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Horizons Page 1 BSUCalendar March 12-13, 2000

4th Annual BSU Winter Rendezvous, Laughlin, NV March 24-26, 2000

30th Anniversary Celebration of Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics, Bemidji State University campus

Vol. 15, No. 3, SPRING 2000

A Publication for Alumni & Friends of Bemidji State University

BSUHorizons

April 7, 2000

BSU Education Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony April 14-15, 2000

BSU Alumni Board Meeting, Bemidji, MN April 28, 2000

Mass Communication Spring Awards Banquet, Bemidji Elks Lodge May 11-12, 2000

50 Year Reunion of Class of 1950, Bemidji State University campus May 12, 2000

BSU Commencement 2000 May 20, 2000

Danny Kraus Memorial Golf Tournament June 16, 2000

Pabst/Skaar Memorial Golf Tournament, Bemidji Town and Country Club

WOMEN’S thletics

A BSU Celebrating 30 Years

ofWomeninAthletics

Bemidji State University

BSUHorizons

Bemidji State University Alumni Association 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, #DPH Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 218-755-3989 1-877-BSU-ALUM alumni@vax1.bemidji.msus.edu http://info.bemidji.msus.edu/alumni

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Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 PERMIT NO. 9

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Coaches tell athletes to give 100 percent during a game and to have an empty reservoir when the final gun sounds.

But Bemidji State women’s athletes in the early years had to amend that concept a bit as it was common for them to perform one more important task before they could call it a day.

“In those days, women’s programs shared uniforms. Often the field hockey players would have to get off the field as soon as possible to get their uniforms to the laundry room to be washed for use by the volleyball team,” said Betsy McDowell, who was the long-time coach of BSU’s very successful field hockey program.

The problem of finding a clean uniform was just one barrier faced by a fledgling women’s program. Three decades later, BSU has overcome pitfalls in funding, recruiting and management to field teams ready to accept the challenges of the 21st Century.

That growth will be recognized March 24-26 during a 30th Anniversary Celebration that features a variety of activities, including a banquet March 25 where the top 60 women athletes in BSU history will be honored.

Tickets for the weekend are $50 and include several meals, social events, and programs.

Tickets for the banquet are $25.

Reservations are required by March 17 and can be made by calling 218-755-2940.

Women’s athletics has undergone many changes, from an activity that was viewed as unladylike in the 1900s to simply tolerated by mid-century.

In the early 1960s, women at BSU were given a taste of athletic competition through activities the students managed and funded. Support and guidance was given by the women’s physical education faculty.

By the late 1960s women had earned the opportunity to make the move to intercollegiate sports.

The Minn-Kota Conference provided that opportunity.

“The Minn-Kota was officially adopted in 1969-70, but it didn’t just appear,” said veteran BSU women’s coach and former women’s athletic director Dr. Pat Rosenbrock. “A number of physical education instructors from the region had been meeting for several years. They envisioned a conference for women.”

Bemidji State was very successful during the early MinnKota Conference. “The athletes were here and they had the talent,” said Dr. Ruth Howe, one of BSU’s coaches and professors during those days. “The raw material was in place and we had to do the necessary teaching to put it all together. The opportunity to compete was a joy to all of our women.”

The birth of national associations created venues for expanded competition. “The allmale NAIA and NCAA were not interested in offering competition

I

“ think, woman for woman, we had the best athletes anywhere. As a result, we were very successful within the conference, the state and region.” v Dr. Pat Rosenbrock

for women,” Rosenbrock remembered. “So in 1971 the national Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women and its state organizations were born.”

Spearheading a dramatic recognition of the rights of girls and women to participate in schoolsponsored athletic programs was a government mandate known as Title IX. In essence, Title IX decreed that men’s and women’s programs should be run on an equal basis.

“There were many movements for social change at that time, including the modern women’s movement,” Rosenbrock said.

“So it was a combination of factors - the formation of AIAW, the environment and visibility created by the women’s movement, and Title IX - that combined to push this issue to the forefront.”

Bemidji State’s programs flourished during the 1970s as more than 100 women were involved in seven sports.

“I think, woman for woman, we had the best athletes anywhere,” Rosenbrock said. “As a result, we were very successful within the conference, the state and region.”

While the 1970s represented a

decade of growth, the 1980s represented a period of uncertainty, challenge and change.

Nationally, the NAIA and NCAA opened doors to women, prompting schools like BSU to shift affiliations. It was also a time for programmatic change, with several sports dropped and others added.

And surviving the obstacles of the 1980s made facing the challenges of the 1990s much easier.

That’s when the women’s and the men’s conferences merged into the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. Bemidji State abandoned the NAIA in favor of the more visible NCAA II. Later in the decade the women’s hockey program was formed and immediately was elevated to NCAA Division I status.

“In the 1990s BSU saw an emergence of new sports for women plus a substantial increase in funding from the university and through the development of Beaver Pride,” said Doreen Zierer, head women’s basketball coach and athletic director for all sports except hockey. “Overall, there has been an eight to 10-fold growth in Continued on page 5

Horizons Page 2

Philosophers Philosophers Find Strength in Differences Bemidji State University is fortunate to be able to claim among its faculty many talented writers who have published books. This article is the second in a series to appear in HORIZONS on faculty authors.

This installment focuses on the works of the university’s philosophers.

Dr. David Lund Death and Consciousness, McFarland & Company Inc., Jefferson, NC, 1985.

Perception, Mind and Personal Identity, University Press of America, Lanham, MD, 1994.

Making Sense of it All, Prentice-Hall Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1999.

Dr. Kit Christensen The Politics of Character Development, A Marxist Reappraisal of the Moral Life, Greenwood Press, Westport, CT, 1994.

Philosophy and Choice, Mayfield Publishing Company, Mountain View, CA, 1999.

Dr. Kit Christensen

Bemidji State University

Between the two of them, Dr. David Lund and Dr. Kit Christensen manage to offer students a philosophy major and minor, cover a broad range of philosophical doctrines, and still find time to publish more than an occasional book.

They view their contrasting philosophical interests as a strength to the department and split the teaching workload somewhat accordingly, with Lund investigating the relationship between the individual consciousness and its relation to the physical realm Dr. David Lund

while Christensen tends to examine the moral aesthetics of diverse political and cultural philosophies.

Lund’s teaching career at BSU dates back to 1972, but his affiliation with the university goes back to his undergraduate days when his areas of interest were natural sciences and math. He later completed a master’s degree in educational psychology and then worked as a high school counselor for a time. But the nagging question of consciousness and how it relates to natural science and its categories of understanding was never far from his mind. Ultimately he returned to study at the University of Minnesota and received his doctorate in philosophy.

Vol. 15, No. 3, Spring 2000

Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Al Nohner Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy Berglund Photographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Swartz President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Jim Bensen Alumni Director . . . . . . . . . . . Sue Kringen Contributing Writers . . . Jody Grau, Cindy Serratore, Pat Miller Editorial Assistance . . . . . . . . Peggy Nohner Editorial Board: Dr. Jim Bensen, BSU president; Al Nohner, director of news services and publications; Sue Kringen, interim executive director of foundation and alumni affairs; Jeff Totten, assistant professor of business relations; Dr. Gerald Morine, professor of chemistry.

generation must deal with.”

Christensen received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Purdue University in 1982 and has been teaching at BSU since 1981.

“Plenty of students like the mental challenge posed. I hope to generate curiosity about new ideas and teach them how to think about new options without telling them what to think,” said Christensen.

In an effort to provide more diverse ideas for his students to examine, Christensen authored an introduction to philosophy textbook, Philosophy and Choice, which was published in 1999 along with an accompanying instructor’s manual.

The text contains selected readings from around the world, which have been chosen to present a more intercultural and global introduction to philosophical thought. It strives to overcome the traditional tendency to focus almost exclusively on European, white, male philosophers, Christensen noted.

He describes his other published work, The Politics of Character Development - A Marxist Reappraisal of the Moral Life, as an ethics debate within a historical framework, written from an explicitly leftist viewpoint.

“It was prompted by an intellectual problem I was obsessed with at the time,” said Christensen who further described the work as a “scholarly monograph.”

Gladys Paulson (’59) of Badger taught school for 46 years and is retired. She is church organist at Our Redeemer and Faith Lutheran churches in Badger …

S.A. Engbretson (’53) of International Falls continues teaching at the Montessori Pre-School …

Ray Green (’50) of Warroad, a retired teacher, is now best known as an entertainer. He has performed in Warroad Summer Theater, is a member of Zion Lutheran’s “Z-Men” singing groups and regularly performs at area nursing homes. He has served as an officer of the Roseau County Committee on Aging and on the boards of the Warroad Senior Meals and the Warroad Area Senior Center and was honored at a Roseau County senior citizen recognition banquet in July of 1998 … L.E. (Drex) Drechsel (’55) was honored in October when his community renamed the Red Lake Falls football field the L.E. Drechsel Athletic Field … Dick Green (’56) of Dick Green Bloomington recently traveled the inland passage of Alaska, creating a number of watercolor paintings of the area along the way … Jim Spitzer (’53) lives in Hebron, ND, and writes that he’s looking forward to his 50th BSU class reunion …Travis Olson (’50) of Hendrum works at Norman County West High School.

1960s

Where We Are ... What We’re Doing

BSUHorizons Produced by the News and Publications Office and the Alumni Office at Bemidji State University, HORIZONS is published quarterly and distributed without charge to BSU alumni, students, faculty, staff and other friends of the University. BSU is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

“I cherish my broad undergraduate background in science and math but am glad I became a philosopher,” said Lund. “I feel it’s the academic discipline I was searching for all along.”

Lund’s first book, Death and Consciousness - The Case for Life After Death, provides modern and ancient evidence of consciousness surviving death including well-documented cases of out-of-body experiences, visions of the dying, past lives recalled and communications transmitted from the dead. A high level of interest in the book resulted in the release of a second edition in paperback form and a translated edition in French.

He refers to his second book, Perception, Mind and Personal Identity, as a technical piece of work and describes his third, Making Sense of It All, as an introduction to philosophical inquiry which tries to touch on “all the big topics.”

“I’m a workaholic,” said Lund of his motivation to write for publication. “I believe I’m committing some sort of intellectual crime by wasting my time.”

Christensen describes his motivation to write as coming from a desire to add to the philosophical dialogue about certain political and cultural issues.

“A philosophical problem occurs and I just start wondering,” said Christensen. “Philosophical issues are perennial issues ... pertaining to basic human questions that every

ALL CITIES ARE LOCATED IN MINNESOTA UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

1930s Beulah Marrs Parisi (’37) now lives in Portland, OR, and remembers, as a student, working in the old BSU library for 25-cents an hour … Evelyn Henning Dysart (’35) has been teaching in the Deer River School District nearly steady ever since she graduated from BSU in 1935 and was one of King School’s first teachers. She and her husband, Ben, are avid readers.

1940s Dean Aker (’46) of New Brighton recently sold his boat and marina interests, after 35 years of boating on the St. Croix River, and is now “looking for new mischief” … Edna (Leen) Skold (’42) of MiltonFreewater, OR, is enjoying retirement following a 50year teaching career. She volunteers one day a week at her community’s school and now has more time to spend with her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren … Harold Melby (’46) of Minnetonka has been retired from his position as an elementary principal since 1981 and now enjoys doing arts and crafts projects and volunteering … Yvonne Carpenter (’44) of Winona received an award in

January for doing 3,000 hours of volunteer work at Winona Community Hospital.

1950s Tom Gleason (’57) and his wife, Winnie, are both retired from teaching careers at Burnsville High School and enjoy spending the winters in Rockport, TX, and split their summers between their home in Savage and cabin at Hackensack. They have three children and seven grandchildren … Vern Maetzold (’58) of Minneapolis retired from a 35-year career in child welfare social work and is enjoying his free-time spending time with his grandchildren and playing the piano and bridge … Edna Pearson (’58) of McIntosh is retired and now spends her time reading, sewing, quilting and volunteering at church and a local nursing home … Norm Reopelle (’58) of Rochester retired in May after 41 years of teaching. He now raises and shows West Highland Terriers as a hobby … Pru Lolich (’55) is serving first term as mayor of Hibbing. She’s been widowed since 1994, has six grandchildren and spends a lot of time visiting family in Chicago, IL, the Twin Cities and Cody, WY …John Schultz (’50) is retired and living in Plymouth …

Norman Hecimovich (’60) is a retired principal and army major now doing consulting work with CFL. He’s traveled to Hong Kong, Beijing and Bankok and is active at home in a number of fraternal and retired military organizations … George Clemens (’67) of St. Paul plans to retire from 33 years with 3M on March 1 and writes that he’s still playing hockey …

Mary Ellen Drajna (’66) of Kasson is looking forward to retiring in June after spending 34 years teaching in the Byron School District. She plans to travel and find time to pursue some hobbies … Keith Hanson (’68) has been married to Marlys Fraley since 1994 and they live in Mizpah. He retired in 1989, and his first wife, Kathryn, died in 1992 … J.D. Ball (’66) of Maple Grove is manager of an FM radio station in Minneapolis and his wife is a credit specialist with the Carlson Company’s marketing group. Hobbies include golfing, boating, camping, fishing and traveling … Joe Merseth (’66) of Frazee has been a superintendent of schools for 18 years and has spent a total of 34 years in the education field. He has three children, two of whom are educators …

Ilene Armstrong (’66) lives in Wisconsin and is a retired high school counselor … Joe Amato (’62) of Bovey has retired after 30 years of teaching music.

He plays accordion and sings with the “I Cantatori” musical group from Virginia … Richard Nelson (’65) is an architect for Johnson, Sheldon, Sorensen, Hafner Architects in Minnetonka and lives with his wife, Florence Nelson (’66) who worked a number of years in retail sales … Richard Wood (’68) was

Horizons Page 3

Alumna Fast Food Teaching Aids

Alumna Develops

Linda Frost

When Linda Frost began designing a tool for teaching math concepts to fulfill an assignment in her BSU math methods class in 1985, she had no idea she was on her way to becoming an entrepreneur.

Today Frost, of rural Bemidji, speaks knowledgeably about product royalties, negotiating contracts and marketing techniques because the result of her class project, the Fraction Burger and a variety of “fast food” spin-offs, are manufactured and sold by a national distributor of classroom teaching aids.

The first Fraction Burgers were made out of wood in Frost’s husband’s workshop before being painted and hand-labeled by Frost.

The teaching tool looks like a hamburger, and its contents - onion, cheese, tomato and lettuce - are divided into pie-shaped slices representing fractions which can be manipulated to demonstrate adding, subtracting and combining.

“My math professor, Dr. Carole Reesink, liked them so well that she started showing them to her classes over the next couple of years, and students were buying the homemade

version for $9 each,” said Frost.

In the interim, Frost graduated in 1986 with a BA in elementary education but continued to keep in contact with Reesink and to supply her students with Fraction Burgers.

Eventually, Reesink took one of the burgers with her to a national math teacher’s conference and shared it with a representative from Delta Education Inc., Nashua, NH. “It sat on the company president’s desk for about a year collecting dust,” said Frost. “Then we got a call saying they’d like to contract with us to manufacture and distribute it.

They asked that we develop a workbook with worksheets and games to go along with it.”

The two formed a business partnership with Reesink handling the text for the worksheets and Frost writing up the recommended games and activities.

Delta then asked for other product ideas resulting in three other fast food teaching aides. Decimal Dog features a bun calibrated in fractions and decimals along with hotdog slices representing hundredths and tenths. Metric Shakes are plastic beakers, which help teach metric vol-

married May 20 and lives with his wife, Jean, in Houston, TX. He had been working in Saudi Arabia for the previous six years and is a configuration and data manager for Raytheon Systems Company, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia … Terry Maciej (’61) is owner of Maciej’s Art and Frame, located in the Irongate Mall, Hibbing, and was a featured teacher of scratchboard classes at the Range Creative Art Center program in November. National response to his scratchboard art has prompted investments in five full-color limited edition works that have now sold internationally … Doug Dahl (’61) is a new U.S. citizen, even though he’s lived and taught in Greenbush for nearly 35 years. Originally from Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada, Dahl took formal steps in 1999 to become a U.S. citizen and voted in Greenbush for the first time Nov. 2. Dahl taught math and coached wrestling in the same community for 31 years and retired five years ago. He and his wife, Linda, have four children … Ed Beckers (’69) of Hibbing was the subject of an Oct. 18 feature story published in the Hibbing Daily Tribune. Beckers taught English at Chisholm High School for 29 years and is now retired and an avid bicyclist … Jerry Snyder (’61) has been inducted into the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Snyder retired from 28 years of coaching basketball at Lake City after the 1997-98 season. His teams earned an overall win-loss record of 574-245, and his teams at Lake City won three state titles – 1978, 1979 and 1990.

He and his wife, Janet, have two children, Boyd and Kathy … Art Hill (’63) led the Hibbing High School

Band from 1976 to 1996 and took it on many trips including those to Hawaii and Sweden. Hill came to Hibbing in 1965 when he directed the seventh- and eighth-grade bands and taught general music classes at the high school. The Bluejacket Marching Band also won first place in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, D.C., in 1992 and had a five-year winning streak in the American Legion Field Marching Band championship contest. He and his wife, Pat, live south of Hibbing at Little Island Lake. Their daughter, Mary Pat, is a flight attendant with Northwest airlines and son, Dave, is the band director at Lincoln Junior High School … Carolee Spanrud Mock (’61) of Breckenridge is retired and recently traveled to Denmark, Sweden and Norway … Terry Sunde (’69) of Holdingford has been teaching life science in Holdingford schools for nearly 31 years and has served as community education director for 23 years … Patricia Westman (’67) and William Wagner (’60) were two of nine candidates who filed as candidates in this fall’s Roseau School Board elections. Both are retired Roseau High School teachers … Anthony Kuznik (’61) has been president of Hibbing Community College since 1986 and says he doesn’t plan to retire until he’s finished some ongoing projects. Kuznik and his wife, Robin, have five children, now ranging in age from five to 35. Prior to 1986, Kuznik served in Crookston as vice chancellor of the University of Minnesota Technical College for 14 years … Tom Saterdalen (’64) of Bloomington continues

ume of liquids. Base 10 Fries are foam French fry-like pieces representing hundreds, tens and ones which can be manipulated with or without an accompanying red container.

“I keep hoping that by using a familiar red French fry sleeve that we can catch a major fast-food restaurant’s attention and eventually become one of their children’s meal toy offerings,” said Frost. “I just think how great it would be if an educational toy could be included instead of just more of the same old low-cost plastic toys.”

Frost has had plenty of opportunity to use her fast food teaching products in the classroom and has witnessed first-hand their success in reaching students of many different ages. She spent the past six years teaching K-12 special education in the Northome School District and early this year accepted a position teaching elementary education classes at the Leech Lake Tribal College, Cass Lake. She is also currently working on her master’s degree in special education at BSU. “With many students who have had a hard time grasping the concept in theory, when they see a familiar food item and can handle the pieces, it’s like a light comes on for them,” said Frost. “I’ve seen students who’ve had a real phobia about fractions just turn that around in no time.”

In light of that, Frost is especially excited about plans by Delta to expand distribution of her fast food

teaching line by offering it through Nasco, another catalogue company which sells educational aids, and making it available in a some upscale toy stores which specialize in educational toys.

In the meantime, sales through Delta Education continue to climb each year. She received royalties last year on a contractual arrangement that pays each of the partners 50cents for each item sold.

“It doesn’t sound like a lot per item, but they handle all of the manufacturing, packaging and marketing and I get to do what I like best - come up with new ideas,” said Frost.

Future projects may include a product that looks like a sub sandwich. She also has dreams of developing an ambitious multi-curricular learning project that would span a full month and focus on the annual Iditarod Dog Sled Races, of which she is a huge fan.

W “

ith many students who have had a hard time grasping the concept in theory, when they see a familiar food item and can handle the pieces, it’s like a light comes on for them. I’ve seen students who’ve had a real phobia about fractions just turn that around in no time.” m Linda Frost

teaching and coaching … Edith Dalleska (’62) of St. Paul recently started a new job with Hammel Green & Abrahamson Architects, Minneapolis. Her youngest child, Elise, graduated from Boston University in May … Jeff Sylvester (’69) of Maple Lake plans to build a new home this summer …

Beverly Jorland (’68) of Walker is retired after 30 years of teaching eighth grade English but continues to coach speech at Walker High School … Ray Barton (’66) of Jacobson has spent the past two Helen Ann Whitney (and family) years as a volunteer who accompanies handicapped engineering at St. Thomas and has been employed at teaches algebra at the local community college. He individuals when they travel. also currently serves as president of the local Habitat Medtronic Inc. for eight years. He enjoys tennis, for Humanity affiliate. His wife, Debra, is a planner skiing and boating … Helen Ann Whitney (’75) of 1970s for Lockheed Martin in Orlando, FL. Carlton and Plant City, FL, was 50 when she graduated and then Donald Holcomb (’77) is president of Donald taught for 13 years in Minnesota and Florida. She and Debra were married three years ago and their Holcomb Fleet Sales, Coon Rapids. He has two combined family includes five grown children and her husband, Dick, have 10 grown children th daughters, Sunni, 13, and Alexus, 21-months … four grandchildren … Ken Sczublewski (’74) and …Charlie Martin (’71) of Little Falls is in his 26 Gary Johnson (’74) of Potlatch, ID, is in his 20th year year of teaching at Lincoln Elementary School in Diane (Nelson) Sczublewski (’74) live in Cushing. of working in the Washington State University Ken is in his 15th year as a high school guidance Little Falls … Julia Sullivan (’76) lives in Chemistry Department. He is retiring this year from Moorhead and retired from teaching in 1997. She’d counselor at Staples-Motley High School. Diane is 23 years of service with the Washington National in her 15th year as a special education program spent 35 years teaching remedial reading and Guard … John Schauble (’73) of Lake Zurich, IL, is learning disabled elementary students in Moorhead coordinator for the Mid-State Education District in aquatics director at Stevenson High School in Little Falls … Gary Allman (’78) and Patty Allman and prior to that taught first- and second-grade Lincolnshire, IL. He also coaches cross-country, (’79) live in Cottage Grove. Gary has been employed combination classrooms in Bejou. She now enjoys track and field and club swimming … Glenn Yost having extra time to volunteer at church, spend time as a UPS driver for 20 years. Patty is teaching third (’72) of Cypress, TX, writes music professionally, grade this year in South Washington County. They with friends and attend Twins baseball games each sings and plays the trumpet …James Hanson (’72) summer … Barbara Staehle (’76) of Virginia have two daughters, 15 and 12 … Joyce Rideout of Cass Lake celebrated 20 years of employment (’79) lives in Brainerd and has been an active returned to school in 1991 and became a registered with Walman Optical, Bemidji, in May … David volunteer since her retirement … Randy McGuire nurse. She works at the hospital in Virginia and had Holm (’76) of Andover is employed as a sales (’77) of St. Louis, MO, will soon complete his 10th spent several years prior to that working as a travel representative … Paul Christgau (’79) of Plymouth nurse … Carlton Kehrley (’70) of Deltona, FL, has year as assistant archivist at St. Louis University … completed his master’s degree in software worked for Volusia County Schools for 28 years and (Continued on page 4)

Horizons Page 4

Conference

to Showcase Student Scholarly Works

T

Bemidji State University students will showcase their scholarly work on April 19 as BSU hosts its first Student Scholarship Conference, a forum to explore ideas and celebrate outstanding academic achievements.

“This is an opportunity for faculty and Dr. James Bensen staff to affirm our belief in the accomplishments of students,” said Dr. James Bensen, BSU president. “The conference will draw attention to successes and achievements across all disciplines and foster a healthy interaction across campus.”

The conference will feature a presentation by Dr. Kathy Thomas-Keptra, a senior staff scientist at the NASA Johnson Space Center and key researcher on the NASA team looking for evidence of fossilized life in the Antarctic meteorite that came from Mars.

A panel of students will then discuss the topic with ThomasKeptra and the audience will be invited to ask questions.

Both undergraduate and graduate students may participate in the conference, and each presentation requires a faculty or staff sponsor.

Showcase

“ his is an opportunity for faculty and staff to affirm our belief in the accomplishments of students. The conference will draw attention to successes and achievements across all disciplines and foster a healthy interaction across campus.”

(Continued from page 3)

Mary Ellen Bubolz (’72) lives in Lancaster, OH …Robert Montesano (’72) of Golden Valley is a curriculum specialist, grades K-12, for technology education in Minneapolis. In 1998 he was chosen as the Minnesota Vocational Association Teacher of the Year … Maureen (LaBelle) Vanek (’73) is employed as community services supervisor with the New Hope Police Department. She lives in Maple Grove with her husband, Wes, and son, John … Beth (Carlson) Shoemaker (’75) is a pre-school director and lives in Gulf Breeze, FL, with her two children, ages 4 and 12 … Georgia Siers Press (’78) of Cary, IL, works as an assistant to the learning center director in Cary, IL. She’s married and has two sons, ages 18 and 15 … Jill Sandberg (’78) of Annandale is corrections unit supervisor at the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility. She’s been employed for 20 years with Hennepin County … Ronald Goffman (’72) of Brainerd is currently division vice president for Bank Building Corp., an architectural, design and building firm servicing the financial industry. He and his wife, Nancy have two sons, Michael, 20, and Daniel, 16 … Deb (Clift) Vanasse (’78) of Fairbanks, AK, retired from a 20 year teaching career in June and has published two novels for young adults … Tom Molloy (’72 ) is in his 26th year of teaching for the Calgary Catholic School Board in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He coaches hockey at the youth level and has spent 12 years coaching at the college level, including coaching in three final four tournaments in Canada

… Warren Larson (’77) has been named the marketing and community relations coordinator at MeritCare Clinic, Bemidji. He also owns and manages a beef cattle operation near Bagley, where he lives with his wife, Laine, and their two daughters. In addition to his MeritCare duties, Larson is also a director for the Garden Valley Telephone Company, a member of the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents and chair of the Regent Board’s University Audit Committee … Bruce Phelps (’78) was named the 1999 Minnesota Music Educator’s Association Educator of the Year in honor of his performance during the past 23 years as director of choral activities at Anoka High School. In addition to his work at the high school, Phelps is currently director of music and the adult choir at Anoka United Methodist Church, is on the music education staff at St. Olaf College and has founded his own adult chorus, Two Rivers Chorale, that began its second season this fall …

James Fugleberg (’75) recently spoke as a visiting evangelist at Abiding Faith Free Lutheran Church, Ortonville, and Elim Free Lutheran Church, Clinton.

He is pastor of St. Paul’s Free Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND, and has served as a pastor in the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations for the past 21 years. He and his wife, Linda, have six children … Mark Garms (’72) filed as a candidate this fall for reelection to the Round Lake School Board. He has been farming with his father for 27 years, is a supervisor on the Round Lake Township Board and serves as an elder in the First Presbyterian Church, Round Lake.

He and his wife, Jewel, have four children … Mel

Formal presentations, each 15 minutes in length, Nancy Erickson Jon Quistgaard will feature creative expressions, basic research, rank among the most desirable applied research and other schol- work skills; arly activities by students. Poster • access to computer presentasessions, where students prepare tion technology commonly used a display, will be available for by professionals; viewing.

• participation in a professional All parts of the conference will conference that emphasizes the be open to the public. value and importance of scholar“Participants in the conference ship; will be impressed by the quality • a forum to share knowledge of student achievement,” said Dr. and creativity with a larger audiJon Quistgaard, vice president for ence within and outside one’s academic and student affairs. field of study; “The public will find it extremely • feedback on scholarly work to interesting and fascinating to see help gain new perspectives on how students today are engaged ideas and accomplishments; in the learning process and the • stronger relationships with faclevel of sophistication that our ulty members who sponsor stustudents perform.” dents to participate in the conferThe main focus, however, is to ence; and provide a learning opportunity • valuable experience to include for students. Quistgaard said the on a resume or application for conference will provide students graduate studies. the following advantages: This is the first time the Univer• the chance to showcase their sity has organized an event that work, regardless of their field of enables students to present their study, including senior projects, scholarly work to a large audience. senior or master’s thesis work, Without an event of this scope, research projects and internships many students may not fully recor other special project experi- ognize their own creativity or the ence. merits of their work, according to • the opportunity to practice pre- Dr. Nancy Erickson, interim dean sentations and public speaking, of the College of Arts and Letters. skills that many professionals She says that both faculty and students stand to benefit.

Nefstead (’74) was elected this fall to serve a twoyear term on the board of directors of the Minnesota International Center. Nefstead is currently part-time executive director of the Staples-Motley Area Chamber of Commerce. He retired in June 1994 after 29 years as a faculty member of the Brainerd-Staples Technical College, Staples campus … Doris Swedmark (’76) and Al Swedmark (’76) live in Bemidji and have two children, Monica, 18, and Neal, 15. Doris has been teaching first grade for the past three years at St. Philips School, Bemidji, and prior to that had taught kindergarten at St. Philips for 16 years … Virg Boehland (’72) of Proctor teaches seventh- and eighthDoris Swedmark grade science at Proctor Junior High School. He and his wife, Lila, have three daughters between the ages of 17 and 22 … Dennis Winskowski (’72) has been named to the new position of the director of weekly newspapers with Forum Communications Co., Fargo, ND. He will also remain in his previous position as publisher of the Detroit Lakes Tribune. Winskowski has been a publisher since age 25, starting in the newspaper and advertising departments of the Park Rapids Enterprise. He was promoted to managing editor and returned in 1985 to become publisher. In between, he

purchased an interest in and published the Pine City Pioneer, which he sold in 1985. He transferred to Detroit Lakes in 1987 … Rick Nelson (’79) of Thief River Falls will be a part-time lobbyist for the Minnesota Community College Faculty Association this Legislative session … Bruce Turner (’70) of Roosevelt is a sales account supervisor for Marvin Windows, Warroad. He became a grandfather on Nov. 22, 1998 … Ruth Lundstrom (’70) is living in Nevis … Randy Bowen (’73) and Marlene Bowen (’73) live in Duluth. Randy is employed as the grades 7-12 high school principal at Willow River Schools and Marlene continues to substitute teach at Hermantown schools.

They have two children, Matt, and Leah … Rick Van Roekel (’78) of New Ulm has been teaching at New Ulm High School for 18 years and has been head football coach there for 11 years. He’s married and has two children, Megan, 13, and Nate, 10 … Joe Hess (’71) lives in Burnsville … James Toensing (’70) of Burnsville traveled to Florence, Milan and Rome in November … Bonnie Kolocek Edwards (’72) of Eveleth is in her 20th year of teaching at Mesabi Range Community College … Roger Lindroos (’77) of Menahga recently retired after spending 25 years teaching secondary construction and serving as vocational director and director of Leaf River Education District, Wadena … Tom Erie (’76) of White Bear Lake and his wife, Gretchen, are very active in small group ministries at their church. Tom is employed as an account manager for AAA Cooper Transportation and his wife is a nurse for a group of heart surgeons.

Jim Bensen

“The faculty person has the satisfaction of watching a student grow into a project,” said Erickson. “Perhaps this will be the very impetus for a student to decide to go on to a graduate program or for further education. The experience is not unlike that of a parent or guardian who proudly watches a son or daughter perform a challenging task.”

In addition to the Student Scholarship Conference, BSU is focusing more on its Student Faculty Scholarship Program, which provides undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in scholarly activities with faculty members.

“We’re looking at the importance of building strong relationships between students and teachers and the importance of guiding the student in the learning process,” added Quistgaard.

“This opportunity creates a quintessential learning experience.

Students are able to work closely with a faculty member on complex problems, learn the processes involved and explore creative approaches.”

1980s Tracey Wensloff (’86) and his wife, Bonnie, announce the Oct. 16 birth of a daughter, Katherine.

Tracey teaches calculus and algebra at Roseau High School. He received his master’s degree in education from the University of North Dakota in May and currently serves as president of the Roseau Teachers Association. Bonnie teaches 7 – 12 music at Roseau High School and is currently on a one-year leave of absence … Christine (Langland) Greve (’83) married John Greve on Dec. 10 at Las Vegas, NV, during the National Finals Rodeo. The couple lives in West Yellowstone, MT … Dale Dreyer (’87) has been director of bioscience for Systec Inc., New Brighton, since 1995. There, he conceived and has helped to establish the Richard and Naomi Zelinka Student Research Fellowship and the Industrial Technology Design Competition, both of which are in their fifth year of operation. He and his wife, Kari, live in Vadnais Heights … Thomas Ellingson (’84) of Menahga has been a social worker at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga for six years and has worked at Green Pine Acres a total of 16 years. He is single and is remodeling his first home … Terri Anderson-Schlader (’86) lives in Huron, SD, with her husband, Dan. She is employed as administrative assistant/web master with the Greater Huron Development Corporation and serves on the boards of the Beadle County Humane Society and the Huron Kiwanis Club. In 1999 she was honored as Beta Sigma Phi – Huron SD Gamma Chapter Woman of the Year,

Horizons Page 5

Watch for New Alumni Directory Questionnaire

50 Teams Compete in Winter Golf Classic A hundred golfers took to the ice for the sixth annual Slim’s/ Beaver Pride Winter Golf Classic held Jan. 15 as part of Bemidji Polar Daze.

The event, which includes 18 holes of golf on the ice of Lake Bemidji, is a fund raising effort to support athletics at Bemidji State University.

Teams of two golfers use putters and tennis balls to navigate the course.

Registration for the event included green (ice) fees, an official Winter Golf long-sleeved T-shirt, and a burger at Slim’s Bar and Grill. Prizes were awarded to the top three teams and worst scoring teams.

“Winter golf is all about having fun and making the most of our winter weather in Bemidji,” said Tom Faecke, co-chair of the Winter Golf Committee, noting that the sport requires no serious golfing skills and is therefore open to everyone. The event raised $2,245 to support BSU athletics.

BSU Alumni Association Toll Free; 1-877-BSU-ALUM (1-877-278-2586) http://info.bemidji.msus.edu/alumni/ alumni@vax1.bemidji.msus.edu

Leadership Huron Alumni of the Year and was president of the Fair City Sertoma Club … Cory Shubert (’83) lives in St. Louis Park with his wife, Susie, and daughter, Vivian, 3 … Darlene (Hendrickson) Medcalf (’85) is a partner in a mortgage brokerage company. She is the mother of four and lives with her husband, Tom, and children in Coon Rapids … Bradley Thom (’80) is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Glencoe and was recently promoted to Lt. Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve, in which he serves as a chaplain … Connie Brickell (’87) of Conyers, GA, teaches fifth grade and recently won teacher of the year honors for the second time. She and her husband have been living in Georgia for 10 years and have two children, Haley, 4, and Heath, 19months … Bill Smith (’84) lives in New Ulm with his wife and their one-year-old daughter, Stephanie … Joan Vant Connie Brickell Hof (’89) of Merrifield retired from the Brainerd Regional Human Services Center after working there for 12 years in the mental health program as a registered nurse … Dan Collins (’80) and Pat Wickham (’80) live in Thornton, CO, where Pat was recently promoted to corporate health and safety director of MFG Inc., an environmental engineering firm. Dan is the program supervisor at the

All alumni with current addresses on file with the alumni office will soon be receiving an important questionnaire in the mail. It’s being sent to give every alumnus the opportunity to be accurately listed in the new edition of the Bemidji State University Alumni Directory.

Alumni are strongly encouraged to complete and return the questionnaire before the deadline. Those who fail to do so run the risk of being inadvertently omitted or having incorrect information printed in the directory.

Submitted information will be edited and processed by the publisher, Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company Inc., for inclusion in the new directory.

At a later point in the project, each alumnus will be contacted by Harris directly to verify the accuracy of the personal data received.

received her master’s certification in gerontology and gifted instruction. She’s very active in her community with activities including the local Boy Scout Cahokia District Council, the board for Faith in Action/ Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, and church/city volleyball league. Long has a son, Trevor, in seventh grade …Brett Larson (’88) of Gilbert is the manager of NAPA Parts in Virginia and a volunteer coach. He and his wife, Ann Marie, have two children, Garrett, 5, and Hannah, 3 … Leo Rognlin (’85), a Fargo, ND, police officer, was presented the George B. Sunderland Award on Oct. 23 in Pittsburgh, PA, at the 22nd annual International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners Award Banquet. This international award “recognizes significant contributions made by an outstanding crime prevention practitioner whose exceptional dedication and enthusiasm for crime prevention has provided a positive impact on the quality of life of others.” Rognlin has been a member of the Fargo Police Department since 1987 and is currently the community relations/crime prevention Dan Collins, Pat Wickham and children officer. Since 1996, he has implemented nine crime Rocky Mountain Arsenal and is responsible for prevention programs that have had a positive impact coodinating clean-up efforts. They have three on the community. The most noted is Fargo’s children, ages 11, 7 and 2 … Heidi Ogden (’88) lives Community Watch Program. Burglaries in in Warroad … Tim Graham (’86) and Laura community watch areas have decreased by 76 percent Graham (’88) live in Centreville, VA, with their and property crimes have decreased 67 percent. children, Ben, 10, and Abby, 2 … Joanette (Green) Rognlin also received the North Dakota Crime Long (’80) is employed as the international and Prevention Officer of the Year Award in September … domestic admissions officer at Southern University, Tim Bildsoe (’80) currently serves on the Plymouth Edwardsville, IL. She completed a master’s degree in City Council and on the board of the Jacob Wetterling special education in the spring of 1999 and also Foundation. He owns Cy’s Uniforms, Minneapolis, which provides uniforms and equipment to law

Input Sought for

Accreditation of BSU

Bemidji State University is inviting the general public, alumni, faculty, staff, and students to provide comments about any aspect of the University as part of the accreditation process now underway through the North Central Association.

Among the topics that may be addressed are planning initiatives, mission, utilization of resources, institutional effectiveness, institutional integrity, or any other topic of interest.

Comments that are submitted will be provided to a team of evaluators from the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools who will be visiting campus April 10-12 as partial fulfillment of the University’s application for continued accreditation.

A comprehensive self-study accreditation process and report is completed once every 10 years. It is one method used to verify that the University meets or exceeds established standards for quality. Bemidji State has been accredited since 1943.

For the past 18 months, Bemidji State has been engaged in a process of self-study to address criteria for accreditation.

The evaluation team will prepare a recommendation on the continuing status for the institution.

The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of

enforcement and fire department personnel …

Donald Strickland (’83) is an industrial engineer and lives in Rogers with his wife of 15 years, MaryLynn, daughter, Angie, 13, and son, Bobby, 11. The family moved to Rogers from Winona about five years ago ...

Susan Johnson (’89) has been administrator of the Benton County Jail since the new facility opened in 1995. Her duties include managing the jail budget, supervising 36 employees, ordering supplies and ensuring state laws and standards are followed. The jail can hold up to 92 men and women prisoners …

Kathleen Miller (’80) of Minnetonka is employment and training manager at the Musicland Group, Inc. She and her husband, Randy, have two children, Jack, 6, and Anne, 3 … Cindy (Warner) Westbrook (’88) works at the Pennsylvania College of Technology as an adjunct faculty member/ lab assistant for communication arts in the Campus Center Building and manager of the on-campus art gallery. Westbrook received her MFA in art direction and design in 1999 from Marywood University, Scranten, PA. She lives in Cogan Station, PA, and has a kindergarten-age son, Aaron … Christopher Fettig (’86) was nominated an honor roll teacher of the year for Minnesota and ranked in the top eight contenders … LaVae Goodin (’88) LaVae Goodin

Colleges and Schools will review and act on the recommendation.

Written, signed comments must be received by March 10, and the commission cannot guarantee that comments received after the due date will be considered.

Comments should include the name, address and telephone number of the person providing the comments, which will not be treated as confidential. Submissions should be sent to: Public Comment on Bemidji State University / Commission of Institutions of Higher Education / North Central Association of Colleges and Schools / 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 / Chicago, IL 60602

Celebrating 30 Years (Continued from Page 1)

scholarship funding through the 1990s for women’s athletics and I would say that the overall funding has tripled, or perhaps, even quadrupled.

“The administration at Bemidji State believes that providing opportunities for women athletes is the right thing to do. BSU has been a forerunner in terms of women’s athletics and establishing a balance for the women’s and the men’s programs. I would like to believe that the necessary support will continue.”

And if it does, there will be no need for the women athletes to have energy in reserve for those emergency runs to the laundromat.

of Tucson, AZ, recently took a position as patient care manager with Vista Care Hospices following 10 years of employment with Northwest Hospital in Tucson.

She and her husband, Gary, have three daughters ages 6, 3 and six-months … Lynn Shoberg (‘89) of Ashton, IA, has worked as an independent kitchen consultant for Pampered Chef for the past four years and writes food articles for Okoboji magazine. She teaches community education classes and substitute teaches in area schools. Shoberg and her husband, Don, are volunteers with their town’s ambulance squad. They have two daughters, 15 and 12 … Bette Block (’81) of Savage has left the workforce to stay home with her twin sons, Rush and Dane, and their younger brother, Evan, 18-months …Kurt Woodrich (’84) has been employed for the past 10 years with a Department of Natural Resources Division of Waters survey crew. He lives in Bloomington with his wife, Nancy, and their son, Max … Steve Wind (’81) has been a sales representative for a St. Paul-based company for 13 years and lives in Sleepy Hollow, IL, with his wife and two children … Lloyd Stallkamp (’82) of Havre, MT, was promoted to professor of electronics engineering technology in 1999. He received a master of science degree in space studies from the University of North Dakota … George Newcomb (’81) lives in Denver, CO, and owns a jewelry store and pawn shop … Ann Haas Van Seters (’82) of Downers Grove, IL, announces the February, 1999, birth of a daughter …

Greg Jaeger (’82) is the new service manager of Kari Toyota Jeep in Superior, WI. He lives in Duluth with his (Continued on page 6)

Horizons Page 6 Alumni Support BSU in Many Ways Alumni support their alma mater in a variety of ways, including providing crucial financial support to the BSU Foundation.

Last fiscal year (July 1, 1998 - June 30, 1999), BSU alumni provided more than $650,000 in financial support, including a portion of a gift from the Estate of Eva Lind (’28) worth over $400,000. As of February, alumni have given over $300,000 this fiscal year to support the students and programs of BSU. Alumni financial support is crucial to the continued excellence of education provided at BSU. Donations from alumni and friends of the university provide funds to support scholarships, program enhancements, faculty and student research, special projects, campus events and athletic grants.

Financial contributions are just one method for alumni to support their alma mater. The “word of mouth” advertising of alumni is also extremely important. Every time an alum talks favorably about BSU to friends, colleagues and prospective students, there is a potential benefit to the university. BSU’s more than 30,000 alumni constitute its most effective means of promotion.

If you have already made your financial contribution to the foundation this year, thank you! If you are interested in making a gift, please use the pledge form below or call 1-888-234-5718.

Bemidji State University Foundation Alumni Pledge Form Name _________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________ City _____________________________ State _____ Zip _______ Phone __________________ Email _________________________ Please accept this gift of: $ _____ other / ___ $300 / ___ $100 / ___ $75 / ___ $30 Payment options: _____ Check (payable to: BSU Foundation) _____ Credit Card ______________________________________ _____ MasterCard or _____ VISA Credit Card Number _____________________________________ Exp. Date ________ Signature _____________________________ Electronic Fund Transfer (automatic bank withdrawals) _____ Please send me the paperwork and information.

Bemidji State University Foundation 1500 Birchmont Drive NE DPH Bemidji, MN 56601-2699 (218) 755-2762 or 1-888-234-5718

The BSU Alumni Association Has a Listserv Join fellow BSU alumni on the alumni listserve. To subscribe and unsubscribe from the list, all you need to do is send your commands to: listserv@info.bemidji. msus.edu The commands that the listserve understands are: SUBSCRIBE alumni, UNSCUBSCRIBE alumni, HELP. The first command subscribes an individual to the alumni list; the second one takes a person off the list; and the third one sends a help message.

These commands should go in the SUBJECT part of an e-mail.

After sending the SUBSCRIBE command, the listserv will reply to indicate a subscription has taken place. A similar message will appear for the UNSUBSCRIBE command.

Once subscribed, messages to the listserve can be sent to: alumni@info.bemidji.msus.edu

How to “Lock In” Giving For several years, Mr. and Mrs. Planner have made annual gifts of $300 to the BSU Foundation.

Gifts such as these made by the fictitious Planner family are appreciated by the BSU Foundation. The Foundation depends on people like the Planners who give regularly and generously. Without them, the Foundation could not provide the assistance needed by Bemidji State to attract and retain quality students or to complete its service missions.

Realizing the importance of their gift, the Planners might carry this scenario to the next step by “locking in” their giving. To do so individuals make a bequest in their wills allowing for a gift from their estate to the BSU Foundation. This gift would then be placed in the BSU Foundation scholarship endowment.

The endowment would then provide, in perpetuity, an extra annual amount of $300.

In essence, the Planners’ current gift of $300 would continue for gen-

Seven to be Inducted into Education Wall of Fame The BSU Department of Professional Education is proud to announce that the following individuals will be inducted into the 2000 BSU Education Wall of Fame on April 7 at 6 p.m. in the Beaux Arts Ballroom on campus.

The inductees are Virgil Boehland (Proctor Public Schools); Debra Kellerman (St. Cloud State University); Mark Fodness (Bemidji Middle School); Marcia Liapis (Worthington Area Jr. High School); Adele Munsterman (Fridley Public Schools); Vicki Olson Rowe (Bemidji Area Schools); and Elwyn Ruud (Roseau Elementary School).

The purpose of the award is twofold. First, the department wishes to honor teachers and administrators who demonstrate excellence in teaching students or managing schools. Second, by displaying the award winners in the Wall of Fame located in the Education Department, pre-service teacher education students and pre-service administration students are exposed to exceptional role models.

The six inductees will join 23 previous inductees with their pictures prominently displayed in the Education Art Building.

erations and their names would also be listed in the annual report of donors each year.

As with all endowment funds, the Foundation’s scholarship endowment preserves capital. This means that the money placed into the fund is not spent; only a portion of the annual earnings is awarded as the scholarship. The rest is left to help the fund grow so each year it can produce more and thus keep pace with inflation.

Anyone who leaves a bequest to the BSU Foundation can earmark all or a portion of this gift to the foundation scholarship endowment. Another option is to create an individual endowment, perhaps bearing the name of the donor or someone deserving of recognition. Because of the additional costs required to manage a separate endowment, however, the BSU Foundation requires a bequest of at least $10,000.

The rule of thumb to ensure a continued contribution is to give an amount equal to 20 times the annual gift amount. In the Planners’ example, they would need to make a bequest of $6,000 to generate at least $300 each year.

Endowments can be established during life with current gifts and then added to by bequest. Also, endowments can focus on a number of areas, not just scholarships.

To learn more about how to make a gift to an endowment fund, contact Tricia Bunten, acting director of development and director of annual giving programs. She will explain the various endowment options and demonstrate the advantages of giving appreciated stock to immediately start an endowment.

For questions contact the BSU Foundation, (218) 751-2762 or (tollfree) 1-888-234-5718.

Where We Are ... What We’re Doing (Continued from page 5)

wife and two daughters … Sheila (Reinhart) Luce (’85) of Tampa, FL, is manager of enforcement and administration for an environmental protection commission. She received her MBA in 1999 from Florida Metropolitan University. She has two children, Jennifer, 11, and Michelle, 5 … Michael Fox (’84) lives in Oakdale … Pam Schulz (’85) and Tom Schultz (’85) live in Bozeman, MT, with their three children. Pam works part-time for the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce and Tom works in sports information at Montana State University … Betty Arvidson (’85) was appointed Jan. 1 to the position of city clerk/treasurer for the City of Crookston …

Nancy (Rindal) Bynum (’88) of Elk River teaches physics and aviation and serves as a “best practice teacher” and “key leader” for the State of Minnesota … Debra Ferris (’86) is the new special education teacher at Goodridge High School and elementary school. She is returning to her hometown with a variety of teaching experiences gained while living in Thief River Falls, Germany, Virginia, Tennessee and Texas. She and her husband, who is retired from the U.S. Army, have two children, Sean, 4, and Kristen, 1.

They also have three older children, now all grown, by her husband’s previous marriage … Laurie Baughn (’85) of St. Paul is the assistant director of the accounting MBA and day MBA programs at the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business in Minneapolis … Craig Stubbins (’81) of Eden Prairie recently began working at Ancor Communications in Eden Prairie as a principle software engineer … John Schonnesen (’81) of

Monticello owns an executive search firm along with his wife. The couple has two children … Virginia (Hoemberg) Schwichtenberg (’84) of Staples is currently teaching students in the Alternative Learning Program at the Staples-Motley High School … Teresa (Page) Meierhofer (’85) has been employed with 3M for 14 years in finance and is currently the international tax manager for the United States, Latin America and Africa. Recent business travels include trips to Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Mexico. She is a member of the Minnesota Chapter of Tax Executives Inc. and previously served as president of the St. Paul Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants. She lives in Circle Pines with her husband, John, and their children, Jessica, 8, and Joshua, 5 … Sheila Ely (’89) of Grove City is a homemaker. She and her husband, Brian, are anticipating the birth of their fourth child in February … Paul Cyr (’89) is principal of Ellendale Middle School. He has been a high school math teacher and wrestling coach. Hobbies include officiating sports and trap shooting … Steve Katz (’89) of Fairfax, VA, is in his fourth year as a political intelligence officer with the Central Intelligence Agency and has been living in northern Virginia for six years. His wife, Nancy, is in her fourth year of directing the Shiloh Project, a non-profit she started to help at-risk youth by working with homeless animals … Laurie Sykes (’85) was hired this fall as the new administrator of the Leisure Hills Care Center of Grand Rapids. She comes to the area from International Falls where she was an administrator for 10 years. Prior to that she was a

social worker/workers compensation specialist and marketing coordinator for a similar facility. Sykes and her husband, Mike, have lived in International Falls most of their lives … Polly Sheppard (’86) began teaching sophomore and junior English and computer basics this fall at Greenway High School. She’d previously spent six years teaching middle school English in Waseca and prior to that taught for three years at Nicollet. Her Husband, Mark (’85) , teaches physical education at Greenway. The Sheppards have two daughters … Melanie Benjamin (’88) has announced her intention to seek the position of chief executive for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in the next tribal election slated for June.

Benjamin is no novice to tribal government. She was appointed by Chief Executive Art Gahbow in 1989 to the office of commissioner of 88/Melanie Benjamin administration, a position she held for eight years. She retained the position under Marge Anderson’s administration until 1997. From 1994-95 she took a leave of absence from tribal government to serve as senior vice president for the Grand Casino, Hinckley. Currently, Benjamin sits on the board of directors for Woodlands National Bank in Onamia … Tyrone Terrill (’87), director of the St. Paul Human Rights Department, was honored

at a “Rekindling the Flame” event, an evening sponsored by the International Leadership Institute to recognize individuals who have worked to eliminate social injustice and intolerance … Gary Wiersma (’86) filed as a candidate seeking election to the Medford School Board this fall. He is a computer programmer with Federated Insurance Companies.

Wiersma and his wife, Judy, have two children, Shelby, 5, and Dalton, 3. He serves on the Medford Park Board and in 1997-98 also served on the Medford Downtown Development Task Force … John Lund (’89) of Minnetonka is employed as purchasing manager for Donaldson Company. He and his wife, Brenda, have two sons, Ben, 4, and Royce, 11-months … Kim Seath (’81) graduated from the Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS. Sgt. Seath is a logistics plans supervisor assigned to the 90th Space Wing at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, WY … Kathy (Anderson) Lindstrom (’88) of St. Paul works along with her husband, Tom, with a ministry to Mainland Chinese students at the University of Minnesota. The couple has a five-month-old son, Stewart. From 1990 to 1996 Kathy lived in China where she taught English and studied the Chinese language. She and Tom have been married since 1996 … Camilla (Edquist) Lejon (’86) is a marketing communications manager for FACTUM Electronics AB in Linkoping, Sweden. Her husband of nine years, Hakan, is a systems project manager for Ericsson Radio Systems. They have two children, Oscar, 7, and Louise, 6 … Carol Lofrano (’82) of Delano is employed as an aide in the Delano

Middle School media center. She had previously worked for the Hennepin County Libraries. She has three children … Michael Hedlund (’87) and Paula (Rovillard) Hedlund (’86) live in East Grand Forks.

Michael is a sergeant with the Grand Forks Police Department and Paula teaches in the East Grand Forks Schools as well as coaching volleyball and basketball.

They have three daughters, Alexandra, Kori and Lauren … Ken Gagner (’86) of Morris continues to teach fifth grade and coach football and basketball at Morris area schools. His wife, Jill, works at the USDA soils lab in Morris and the couple has three children, Jessica, ninth grade, Heather, third grade and Grant, second grade … Stephanie (Wagner) Glascock (’89) and her husband, Don, announce the Dec. 3 birth of a son … Rhonda Pickar (’85) of Maple Grove works as a creative services coordinator and has two sons, Logan, 5, and Mason, 3 … LuAnn (Dickinson) Hamilton (’85) of Stevens Point, WI, has retired from a career in psychotherapy and plans to indulge her passion for sewing, gardening, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren … Marcella Hallan (’80) lives in Keewatin and has been retired from a career with Itasca County Human Services since 1994 … Cynthia Larsen (’86) of Akeley is teaching in the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School District …

Sandra Tieman (’82) of Castle Rock, CO, owns and teaches at a Montessori School … Margaret (Runyan) Ruffino (’87) lives in Excelsior and teaches fifth grade in the Minnetonka School District … Susan Johnson (’82) of St. Michael is the business manager for Brook West Family Dentistry …

Horizons Page 7

Communiques

Communiques

from alumni

San Diego Area BSU Alumni Reception

AND SUE KRINGEN, DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS

Homecoming festivities scheduled for Oct. 6-7

Mark Oct. 6 and 7 on your calendar today and plan to attend BSU Homecoming 2000. This year’s theme is “Catch Beaver Fever.” All activities will be held on campus including the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6, and the Honors Luncheon and traditional homecoming football game on Saturday, Oct. 7. The “fifth” quarter alumni celebration and silent auction will follow the football game.

Class reunions planned for graduates of 1950 and 1960

The 50-year reunion of the class of 1950 will be held on May 11-12 in conjunction with Bemidji State University’s Commencement. Bruce Atwater has volunteered to serve as the reunion chairman. Registration will take place at the David Park House on the afternoon of May 11, followed by an opening reception that evening. All 50-year reunion participants are invited to serve as honor guard during BSU’s banquet hosted by BSU President Dr. M. James Bensen. For additional information, contact the BSU Alumni Office at 218-755-3989 or 1-877-BSU-ALUM (toll free).

The Class of 1960 will hold its 40-year reunion during BSU Homecoming 2000 on Oct. 6-7. All 1960 graduates are encouraged to participate in a weekend filled with reminiscing, fun and nostalgia. Information regarding registration will arrive in the mail soon.

For additional information, contact the BSU Alumni Office at 218-755-3989 or call 1-877-BSU-ALUM (toll free).

Evergreen Club offers chance to network

The Evergreen Club is organized to provide young alumni of Bemidji State University with the opportunity to network amongst themselves. If you are interested in participating or volunteering to serve on one of the committees of the organization, feel free to contact Co-Chairs Jennifer Thoen-Swenson at: thoen@daily.umn.edu or Tresa King at: mtking @frontiernet.net.

Margaret Bahr (’87) of Bemidji is employed as MIS (’92) and her husband, Gary, of Sibley, IA, announce the September birth of a daughter, Stephanie … manager at Red Lake Hospital.

Melissa (Franz) Marcotte (’92) married Glen 1990s Marcotte on Aug. 14. The couple lives in Nisswa and Andrew Messer (’94) recently accepted the position Melissa works as a CPA at Kummet, Larson, Bluth of instructional designer in the Corporate Training & and Company, Brainerd. She previously lived in Development Department of Greyhound Lines, Inc. Minneapolis where she worked for four years as a financial analyst for Minnegasco Home Service Plus He started as a customer assistance specialist with Greyhound in 1998 and prior to that worked as a front … Karen A. Busch (’91) of Alexandria is a writing instructor at the Alexandria Technical College. She desk manager for Red Roof Inns, Inc., in Corpus Christi, TX … Daniel R. Hokanson (’99) works as a recently moved back to Minnesota after spending five years in North Dakota at Minot State University human resources manager for Resort Theaters of … Bradley Budish (’96) is a middle school physical America and lives in Palm Desert, CA … Peter education and health teacher and a coach in the Johnson (’97) currently works at NDSCS, a junior Garland School District of Texas. He lives in college in Wahpeton, ND, as a complex supervisor.

He is in charge of a building housing 350 students …

Shane Zutz (’98) is in his second year of teaching communications at Franklin Middle School at Thief River Falls. He also coaches football and baseball and is working on a degree in education administration through MSU-Mankato. He and his wife, Mya, have one son … Bonnie Dehlin Wensloff (’91) and Tracey Wensloff announce the Oct. 16 birth of a daughter, Katherine. Bonnie teaches 7-12 vocal music at Roseau High School and is on a one-year leave of absence. Tracey teaches calculus and algebra at Roseau High School … Patrick Mooney (’91) of Big Lake works as a software engineer for Select Comfort … Carl Rudi (’90) of Colfax, WI, is in his eighth year of teaching seventh-grade math at Colfax Middle School. He and his wife have two children, Alexis, 3, and Jarrod, 1 … Kristen (Fredin) Vipond Melissa (Franz) Marcotte

Fourteen Bemidji State University Alumni living in the San Diego area met on January 11 for a reception sponsored by the BSU Alumni Association. The event, held at the Admiral Kidd Club, was arranged by BSU alumni president Jeff Wallin and his wife Christel. Those alumni who attended are pictured (left to right) front row: Bill Jacoby ’70/’74, Jan Kittleson ’57, June Nasvik Johnson ’49, Eva Young ’49, Eldridge Erickson ’39, Alden Kittleson ’55. Back row: Jeff Wallin ’70, Ed Johnson ’50, Gary Olson ’50, Scott Currie ’80, John Helley ’79/’83, Dan Eliseuson ’70, Jeff Wilson ’84, Tom Heaviland ’80 (not pictured Jerry Padrta ’54). Special guests included Dr. Gary Hayes, president, U.S. International University and former chancellor of the Minnesota State University System; Sue Kringen, acting executive director of the BSU Foundation and Alumni Association and Tom Faecke, BSU vice president for administrative affairs.

Alumni Invited to Mass Communication Spring Awards Banquet The mass communication faculty and students invite all alumni to the annual awards banquet to be held April 28 at the Bemidji Elks Club.

Hospitality hour is at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. Student awards will be presented as well as an address

by this year’s Outstanding Mass Communication Alumnus. The cost is $10.

Alumni are encouraged to plan to visit classes and network with current students. They are also invited to share their experiences with Kris

Alumni Invited to Share Success Stories The BSU Alumni Association is collecting stories about the successes of its members.

An ad-hoc committee of the BSU Alumni Association board of directors is looking for stories about the exceptional achievements of alumni or current students. The admissions staff will use the stories when visiting with potential students. They also may be featured in HORIZONS or used by BSU President Dr. M. James Bensen and university faculty and staff when making presentations and sharing information about the institution.

Alumni who wish to share success stories are encouraged to contact the BSU Alumni Association Office by e-mail at: alumni@vax1.bemidji. msus.edu; by FAX at 218-755-4146; or by mailing stories to: BSU Alumni Association; 1500 Birchmont Dr NE #DPH, Bemidji, MN 56601-2601.

For additional information, contact the BSU Alumni Association Office at 218-755-3989 or 1-877-BSU-ALUM (toll free).

Geisen who will be retiring this year after serving the university and the department for more than 30 years.

To register, contact Roger Paskvan by calling 218-755-3903 or e-mailing rpaskvan@vax1.bemidj.msus.edu.

In Memoriam Holland Thompson (’77) of Kissimmee, FL Gregory Plotnik (’72) of Pendleton, SC Janet Esty (’64) of Boulder, CO Reuben R. Lervik (’65) of Hibbing Roberta Vorbeck (’80) of Boise, ID John Wyant Jr. (’76) of St. Cloud Rita Haagenson (’55) of Babbitt Michael Forsberg (’78) of Minneapolis Gordon Yalch (’83) of Brainerd Richard Walter (’50) of Winona, TX

Richardson, TX … Ken Alexander (’96) of Duluth finished his master’s degree in education at Hamline University last year and helped open two charter schools during 1999. He is now substitute teaching for Duluth Public Schools while Ken Alexander working on an education specialist degree for principalship at the University of Wisconsin, Superior … Julie Maciej (’97) lives in Bowlus … Nicholas Neeb (’95) of East Hampton, MA, is a systems engineer with General Dynamics, Pittsfield, MA. On July 10 he married Rosalyn Eaton of Worthington. She is the assistant director of leadership development at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA … Mike Snyder (’93) and Jill Snyder (’94) celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on Oct. 29. They currently live in Sioux Falls, SD, where Mike is manager of media and broadcasting for Sioux Falls Stampede Hockey and Jill is branch service representative at a Norwest subsidiary bank … Valerie Opheim (’98) of Fergus Falls is teaching second grade at Adams Elementary in Fergus Falls. This is her first year of teaching after spending a year of subbing K-8 and a long period of subbing sixth grade … Amy Calhoun (’96) of Barbourville, KY, recently moved there to work as an athletic trainer in a high school/college

… Debra A. Jelenchich-Jensen (’92) of Brainerd has been teaching in the Crosby-Ironton District for seven years. She began work on a master’s degree this fall. She and her husband, Floyd Jensen, have two daughters, Rosie and Michelle, and are anticipating the birth of a baby in June … Alita Russ (’99) of Minneapolis currently works at the Clarity Coverdale Fury advertising agency in Minneapolis as a creative department intern, with hopes of securing a future position as an art director or assistant … Jennifer Stefan (’99) is a new secondgrade teacher at the King School, Deer River. Last year, she student taught at the King School … Erika Danielson (’98) will split her time at King School, Deer River, this year serving as both a half-time tutor and third-grade teacher. Last year she was a full-time Title I tutor for the third and fourth grades at King School … Ryan Holmgren (’99) was hired this fall as the new social studies teacher at NRHEG High Debra A. Jelenchich-Jensen School, Ellendale … Steven Bernard (’95) of setting. She is engaged to Brett Hand of Greenville, McIntosh teaches ed SC, and the couple is planning a summer wedding … tech and CAD at Battle Amy Funk (’99) is working in a nine-month Lake High School … internship at River Bend Nature Center, Faribault, Tami Jo Schmidt (’95) leading elementary students on outdoor tours of the of Brainerd is planning center. In 1998 she served as a summer intern at River a June wedding with Bend … Craig Stenzel (’90) married Wendy Robin Cook (’96) …

Lindberg of Rochester on July 3 and the couple Mike Staples (’95) bought a home in Rochester in October … Jodi works in law Sladek (’90) of Bend, OR, works at the Deschutes enforcement for the County Sheriff’s Department and plans to finish a (Continued on page 8) master’s degree in social work by early this summer Ericka Danielson

Horizons Page 8

Blandin Foundation Grant Supports Start of

Northern Tier High Technology Corridor

Alumni Career Network is Online The new Bemidji State University Alumni Career

The Blandin Foundation has awarded Bemidji State a $121,000 grant to help create partnerships between the private sector and higher education institutions from Grand Forks, ND, across northern Minnesota to Superior, WI. Called the Northern Tier High Technology Corridor, the project will follow Highway 2 and draw on the strength of nearly 30 institutions of higher education to support the research or development ventures of business and industry.

The grant will be used to build relationships between the region’s knowledge resources, economic development forces, and for-profit companies. It will nurture an atmosphere where collaboration will be an integral part of future planning.

“Northern Minnesota is viewed by much of the state as a remote area lacking knowledge resources and a technically competent workforce,” said Dr. David Kingsbury, director of the BSU Center for Research and Innovation who wrote the grant with Mike Wellcome of the CRI. “After tourism, timber, mining and agriculture, northern Minnesota is seen by many as a nice place to visit but not a location where one would invest in a high technology business.

“In reality, northern Minnesota has tremendous resources in its colleges and universities that serve the region.

There are also a large number of companies that use a number of high technologies in a variety of applications.”

Scheduled to take a year, the project will accomplish several objectives: •inventory the research and development resources of all higher education institutions located in and adjacent to northern Minnesota.

•catalog the knowledge resources with information available on the Internet and in hard copy.

•identify the region’s technology and industrial parks, including infrastructure capacity.

•increase the awareness of the regional knowledge and technology resources on a national level.

•serve as a Web portal and referral service for community economic development organizations, local governments and companies.

To initiate the process, staff from the CRI will identify successful business and education technology partnerships to use as benchmarks in developing best-case practices. They will then consult with prospective partners from business, industry, governments, economic development groups, higher education institutions and other entities in the design and implementation of the project.

Finally, an Internet site will be developed as a tool to use in exploring

collaborative opportunities and to reduce redundant efforts.

The grant is seen as an important step toward creating the backbone of what has the potential of becoming a highly visible and much needed resource.

“Demographics show a migration of people to urban settings, a trend that concerns rural Minnesota,” said Dr. Jim Bensen, BSU president.

“Rural leaders committed to reversing that trend understand that a viable economic base will hold people in their communities and attract new talent to make cities grow. They also know that colleges and universities are critical components for longrange survival.”

Located two miles north of the BSU campus at 3801 Bemidji Avenue, the CRI is operated by the University to promote partnerships with a wide variety of clients in the private and public sectors.

Network is online and designed for career exploration and networking opportunities with alumni currently working in their field. Alumni of BSU are highly encouraged to volunteer to be a part of this

F.P.O.

exciting program which offers alumni assistance in a variety of areas, including career information and advice, networking, job search strategies, potential employers ... and more. Log in at: http://ea.bemidji.msus.edu./ cservices/description.html

Where We Are ... What We’re Doing (Continued from page 7)

Gerald Bergin

Carrie Thomas

U.S. Forest Service. He works out of Cass Lake and covers the Chippewa National Forest’s one million acres, along with one other officer who is stationed in Walker. He’s served in his current position for five years … Robert Kreye (’97) of Little Canada works as a health, safety and environmental engineer for Honeywell Advanced Circuits, a printed circuitboard manufacturer in Hopkins …

Heidi Fritz (’98) of Worthington teaches fourth grade at West Elementary in Worthington and also coaches softball … Paula Pesch (’95) and Mark Lee Anderson were married June 5 at Evangelical Covenant Church in Bemidji. Sue is pursuing an education specialist degree in school psychology at the University of Montana and her husband is a commercial loan officer at Rocky Mountain Bank in Stevensville, MT, where the couple now lives …

Brian Kobs

Diane Leader

Stacy Titus (’98) teaches seventh- and eighth-grade social studies at Ellis … Jeff Wickstrom (’91) teaches an algebra I and basic standards algebra class at International Falls High School. His wife, Vicky, is employed at the Falls Elementary School and the couple has a daughter, Brooke, who is in kindergarten … Gerald Bergin (’98) teaches several auto maintenance classes, small engines, and industrial technology at Mesabi East. He has three grown children, two daughters and a son …

Carrie Thomas (’93) is a new member of the teaching staff at Tower-Soudan Schools … Sarah Lynn Forsman (’99) recently received the Candidate of High Distinction Award from the State of Minnesota Board of Accountancy and also the Award of Excellence from the Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is employed at KPMG in Minneapolis as an assistant tax specialist …

Brian Johnson (’96) is a shift manager with

Telespectrum Worldwide Inc., Bemidji, a company specializing in customer loyalty management solutions … Tina Lisell (’95) is also a shift manager with Telespectrum Worldwide Inc., Bemidji … Brian Kobs (’97) is a secondMary Ward grade teacher at Chatfield Elementary. Last year he taught sixth grade in Blooming Prairie and for the past five years he’s coached wrestling … Brian Michaelson (’99) teaches earth science to eighth-graders at the Redwood Valley Middle School. He is engaged and is planning a June wedding … Diane Leader (‘99) of Sebeka was hired in October as family service counselor at the Otter Tail-Wadena Community Action Council, a nonprofit agency which helps lowincome families. She had previously worked as a medical assistant at the Sebeka Clinic and as a home health care aid and returned to BSU’s Friday College program to earn a degree in social work. Leader is married and has two teen-age children. … Craig Hall (’93) was among three who filed as candidates to fill three open seats on the Frazee-Vargas School Board this fall. He is employed at Straight River Engineering in Park Rapids as a manufacturing engineer … Mary Ward (’93) filed this fall as a

candidate to the Bertha-Hewitt School Board. She and her husband, Bill, have operated a 400-acre dairy farm in the area and raised their five children there during the past 27 years … Pernille Ottosen (’90) is a doctor at the Duluth Clinic, Deer River.

She joined the medical staff in family practice at the clinic a year ago and has a special interest in alternative medicine … Philip Leen (’98) was hired this fall as a math teacher at Indus High School. It’s his first teaching position. Leen is married and has three children … Michael McCartney (’94) and Kathy McCartney (’94) live in Amery, WI, where Michael serves as pastor of the New Life Community Church and also works part-time as a special education teacher at the Clayton Middle School. Kathy is employed as a first-grade teacher in Clayton Public Schools …

Luke Roberts (’99) of Fargo was recently named director of operations for the FM Beez professional basketball organization. He’s in charge of game day operations for the Beez as well as marketing and advertising … Martise Smith (’97) is a health and physical education teacher at Folwell Middle School, Minneapolis. She plans to marry Jesse Radabaugh April 1 in Roseville. He is employed at U.S. Bank, Minneapolis …Gerald F. Burke (’97) recently qualified and enlisted in the U.S. Navy for guaranteed training in the Radiation Health Program … Lou Janesich (’92) of Grand Rapids is a part-time reading teacher in the Grand Rapids School District and also coaches boys’ and girls’

Boyd and Sara (Raderschadt) Hager

junior varsity tennis … Sara (Raderschadt) Hager (’97) and Boyd Hager (’98) were married in August.

Sara teaches first grade in Las Vegas, NV, and Boyd teaches seventh-grade math. The couple hopes to move back to Minnesota … John Ingebritson (’96) of Pipestone teaches first and fourth grade at Pipestone schools and also coaches junior high wrestling … M. Elaine Bonnell (’95) is an ESL teacher at Warroad Middle School … Pat Grahek (’92) of Virginia was named in May to the position of executive director of Arrowhead Center Inc., an agency addressing the problems of alcohol and chemical dependency … Eric Johnston (’94) of Farmington is a financial analyst at Ecolab Inc. He is also starting his own financial services company on a part-time basis.