For most MSOE alumni, returning to campus is a nostalgic experience. They reminisce about their first big project, late nights in the library or time spent with life-long friends. More than two decades after their own story began on MSOE’s campus, Jeremy ’00, ’09 and Kristin ’01, ’01 (Turk) Morehouse will watch their son, Turk, begin his new journey as a freshman at their alma mater.
When Jeremy and Kristin came to MSOE, they had no idea their paths would cross. Jeremy, a Green Bay native, chose MSOE for its four-year graduation track guarantee. Kristin, having grown up in Milwaukee, already knew about MSOE’s reputation as a leading engineering school.
Jeremy, a mechanical engineering major, filled his time with intramural sports, racquetball, rollerblading and biking in downtown Milwaukee. Kristin pursued environmental engineering, which MSOE offered through a five-year master’s program that included a dual degree with architectural engineering (AE). She joined the women’s soccer team, forming strong bonds with her teammates. She also got to know Dan Harris, the athletics director at the time, working for the athletics department. “I helped write the articles of organization for the new Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association and started a lot of the athletic archives and records,” she said.
Jeremy and Kristin met one October night after a soccer game. “I broke my leg at the game, but I had broken it before in the same place. My parents took me home, but I wanted to go to a Halloween party that night that I was planning to attend with some friends. I convinced them to let me use my leg splint and old crutches. At the party, I spent a lot of time sitting on the floor off to the side, and a guy in a mask kept coming over to talk…it was Jeremy. The rest is history.”
Over the next few years, both Jeremy and Kristin excelled academically, supported by faculty and staff who cared deeply for their students. Both recall having great conversations with MSOE staff member Nick Seidler when they needed “a break from reality, wise words or a good laugh.” Jeremy fondly remembers working on his senior design project with his best friend and alumnus, Nate Mattke ’00. Kristin has also stayed connected to her former classmates and professors. “Mr. Hassler created handmade mementos out of wood with a small plaque for all his students who had him for every AE course. Dr. Diggelman, my capstone thesis advisor, was there for me every step of the way, encouraging me as a presenter of my research at an international conference in England. Dr. Jackman, my program advisor, supported me to do ‘the impossible’ by graduating in less than five years with the two degrees,” Kristin says.
After graduation, both would go on to work at Kohler Co., in Kohler, WI, in facilities engineering, where Jeremy was a mechanical engineer and Kristin was the HVAC engineer building buildings for Kohler around the world.
In 2000, they married and eventually had three children. They would continue at Kohler in various roles and departments, both taking turns with one working full-time and the other part-time to maintain a work-life balance as their family grew. Kristin even returned to MSOE as a lecturer in 2010, teaching plumbing and fire protection design to junior AE students. Jeremy pursued his master’s degree in engineering management from MSOE, which he earned in 2009.
In 2017, Jeremy started EMH5, a business specializing in construction and project management. His focus was as a project manager or owner’s representative for local construction projects. One project he was particularly proud of was for the Art Preserve in Sheboygan, WI, which has since won many awards for its design. When he joined AECOM, a global infrastructure consulting firm, full-time in 2022, Kristin took over at EMH5 and now runs project and portfolio management consulting.
When it came time for their son, Turk, to consider colleges, his interest in MSOE was a pleasant surprise. It hadn’t been on his initial radar but was among several schools that Turk considered. As he toured many of these other schools, MSOE rose higher on his list.
Turk was inspired to seriously consider MSOE after his high school soccer team toured MSOE and met with soccer coaches Rolf Zersen and Rob Harrington. MSOE’s smaller size and technical concentration fit his criteria and aligned perfectly with his interest in studying software engineering. Ultimately, he found it was the best choice for him.
“He has grown up around MSOE when we would return annually for the women’s alumni soccer game, occasional family skating or other events like the Viets Field dedication. He is surrounded by MSOE grads, often who all LOVED their experiences at MSOE, so he is confident he will get a great education that will open many doors.”
Knowing the challenges and excitement ahead, his parents are prepared for his journey and imparted some timeless advice: “Work hard and stay organized, get involved and meet people, search out help when needed, get to know your professors, visit Nick, have fun and stay active.”
