winter05 by Bemidji State University

BSUHorizons Vol. 20, No. 2, Winter 2004-05

Weaver's Story, p.3

BSUCalendar February 4, 2005 BSU Foundation Board Meeting March 19 – 21, 2005 BSU Winter Rendezvous, Laughlin, NV April 1, 2005 BSU Foundation Board Meeting April 23, 2005 BSU Alumni Association Board Meeting

A Publication for Alumni & Friends of Bemidji State University

Family Lines Cross at

BEMIDJI STATE

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May 12, 2005 50-Year Class Reunion of Class of 1955

May 13, 2005 BSU Commencement June 3, 2005 BSU Foundation Board Meeting Check www.bsualumni.org for a more complete calendar of events taking place on the BSU campus.

The two maple trees grew in

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May 13, 2005 4th Annual Golden Beaver Society Luncheon

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fertile Minnesota soil, not far from each other. They shared the same nurturing environment, but had no contact. Years passed, trunks expanded, decades inevitably succumbed, limbs reached for open sunlight, generations passed, and finally branches crossed and touched. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– So it was for the Wirt family and the Hetteen family. Their family traditions in northern Minnesota followed similar paths, with Bemidji State University providing a common link through generations of hope and, eventually, a blending of futures. As immigrants from Sweden, the family of Lydia Hetteen settled near the Minnesota-Canadian border outside of Roseau when she was a young child in 1889. Lydia married, becoming Lydia Larson and, while a housewife with three children, found a teaching job. She needed additional education to stay in the classroom. It took her and her family several days to make the trip by horse and buggy to the four-year-old Bemidji State Teachers College. While she took her ﬁrst classes in the summer of 1923, she stayed in a tent pitched in Diamond Point. When she was finished, she headed back north and taught for nine years in Garland, Grimstad and later Malung. She died in 1980. The trips to Bemidji State by Lydia’s relatives continued and the family tree with ties to the school branched out through related generations of Lisells, Ecklunds, Vagles, and eventually to Linda Dick, Lydia’s granddaughter who started at Bemidji State University in 1985. Mary Wirt started at BSTC a few

Top left to bottom: Lydia Hetteen; Linda Dick with Birch Hall residents; Linda Brasgalla today. Top right to bottom: Mary Wirt; Judy and Ardean Brasgalla with children at Ardean’s BSU graduation; Mary, Judy and Dan Brasgalla; Dan Brasgalla today. In front, Noah Brasgalla.

years after Hetteen had left, also with summer school. She was obtaining classes that would allow her to maintain her teaching credential and continue working at a small schoolhouse near Baudette. Her married name became Peggar, and she maintained ties to Bemidji State by taking occasional extension classes through 1962. She taught in Loman Elementary west of International Falls for 35 years before she retired. She passed away in 1998. She was still teaching when her daughter Judy Peggar as well as son Lawrence Peggar both attended what had become Bemidji State College in the 1960s. Judy met and married her roommate’s brother, Ardean Brasgalla, who also graduated from BSC. By the time their daughter Susan and son Dan Brasgalla came to the same school in the early 1980s, that fertile ground for hopes and dreams was known as Bemidji State University.

And the two family trees crossed, Hetteen and Wirt joining at the Brasgalla branch. “Dan was just finishing up and I was just starting when I met him in Birch Hall, the same place where his mother had met his father,” said Linda (Dick) Brasgalla. After Dan finished, he managed a store in Bemidji where Linda also worked. They became friends, and were married in 1992. She is now a customer service representative with Impact Mailing and Fulfillment in Minneapolis while Dan is employed by Asplundh Tree Experts. “Grandma said she always enjoyed school, but she didn’t talk much about it,” Linda said of Lydia. “The thing that stands out most was her age. Going to school when she was about 35 was very unusual for that day and age. Also, she had three kids at home at that point. She must have been a very forward-thinking person to make that type of decision in the 1920s. “When she was teaching, she

brought her three kids to school for the week with her. They stayed in a room at the schoolhouse and went home for weekends. It was only 20 miles away, but in that day, it was a great distance.” Linda decided to attend BSU because it was close, yet far enough away, from home. Her memories include meeting her husband, heated tunnels, stressing out over 7 a.m. math classes ﬁve days a week, and listening as the residents made Tamarack the biggest speaker around by putting all the radios in the hall’s windows and tuning them to the same station. “Bemidji State is one thing that created who I am,” Linda said. “I can’t imagine life any different than it is now. Although I haven’t taught, my education degree has helped me every day. I’ve done quite a bit of training with my jobs, and it’s amazing how a background in elementary education also works with adults.” Continued on page 8

Horizons Page 2

Summerat BSU

A Great Opportunity and Time

“O

ne of our main focuses is to encourage our summer session students and their families to take advantage of BSU’s terrific natural setting while they are here. It’s also a great time for families with high school students to schedule a campus tour.” Lynn Johnson

C ompleting graduate credits

toward a master’s degree, water skiing, earning that extra licensure or certification, enjoying professional summer theater, enhancing a resume with a specialized course, exploring a regional shopping center, participating in a writer’s conference, hiking in Itasca State Park. At first glance, these may seem like mutually exclusive activities. But that impression can easily be dispelled when the location is Bemidji State University. Every summer, students of all ages return to BSU to continue their education and many double their pleasure in returning to Bemidji by planning a great vacation around their course work. Bemidji State is putting the final touches on a 2005 session that extends this year from May 31 to August 5. It features hundreds of offerings, varying in length from a few days to five weeks, in virtually all disciplines. A full undergraduate and graduate summer schedule is offered including workshops such as the Minnesota Northwoods Writers

Conference, short courses, music and sports camps and intensive condensed-credit programs designed to fulfill the continuing education needs of educators. With staggered starting dates and differing lengths of programs, students are able to find a schedule that will accommodate their needs and time considerations. “In some cases programs are designed specifically to meet the needs of teachers who have time in the summer to come for as long as five weeks to complete course work required for their master’s studies or to fulfill licensure requirements,” said Lynn Johnson, assistant to the dean for distance learning and summer school. With the lake and so much more close at hand, it’s just natural for summer session attendees to want to bring along their families and BSU is ready to accommodate them.

“One of our main focuses is to encourage our summer session students and their families to take advantage of BSU’s terriﬁc natural setting while they are here,” said Johnson. “It’s also a great time for families with high school students to schedule a campus tour.” Johnson noted that many students who are starting school in the fall use the BSU summer calendar to get ahead on their educational path by enrolling in general education courses, which may then be applied to their program of study at BSU or transferred to another higher education institution. She also said that a large number of students currently enrolled in colleges and universities attend BSU summer classes to catch up on their degree requirements.

The 2005 summer schedule will be available online in midDecember at www.bemidjistate. edu/summersession. Registration will begin February 7. Because course cancellations are based on enrollment on May 2, Johnson encourages students to register early to help insure that their desired classes will be offered. In addition to the array of educational options, Bemidji State also accommodates summer students in other areas. The Department of Residential Life and BSU Dining Services have opportunities for students and their families to live and dine on campus. Families typically stay in two-room suites in Tamarack Hall with the following services provided: direct internet access, reception desk service, study rooms, social lounges, vending machines and a laundry. Weekday a la carte dining and snacks are available on campus with meal plans and special arrangement for groups available. Catering to those who want to take advantage of BSU’s unique natural surroundings, the Outdoor Program Center (OPC) rents a variety of equipment including canoes, sailboats, sailboards, mountain bikes and camping equipment. The OPC also offers clinics as well as weekend and extended canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing and backpacking trips throughout Minnesota. For indoor exercise and sports enthusiasts, the Gillett RecreationFitness Center is available to summer students. The facility includes both free and ﬁxed weight rooms, cardiovascular equipment, five racquetball/handball courts, a swimming pool, an aerobic/dance studio, indoor 200-meter track and four multipurpose courts for basketball, tennis, volleyball and badminton. Bemidji’s summer amenities include the Paul Bunyan Playhouse, extensive options for dining and socializing, growing retail venues both in downtown locations and at larger mall areas, and countless possibilities to explore the outdoors up north in Minnesota. Speciﬁc questions about summer sessions at Bemidji State can be addressed by visiting the web site (www.bemidjistate.edu/summer) or calling 1-800-852-7422.

Horizons Page 3

Story Weaver Story BECOMES

FEATURE FILM

I t was film maker Ali Selim

on the phone one Friday in late September, calling BSU faculty member and author Will Weaver. They had first met 10 years earlier when Selim bought movie rights to Weaver’s short story, A Gravestone Made of Wheat. In the decade that passed, the two had some conversation, but Weaver had no inclination of what was on the director’s mind. “He asked if my agent had told me A Gravestone Made of Wheat was finally going to be made into a movie,” said Weaver, who responded that he had not heard about the movie. “He indicated that it was, and by the way, shooting was to begin on Monday.” That call set in motion a month of activity around Montevideo, MN, where the filming was to take place. A crew and cast of 60 had assembled in the southwestern Minnesota town with a production schedule that included six days per week and 12 hours per day at various locations. The film was tentatively titled A Wedding Photo, and was an adaptation of Weaver’s story about faith and commitment as a Norwegian immigrant farmer and his mail-order, German bride struggle to find love in post-World War I rural Minnesota. Scenes from the movie move back and

“H

e asked if my agent had told me A Gravestone Made of Wheat was finally going to be made into a movie,” said Weaver, who responded that he had not heard about the movie. “He indicated that it was, and by the way, shooting was to begin on Monday.” Will Weaver

Will Weaver on location for ﬁlming of the Wedding Photo

forth from the 1920s to 1968 and to the present. Although the independent ﬁlm has a low budget, just over $1 million, it has attracted a big-name cast that includes Alex Kingston (ER), Alan Cumming (Spy Kids, X-Men 2, 3) Ned Beatty (Deliverance, Showboat), Tim Guinee (Ladder 49), John Heard (Home

Alone 1, 2), and Elizabeth Reasor (The Mind Gap). “This is low-budget by Hollywood standards,” said Tom Lieberman, executive producer of Wedding Photo. “But don’t judge this production by its cost. We’re really trying to make this something beyond an afternoon special. “Independent films normally

Where We Are ... What We’re Doing BSUHorizons Vol. 20, No. 2, Winter 2004-05 Produced by the Communications 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. Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Al Nohner Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy Berglund Photographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Swartz President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Jon Quistgaard Alumni Director . . . . . . . . .Marla Huss Patrias Contributing Writers Jody Grau, Cindy Serratore Editorial Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . Peggy Nohner Editorial Board: Dr Joanne Fredrickson, Jason Swanson, Keith Marek, Ed McDunn, Al Nohner, and Marla Huss Patrias. A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, Bemidji State University is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 1-800-475-2001 or 218-755-3883. 05-018

ALL CITIES ARE LOCATED IN MINNESOTA UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

1930s

1940s

Conrad Stai (’39) of Montevideo and 19 members of Otto Mickelson (’47) and his wife, Patricia, live in his family went on a weeklong Glacier Bay Cruise in Eagan. Alaska from Sitka to Juneau inAugust. Four genera1950s tions of the family were represented with Conrad the oldest at 86 and Megan Stai the youngest at 18-months. Travis Olson (’50) lives in Hendrun where he still does some basketball coaching and tutoring and a great deal of ﬁshing, hunting and gardening... Darrell Stave (’50) of Baxter has been retired for 20 years and has been volunteering at the school in Baxter for 15 years. He and his wife, Liz, have four grown children... Dick Green (’56) of Bloomington served as a juror for watercolor entries at the Fine Arts Exhibit of the Minnesota State Fair this year. One of his paintings was awarded the award of excellence at the San Diego International Exhibition. He was also honored when he was awarded master status by the Transparent Watercolor Society of America in Elmhurst, IL. He and his wife, Janet, have two grown children, Kristin and Kent... John Buckanaga (’59) Conrad Stai and granddaughter Megan and his wife, Donna, celebrated their 50th wedding

don’t get name talent like we have. It’s hard to attract them with money, so we got them with Weaver’s original work, Selim’s talent, and the power of the film script. And this is a beautiful script.” It was well-worked, expanding Weaver’s original from a 25-page short story to a 130-page script. Comparing the process to sending a child into the world and not knowing who they will take up with or how they will change, Weaver found his story at the heart of the Selim’s revision and was pleased with the film version. That process was quite different than the last film produced from Weaver’s writing. Red Earth, White Earth was a full-length book that found its story compressed to fit a made-for-TV format. Weaver wrote A Gravestone Made of Wheat after he returned from studies on the West Coast and was teaching at Bemidji State University. A native of Park Rapids, he had finished a master’s degree at Stanford, and found a way back to his Min-

anniversary on September 4... Lloyd Lee (’56) and his wife, Shirley Lee, (’57), were honored as the Experienced Americans for May at the Golden Link Senior Center in Crookston. From 1960 until their retirement in 1994, Shirley taught science in Crookston while Lloyd ran the band/music program in the Crookston schools. They have a daughter, Sondi, and two grandsons... RobertW. Fiskum (1958) former soccer coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater had the soccer ﬁeld named in his honor in ceremonies held on September 11, 2004. Fiskum coached the Warhawk men’s team longer and to more victories than any other soccer coach in UW-W history. Prior to coming to UW-Whitewater in 1965, Bob had taught at Flint Community College in Michigan and Palm Beach Junior College in Florida. He and his wife Yvonne E. Siats (’54 & ’63) have residences in Wisconsin and Arkansas.

nesota roots by writing fiction. “I was happy that Selim bought the film rights,” Weaver said. “He has a reputation of doing worthwhile, high quality work. I felt Gravestone was in good hands.” Selim built his experience around commercial film assignments in the Twin Cities, and has moved to longer projects. His credentials include writing, directing and producing Emperor of the Air, which won several awards at international film festivals in 1996. Weaver spent time in Montevideo for some of the filming, and even earned a non-speaking part as a local farmer. The locations, settings and scenes were realistic for the 1920s. Montevideo included a historic Milwaukee Road depot and nearby were Chippewa Pioneer Village sites, Heritage Hill with antique farm and power machinery, and the Swensson Farm Museum. The film is now in the postproduction stage, with work scheduled to continue until ready for release sometime in 2005.

School. He had retired from a career in Bloomington Public Schools in 1998 but “missed the kids and action of a high school”... Mary Snorek (’69) has retired from a 35-year career of teaching music with most of that time spent in the Bertha-Hewitt School District. She has taught elementary singing, theory, junior and Mary Snorek senior high choir, seventh and eighth grade general choir and swing choir. For the last 15 years she’s also been the video crew advisor. She made quilts for each of her senior choir stu1960s dents during her last year of teaching... AlanYarwood Richard Belpedio (’66) of Coon Rapids retired (’69) has retired from a in 2000 and has been enjoying substitute teaching 35-year teaching career. He in area elementary schools ever since. He and his taught in the Eagle Valley wife, Nancy, have two children, Erin, 15, and Emile, Alan Yarwood School District for the past 12. Nancy is a special education teacher... Janice 16 years and had previously taught for 19 years at the (Danielson) Lundsten (’62) retired from 32 years Clarissa High School. He was selected as teacher of of teaching in 1997 and performs in the Woodtick the year in 1997 and had the school annual dedicated Musical Theatre, Akeley, in the summers. She and her husband, Bill, have two grown children, Randy, to him in 1983... Steve Estenson (’69) was honored this summer with the award of the National Federa36, and Rick, 34, and four grandchildren... John Bianchi (’62) is the new principal at Humboldt High tion of State High Schools Association’s Citation in Speech and Debate. The award is given to one educaContinued on page 4

Horizons Page 4

SportsFALL Wrap SPORTS Wrap Soccer

Kristen Smith

Volleyball Under second-year head coach Kim Falkenhagen, BSU finished 10-21 overall and 3-11 in NSIC play against one of the more challenging schedules in school history. BSU played nationallyranked opposition nine times in 31 matches. First-year players Brittney Burns and Brittney Carlson were the on-court leaders for the team, with Burns finishing second in kills (348) and Carlson leading the team in blocks (76). Senior Heather Haugen became just the sixth player in school history to reach 1,000 career kills and finished in BSU's career top 10 in six statistical categories. Kristin Smith was named First-Team Academic All-District V, and she led a group of five BSU volleyball players on the Fall Academic AllNSIC team.

Soccer had the most successful season in its history, finishing 1112 overall and 3-4 in NSIC play. BSU's 11 wins nearly tripled the previous school mark (4), and the Beavers made the NSIC Tournament for the first time, knocking off Concordia-St. Paul in the first round. BSU set new standards for goals (53), assists (49) and points (155). Katie Meinhardt set a school single-season record with 14 goals, and Lindsey Natwick became the school's career assists leader with 17. Four BSU players earned All-NSIC laurels, and Christina Egnell was named Third-Team Academic All-District V.

Christina Egnell

Cross Country

Jeff Tesch

Football

Cross country had a strong fall campaign, finishing second at the NSIC Championships and seeing Christa Pribula and Nicole Friend earn All-NSIC honors. Both finished in the top five amongst individuals at the NSIC meet. Pribula was BSU's top finisher at all events this year.

Men's Golf

Bemidji State posted an eightMen's golf topped win season for Minnesotajust the fourth Crookston by one time in school stroke, 632-633, history, finishing to narrowly finish 8-3 under head second at the NSIC coach Jeff Tesch Championships a n d n a r r ow ly behind an eighthmissing a berth place individual in a post-season f inish from Allen Christa Pribula bowl game on a Zutz. Zutz shot an tiebreaker. The Beavers had a 80-76=156 for the tournament, school-record nine players named becoming the first BSU golfer All-Conference, and Tesch picked to earn All-NSIC honors since up career win No. 54 to become 2002. Hiraku Aoki missed Allthe school's all-time leader in NSIC honors by one football coaching victories. BSU stroke, finishing with set school records for rushing at- a 157. BSU grabbed tempts, rushing yardage and rush- a third-place finish at ing touchdowns, and finished as the Central Regional the highest-scoring team in school Fall Invitational behistory. Blaine Thomas and Mitch hind a 76-73=149 Feierabend earned Academic All- from Toby PalmiscDistrict V honors, with that duo no, who tied for secheadlining a group of five Aca- ond individually at the event. demic All-NSIC honorees.

Dana Hasselberg

Women's Golf

Women's golf saw Tracy Depew and Dana Hasselberg compete as individuals in four tournaments. The duo had perhaps their best showing at the Concordia-Moorhead invite, with Depew firing an 81 to finish first and Hasselberg finishing fourth with an 85. The duo wrapped up the season at the Minnesota Collegiate Golf Association State Championship, where Hasselberg finished eighth with an 83-82=165 and Depew ended in a tie for 23rd with an 8686=172.

Toby Palmiscno

Where We Are ... What We’re Doing

tor for a long-standing and distinguished record of high school activity programs involvement each year. Estenson, a Fergus Falls native, is the first Minnesotan to receive the prestigious award. His teaching career spans three decades and five Minnesota high schools where he taught and coached speech, debate, English and theatre. He’s also worked as an actor with stage roles, video, television and radio spots and completed studies in England and Ireland... Harvey Hietala (’61) has filed for re-election to the District 318 School Board which he’s served on since 2001. He worked as an English teacher in District 318 from 1967 to 1999 and from 1961 to 1967 he taught English and Russian at Oklee Public Schools. He and his wife, Esther, have three grown children... Ed Treska (’69) was one of three finalists for the position of Lakeville City administrator. In addition to four years of experience as city administrator of Grand Rapids, he has approximately 20 years experience in various administrative roles with Anoka County. He’s currently working on his doctorate degree in public administration from Hamline University and is a member of the American Society of Public Administrators and a former City of Anoka planning commissioner... Robert Ostlund (’66) recently began working as interim superintendent of schools for Wayzata. Since his “retirement” he’s also served as the interim superintendent for North St. Paul, Maplewood and Oakdale schools and, following that, interim headmaster for St. Thomas Academy... David Mowrey (’69) has retired after spending 36 years with the Eveleth-Gilbert School

District. In addition to serving as school counselor, he also taught math classes periodically during his career. He and his wife, Betty, have three grown children, Paul, Jonathan and Charity... Arlene Bubar (’64) and her husband, Butch, of Cass Lake recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary... Dave Yost (’66) retired from his position as director of compliance with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Minneapolis District, in June after serving 33 years with the agency. Prior to his retirement, he was awarded the agency’s highest award, the FDA Award of Merit. He also served in the Army and Army Reserves for a total of 31 years, achieving the rank of colonel. He was awarded the Legion of Merit upon his military retirement. He and his wife, Nancy, live in Brooklyn Park and have two grown children, Tara and Eric, and one grandson.

School for youth from the Gilfillan Residential Treatment Center in 1971 and coached Peewee and Bantam hockey for 36 years in Bemidji. He and his wife, Joyce, own a cabin on Rainy Lake where they enjoy fishing... Julie (Gullicksrud) Zeto (’75) of Bemidji has worked 21 years for the USDA-Farm Service Agency in Bemidji. She and her husband, Dennis, have one daughter, Gabrielle... Jerry Madson (’70) is the wire editor for the Bemidji Pioneer newspaper, and was featured as a speaker at the newspaper’s National Newspaper Week open house activities in October. He joined the paper as a reporter-photographer in 1972 and soon after that took on the position of wire editor, designing Pioneer pages five nights a week. He is also a visual artist with a history of exhibitions going back 30 years including several one-person shows in New York City. He is set for another one-person show in 1970s December 2005 in NewYork, and his post-modern work has been shown in Egypt, Portugal, China, Connie (Buck) Nieland (’77) is currently an assistant principal at Coon Rapids High School, where Spain, Brazil, Japan and Sweden …Roxanne she has taught for many years. She lives in Andover Nawara (’73), an English-as-a-second-language teacher at Rosemount Middle School, was one of and has two children, Lance, 24, and Jaclyn, 17... six employees honored by that school district for Alyce Thureen (’75) and her husband, Carroll, recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary... outstanding service. Recipients are nominated by colleagues and selected by a committee of Orlan Echternach (’71) retired last spring as a district employees... Maureen McCall (’74), a Central and Solway elementary school teacher social worker and parenting educator at the White in the Bemidji School District and was named as Bear Lake Area Learning Center, has been named the Bemidji Education Association Teacher of the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs Year for 2004-05. Specializing in special needs students, he helped area elementary schools develop Staff Person of theYear. The association represents 157 alternative programs and more than 165,000 Emotional Behavioral Disturbed Programs for students. He also helped start Bemidji’s Riverside

students... Jim MacNeil (’77) of Coleraine was recently appointed to the MnSCU Foundation Board of Directors. He owns MacNeil Environmental... James Tuorila (’79) of St. Cloud has been awarded one of the highest honors of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He achieved all-American status as a district commander for the organization, one of only 40 people to achieve that status. Tuorila, a psychologist at St. Cloud VA Medical Center and a Vietnam War-era veteran, is the creator of Freedom Flight, a nonproﬁt organization dedicated to education about prisoners of war and missing in action military members. To receive the all-American status, VFW leaders must be strong advocates for veterans and increase membership of the organization... Jane Linde Capistran (’79) is a violinist and teacher at Concordia College and will serve next year as interim concertmaster for the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony. She also conducts the 55-member Concordia Chamber Orchestra and the Fargo-MoorheadYouth Symphony consisting of nearly 100 students. She and her husband, Rod ('81), have two children, Madeline, 18, and Stuart, 14. Rod is a math instructor at Fargo North…. Rob Reid (’78) won the 2004 Wisconsin Librarian of theYear award and was also elected to the American Library Association’s 2006 Newbery Award Committee. His latest book is Cool Story Programs for the School Age Crowd, his fourth book published with ALA Editions. He lives in Eau Claire, WI, with his wife, Jayne (’79), and their four children... Tom Fisher (’78) is representing the Woodbury Artists Guild on the Woodbury Arts

Connection board. He is a painter who describes his work as semi-impressionistic and characterized by intense colors, graphic compositions and natural elements of design. He is also a senior technical writer at Donaldson Co., Inc., Bloomington, and lives in Cottage Grove with his wife, Karen, their children, Heidi, Russell, Jeremiah, Sarah and Michael... Kris Hasskamp (’74) ﬁled as a candidate for the District 5 commissioner’s post in Crow Wing County. She represented northern Crow Wing County in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1989 to 2001. She’s had a varied career as a teacher, college center and social activities director at Central Lakes College, Alumni Relations/Development Ofﬁce employee and tennis coach at St. Scholastica and chronic pain and stress control clinic director in Duluth. She lives in Rabbit Lake Township in Crow Wing County... Dennis Peterson (’79) is employed as a high school art and photography teacher at Deer River, and during the summers he covers auto racing at the Bemidji Speedway for the Bemidji Pioneer. He was a featured speaker at the newspaper’s National Newspaper Week open house activities in October. Dennis and his wife, Nancy, have two grown children, Glory and Josh, and a grandson, Ashton... AllenAaseby (’70) was awarded the Entrepreneur of theYear Award from the Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce this summer. He owns Aaseby Metalworks and has developed a four-in-one material-handling cart, called The Bull, which is being marketed on the internet. Before starting his own business, he had been a teacher for 25 years... Dennis Sabart (’71), director for the Eveleth-Gilbert School District for the

Horizons Page 5

Hall of Fame

TEN INDUCTED INTO ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME Bemidji State University inducted 10

new members to its Athletic Hall of Fame this fall. Also inducted were the BSU Men’s Division II hockey teams of 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971, which won four consecutive national titles. Founded in 1978, the Athletic Hall of Fame currently has 147 individual members. Joining the BSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 were: Marc Hamren of Richfield (swimming, 1972), teaches junior high physical education in Richfield. While at BSU, he was the 1972 national champion in the 200-meter breaststroke. He finished in the top 12 in one or both the 100 and 200-meter breaststroke in four national competitions. Deb (Limond) Hegquist of Cambridge (gymnastics and track and field, 1976), has been a teacher and coach for 28 years in Cambridge. At BSU, she was the Minn-Kota Conference individual champion and member of four conference championship teams in gymnastics. She also competed on the 1974 MAIAW state championship team in track and field. Sherry Hill of Bemidji (volleyball, track and field, basketball, 1983), is a corrections agent. In BSU career records, Hill ranks second in kills and third in hitting percentage in volleyball and holds the record in the javelin and heptathlon in track and field. She was named to the All MAIAW State Team in both volleyball and basketball.

past 33 years, has retired. He and his wife, Pat ('69), have three grown sons, Randy, Brian and Gary... Ken Kane (’72) and his wife, Jeanette, recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary at Elvis’ Graceland in Memphis, TN. They were married April 6, 1974, in Bemidji... Bob Hurd (’76) and his daughter, Hayley Hurd (’03) joined Rob’s wife, Pat, and their other daughters, Hannah and Heather, in producing a contest video won the Skippy Peanut Butter America’s Nuttiest Family Contest. The family won a cash prize and a game room worth $5,000 in addition to the year’s supply of peanut butter. Bob is a Bemidji Middle School technology teacher and his wife Pat is a frequent contester and mastermind behind the contest entry.

Marc Hamren

Deb Helquist

Sherry Hill

Tom Holmes

Gerald Nichols

Gary Ross

Ray Sauer

Charlie Scanlon

Malika Starr

Carol Stomberg

Tom Holmes of Edina (track and ﬁeld and cross country, 1971), is a retired teacher and coach from the Minneapolis Public Schools. He holds the BSU individual track record for the 880-yard run and the mile run and competed in four national track championships and two national crosscountry running championships. Gerald L. Nichols of Bemidji (track and ﬁeld, football, basketball, 1947), spent 27 years in the Bloomington School District. An accomplished football halfback and distance runner, Nichols was co-captain of the track team and member of the conference championship team. He also spent a year on the BSU men’s basketball team. Gary Ross of Roseau (hockey, 1978), has taught at Roseau Elementary since 1980 and coached the Roseau High School boy’s hockey team in three

Warroad Elementary School. She and her husband, LeRoy, live in Warroad and have three children, Ryan, 17, Lisa, 15, and Stephen, 12... Catherine (Runyan) Riewer (’84) and her husband, Steve, are both in their 21st year of teaching at the BerthaHewitt Public Schools. They live in Wadena and have four children, Michael, 16, Marcus, 15, Patrick, 12, and Preston, 8... Mary Hubert (’89) and her husband, Jerry, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on October 10... James Fiskum (’80) is in his 24th year of teaching vocal music at Big Lake High School. He and his wife, Denise, have two children, Hilary, 12, and Jack, 8... Monte Draper (’80) has worked as a photographer at the Bemidji Pioneer since 1979 and was featured as a speaker at the newspaper’s National Newspaper 1980s Week open house. He has three daughters, Megan, Emily and Maddie... MaryVoss (’89) is a registered Chris Fettig (’86), Bemidji High School choir nurse and lives in Bemidji with her husband and two instructor, participated in the Bemidji Music sons... Todd Truby (’86) currently resides in Zion, Boosters “Rock Around the Clock” fundraiser IL... Arlene Furuseth (’86) has worked for the this fall... Barb Houg (’81) was among 22 staff past 15 years as a project leader with the Minnesota members from Schoolcraft Learning Community who recently worked on a remodeling project at the Pollution Control Agency out of its Detroit Lakes Ofﬁce... Scott Birklid (’86) teaches physical sciEvergreen House in Bemidji. It was part of their ence at Anoka High School. He was one of 20 teachcommunity service learning component... Pat ers in the district to receive a Teacher Outstanding Nordick (’85) and his wife, Deb, live in Perham Performance Award last school year. Each TOP with their children, Josh, 10, and Amy, 6... Rhoda Pope (’81) recently retired from 23 years of teaching winner receives up to $600 to cover expenses of attending a special workshop or conference of their elementary students in the Walker-Hackensackchoice... Brenda Gugglberger (’86) is the new Akeley School District. She and her husband, Jim, principal at St. Mary of Mount Carmel Catholic live in Hackensack and have four children and 10 School, Long Prairie. She comes to St. Mary’s from grandchildren... Karen Sletten Mattson (’80) st the Freshwater Education District where she was is in her 21 year as a special education teacher at

state tournaments. At BSU, he was the 1974 men’s hockey team captain and a member of the 1974 NAIA All Tournament Team. After leaving BSU, he competed on the USA Olympic and on the USA National teams. Ray Sauer of St. Cloud (golf, 1972), has enjoyed a 32-year career in life insurance and retirement investment sales. While at BSU, he placed in the top 15 of the 1968 NAIA National Tournament and was a member of the 1968 team conference championship. He was team captain for four years and competed in three NAIA national tournaments. Charlie Scanlon of Apple Valley (hockey, 1975), has been teaching and coaching at Apple Valley High School since 1975 where he led his teams to

six state titles in boy’s soccer and two state titles in girl’s hockey. While at BSU, he was an All American goalie in 1972, 1973 and 1974 and a member of the 1973 NAIA national championship team. Malika Starr of Boca Raton, Florida, (basketball, field hockey, track and field, tennis, 1975), works as a consultant facilitating school reforms. At BSU, she was a member of the 1974 Minn-Kota Conference championship field hockey team and was named to the Minn-Kota All Conference Team. In basketball, she was team captain and all conference. Carol Stomberg of Cedar (field hockey, basketball, volleyball, tennis, 1974), works in kidney disease and critical care in Minneapolis. At BSU, she was an All-Star field hockey player

and competed on the 1974 Minn-Kota conference championship basketball team and the 1971 conference championship volleyball team. She was captain in both ﬁeld hockey and basketball. Nominees for the BSU Athletic Hall of Fame must have attended BSU no less than 20 years ago, earned an athletic letter at BSU and attended BSU for at least two years. Selections are based on merit in four categories: athletic accomplishments while at BSU, post collegiate professional accomplishments, service and contributions to the community and beyond, and volunteer service and ﬁnancial support to BSU.

the GCT coordinator for the past two years. She and her husband, Manfred, have three children, Andrew, 8, Alison, 4, and Sahra, 3. Manfred owns Fallsburg Woodworking in Little Falls... Dan Boelk (’87) has been teaching industrial arts at the Tower-Soudan School for most of the last 16 years. He and his wife, Rhonda, have two children, Mia and Cara, and also operate a home wood shop where Dan constructs and sells items such as cedar strip canoes, bookshelves and dog sleds... Mary Moen (’83) is director of the Central Minnesota Boy’s Choir. She is a teacher at Staples Elementary School and had previously taught at International Falls and Argyle... Jay Loefﬂer (’83) has joined Rollouts Incorporated, Chaska, as a national account manager. He’d previously worked at Meterologix, a leading weather services company. During his 15 years there, he held a variety of sales positions ranging from national aviation account manager to vice-president of specialized sales... Paul Boswell (’81), a White Earth enrollee, received a Martin Luther King Award at the seventh annual MLK awards ceremony April 15 at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. He was recognized for service to the State of North Dakota while serving as chair of the North Dakota University System Diversity Council. He played an instrumental role in bringing an anti-racism training program into the University System, which includes 11 campuses. He’s been employed at NDSU since 1990... Christine Kelly (’86) was recently awarded the 2004 NEA-Saturn/UAW Partnership Award for Outstanding Mentoring Programs for new teachers.

She and a colleague were recipients of one of only six awards made in the United States in 2004. She is a media specialist in the Brainerd School District and a Southwest State University adjunct faculty member. She was also selected Brainerd Teacher of theYear and a Minnesota Teacher of Excellence in 1997... Carol Campbell (’86) of Cass Lake appeared as a motivational speaker at Sober Camp for teens this summer. She spoke about her experiences and forgiveness. She was stabbed by her foster daughter’s boyfriend and is now in a wheelchair... KandyAnderson (’86) is currently serving on the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as ﬁnancial director …David Schnell (’83), a commander in the U.S. Navy, recently made a scheduled port visit to Banbury, Australia, while assigned to the guided-missile frigate USS Ford, home-ported in Everett, WA. He is one of the more than 7,000 sailors who comprise the USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group deployed in support of the global war on terrorism... Karen Thompson (’84) of Bemidji appeared in September on CBS’s Larry Elder Show as part of a segment on gastric bypass surgery in an effort to help educate the public regarding potential long-term complications of the surgery, many of which she has experienced ﬁrst-hand. She’d previously worked for 20 years at local radio station KB101, but currently remains on disability leave due to continuing health problems caused initially by her 1995 surgery. She and her husband, Dennis, are the adoptive parents of three now-teenage siblings from Columbia and legal guardians of her godson who is 15.

1990s Lorena Merseth (’96) and her husband, John ('02), live in Ohio where John is pastor of the Grace Lutheran Church of Weston, OH. They have four sons... Dana Heriot (’99) is teaching mathematics in the Bemidji Middle School Alternative Program this year. She is licensed to teach elementary education and middle school mathematics... Matthew Menne (’99) is teaching seventh-grade social studies at the Bemidji Middle School this year. He has three years of teaching experience... Scott Peterson (’96) is teaching ﬁrst grade at Solway Elementary School this year. He has two years of teaching experience... Blane Klemek (’95) works as a private lands specialist for Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Section of Fish and Wildlife and lives near Becida. He’s also a wildlife columnist for the Bemidji Pioneer and was a featured speaker at the newspaper’s National Newspaper Week open house activities held in October. He and his wife, JoEllen, have two children, Emily, 9, and Nidhal, 8... Shannon Geisen (’95) recently completed a twoyear stint working as a communications director at the Zurich International School in Switzerland and now lives in Park Rapids with her husband, Bruce Bolton, and baby, Maeve... Caari (Schmidt) Dueffert (’97) and her husband, Chris, live in Prior Lake and have two children, Ryan, 3, and Eric, 6-months... Rebecca Maki (’96) and her husband, Greg, live in Solway with their daughter, Ashley, 1... Nicole (Tanner) Harmer (’95) of Baxter has been Continued on page 6

Horizons Page 6

Outstanding OUTSTANDING ALUMNI Receive Awards

Nine individuals received Out-

standing Alumni Awards during ceremonies at this fall’s BSU Homecoming. The Outstanding Alumni Award was established in 1972 to recognize contributions BSU graduates have made to their professions, communities and alma mater. The award recipients were: Melanie Benjamin; chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe; Onamia. Benjamin earned a business administration degree from BSU in 1988 and continued her studies in tribal governance and natural resources at the University of Colorado Law School. In addition to being elected as the chief executive by the Mille Lacs Band, she has served

the American Indian community in a variety of capacities. Daniel P. DeKrey; internal medicine specialist, MeritCare Clinic; Bemidji. DeKrey graduated summa cum laude from BSU in 1980 with a degree in chemistry and minors in biology and psychology. He joined MeritCare Clinic in Bemidji in 1989 and has remained active throughout the community and the medical ﬁeld. Mardy Karger; news director, Paul Bunyan Broadcasting; Bemidji. Karger graduated from BSU in 1972 with a bachelor of science degree in biology. The news director at Paul Bunyan Broadcasting since 1974, he has earned many awards, including the Minnesota

Call For Nominations Outstanding Alumni

Nominations are now being accepted for candidates to be considered for the Bemidji State University Outstanding Alumni Award. The Award is presented annually during Homecoming. It is the highest honor afforded by the Bemidji State University Alumni Association. The recipients bring recognition to their alma mater through distinguished and professional achievements. They are honored for exceptional service and contributions to BSU and to their community, state and nation. All nominees must have graduated no less than 10 years ago from the University. Nominations will be accepted until January 31, 2005, and can be made by anyone except an immediate family member. Current faculty, staff and members of the Board of Directors of the Bemidji State University Alumni Association are not eligible for consideration. A nomination form can be obtained by calling the Alumni Ofﬁce at 1-877278-2586 (toll free) or 218-755-3989 (local); emailing alumni@bemidjistate. edu; or going to the website http://www.bsualumni.org/awardPrograms/outstanding.html.

Broadcasters Association nonmetro Outstanding Broadcast Personality Award for 1998. Rachel Reabe Nystrom; host and producer of “Mainstreet,” Minnesota Public Radio; Brainerd. Nystrom received a bachelor of science degree in mass communication from BSU in 1976. She began working for Minnesota Public Radio in 1987 and for the past 10 years has directed the award-winning “Mainstreet” show, which focuses on in-depth coverage of timely and interesting topics. Alan F. Pendleton; judge, 10th Judicial District in Sherburne County; Ramsey. Pendleton graduated magna cum laude from BSU in 1977 and earned a juris doctorate degree from Drake University Law School. He was initially appointed to the bench in 1999 by then-Governor Jesse Ventura and was subsequently elected in 2002. Barb Stoﬂet; teacher and assistant administrator at Eisenhower Elementary in Hopkins school district; Minnetonka Stoﬂet gained a degree in education from BSU in 1984. She went on to complete a master’s degree at Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1994 and her administration licensure degree at St. Mary’s University in 2004. In 2001 she was selected as the Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Top row, L-R: Melanie Benjamin, Daniel P. DeKrey, Mardy Karger. Row 2, L-R: Rachel Reabe Nystrom, Alan F. Pendleton, Barb Stoﬂet. Row 3, L-R: Tom Welle, Andrew Wells, Mark Yorek. Tom Welle;

president, First National Bank; Bemidji. Welle is a 1972 honors graduate with a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a concentration in ﬁnance. During his tenure at First National Bank of Bemidji, the institution’s assets grew to $360 million and earned the status of an A+ bank by the Weis Rating Services based on safety and soundness. Andrew Wells; chief executive officer and president of Wells Technology; Bemidji. Wells received bachelor degrees in industrial education and physics from BSU in 1966 as well as a master’s in industrial technology in 1969. In 1990, he incorporated Wells Technology, a company that

serves the national aerospace and electronic markets with contact manufacturing of 9,000 different products. Mark Yorek; professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa; Iowa City, IA. Yorek, a 1976 graduate of BSU, went on to complete a doctorate in biochemistry at the University of North Dakota. In addition to his assignment at the University of Iowa, he is a research health science specialist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Iowa City, where he has been involved in diabetes research since 1984.

nae Imsande (’97) and Will Seykora were married September 4 in Walker. She teaches kindergarten at Central Elementary School, Bemidji, and works at Southside Restaurant. Will is employed with Gladen’s Construction... Patty Cornelius (’91) and Lee Cook were married June 26 in Walker... Kelly Johnson (’99) and Aricka Mistic were married September 18... Robb Detschman (’90) of Bemidji won ﬁrst place at the PMTT Mike James Mega Muskie Tournament held on Cass Lake this summer. Prizes included cash and a Ranger boat and motor... Carla Patch (’92) was among 22 staff members from Schoolcraft Learning Community who recently worked on a remodeling project at the Evergreen House in Bemidji. It was part of their community service learning component... Melissa Vacek (’98) recently accepted the position of director of membership services for the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce. She has worked full-time at a local Rule 36 facility, assisting adults with serious mental illnesses. In 2001, she began working with the Occupational Development Center, Inc. as a mental health employment coordinator. She’s volunteered as an ambassador with the chamber of commerce and also with the United Way Communications and Events Committee... Nancy Erickson (’90) advanced to the general election for Ward 5 Bemidji City Council. She is an incumbent... Chris DeLeone (’95) and Allison (Kaul) DeLeone (’93) announce the April 1 birth of a daughter. The family lives in Seattle, WA, in the summers and in Belize in the winters.

2000s

Where We Are ... What We’re Doing Continued from page 3 employed for the past eight years as an AP biology and chemistry teacher at Brainerd High School. She and her husband, Bart, have two children, Cole, 6, and Camille, 4... Terri Schultz (’92) lives in Bemidji and has one child, Wil, 7... Tracy Baird (’95) and Marty Baird (’93) live in Sparta, WI, with their children, Quaden, 4, and Xavier, 6. Marty is employed as the director of finance for Mathew’s, Inc. and Tracy is currently a stay-at-home mother. They are anticipating the birth of a third child in February …Sarah Ryan (’99) is in her fifth year of teaching classroom music at North Elementary in Princeton. She also teaches extra curricular fourth- and fifthgrade choir and is working towards completion of a master’s degree in education. She and her husband, Ross, live in Mora... Jon Langhout (’91) and Suzy Langhout (’93) of Bemidji have changed the name of their dance studio from Top of the River to Suzy and Hondo and are building a new web site supporting their dance instruction business, www. suzyandhondo.com... Bradley Kennet (’94), who skated with the BSU hockey team from 1989 to 1992, was recently inducted into the North West Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Canadian 1989 Centennial Cup Championship Hockey Team... Sandy Kitzman (’91) was hired this summer as special education director with the Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School District. She has taught at Duluth, Walker and Fergus Falls and lives in Fergus Falls with her husband and children... StevenWymore (’98) is the new superintendent of Willow River Area Schools... Chad Engels (’97)

of West Fargo, ND, has joined Moore Engineering Inc., West Fargo. He will primarily work as a water resource engineer... Stacey Beyer (’95) and his wife, Tammy, own Beyer’s Auto Center in Hoffman. In 1999, they purchased the business from Stacey’s parents who had owned and operated it for about 30 years... NeilAalto (’95) of Los Angeles, CA, was recently on site in Southern California directing a photo shoot during the filming of an episode of “Monster Garage.” The show airs on the Discovery Channel and is hosted by world-famous motorcycle builder Jesse James... Kathy Huschle (’99) of Thief River Falls was selected as Northland Community and Technical College’s 2004 Faculty of theYear. She teaches classes in environmental sciences, microbiology, astronomy, biology and firstresponders. She’s also spent six years as an assistant coach for Pioneer volleyball, five years as assistant softball coach and the past three years as head coach for the Pioneer Women’s softball team. She recently celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary with her husband, Gary. They have three children. Sarah, Lacey and Cody, and a daughter-in-law, Jackie... DennisWeimann (’90) is employed as news director and anchor of the Lakeland News Team with Public Television – KAWE, Channel 9, in Bemidji. He was hired to fill that position in 1998. He and his wife, Rita ('89), have been married for 15 years and have one daughter... Stacy Christensen (’98) has been a weathercaster and reporter with KAWE’s Lakeland News since 1998. She lives in Bemidji with her husband, Jason, and their three children...

Brad Bordwell (’93) is an officer with the Minnesota State Patrol, assigned to Aitkin County roads... Cory Koplin (’93) lives in Frontenac with his wife, Kristin ('93), and their children, Brendan, 4, and Julia, 1, in a 1930s era home they relocated and refurbished in 1997. They are about to begin restoration of another historical building that was moved onto their property recently. Cory serves on the board of directors for the Goodhue Historical Society and is chairman of the Old Frontenac Historic Preservation Commission... Marty Torgerson (’95) is the new manager of Savanna Portage State Park. He assumed the duties of park manager earlier this year, thereby continuing in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both of whom worked in state parks. Both were also named Marty. This is the fifth park he has managed since his first position as manager of Cascade State Park... Jean Dolensek (’95) was hired in August to the position of director of administrative services with the Iron Range Resources Commission. She comes to the position on a permanent basis after having served as the agency’s interim administrative services director since April. Her experience includes service in several administrative capacities at Iron Range Resources as well as a period of service with the accounting department at US Steel’s Minntac Minnesota ore operations in Mountain Iron... Don Lepper (’93) recently retired from the United States Naval Reserve. He and his wife, Anne-Marie, have a daughter, Rachel, 9, and live in Winona... Kristine Schneider (’90) and her husband, Joe, live in Grand Forks where she is employed as a copy writer... Ra-

Tim Lutz (’00) is the new principal at Warren/Alvarado/Oslo High School. He was previously technical advisor and guidance counselor at Norman County East in Ada. He and his wife, Karyn, have two children, Jordan, 14, and Katharyn, 10... Jody Wagner (’03) is teaching a ﬁrst year Ojibwe language course at Rainy River Community College, International Falls, this school year... John Merseth (’02) was recently ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and installed as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church of Weston, OH. He’d previously served a year as vicarage at the church. He and his wife, Lorena, have four sons, John, Jeremy, Jeffery and James... Erich Knapp (’01) directs three high school choirs and one elementary honors choir in Sebeka Public Schools where he’s been employed for the past three years. He is also in his ﬁfth year as the artistic director and conductor of the 50-voice auditioned Park Rapids Classic Chorale. In July, he was the featured organist at the organ dedication service at First English Lutheran Church of Dorset where he has served as organist for 11 years …Tim Jacobson (’01) has served as a campaign aid to Republican House District 12A candidate Paul Gazelka in this year’s election campaign... Bethany Gustafson (’02) received her master’s in teaching English as a second language from Minnesota State University, Mankato in May. This past academic year she taught freshman composition as a teaching assistant... Michelle Ruckdaschel (’02) works as

Horizons Page 7

Communiqués

From the Alumni Director, Marla Patrias

Deadline for Alumni Relative Scholarship Applications December 31 for all Applicants The deadline for BSU’s Alumni Relative Scholarship is coming up soon. Applications for all students are due Friday, December 31. This is a change from previous years when the deadline for incoming freshman was January 31. Award amounts for the 2005-06 academic year have been raised to $750 per scholarship and approximately 60 awards will be made. Applications are available on-line at http:// www.bsualumni.org/Alumni%20Services/alumnischolarship.html or by contacting the Alumni Ofﬁce at 877-278-2586 (toll free) or 755-3989 (local). Students can also stop by the ofﬁce to pick up an application at 1509 Birchmont Drive NE.

40-Year Reunion Class of 1964

Members of the Class of 1964 participating in their 40 year reunion during Homecoming include: L to R, back row: Tom Moberg, Tolly Vollen, Don Newman, Dave Sjoblad, Bruce Melin, Dave Hutchins, Jim Thulien, Les Torgerson, Wayne Benson, Bob Johnson, Jack Jacobsen and Curtis Matheny. L to R, front row: Carol Aenne, Judy (Bartz) Peterson, Julie (Olson) Fermenick, Nancy Riggs, Jacqueline Olson, Carol Torgerson, Nancy Johnson and Jean Benson. Not pictured is George Thelen.

25-Year Reunion of 1978-79 & 1979-80 Men’s Hockey Teams

Eighteen members of the BSU men’s NSIC National Championship hockey teams from 1978-79 and 1979-80 returned to campus to celebrate their 25 – year reunion on Friday, October 22 and Saturday, October 23. Members of the reunion group, including Coach Bob Peters, were introduced prior to the men’s hockey game Saturday evening. Pictured above on the ice are (L-R) Lee Hanson, Wade Froehlich, Mike Gibbons, Gary Tveit, Scott Currie, Tom Heaviland, coach R. H. Bob Peters, Mike Fairchild, Pat Kinney, Neal Holmstron, Bill Parenteau, Gary Krawchuck, Jim Scanlan, Alain Fournier, Rod Heisler, Bill Schmitz, Robin Anderson.

a city and law enforcement reporter with the Bemidji Pioneer and was a featured speaker during the paper’s National Newspaper Week open house activities in October... Team Recognition Jennifer Miller (’01) is the new Cass County Members of the 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70 and 1970-71 NSIC Men's National Championship hockey teams were honored 4-H program coordinaat the 2004 Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony. tor. She lives in Brainerd with her husband, Bryan ('00), and works in the Pine River Comat Hebron School in Ootacamund, South India, and experience at Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School near munity Resource Center... Jeffrey Jackelen (’01) are living in Bangladesh... Tracy Ganley (’03) is Cass Lake... Ann (Thompson) Reyelts (’00) of and Shannon Cassady were married October teaching sixth-grade science at the Bemidji Middle Superior, WI, and her husband, Dave, announce the 16 in Eden Prairie. He is a sixth-grade teacher in School... Abram Schwartz (’03) is a ﬁfth-grade March 17 birth of a son, Kennan. She is employed Chaska public schools. Shannon is employed by teacher this year at Lincoln Elementary School, Be- with Sylvan Learning Center in Duluth …Lori Ott the Target Corporation in Minneapolis... Patrick midji... JessicaAnderson (’03) is teaching English (’04) has been working at the registrar’s ofﬁce at Purrington (’02) married Kristen Janikowski on at Bemidji High School this year. She’d previously the College of St. Catherine, Minneapolis/St. Paul, June 12 in Bemidji. They live in Phoenix, AZ... taught for a year at Princeton High School... Tiffany for the past three years and in September began a Rachel Becker (’04) represented the Seventh Berglund (’01) is teaching second grade at Horace new position as assistant registrar for Augsburg Congressional District as an alternate delegate to May Elementary School, Bemidji, this year. She College in Minneapolis. She lives in Minnetonka... the Republican National Convention in New York has three years of teaching experience in Isle... Brian Hill (’02), Bemidji High School orchestra City. She also worked this summer as a paid cam- Heather Eidsmoe (’04) is teaching third grade at instructor, participated in the Bemidji Music paign staffer assigned by the House Republican Northern Elementary School, Bemidji, this year... Boosters “Rock Around the Clock” fundraiser this Caucus to help Rep. Doug Lindgren’s, R- Bagley, Lisa Schussman (’01) is teaching second grade at fall... Stacy (Mills) Peterson (’00) married David re-election bid... Jacob Thomas (’01) and Lincoln Elementary School, Bemidji, this year... Peterson in Stillwater on August 28. She’s employed Hosanna Tobin were married on August 14 at Oak JamiWinkler (‘ 01) is teaching mathematics and as an RN at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater. Hills Christian College, Bemidji. The couple met emotional behavioral disorders at Riverside School, Bemidji, this year. She has three years of teaching

Steve Sundahl and Fern Birnstihl

Fern Birnstihl’s Donation Allows Dream to Become a Reality Fern Birnstihl, who turned 93 in November, believes it is a responsibility to share one’s time, talent and treasure and to give back, a theory she has put into practice over many years. She walks the walk and recently made a $50,000 donation that will allow the University to realize a dream: the construction of an art gallery in Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex on the campus of Bemidji State University. “I owe so much to Bemidji State,” said Fern (Ramsey) Birnstihl. “I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to attend BSTC and, later, BSC. The education I received opened a world of opportunities to me and allowed me to grow as a person and as a professional. “As a result, I experienced things that I only dreamed of as a child. Now, I want to contribute to the future of BSU students so they can have the opportunities I did.” After graduating from Bemidji High School as valedictorian in 1928, Fern Ramsey attended Bemidji State Teachers College. She received a $27 Alumni Scholarship, which covered the $9 per quarter cost to attend. She became immersed in the campus community as documented in the May 27, 1930, issue of the Northern Student. “Miss Ramsey has taken a very active part in extra-curricular activities. She has been a member of the Glee Club, Drama Club, Senior Class play cast, President of the Nautilus Club and Secretary-Treasurer of the Student Council.” Birnstihl traveled to every continent in the world, except Antarctica. She taught school grades 3 – 6 in ﬁve different schools, including Fosston, Northern School in Bemidji, Red Lake Falls, Brainerd and ﬁnally at Aurora. “She is more than an alum of Bemidji State, she is a true friend,” said Sue Kringen, BSU Foundation director of development. “She is most passionate about the arts and over the years has made donations to support those areas including $12,000 to the ‘Music is the Key’ campaign allowing a room in Bangsberg Hall to be named in her honor. She established a named endowment with another $20,000 donation that will provide scholarships to BSU students majoring in music and visual arts. “She is a charter member of the BSU Legacy Society and, as a result of a most generous bequest, she included BSU in her will to further fund the endowment.” Birnstihl selected her maiden name for the facility, which will be called the Ramsey Gallery. It is being designed by BSU visual arts faculty member, Steve Sundahl. He recently shared six different artist’s renderings of what the gallery might look like. After seeking input from the campus community, a design will be chosen and construction will begin. “We are so fortunate to have someone on our campus as talented as Steve Sundahl,” said Kringen. “He is committed to this project and is donating his time and talent. The models he designed are incredibly beautiful and one can’t help but to get caught up in the excitement of this project when they see them.” Concurrently with the construction of the gallery, work will be done on the exterior of Bangsberg to incorporate signage and artwork in the metal panels already located there. A donation by Mary Betty Quistgard is making that project a reality. The dedication of the Ramsey Gallery will take place sometime in the spring of 2005.

Horizons Page 8

Call For Nominations

Teacher of the Year

The Professional Education Department will induct its sixth group into the Teacher of the Year Hall of Fame in the spring of 2005. In order to be considered in this round of selections, nominations must be mailed to the Professional Education Department, 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Box 35, Bemidji, MN 56601 and postmarked on or before January 12, 2005. The honor is called the Professional Education Department Hall of Fame Award and is granted to teacher education graduates of Bemidji State University. The basic criteria for selection is that the BSU alum must have been selected as a teacher or administrator of the year for a public or private school district, college or university. Teachers, administrators, or school board members of a district may make nominations. Nominations must include two letters of support - one letter from a fellow teacher and one letter from an administrator or school board member (past or present). In addition, a copy of the news release or the newspaper article that announced the candidate’s selection as teacher or administrator of the year should be submitted. All ﬁnalists will be asked to provide a resume’. Those individuals selected to receive the award will also be asked to submit an 8-inch by 10-inch color photograph for framing and placement in the Education–Art Building on the BSU campus. All nominees who are not chosen this year will be carried over and will be included in the next selection process.

Family Lines Cross

(Continued from page 1)

Judy (Peggar) Brasgalla, Mary’s daughter, met her husband through her Birch Hall roommate when he was on leave from the Navy. Married in 1960, they eventually ended up in Cass Lake where she still works as a librarian and teacher. “My mother enjoyed herself in school, and she talked about the friends she had made at the Normal School,” Judy remembered. “The instructor for her class, a Miss Bell, was somewhat of a ‘dragon,’ but Mom and her friends respected her very much. “When I started at Bemidji State, we visited the room in Sanford where she stayed as a student. It was small and in the basement, right outside of the area that was being used as the student union. The room was being used as a closet.”

Judy kept close ties to Bemidji State even before her son and daughter enrolled. Being nearby, Judy and her mother were able to make frequent trips to the campus. Both were amazed how the school was constantly changing and growing. “I was on the Lutheran Campus Council for several years, and we have been to campus many times for plays, concerts and classes,” she said. “The entryway to ‘Old Main’ (Deputy Hall) has always been my cornerstone for directions on campus.” Bemidji State University proved a nurturing environment for the dreams of the Wirt and Hetteen families for over 80 years. Will the legacy continue? Dan and Linda have one son, Noah age 8, and another child on the way.

The old maples just keep growing and getting stronger.

ALUMNI TRACK MEET PLANNED JANUARY 15 The Beaver track program will be conducting its third annual Alumni Track Meet at 3 p.m. January 15, 2005, and is looking for participants. The meet will pit an alumni team against a freshman team and an upper class team of current Beaver Athletes. The old-timer team will be given handicaps for the number of years since they last competed for BSU. They will also receive extra points for wearing old BSU uniforms, sweats, and letterman jackets, even if they don’t ﬁt. A dinner on campus is scheduled for 7 p.m. with a tailgate party, sponsored by Beaver Pride, to follow at the Northern Inn. Interested individuals are asked to write or call to receive a registration form. A form is available by contacting Craig Hougen, Bemidji State University #29, 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 755-2883, chougen@bemidjistate.edu. Registration deadline is January 8, 2005.

In Memoriam

Alumni Singers Wanted The Bemidji Alumni Choir is looking for BSU choral program alumni to become part of a fun and fantastic choral experience. The ensemble has spots for vocalists who want to reconnect and be part of a quality choir, have missed the camaraderie of singing with a large group, or have lost contact with some of their harmonizing friends. The Bemidji Alumni Choir is under the direction of Dr. Paul Brandvik and Mark Sotebeer. Rehearsals start at 7:15 p.m. and last approximately 90 minutes at University Lutheran Church of Hope, 601 13 Avenue southeast in Minneapolis in the Dinkytown area near the University of Minnesota. Rehearsals begin on February 10 and run through April 28 with a break on Thursday, March 24. Spring concerts are scheduled for April 30 and May 1 in the Twin Cities. For more information concerning the choir, its schedule or time commitment, email bachoirdeb@yahoo.com.

Leon Breuer (’80) – Rochester, MN Nikki J. Doud (’66) – Aitken, MN Ronald Louis Dremmel (’59) – Kemmerer, WY Gerda J. Engebretson (’66) – Clearbrook, MN Donald Erie (’60) – Bemidji, MN Edward J. Farah (’76) – McGregor, MN Byron L. Graves (’49) – Bemidji, MN William F. Kirtland (’53) – Bemidji, MN Lillie M. Kleven (’37) – Pleasant Hill, CA Lucy Katherine Mitchell (’76) – Cass Lake, MN Claude W. Morris (’49) – Spokane, WA Carol Ann (Estes) Mortensen (’93) – Hines, MN Stanley Ostrowski (’71) – Melrose, FL Father Nathan Packard (’79) – Chokio, MN Mark Kent Peterson (’91) – Bemidji, MN Thomas A. Prescott (’64) – Sauk Rapids, MN Beverly Stilwell (’83) – Godfrey, IL Patrick Thomas Trihey (’65) – Bemidji, MN Christine L. (Smith Jones) Woodcock (’72) – Maple Grove, MN

AIRC Seeking Book and Research Donations The American Indian Resource Center is seeking donations of books and research materials with American Indian or Alaska Native titles. Donors of books will be acknowledged in each edition. Questions can be forwarded by calling the AIRC at 218-755-2094, and donations can be sent to: American Indian Resource Center, Bemidji State University Box 21, 1500 Birchmont Drive NE, Bemidji, MN 56601-2699.

Please accept my/our gift to the BSU Foundation Name _____________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________________ City_____________________________________________ State_____ Zip ________________ _____ Telephone (h)_____________________________________ (w) _______________________________ Preferred e-mail address _______________________ Employer(s) _____________________________ Title(s) _____________________________________________________________________________ My/our gift is:

Undesignated Designated to the _____________________ Scholarship/Endowment Fund Designated to the _____________________ Department

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Check Enclosed

Be part of the BSU Winter Rendezvous 2005!

Plans are

shaping up for the Alumni Association’s Ninth Annual golf tournament and winter celebration to be held March 19-21 in Laughlin, Nevada.

Bill me/us: ___ Monthly ___ Quarterly ___ Semi-annually Charge my/our donation to ___ VISA ___ MasterCard ___ Discover Card ___ American Express ___ Diners Club Credit Card Number _______________________ Expiration Date ___________________________ Signature ________________________________________________________________________

Please bill me each year at the same time for a similar gift.

For more information, or to be put on the registration mailing list, contact the alumni office at 877-278-2586 (toll free), 218755-3989 (local) or via email at alumni@bemidjistate.edu.