John H. Owens is a graduate of the class of 1954. After graduating from RB, John attended various higher education institutions from 1955 through 1976 including the University of New Mexico, Stanford University, University of South Carolina and the University of Maryland. His professional education includes the USAF Intelligence Specialist Training Program, Shepherd AFB, Texas, and various advanced courses at the Defense Intelligence Agency. Several career highlights include Air Force Special Weapons Laboratory, New Mexico (joint atomic weapons testing activity); 5^th Air Force, Korea (hostile forces information); 363^rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing and Headquarters, Ninth Air Force, South Carolina (photographic interpretation and after mission crew interview/reporting and analysis); Office of Aerospace Research, Washington, D.C. (review, analysis, dissemination of scientific and technical information related to foreign government research activities, USAF laboratories and principal investigators of related U.S. programs); U.S. Department of State, American Embassy Brussels, Belgium; 507^th Tactical Control Group, South Carolina (Forward Air Control activities, mission direction, after action/mission crew interview/reporting, evaluation and analysis); Defense Intelligence Agency, Washington, D.C.; Staff Member, Office of the Vice President of the United States (immediate staff of Vice President Gerald R. Ford, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, Vice President Walter M. Mondale, and Vice President George H.W. Bush). During his career, John has been presented with many awards and decorations. The highest award is the USAF Legion of Merit in recognition of “significant contributions” mission accomplishment while assigned to the Office of the Vice President as a member of Vice President George H.W. Bush’s staff. In addition John accompanied these Vice Presidents on every foreign trip and many domestic trips made when he was a member of their staff. On October 1, 1987, he retired from the United States Air Force with over 33 years of continuous active duty.

Richard C. Svrluga is a graduate of the class of 1967. He is a businessman and entrepreneur. After graduating from the University of Dubuque, Indiana University, and Boston University, he moved to Germany where he was involved in management of Boston University’s educational programs for U.S. military personnel in Europe. Upon his return to the United States, he spent several years in the Boston University administration and then decided to try his hand at becoming an entrepreneur. Through his relationships with numerous scientific and medical researchers he identified several business opportunities.  In the mid 1980s he co-founded Summit Technology, Inc. which was one of the creators of the Laser Vision Correction industry which uses excimer lasers to correct common vision disorders.  Summit Technology manufactured equipment used to perform the procedure.  He then took over management of Seragen, Inc., a biotechnology company that developed a pharmaceutical product, Ontak, used in the treatment of various forms of cancer.  Other businesses in which Dick has been involved as a founder include GreenPages, Inc. in the field of information technology, Zentox Corporation in the field of industrial water treatment which has saved millions of gallons of water with its water purification and recycling technology, and Exogenesis Corporation which is applying nano-processing technology from the semiconductor industry for the development of the next generation of implantable medical devices.  In the early 1990s, Dick and his wife Donna established the Svrluga Foundation which supports community service organizations.  In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Dick finds time to run countless marathons and volunteers his time with numerous non-profit organizations including the University of Dubuque where he has served on the Board of Trustees.

Christine D. Dragisic is a graduate of the class of 1995. She graduated magna cum laude from Kalamazoo College with majors in International Area Studies and Spanish with a concentration in International Commerce. While at college, she received the Trenkle and Michigan Campus Compact awards for community service and leadership. Christine also managed the campus outreach program which ran over 200 events ranging from environmental clean-up, tutoring adult immigrants, and working with domestic violence victims. She received her M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, graduating with honors. Her concentration was in Latin American Studies and Development and Transitional Economics. While at SAIS, she received the SAIS award for community service and leadership. After graduation from SAIS, Christine received the Fulbright Scholarship for study in Spain. During that year, she designed, implemented, and assessed a study of territorial development patterns in Spain and authored the book, Divergent Paths.  Christine has worked at Conservation International, leading global work in sustainable agriculture, forestry, and biofuels. She has served as a junior Professional Associate and consultant for the World Bank, in units including Latin America and Caribbean Environment and Socially Sustainable Development, and the Onchocerciasis Coordination Unit. She has also worked with the International Resources Group, the MicroFinance Network, the Darien Gap LLP, and Fundação Victória Amazônica. She speaks Spanish and Portuguese and has traveled the Amazon by canoe, visited indigenous villages, and learned traditional vine weaving techniques. She continues her community service through events such as “Adopt a Family” holiday campaigns. Christine also continues to support learning and interest in international environmental issues by speaking to grade school students.