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Family Friendly:
UW-FDL draws students across and through the generations
Joe Braun, Jr., and Sandi Braun Roehrig |
The Royea siblings are among alumni who immediately recognized the value of the new university campus in their hometown.
Oldest sister Sandi (now Sandi Braun Roehrig) had a good job and a happy relationship living with her parents when she enrolled in 1969. “It was a few blocks away, and a perfect fit,” she said of the new campus.
High school grades had come easily for her, but Sandi learned early in her freshman year that college was different. Opting to socialize instead of prepare for a biology test, she did so poorly on Professor Elizabeth Hayes’ exam that it took hard work to finally earn a B in the class. “I developed excellent study habits,” she noted. “That opened my eyes that you have to work for what you want, and I became a lifelong learner.
“If I hadn’t had great preparation that first year, I wouldn’t have done as well at (UW-) Oshkosh,” she said. Once at the larger campus, she also realized how rigorous the UW-Fond du Lac faculty had been. “The profs were tough, not easier, in Fond du Lac. I also got to know them better, and I missed that at Oshkosh.”
Freshman year holds Sandi’s fondest memories, including locking eyes in the library with fellow student Joe Braun, whom she married during her senior year. While Joe sadly died ten years into their marriage, the couple had three sons, two of whom also attended the campus.
Rocky spent one semester in transition before attending UW-Oshkosh, but son Joe Jr. was on campus 1992-94. He shares memories and instructors with his mother, as well as a continued commitment to the campus. Sandi served on the Foundation board of directors for nine years, and Joe Jr. recently accepted an appointment to the board after several years as an alumni committee volunteer.
“I liked the idea of a smaller school,” Joe Jr. said, “I could continue to play sports, while staying home and saving money. I knew I would be going to a good school, and that it was a stepping stone to another UW institution.”
Cheri Basler |
While Cheri Royea (now Cheri Basler) wasn’t influenced by her older sister’s decision to attend the Fond du Lac campus, she, too, enrolled for similar reasons. “I had no desire to go away to a larger campus when this new campus was close to home, family and my job,” she said. On campus 1970-1972, Cheri was impressed with the state of the art equipment.
While finishing her degree in biology at UW-Oshkosh, she returned in the summers of 1973 and 1974 to take two
chemistry classes needed for her minor. Brother Rob Royea landed on campus four years after Cheri. “I believe I am a more wellrounded individual because of my years spent at UW-Fond du Lac,” he said.
Lasting friendships and close relationships with teachers are cited by the Royea siblings as enduring benefits from their local education. “I found the camaraderie between the students and the faculty to be the most important part of my education,” Rob said. Student government, cheerleading, Madrigal Dinner, soccer, Kampus Kapers, sports announcing and Winter Festival were among the activities through which they bonded.
Friendships and a family feeling also marked Joe Jr.’s time on campus; athletic director “Ma” Kelly fostered comradeship by hosting teammates at her cabin, and daily ping pong games with students, faculty and staff provided additional bonding, as did competing in basketball, soccer and tennis.
“Professors were accessible…they knew your name and were interested in how you were doing,” said Joe Jr.
“That’s the kind of professors they have at UW-Fond du Lac,” Sandi agreed. “Coach Knar helped me with a math section on the bus on the way to coach his team…he took time to help me, not even one of his students. I appreciate that I was able to take advantage of what UW-Fond du Lac offered, and that Joe did, too.”
Where are they now?
Sandi Royea Braun Roehrig is executive director of the Fond du Lac Area Foundation and a life-long resident of Fond du Lac.
Cheri Royea Basler, married to UW-FDL alum Jim Basler (’69-’70) is a realtor in Illinois and has steered her own sons toward smaller colleges.
Rob Royea, once a jester at the annual UWFDL Madrigal Dinner, now is vice president of Worldwide Sales for Eklin Medical Systems, Inc., in Santa Clara, CA.
Joe Braun, Jr., is director of finance and development for the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, attended UW-Oshkosh and completed his degree at Marian University.
All three children of Dorothy and Bob Royea attended UW-Fond
du Lac, soon after this family portrait was taken: Cheri, Rob,
Dorothy, Bob and Sandi Royea (from left).
 
Sandi Royea met her husband Joe Braun (no. 55 at right), during her freshman year at UW-FDL. Their son, Joe Jr.,
also enrolled on campus and followed in his father’s basketball play (no. 32, second from left above).
Photos courtesy of Royea family.
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