tough days at the Air Force Academy (USAFA). Specifically, the English and math departments instilled a detail-focused mindset that proved very helpful while at USAFA. I was also involved in sports and extracurricular activities at Mater Dei, which taught me the importance of time management and how to handle the “work/life” balance. Finally, the faith foundation I received at Mater Dei pushed me to dig into God’s Word during college. I have since learned that it doesn’t matter what job I have here on Earth, as long as I’m doing everything for God’s glory. Though, I do love flying around the world ❤️.”
Grace serves as a U.S. Air Force pilot and is stationed at Travis Air Force Base, CA (at the time of this publication).
published March 2022
Peyton Kreke ’17, Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Illinois State University
We thank Peyton Kreke ’17 for sharing his Mater Dei story for this Alumni Spotlight!
When asked how Mater Dei influenced his life, Peyton stated, “As a nurse in critical care, I look back and realize that Mater Dei first introduced me to serving others. It was in all my classes, extracurricular activities, and volunteer activities that I discovered I enjoy serving and caring for those in need. Now, my career involves ensuring my patients’ most basic needs are met. I believe that without Mater Dei, I would not have the motivation to work in the healthcare field with the most vulnerable patient population.
Additionally, I realize how strong of a foundational education I received at Mater Dei. I not only felt prepared to handle college education, but also was constantly supported to ensure acceptance into my college of choice. The transition to college was seamless because of the preparation I had at Mater Dei.
Finally, Mater Dei allowed me to earn dual credits in most of the general education courses I would have taken in college. By having those complete, I was able to start enrolling in nursing courses earlier and lighten the load of future semesters. For me, the benefits of attending Mater Dei were numerous!”
Peyton serves as an ICU registered nurse at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (at the time of this publication).
published February 2022
Ben Wiegmann’14, Agriculture
Associate of Science, Kaskaskia College
Bachelor of Science in Crop Science, University of Illinois
Master of Science in Crop Science, University of Illinois
We thank Ben Wiegmann ’14 for sharing his Mater Dei story for this Alumni Spotlight!
When asked how Mater Dei influenced his educational and/or career path, Ben stated, “Despite the fact that Mater Dei did not offer an agriculture program when I was a student *, attending Mater Dei provided me with an excellent foundation that I could build upon. The courses and culture challenged me in ways that ultimately prepared me for college courses. Additionally, by not focusing on agriculture courses in high school, I was able to enroll in dual credit courses (at Mater Dei), which then allowed me to enroll in more agriculture classes within my major at an earlier time (and not worry about general education courses). Mater Dei played a vital role in my ability to achieve my goals!”
Ben serves as a field sales agronomist for Beck’s Hybrids (at the time of this publication).
published January 2022
* In the 2022-2023 school year, Mater Dei added agricultural science courses and an agricultural business management course to the curriculum and established an FFA chapter.
