Homecoming: Traditions Old and New in 2022
Coe welcomed over 400 alumni and friends back to campus Homecoming weekend — reuniting old friends and celebrating what it means to be a Kohawk. The festivities kicked off with a registration hub in Phifer Commons, where guests left their signature under their decade of graduation, picked up memorabilia from years past and decorated the country with crimson and gold push pins representing their hometowns. Fresh off of fall break, students put their talents on display at Kohawk Rock, voted for their Homecoming royalty and fought for their school, winning on the soccer pitch and only one point away from victory on the football field. That didn’t dampen the spirit of the weekend, as we celebrated award winners, Hall of Fame inductees and many reunions, including an important year for some Greek sisters and Charlie Kohawk himself. The weekend allowed people to reminisce and create new memories as they honored traditions old and new.
Honoring Distinguished Kohawks
Each year at Homecoming, the Coe College Alumni Council celebrates notable alumni achievements during the All-Alumni Recognition Program. Arial Harland Montag ’14 was the recipient of the Young Alum Award, and Scott Riemenschneider ’90 was the recipient of the Alumni Award of Merit. Each award was presented by a fellow Kohawk, including an inspiration to Arial, Sally Roegner Brause ’88, and Scott’s daughter, Rachel Riemenschneider Reddin ’18.
Young Alum Award
Even though she has been a Coe graduate for less than a decade, Arial Harland Montag has already made great professional strides and has been recognized for her organizational leadership. Arial obtained her bachelor’s degree in organizational sciences and psychology at Coe, and she went on to St. Ambrose University to earn her master’s in organizational leadership. Both her degrees emphasize an interdisciplinary approach to understanding how organizations work and cultivating effective leadership, two qualities that Arial has exemplified in her professional career.
She started working with GreatAmerica Financial Services right after graduating from Coe in 2014, and currently serves as a talent acquisition leader for the organization. In doing so, Arial provides strategic leadership in many areas including employment branding, position advertising, candidate sourcing, employment testing, interviewing, assessments and college relations. Her work is an integral part of ensuring effectiveness and improving strategy to fulfill the needs of the company, both present and future.
Arial is consistently known as someone who is passionate and enthusiastic about her work, and her thoughtfulness helps her to understand challenges and provide solutions. She has been recognized for her accomplishments by being named an industry “Difference Maker” in ENX Magazine and an industry “Young Influencer” in The Cannata Report in 2018. Arial is also certified by the Society for Human Resource Management as a Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and she is a certified AVA Analyst and Predictive Index Master.
During her time at Coe, Arial demonstrated her passion for leading others to success through holding leadership positions in Delta Delta Delta, Panhellenic Council and Environmental Club, as well as serving as a College Adjustment Peer, student-athlete in cross country and track & field and a member of the time-honored Flunk Day Committee. Her academic excellence was recognized through her acceptance into the Psi Chi honor society for psychology students and the National Society of Leadership & Success. Arial married fellow Kohawk, Patrick Montag ’13, and the two have stayed in the Cedar Rapids area. As an alumna, she has participated in local Day of Giving events and career events to support C3: Creativity, Careers, Community and Coe students.
It is clear that Arial has a bright future and career ahead of her, with the past eight years of passion and accomplishments serving as a promising foundation. She is well-deserving to be recognized as a recipient of Coe College’s Young Alum Award.
Alumni Award of Merit
Scott Riemenschneider has made a living by practicing law, but his true calling has been using his talents to serve and support the communities to which he belongs. After graduating cum laude from Coe in 1990 with his bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration, Scott earned his MBA and a Juris Doctorate from Drake University in Des Moines.
Scott was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 1993 to practice in all state and federal courts located in Iowa. Since then, he has handled many cases involving legal issues ranging from divorce, adoption and bankruptcy to criminal law and debt collection. Scott served as the managing partner for the downtown Des Moines law firm formerly known as Riemenschneider, Rydell & Smalley prior to joining Wilson, Deege, Despotovich, Riemenschneider & Rittgers, PLC in 2007. In his current role, Scott primarily serves the Iowan population through the areas of wills, trusts, probate, estate planning, guardianships and conservatorships, real estate, income tax and elder law.
His work also includes contributions to public-facing resources to educate and support Iowa citizens. Scott is a co-author of the Handbook for Older Iowans and helped produce the guardianship and conservatorship training video distributed by the Iowa State Bar Association. In addition, he is a contributor to the substitute decision making DVD developed by the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs.
Scott has been recognized for his incredible pro-bono work by the Iowa Department of Human Services and was granted the 2011 Volunteer Award by then-Governor Terry Brandstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds. He also has invested in his community through professional and personal involvement in many organizations. Scott is currently a member of the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association - probate section, the Polk County Bar Association and the Des Moines Estate Planners Forum, where he served as president 2015 to 2017. He was also a former trustee in the Des Moines Christian School Foundation, and he is an active member of Summitcreek Church.
Scott’s commitment to excellence and community involvement have stemmed back from when he was a student at Coe. He was inducted as a member into several academic honor societies, including Alpha Lambda Delta for first-years, Sachem for men, Omicron Delta Epsilon recognizing economics students and the Crescent Chapter of Mortar Board. He also was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and served his peers as a Resident Assistant. Scott and his wife, Brenda, have been consistent supporters of the college for 30 years and are the proud parents of three daughters: Hailey, Jessica and Rachel.
Through his professional accomplishments and commitment to serving others, Scott demonstrates the investment and character defining an exceptional member of the Coe community. It is the college’s pleasure to present him with the Alumni Award of Merit.