Gregg Wandsneider '08

2015 Recipient for the Graduate of the Last Decade Award

Gregg Wandsneider describes himself as a radio host, freelance columnist, and all around peopleologist as part of his Twitter profile. He's approaching the 5,000 mark for friends on Facebook, where many people in Waukesha and at Carroll know Wandsneider not just for his take on community happenings but also for his active involvement in many of those happenings.

"(Wandsneider) is Waukesha's very own Paul Harvey, broadcasting news and commentary through Carroll University radio, the Waukesha Freeman and Facebook, with his famous ‘The good, the true, and the beautiful' segments," former Waukesha mayor Jeff Scrima said in awarding Wandsneider a key to the city in 2013. Wandsneider was one of 12 award recipients that year recognized for contributions to the community.

A 2008 Carroll graduate, Wandsneider writes a regular column in the local Waukesha Freeman, focusing on his passion for non-profit events and local bands.

He writes in the "interests" category of his LinkedIn profile: "I am interested in what is good, what is true, and what is beautiful. In an era where journalism has gone negative and radio has gone provocative, I want to be a voice for those who do positive things for our community."

His vast involvement in the community with numerous local nonprofits earned him the 2009 Waukesha County United Way Volunteer of the Year and the 2009 Waukesha Rotary Volunteer of the Year. He has spent time in his past volunteering with the Waukesha County Fair, the Mental Health Association of Waukesha County, and the Salvation Army. He also regularly speaks to school and church groups on topics ranging from disabilities to self-esteem.

Graduating in 2008, Wandsneider is no stranger to Carroll University where many students know him by name. He interacts with the Carroll community by going to football games, drinking coffee in Second Cup and Au Bon Pain, and joining students for meals in the MDR and the PIT. He could be (and has been) easily mistaken for a Carroll student as he spends much of his time as a student encourager and carries a backpack around campus. He has hosted a radio program on Carroll's WCCX and worked as an instructor in the Carroll Academy summer youth enrichment program to teach students about radio broadcasting.

He also served as a teacher and volunteer for Carroll's Horizontes en Carroll pre-college program for eight years, inspiring and motivating youth to overcome obstacles as he has with his blindness. He admits that working with both high school and college students "keeps him young." Wandsneider was a communication major and was actively involved in WCCX, the College Activities Board (CAB), and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) as a student.