Advancement Staff

Janet Peters was named Vice President of University Advancement in August 2020, after serving as Acting Vice President since October 2019. Previously, she served as director of development and planned giving at Ottawa University since March 2011, where she managed the operations of the Office of University Advancement, supervising several employees and functions, including major gifts, annual gifts, planned gifts, alumni programs and administrative support. From April 2006 to March 2011,  Peters served as director of planned giving at Ottawa University, where she was responsible for attracting new gifts to the University through planned giving vehicles, including but not limited to estate gifts, annuities and various trusts. 

Peters came to Ottawa University from a 17-year career at Peoples Bank in Ottawa, Kansas. At Peoples Bank, she served as vice president and trust officer where she managed operations and administration of all trust accounts administered by the bank.

Peters earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism degree in 1983 from the University of Iowa and then worked for the University of Iowa Office of Orientation Services in the admissions department for two years. In 1988, she earned a Juris Doctor with distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law. Peters is currently a member of the Kansas State Bar. She and her husband, Martin (MA from OUKC), live near Ottawa and have two grown sons. 

Nori (Schmidt) Hale accepted the position of Leadership Gift Officer in 2015 after serving Ottawa University in the Adawe LifePlan Center as director of corporate relations for one year and in the Office of University Advancement as the director of alumni programs for five years. Prior to these endeavors, she was director of advertising for The McPherson Sentinel daily newspaper and worked in other business support roles while raising five very busy children with her husband, Dave ’69, in Chicago, Ill., and McPherson, Kan.

Hale is a 1971 graduate from Ottawa University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree and was known then as LaNora Schmidt. She later earned an Master of Education in Counseling degree from Wichita State University.

Her family includes these who also attended, graduated, and/or were honored by Ottawa University: Shirley Schmidt Short ’57, Virginia Schmidt Engborg ’58; Richard Schmidt ’61; Dr. Ramon Schmidt ’61; Elaine Lillian Schmidt ’64; Dr. John Schmidt ‘65; Glenda Melson Schmidt, Honorary Alumnus ’13.

The wonderful alumni of all ages make her work fascinating, quite memorable, and highly enjoyable!

Becky Blaue is the new Director of Alumni Programs with an office in Tauy Jones Hall within the University Advancement Department. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Ottawa University before completing her Master of Arts in School Counseling from Emporia State University.

Becky met her husband Mike ('88) at Ottawa University. Together they have two sons, Austin '17 and Quentin, and a hunting dog named Kash. She is a big sports fan that supports OU and OUAZ, Ottawa High School, as well as KU basketball and the Chiefs. While earning her undergraduate degree, Becky played volleyball for the Braves. She loves to travel, read, cook and garden. Becky has a group of lifetime friends from her OU days that take trips together and have a monthly Google Meet visit.

Becky is looking forward to connecting with current students and alumni, as well as helping OU alumni build relationships with each other and the University. 

Wynndee (Shipp) Lee was born in Ottawa as her parents met and married while at Ottawa University in the mid-sixties. She graduated in 1989 with a BA in Business Administration. Other graduates of Ottawa University in her family include her brother Tom Shipp, husband W. David Lee (OU-Online), and youngest daughter Samantha Lee (OUAZ). Wynndee has another grown daughter as well.

Wynndee furthered her education at the University of Kansas, graduating with a Master’s in Public Administration. She was a member of the Alumni Board, as well as served 20 years as a Board of Trustees' member.

Wynndee is excited to return to Ottawa University in the role of Major Gifts Director, after concluding a 30-year career in local public government in planning, zoning, and development. Her public experience provided opportunities to do fund-raising and grant/foundation work, setting the stage for work at Ottawa University. Wynndee expressed a deep love for the University in all of its endeavors here in the U.S. along with the many years in international education.

Garrett Brown was a men’s soccer team member all four of his undergraduate years at Ottawa University.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History degree in 2016. Brown continued his education with Ottawa University and earned his Master of Business Administration degree in 2018. 

Brown began work in the Office of University Advancement as a graduate assistant in July of 2016.  He really enjoys hearing the stories from our faculty, staff, students, administrators and alums of their time at Ottawa University. Brown deeply appreciates the impact OU has had on so many lives from so many places. He has grown OU’s digital fundraising significantly, working collaboratively with coaches and students in particular. Brown especially enjoys the Braves Golf Classic annually.

Brown's mother, Deanna, is also an OU graduate earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees.  His wife, Amanda Stinebaugh Brown 2017, is also a graduate from the Ottawa campus. While they both grew up in the area, they didn’t date until both were attending Ottawa University. They make their home in Ottawa and enjoy living close to their families.

Chaplain John Holzhüter is an educator and long-time advocate for the needs of disadvantaged youth.  He currently serves as the University Chaplain for Ottawa University and leads the Fredrikson Center for Church and Faith Vitality.

Since 1999 he has worked as an efficiency and process-improvement consultant for several (federal) government agencies and served on task forces for the last three Kansas Governors. Holzhüter specializes in profit/not-for-profit partnerships and private, state, and federal grant funding and compliance. He has served as a secondary school administrator and as the director of an alternative high school and led large nonprofit agencies from start-up to national service footprints. In addition to past Chaplaincy roles with the Veteran’s Administration and VVA-Chapter 912, he has served as a "WorkForce Development Specialist", assisting current and former military personnel, senior citizens and with restorative justice case referrals.

A widower, with two grown sons, Holzhüter lives in Ottawa, Kansas.

Lee Stadler has been with Ottawa University for 16 years, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree from Kansas State University.

A design solutions professional, Stadler has been developing national advertising campaigns and media, and evaluation tools focused on organizational clarity and effectiveness and community wellness for more than 15 years. Published internationally as a creative director, illustrator and photographer, he has worked with non-profits, start-ups and established national brands to further their sustainability and identity. As an educator and lecturer, Stadler has developed non-profit youth wellness programs, graphic design curriculum for high school, collegiate and community engagement levels and presented nationally on the topics of asset management, design and the multifaceted experiences that further human interaction and behavior.

In his roles at Ottawa University, Stadler supports the Office of University Advancement and faith programming with the Fredrikson Center for Faith and Church vitality. In addition, he serves as an educator across departments to offer graphic design programming.