Bruce A. Olsen, President

I have been a member of Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ for more than 25 years, where my wife Cherie and I raised our two daughters, Lindsay and Courtney. For more than 30 years, I have worked as an assistant attorney general at the Wisconsin Department of Justice, where I practice in the areas of first amendment law (speech and religion), education law, and open government. I have long admired the work of The Crossing's professional staff - Doug Pierce and Karla Schmidt - and I am delighted to be part of The Crossing's talented and Spirit-filled Board of Directors committed to supporting its vital ministries: meeting students wherever they are in their spiritual lives, providing a safe place to confront life's most challenging questions, and creating opportunities for students to meaningfully engage the world.

Ann Herrold-Peterson (Vice President)

I am a clinical social worker by training.  I was on the staff, as an adult psychotherapist, at the Dean Psychiatry Department from October 1987 - May 2010.   During my last four years there, I was also the Site Manager for the Fish Hatchery office of the Psychiatry Department.  I have been "officially" retired since May 2010.  I am a member of the First United Methodist Church, where I am currently serving as the Chairperson of the Worship Council and as a member of the Lay Leadership Council.  I have three adult sons: Erik (29) has an MFA from UIC and works as an artist in Chicago; Scott (27) is a fourth grade Science and Math teacher in inner city Miami; and Russell (27) is an entrepreneur in Madison, managing his eBay business in men's fashion. My husband, Kent, is an emeritus professor of the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Department at UW-Madison.  I believe that The Crossing offers a vital ministry, focused on mission and exploring where faith intersects with everyday living.

Kristin Gorton: Secretary

I was introduced to The Crossing when the youth group at the church that I was serving as Lay Pastor attended a Sunday evening vesper service and provided the evening meal. Since that night, my personal faith journey has grown immensely as I continue to learn about The Crossing and ways in which the Spirit is shaping and expanding the work of God in new and exciting ways. The welcoming and safe environment that Doug Pierce and Karla Schmidt provide in their ministries opens new conversations and new visions through student led activities. Outside of my work with The Crossing my husband, Steve, and I have two children, Nicole and Joshua. Nicole is married to Jeremy Krauss, and they have a daughter, McKenzie. I am a member of the McFarland United Church of Christ. As a speech and language pathologist, I work at a rural hospital with children and adults that have communication needs that benefit from augmentative and/or alternative communication strategies, such as utilizing sign language, communication books and boards, and computers with voice output. In addition, I work as a chaplain at a Madison hospital and attend seminary at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.

Bill Fiore, Treasurer 
I came to Madison in 1993 after taking an early exit from my corporate world job. I have been blessed to work with students ever since arriving. I am now serving my 15th year as a two hour a day volunteer with O'Keefe Middle School and am serving in my ninth year as a member of the Crossing organization through board positions and committee duties. The young adults I help serve have inspired me beyond measure.

Mary Fiore
I also moved to Madison in 1993 with Bill where I completed a master's program in social work. Prior to that, I worked as an art teacher in the Arizona public schools where we had lived for nearly 20 years. I subsequently worked in various agencies providing services to older, frail adults, most recently HospiceCare Inc. which provided me a very rich experience in which terminally ill people of all ages. I retired from that work  in December of 2010 to help care for my spouse who is awaiting a heart transplant, to spend more time with our grandchildren, and to have the time to further explore my variety of interests in... just about everything. Serving on the Crossing board has provided me the opportunity to support a ministry that I am passionate about - helping others find the spiritual balance that otherwise might be missing in their college experience. I am heartened and blessed to see how positively The Crossing has affected the lives of students and am pleased to serve in this supportive role.

Don Hausch 

I'm thrilled and honored to be on the Board of The Crossing and to help support the work of our extraordinary staff in its ministry to students.  I've been on the faculty at UW - Madison (Dickson-Bascom Professor of Business) since arriving in Madison in 1984.  My wife, Joanne Thomson, and I raised our two children in Madison: Paul (20), now at Ripon College and Jessie (19), at Alverno College.  I have worshipped at Covenant Presbyterian Church for many years, but also have strong roots in and ties to the United Church of Christ.

Dan Dick

I currently serve as Director of Connectional Ministries with the Wisconsin Annual Conference.  In the past, I have worked for the General Board of Discipleship (United Methodist) in Nashville, Tennessee for 15 years – providing resources in stewardship, leadership development, spiritual formation, congregational and conference planning, spiritual direction, spiritual gifts discovery, and conflict transformation.   I am the author of  the blog, United Methodeviations, and have been pleased to be a speaker and teacher around the world.  Besides being the author of fourteen books and hundreds of articles, I am an avid reader and love to play with new ideas.  My wife Barbara and I are allowed to live in Sun Prairie with our cat, Tiger.

Kate Proctor

I am a member of Memorial United Church of Christ in Fitchburg, where I teach Sunday school, play in the hand bell choir, and sing in the choir.  I am also an attorney and recently joined the firm of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren in Madison, practicing regulatory health care law.  I am excited to help support The Crossing’s campus ministry in creating an inviting and supportive place for students to explore their spirituality through service and fellowship.

Jim Hook

As happens in a lot of situations with the church, I was asked to serve, didn't know how to say no and didn't really know what I was getting into. What I experienced was a real surprise. I became engaged in a ministry to and with some very special people. These young adults are actively and energetically searching for spirituality in fresh, open, and creative ways. The hidden blessing for me, as I have been involved in The Crossing, is that God through these young adults ministers to me in those same fresh, open and creative ways.

Gloria Hawkins, PhD

Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs

University of Wisconsin Center for Medicine and Public Health