10 northern today News northern Ryan Miller, B.S. in physical education ‘01 Ryan Miller has a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He ranks 10th on Northern’s all-time scoring list after leading his teams to four straight conference championships and the 1998 regional title. He was named a Division II AllAmerican in 1997-98. Miller was drafted into the CBA in 1999 and played professionally for the Fargo-Moorhead Beez of International Basketball Association that season. Currently, Miller is in his first year on Coach Tony Barbee’s staff at Auburn University. Miller is considered one of the top recruiters in the country. He has contacts throughout the U.S. as well as in countries including Australia, where he also played competitively. Frank Birch, B.S. in chemistry and B.S. in environmental science, ‘97 Frank Birch earned a B.S. in chemistry and environmental science from NSU in 1997. A standout with the football team from 1993 to 1996, Frank was a First Team All-NSIC selection in 1995 as a defensive tackle and in 1996 as an offensive tackle. He was a national qualifier for the wrestling team in 1995 and won the NSIC heavyweight title that year as well. He is the only undefeated wrestler in the history of NSU. Frank and his wife, Suzanne (Landreth), live in Byron, Minn., with their three children: Wesley, Lucas and Francesca. He is a quality engineer for Crenlo in Rochester, Minn. Dr. Jami Jo (Fiechtner) Peterson, B.S. in biology, ‘97 Dr. Jami Jo Peterson earned her Bachelor of Science in biology in 1997. At NSU, Jami was a nine-time All-NSIC performer and nine-time NSIC All-Academic selection. She became the first NSU female athlete to earn four straight all-conference honors in cross country. A veteran of Operation: Iraqi Freedom, Jami has an Army commendation medal and an Army Achievement Medal. She currently resides in Jacksonville, Fla., with her spouse, Kelley, who is a major in the U.S. Army Reserves. Jami is currently a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy and works as an internal medicine physician at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, where she is the department head of internal medicine. Shari (Carney) Kvistero, B.S. in elementary education and B.S. in special education, ‘98 A four-year member of the Wolves’ basketball team, Shari Kvistero ended her career as a member of NSU’s elite 1,000-point club. Shari holds NSU’s single-season field goal percentage at 71 percent after going 73-for-105 during the 1993-94 season. She was a First Team All-NSIC pick in 1997 and was a member of NSU’s NAIA national championship team in 1994. She also helped NSU to a 45-game win streak, including 32 straight to end the 1993-94 season. Shari and her husband, Aaron, reside in Sioux Falls with their twin boys, where she is a teacher. Dr. Connie (Waletich)Westhoff, B.S. in medical technology ’72 Dr. Connie M. Westhoff’s interest in medical sciences was inspired and fostered by mentors in biology and chemistry at Northern. In 1998, Westhoff received a National Institutes of Health Fellowship in Transfusion Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2006, she established the first laboratory for blood typing by DNA methods for the American Red Cross. In 2010, she assumed her present position as director of immunohematology and genomics at the New York Blood Center. Her current research focus is on improved matching of patients with blood donors for blood transfusion. She also leads an initiative to develop a web-based system to provide electronic access to rare blood types for patients in need. Connie lives in Manhattan, N.Y., with her husband, Dwane Wylie, and between them they have four children and four grandchildren. 2013 Gypsy Days Hall of Fame Inductees 2013 Gypsy Days Distinguished Alumni Inductee
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