Concordia Magazine Fall 2016 by Concordia Magazine

125 C o n c o r d i a C o l l e g e // M o o r h e a d , M i n n e s o ta // fa l l 2 0 1 6

CEL EBR ATING 1 25 Y E A R S

s elli n g lu th eran hi g her edu cation

fa i th i n to a c ti o n i n th e wo r k pla c e

class n ot e s

Diversity, Democracy, and Reformation Greetings to all from campus on a bright and beautiful November Sunday. I’ll take the words of my title in reverse order. More than 125 years ago, the founders of Concordia chose October 31 for its opening celebration, the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of All Saints Church in Wittenberg, honored now as Reformation Day. No better date than the one that marks Luther’s great epiphany: the good news that the righteousness of God lies in mercy, that the God who made us makes us whole, loved forever without condition. Luther’s revelation set the Christian world on fire. If we are loved by God, we are free – free to love God not in fear but in joyful thanks, and free from self-concern to love our neighbor as ourselves. Such Christian liberty did more than one radical thing in early modern hearts and minds. Spiritual freedom forged an earthly freedom to work in the world as Christ did, to teach, to feed, to heal. The Reformation blessing on our human work is what philosopher Charles Taylor calls “the sanctification of ordinary life.” In each of our vocations – child, parent, student, teacher, artist, scientist, physician, business leader, elected official – we, in Taylor’s words, “live in [this world] for God.” At the heart of this work stands our life as citizens, people who act together for the common good. In the United States, this is the work of democracy, in which – however it has been forgotten in this year’s divisive election – we assume and seek to draw out the very best in one another, for the sake of our neighbor and of God’s good creation. This fall Concordia College launched its Diversity Initiative, and we did so in a very public way: at the State of the College address with external media present. We have challenged ourselves to make our campus populations, our curriculum, our culture more inclusive, so that students will encounter the world in which they will live, work, and worship when they enter college – not only when they graduate. Embracing our neighbors, from close by and far away, is fundamental to loving others as God has loved us, to thriving in an ethnically plural nation, and to educating with excellence. Every study of undergraduate learning attests to the fact that students think better, discover more, and develop greater empathy when they learn in an inclusive setting, opened up in mind and heart to the larger world found in the lives of others. Concordia was born 125 years ago as a child of the Reformation and of American democracy. I am deeply struck by the fact that our founders, and our first students, faculty, and staff, were immigrants and immigrants’ children. Their liberating faith made them bold, teaching them that they had something to offer their new country, that they had good work to do not only for themselves but also for the church and for the wider community. We, their fortunate heirs, must act in a faith no less bold. What do diversity and inclusion have to do with our faith and our democracy? Everything.

Dr. William J. Craft

ConcordiaCollege.edu/magazine On the Cover Concordia is celebrating 125 years since its visionary founders started the school in October 1891.

departments

News

Alumni

Class Notes

Invaders Abroad Dr. Michelle Marko and her research team studied invasive plants in Europe that are native to the U.S.

features

elebrating 125 Years C Snapshots of the college through time

Selling Lutheran Higher Education Recruiting from a firm foundation

Faith Into Action in the Workplace How do we use our faith in the work world?

VP for Enrollment and Marketing: Karl A. Stumo ’92 // Editor: Joshua Lysne ’96 Managing Editor: Amy E. Kelly ’95 Art Direction: Caleb Fugleberg // Editorial and Design Team: Amy J. Aasen ’95, Evan Balko ’12, Tracey J. Bostick, Laura Caroon ’06, James M. Cella, Kim Kappes, Morgan Lewis, Eric Lillehaugen ’11, Kaylin Pavlik, John Phelps, Lori J. Steedsman Student Contributors: Karis Baerenwald ’17, Maddie Malat ‘18 // Contributors: Erin Hemme Froslie ’96, Olin Storvick

From Refugee to Entrepreneur Grad makes F-M his home

ooking Back, L Moving Forward Olin Storvick looks at Concordia turning 125

Concordia Magazine Fall 2016 Volume 55 Concordia Magazine is published once a year by the Office of Communications and Marketing, Concordia College, 901 8th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56562 (magazine@cord.edu). To change your address or unsubscribe from the mailing list, contact Alumni Records at 218.299.3743, alumni@cord.edu, or update your record online at ConcordiaCollege.edu/classnotes

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news

DOD SELECTS CONCORDIA FOR LANGUAGE TRAINING PROGRAM

Concordia is one of nine institutions selected by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office to offer the Language Training Center (LTC) Program. Concordia Language Villages will provide iso-immersion training for the LTC, a 2011 Department of Defense (DoD) initiative to accelerate the development of foundational or higher-level expertise in strategic language and regional studies for DoD personnel by utilizing colleges and university programs to meet the training needs of DoD units, offices or agencies. The Languages Villages will provide training for the 300th Military Intelligence Brigade with the Utah National Guard. Soldiers will receive instruction during the academic year at Concordia Language Villages’ campus near Bemidji, Minn. The iso-immersion courses address training needs in Arabic, Chinese/ Mandarin, French, Korean, Portuguese and Russian. ◊

DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP ESTABLISHED

Fay Ferguson ’73 and Dr. Earl Lewis ’78, who serve on Concordia’s Board of Regents, have established the Diversity Student Endowed Scholarship. Eligible students include those with different backgrounds, including religion, sexual orientation and/or ethnicities. The goal is twofold: to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to attend a quality liberal arts college and to increase the diversity of experiences represented on Concordia’s campus. Increasing diversity on campus will be a priority for the five-year college strategic plan. Ferguson, co-chief executive officer of Burrell Communications Group, a leading transcultural communications agency based in Chicago and Los Angeles, has been committed to giving back and serving the African-American community. “I believe that increasing the number of diverse students on campus would not only positively impact declining college enrollment, but also activate Concordia’s mission of influencing the affairs of the world,” Ferguson says. “How amazing it would be if Concordia became the model for diversity in higher education – let’s dream big dreams.” Lewis, the sixth president of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, is a noted social historian who has championed the importance of

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diversifying the academy, re-visioning the liberal arts and exploring the role of digital tools for learning. “Concordia’s future is inextricably linked to the nation’s future,” Lewis says. “As we look ahead to mid-century, the demographic profile of the American population will look remarkably different. In the best traditions of the liberal arts, this scholarship allows Concordia to honor the past by championing the future.” ◊

CLAUSEN’S THE ‘PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST’ PREMIERES

Immerse yourself in an emotional retelling of Jesus Christ’s last week of life. “The Passion of Jesus Christ” is a new, oratoriolength composition written by Dr. René Clausen, conductor of The Concordia Choir, commissioned to observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The world premiere weekend takes place Saturday, April 8, in Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis, and Sunday, April 9, at Concordia. For more information, visit ConcordiaCollege.edu/thepassion. The composition is made possible through a gift from John and Veronna Capone. ◊ Read their story on Page 24.

news

ENGELHARDT WRITES 125TH ANNIVERSARY BOOK

In a follow-up to Dr. Carroll Engelhardt’s book, “On Firm Foundation Grounded, The First Century of Concordia College (1891-1991),” and in honor of the 125th anniversary celebration, he has published “Concordia Fair Doth Stand: The College Begins Its Second Century, 1991-2016.” In President William Craft’s foreword for the book, he says it’s “a thoughtful and informed presentation of Concordia’s work in the midst of demographic, economic, and social change across all of higher education.” Engelhardt tells of achievements of the last four presidents along with the work of countless students, faculty and staff. Craft says it also “raises searching questions from a hopeful heart” about what it means to be an American college and whom we should enroll and serve, among others. Engelhardt, professor emeritus of history, is the author of several other books, articles and reviews. ◊

MERCY-FILLED DENTAL MISSION

For two days in July, Concordia’s Memorial Auditorium became a 100-chair dental clinic. The college hosted Minnesota Mission of Mercy, which provides free dental care to hundreds of children and adults who are uninsured, underinsured or just unable to access dental treatment. Care provided included cleanings, fillings, extractions, limited treatment for partial dental appliances, and some root canals. The effort required 400-500 volunteer dentists and 400-500 additional volunteers. The Moorhead event was sponsored by the Minnesota Dental Association and Minnesota Dental Foundation, in partnership with the North Dakota Dental Association. Dr. J.J. Johnson ’03, who practices dentistry in Fargo, N.D., worked with patients needing partial dental appliances fixed and adjusted. “It’s good to take care of people in need,” he says. “That’s why I went into this profession, to help people and give them their smiles back.” Some patients waited overnight in line, willing to give up sleep in order to be quickly treated for painful conditions. That is a common experience during the five Mission of Mercy events that have been held in Minnesota communities, says Dr. Dave Linde, a retired dentist who volunteers with the organization. ◊

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news

LILLEHAUGEN NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICAN

Matthew Lillehaugen ’17 was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-American team for cross country and track and field. Lillehaugen, who earned Academic All-American Third Team honors, was one of only 46 athletes from all of NCAA Division III to earn the award. He is also one of only four men's athletes from the MIAC to be placed on one of the three Academic AllAmerican teams. He becomes the first Concordia men’s track and field athlete and the 20th Cobber to earn Academic AllAmerican honors since 2000. Lillehaugen is also the second Concordia student-athlete to earn Academic All-American honors in the spring along with baseball standout Tim Carlson ’16. To become eligible, a student-athlete must have a grade point average above 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale) and have outstanding athletic credentials. Lillehaugen has a 4.0 GPA majoring in political science and global studies. He is coming off his best season of track and field. Lillehaugen earned MIAC All-Conference Honorable Mention honors at both the MIAC Indoor and Outdoor Championship Meets. He was also a member of the Cobber cross country team and was in the top four of the squad at the MIAC Championship Meet. ◊

FACULTY, STAFF RECEIVE AWARDS

Prestigious awards were presented at Concordia’s State of the College event in August. Ole and Lucy Flaat awards were presented to faculty and staff along with special 125th Anniversary Flaat Faculty Awards and two Reuel and Alma Wije awards.

Reuel and Alma Wije Awards Distinguished Professorship

Distinguished Professorship

presented to

Dr. René Clausen

Dr. Michael Wohlfeil

Professor of choral conducting and conductor of The Concordia Choir

Professor emeritus of education

The Reuel and Alma Wije Professorship recognizes superior classroom teaching and significant service to the college and the church.

Ole and Lucy Flaat Awards Distinguished Teaching Award

Distinguished Service Award

presented to

Distinguished Advisor Award presented to

Dr. Julie Mach

Steven Frank

Dr. John Reber

Associate professor of chemistry

Systems analyst, enterprise systems and services

Associate professor of mathematics

125th Anniversary Faculty Award

presented to

Peter Halverson

Dr. Kristi Loberg

Dr. Douglas Anderson

Associate professor of voice

Associate professor and director of the social work program

Chair/professor of mathematics

The Flaat awards were endowed by Ole and Lucy Flaat, lifelong farmers in the Red River Valley.

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news

A new rooftop structure to house mechanical equipment has taken shape on the Integrated Science Complex. Construction is on schedule for completion by fall 2017.

FOUR INDUCTED TO HALL OF FAME

Concordia inducted four alumni into the Athletic Hall of Fame in October: cross country/ track and field standout Jason Trichler ’93, women’s basketball player Erica (Hanson) Reid ’94, men’s hockey standout Marc Terris ’94 and soccer/hockey standout Todd Hashbarger ’98. ◊

CHRISTMAS CONCERT TO AIR ON TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION

CFA INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY RECOGNITION PROGRAM WELCOMES CONCORDIA

Concordia has become the latest institution to be welcomed into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program. The Bachelor of Arts finance major has been acknowledged as incorporating at least 70 percent of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) and placing emphasis on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice within the program. This program positions students well to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, which has become the most respected and recognized investment credential in the world. Entry into the CFA Institute University Recognition Program signals that Concordia’s curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well suited to preparing students for the CFA examinations. Through its participation, Concordia is eligible to receive a limited number of student scholarships for the CFA program each year. The newly created finance major is the fastest-growing program in the Concordia College Offutt School of Business. The major’s curriculum was created around the CFA Program CBOK. ◊

The 90th Annual Concordia Christmas Concert, “Gather Us In, O Child of Peace,” is being recorded by Twin Cities Public Television for broadcast in December 2016 in the Twin Cities area and throughout the state, including some air dates in North and South Dakota and Montana. The program will air nationally in 2017.

2016 Broadcast Schedule TPT2

Duluth (WDSE/WRPT)

7 p.m. Dec. 22

7 p.m. Dec. 22 (8.1)

1 p.m. Dec. 23

6:30 p.m. Dec. 23 (8.2)

8 p.m. Dec. 24

8 p.m. Dec. 24 (8.1)

7 a.m. Dec. 25

12:30 p.m. Dec. 5 (8.1)

MontanaPBS

Prairie Public (KFME)

8 p.m. Dec. 24

1 p.m. Dec. 25

Statewide MN Channel 1 p.m and 7 p.m. Dec. 25

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CELEBRATING 125 YEARS

By Laura Caroon in collaboration with the Concordia Archives

The purpose of Concordia College is to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life. This fall, Concordia College celebrates 125 years of living out this mission through the exploration, ambition and eagerness of our current students, the spirit, commitment and accomplishment of more than 32,000 graduates, and the faithfulness, diligence, and passion of our past and present staff, faculty and administration. With humble beginnings as a Norwegian Lutheran school founded by early settlers in the Red River Valley, Concordia is now a nationally recognized private liberal arts college set in a regional hub of culture, education and healthcare. Increasingly focused on developing a broad global perspective, Concordia’s community of more than 2,100 students comes from 37 states and 28 countries and represents 39 religions and denominations. We celebrate Concordia’s quasquicentennial with gratefulness to those who built this college on a firm foundation, we joyfully reminisce together in the stories of our past, and look with hopefulness to generations of future Cobbers.

1891 Concordia’s oldest building on campus, Bishop Whipple, was purchased and Concordia opened with 12 students, three instructors and courses in English literature, natural sciences, mathematics and piano. The college was formally dedicated on Oct. 31, 1891.

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1897 Introduction of electricity to campus

1903

1906 Concordia’s first play, “Out in the Streets,” was performed in Commercial Hall to a crowd of 500 people.

Construction of Old Main was completed sparing no modern convenience. Old Main housed classrooms, offices, the gymnasium, chapel and library.

Photo: Josiah Kopp ’20, Frozen Pines Photography

1920

1921

Martinson Jewelers produces the first standardized gold and ruby Concordia class ring.

Concordia holds its first homecoming. The football team defeated Wahpeton Science 41-7, and the day concluded with a reception and bonfire.

1922

1923

1927

A Forum sportswriter first used the term

Concordia’s first Christmas Concert was held in Old Main’s Chapel on Dec. 15, 1927.

“Cobber” The first beanies were introduced.

in reference to Concordia athletes.

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THEN&NOW BEANIES The very first beanies were known as Green Caps and were introduced in fall 1922. The beanies were made of green felt and were decorated with a maroon ribbon.

NORMANDY Up until fall 2008, the Normandy was a place for students to gather to relax, play games and to grab something to eat at its short-order diner.

Now, new transfer students get maroon beanies and first-year students wear the iconic gold beanies during Orientation.

COMMENCEMENT Once, the spring Commencement ceremonies were held on the campus lawn. During the first Commencement on June 7, 1893, nine students graduated.

“Hymn to Concordia” was written as a collaborative effort by Herman Monson, Borghild Torvick and Mrs. Paul A. Rasmussen to celebrate Concordia’s 40th anniversary.

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COBBER RINGS

Last spring, more than 500 members of the Class of 2016 processed through the campus to their ceremony in Memorial Auditorium.

1931

Currently, the space is temporarily home to three science labs until the opening of the Integrated Science Complex in fall 2017.

Initially, each graduating class designed their own ring along with their class song, motto and poem. In 1920, Moorhead jeweler and class of 1909 alumnus Oscar Martinson revealed the new standard Concordia ring that we are all familiar with today: a gold band with a ruby to parallel maroon.

1942 More than 400 people attended the first winter carnival called the Concordia Ice Show at the Fargo Arena.

Today the ring not only serves as a significant rite of passage but also brings Cobbers together across the globe.

1947

1954

Brown Hall was built in response to Concordia’s rapid growth. Thanks in part to the GI Bill, the college’s student body doubled between 1945 and 1946.

Orientation clubs made their debut.

feature »

COMPUTING In the 1990s, the library’s computer lab was bustling with students busily researching or typing up papers.

FAMILY WEEKEND

Now, most Cobbers have their own laptop and are able to connect wirelessly anywhere on campus.

Concordia celebrated its first Parents’ Day in May 1935. The pioneer Parents’ Day was organized by the Student Forum and comprised of a program and tea.

CORNSTOCK For more than a decade, Cornstock was held on Olin Hill and featured mainly local artists. In its early years, the event was a daylong affair.

1961 Concordia hosts the first Language Village camp.

EAST COMPLEX

Now the annual event is held in Memorial Auditorium, bringing in headliners along with more local bands. In 2016, Cornstock acts included MKTO, My Body Sings Electric, 60/40 and PJ.

1974

In October 1965, it was approved that a men’s and women’s dorm would be built on a 65-acre area where previously only athletic fields had been. The East Complex would house 462 students and have an attached food service.

1985 Mark Halaas, alumni director from 1973-78 designed Concordia’s first corn feed to bring alumni, students, faculty and staff together during the summer.

Now, Family Weekend is an opportunity for the whole family to get a glimpse into Cobber life – with Family College, talent showcases, athletic events, an ice cream social, a family festival and all-campus worship.

Concordia’s first symposium, “Food, Farming and the Future,” was held.

The residence halls (Erickson and Hallet) remain, but the dining hall was removed and the Offutt School of Business was constructed as a major addition to the East Complex in 2013.

1989 Local bands played on Olin Hill as part of Concordia’s first Cornstock.

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QUIZ

How many graduates were there in the first graduating class from the academy in 1893?

Who was the first religion teacher at Concordia?

What was the name of Concordia’s radio station before KORD?

A. 24

A. Rev. Rasmus Bogstad

A. KOBB

B. 37

B. Helga Fjelstad

B. KORN

C. 9

C. Dr. Dorothy Olsen

C. KRDO

What took place Oct. 31, 1891?

What does it mean to BREW at Concordia?

What does the “400” stand for in C-400?

A. Formal dedication of the school

A. Work as a barista at the Coffee Stop

B. Luther nailed 95 theses on the door of Old Main

B. Balancing Religion, Ethics and Wellness

C. The first Johnny Holm dance at Concordia

C. Become Responsibly Engaged in the World

A. Dollar amount given B. Members needed to meet original goal C. Number of corncobs eaten

The two statues located between Old Main and Bishop Whipple are of whom?

What two Concordia professors collaborated to design the first Christmas Concert murals?

The Moorhead fairgrounds eventually became what part of Concordia’s campus?

A. Joseph Knutson and O.J. Hagen

A. Cy Running and Paul J. Christiansen

B. Ivar Aasen and Hans Hauge

B. David Hetland and Paul Johnson

C. Sven and Ole

C. Gordon Moe and René Clausen

A. Brown Hall B. The athletic field

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OCTOBER 31, 1891

CON C

Dr. Pamela M. Jolicoeur becomes Concordia’s first female president.

DI A CO OR D e o G l o L

Dedication of the campanile, commonly known as the bell tower.

2004

GE LE

1991

AD, MINN

C. Memorial Auditorium/ Olson Forum

2006

2010 Concordia’s quirky mascot, Kernel Cobb, makes his first official appearance.

The first Celebration of Student Scholarship is held to showcase student research.

What does the word “prexy” stand for?

What body governs the college?

A. President

A. Cobber Congress

B. Professor

B. Board of Regents

C. Student

C. Cobbsquad

What nickname for students (i.e. Cobber) was once proposed but never accepted?

What course do all current first-year students take their first semester at Concordia with their orientation clubs?

A. Beets

A. Principia

B. Vikings

B. Inquiry Seminar

C. Norsemen

C. Life Skills 101

In what year was dancing first allowed on campus?

What does "Concordia" mean?

A. 1893

A. To God be the Glory

B. 1969

B. Bountiful Harvest

C. Still isn't allowed

C. Hearts in Harmony

ANSWERS

1. C. Nine students graduated June 7, 1893, during the college's first Commencement. 2. A. The Rev. Rasmus Bogstad was also the third president of the college. 3. A. KOBB 4. A. Concordia College was dedicated Oct. 31, 1891, only 10 years after the first Norwegian settlers made their home in the Red River Valley. 5. C. Becoming responsibly engaged in the world is an educational emphasis at Concordia. 6. B. At least 400 members were needed to meet the original goal of the C-400 campaign in 1955. 7. B. Concordia’s ties to its Norwegian heritage are evident in the statues of Norwegian linguist Ivar Aasen and Norwegian preacher Hans Nielsen Hauge. 8. A. Cy Running and Paul J. Christiansen. The first backdrop was a large blue sheet of sateen behind a single suspended star with simulated stained-glass windows to cover the church’s choir and organ lofts. 9. B. The athletic field 10. A. President. Prexy’s pond is located next to the president’s residence, hence the pond’s name. 11. B. The Board of Regents consists of 30 voting members, at least 16 of whom are members of congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 12. B. The Vikings 13. B. Inquiry Seminars help first-year students develop valuable critical thinking skills. 14. B. Dancing was first allowed on campus in 1969. 15. C. Concordia means hearts in harmony.

2013

2014

2016

Bill Gates delivers keynote at the dedication of the Offutt School of Business.

Intervisitation policies were dropped, no longer regulating when students could visit dormitory rooms of the opposite sex.

Concordia celebrates

125 YEARS of influencing the affairs of the world

Visit ConcordiaCollege.edu/125 to find stories about the traditions, history and people that have kept Concordia’s legacy strong, and to find out how you can join the celebration. ◊

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INVADERS ABROAD

INVASIVE PLANTS TAKE RESEARCH TEAM TO EUROPE By Karis Baerenwald

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he last time you went to the cabin, you may have seen pale pink flowers growing on stalky stems along the shoreline – flowering rush. If you went swimming in the lake, you might have felt the soft feathery leaves of Eurasian watermilfoil brush your legs. You probably wore water shoes to protect your feet from sharp edges of zebra mussels. What all of these species have in common is that they are not native to Minnesota. They are invaders. “What invaders do is disrupt the way an ecosystem functions,” says Dr. Michelle Marko, associate professor of biology and co-director of the environmental studies program. Invasive species affect our ecosystems everywhere, often having a negative impact on wildlife and humans. The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force asserts on its website, “Introduced species are a greater threat to native biodiversity than pollution, harvest, and disease combined.” Invasive plants also crowd out native species, change fish populations and clog boat motors. Marko has studied Eurasian watermilfoil, an aquatic plant that has invaded 330 lakes in Minnesota and 48 states across the country. Invasive plants like watermilfoil can grow so thick that they disrupt boating and swimming. These aquatic plants could have come from the aquarium trade, water gardening or even deliberate

stocking. Whatever the source, these aquatic interlopers are becoming common. But the problems aren’t just in the United States. We are exporters of invasive species as well. The aquatic plant elodea is native to North America but invasive in Europe. It affects water flow, recreational activities and is outcompeting native plants. Marko and colleagues are studying elodea to learn more about the process of invasion and to find whether it has weaknesses that can be exploited for control. In summer 2015, Marko and student researchers Hunter Smith ’18 and Jordan Bolger ’16 studied two elodea species in Minnesota where they are native. Elodea, commonly called waterweed, grows along lake bottoms. Dark green leaves grow off the elodea stems in whorls of three. The team traveled to Concordia’s Long Lake Field Station near Detroit Lakes, Minn. Smith and Bolger worked together pulling clumps of elodea into the boat and stored the plants in Ziploc bags. After long hours on the lake, they brought the samples back to the lab to study. The team compared plant shape and size of two elodea species. This understanding of the plant’s biology would help them find ways to manage it. In addition to Long Lake, the team studied elodea in five other Minnesota lakes, getting a feel for the plants in their native habitat.

Top: Ruth Sexton ‘18 removes invasive plants for research. Middle: Researchers look at Elodea nuttallii pulled from the water. Bottom: Rebecca Dahl ‘19 works in the lab with invasive plants.

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The research group (l-r) Dr. Michelle Marko, Ruth Sexton ’18, Rebecca Dahl ’19 and Dr. Elisabeth Gross of the Universitéde Lorraine, Metz, France, get ready to gather specimens.

Then it was time to check out the lakes these plants had invaded in Europe. In summer 2016, Marko and student researchers Rebecca Dahl ’19 and Ruth Sexton ’18 headed to France. Gaining an understanding of the organism in its native and invasive ranges would prove crucial to their research. While the collection and lab experiences were very similar to how they had always performed, the locals made sure they also drank in a bit of culture while they did their fieldwork. “In the United States, we sometimes eat lunch on the boat or on our way to a field site, trying to maximize every bit of daylight we have,” Marko says. “In Europe, our hosts always made sure we stopped for lunch at a restaurant to sample the local cuisine.” The team spent six weeks snorkeling in lakes and rivers of France, Luxembourg and Germany.

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In Europe, the team gently collected plants underwater by hand. Back at the European labs, they processed the elodea samples just like they did at Long Lake. They gathered data in three different areas: plant chemistry of the two elodea species, insects living on the elodea plants and physical characteristics of the plants, such as size and shape of the leaves. They are testing the enemy-release hypothesis to see if elodea plants do better in Europe, without their normal competitors. That’s why Marko’s team is studying elodea both here and abroad. If their hypothesis is correct, they would expect the elodea in Europe to be more robust. The team also examined the conditions of each area. Studying both water and soil chemistry gave the team a better understanding of the whole ecology of a location. One hypothesis might be that removal of elodea in low-nutrient lakes leads to lower chances of reinvasion.

The team studied differences in defensive chemicals between two species of elodea and between plants in the U.S. versus plants in Europe. With the enemy-release hypothesis, researchers would expect elodea in Europe to have lower defensive chemicals. They’d also expect fewer insects to feed on the elodea in Europe. Determining which insects are found on elodea may help identify insects that can help control elodea populations. Because many European countries don’t use herbicides, Marko’s team is looking to use what is already there to fight what shouldn’t be. Learning more about the ecology of elodea and the organisms feeding on it will help manage invasive species better. The team found more than just plants in the water. When looking at physical characteristics of the two species of elodea, the team found something unexpected abroad. “In Europe, the two species can shape-shift a bit,” Marko says. During research in France, plants they thought were one species of elodea were actually of the other species of elodea. This inspired them to go back and relook at specimens they’d collected in 2015 and check DNA to make sure of what species they are. Marko’s team brought samples back to the U.S. and will continue to study them along with samples they collected in Minnesota during 2015. Because of this re-evaluation, the research project may continue an additional summer.

FIGHT INVASIVE SPECIES There’s a lot the average person can do to fight invasive species.

Marko and her student researchers shared preliminary results at the Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference in October and will share at the Private College Scholars Showcase in February. When they finish analyzing their samples, they will also present at a national conference. The entire experience is something many students don’t become involved in until graduate school. Dahl, who had just completed her first year, appreciates how many opportunities Concordia offers students, even those early in their college careers. “It’s great that Concordia does this research and experience out of the classrooms,” she says. “I don’t think I could’ve gotten it anywhere else.” It was a great chance to get a taste of fieldwork. While abroad, the students also got the chance to work with another professor and talk with graduate students, which opened up new ideas for their futures. Marko says the students were passionate about the research this summer and learned to navigate a different culture on a daily basis. “Rebecca and Ruthie worked hard and embraced the cultural experience,” Marko says. “By being there for six weeks, we had the opportunity to jump into both the lakes and the culture.” Marko and her collaborators continue to fight invasive species, one organism at a time. ◊

Karis Baerenwald ’17 is an English major from River Falls, Wis. Photos: Phillippe Wagner

Don’t release your goldfish or aquatic plants into the wild because that could spread invaders. The same goes for water gardens.

Clean plants off your boats so you’re not spreading invasive hitchhikers from lake to lake. Also clean off anything caught on your boots or legs.

If you find an invader in your lake, report it. If you live in Minnesota, report to the Department of National Resources at dnr.state.mn.us. If you live in North Dakota, report to the Game and Fish Department at gf.nd.gov. This will help them identify where invaders are spreading.

If you use earthworms as bait, don’t leave the extras at the lake after fishing because these creatures actually aren’t native. If you own a cabin, try to include some native plants in the shoreline along your property and reduce nutrient flow into the lake. fall 2016

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Selling Lutheran Higher Education What does this mean?

oncordia College’s humble beginnings turned into a great opportunity. Families in the region wanted their children educated at a school with a Christian foundation. That early vision of a school evolved into a true Lutheran college and is now one of 26 colleges affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. But as Martin Luther was famous for asking, “What does this mean” today? In our modern era of attracting young people, is there still a place for the original context Luther intended for education? Concordia’s college’s strong heritage and commitment to our Lutheran Christian mission anchors how we describe both who we are and what we stand for as a college of the church

Q: Martin Luther held certain elements to be

the foundation of Lutheran higher education. What are some of those underpinnings that are foundational for Concordia? Karl Stumo, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing

Carola Thorson, Executive Director of Admission and Scholarships

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Carola: One of the key components of Lutheran higher education is learning together and learning in community. The faculty leaders we have in the classroom and the openness and willingness to have a critical dialogue within the campus community is important for our students to later lead in their communities. Karl: Another tenet of Lutheran higher education is a deep dedication to critical inquiry and academic freedom. Learning in the classical Lutheran tradition includes a dedication to questioning everything, and including everyone in that process of inquiry. Faculty and students both consider and provide voices of dissent and

when visiting with prospective students and their families. Karl Stumo, vice president for Enrollment and Marketing, and Carola Thorson, executive director of Admission and Scholarships, are both Concordia graduates who worked for the college for a time and then left for opportunities at other institutions. Now back at Concordia, they have a unified goal to attract students who will thrive at a Lutheran liberal arts college. Concordia Magazine sat down with them to talk about what Lutheran higher education means and hear their take on how we modernize that message while staying true to our roots.

criticism in order to pursue truth in all areas of academic, spiritual and professional life. That pursuit of truth allows for a constant process of reforming – reforming what you think about academic work, your faith, your calling in life, and your service to your community and the world. Of course, diversity of thought and community closely aligns with that notion of critical inquiry and academic freedom as well. I would argue that diversity is a central tenet of the Lutheran higher education experience. To have an excellent learning experience, students need to more deeply understand and value differences that may be found with their friends and neighbors through race, color, faith tradition, sexual orientation and socioeconomic background.

Carola: And vocation is another. Sometimes students and parents get stuck on the notion that an academic major has to neatly translate into a job or career. A student’s vocation – their inner fire – often encompasses components of both a professional career path, as well as social justice issues and service to their community. Graduates often realize the power of their Concordia education when they go through the personal process of discerning what their life means, recognizing the lens through which they view the world – and ultimately recognizing and taking action to positively influence the affairs of the world around them.

Q: You note several core elements of Lutheran

higher education. Are prospective students aware of these elements? Karl: Well, not exactly, or at least not in those words. With many people, we have to start with correcting some false assumptions of what a Lutheran college is all about. Sometimes students and parents assume you have to be Lutheran or Christian to go to a Lutheran college. Perhaps more narrowly, there is an assumption that we have an overly narrow faith-based curriculum – like Lutheran chemistry or Christian psychology. Of course, the Lutheran education tradition breaks beyond those assumptions. Our Lutheran tenets argue that excellence in education requires broad worldviews and an open pursuit of truth. It was Luther who asked, “How dare we not know what we could know?” In my mind, this question requires a learning environment that is open to all philosophies and ideologies in order to pursue truth. Without that breadth in the learning process, we’re probably missing something important.

With the previous understanding, how do you translate Lutheran higher education into language for potential students and families? Karl: There are intentional parallels between those guiding principles of Lutheran higher education and the way we go about our work of telling the Concordia story. It’s our job to make sure that prospective students and parents know of the transformational experience of learning at Concordia. Transformation that happens academically, spiritually, professionally and personally.

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Q: The current marketing campaign being

used is called the Concordia Commitment. The components of that commitment to students are experiential and integrative learning, career preparation, the four-year graduation guarantee and a commitment to affordability. Can you unpack those concepts and how they intersect with Lutheran higher education? Karl: The practice of learning right now at Concordia is focused very critically on integrative and experiential learning. There is an emphasis placed on bringing multiple worldviews together and engaging in learning and problem solving. Our job is to help students understand they will not simply be memorizing academic content for an exam. Integrative learning is the process of making meaning from multiple experiences – together with faculty and other students in a classroom or beyond the classroom – in an active and engaged encounter. That practice of learning together and combining multiple perspectives in the learning process is clearly connected to our Lutheran heritage. Carola: It is our responsibility to make sure the marketplace understands that this is what a Concordia education is about. These integrated learning experiences are going to be for every single student, not just some students. It goes back to that Lutheran idea of access and excellence in education for everyone, not just a privileged few. Karl: Linking learning to current life and challenges in the world is really important. Major events are happening in our world right now. These types of real-world challenges require students and graduates and citizens who can be comfortable with difference and disagreement, with paradox, and who can think both deep and wide at the same time, and work to create positive change in areas of conflict and contradiction. To be an active citizen in issues like the Dakota Access Pipeline conversation or in the Lutheran Social Services refugee resettlement conversation or in this year’s democratic election process, students need to think broadly and integrate multiple

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perspectives to find meaning in life. The power of integrative learning prepares students to engage meaningfully in the messiness of life. And talking about career preparation and integrative learning is good because there is an extension that happens there. Through our career initiative, I have confidence that students are challenged the first day, the first year, and all four years they are here, to think about their education and future careers in more complex ways: “How am I preparing myself to be an employee of significant contribution toward problem solving, community building and sustaining and enhancing the common good?” Carola: Our career initiative is nothing like a traditional career center. It has all those traditional components within it, but it amplifies and asks students at every stage to discern what they want to do with their life – what is their greater vocational calling? How can they make a meaningful, positive difference in the world? The career initiative at Concordia helps our students through these stages and provides a guiding and helpful hand in their choices.

So let’s look at the last two pieces – the four-year graduation guarantee and overall college affordability. They are both important connections to Luther’s concept of educational access for all. Carola: I believe that a four-year degree should take four years, not five or six like at many other schools in the region. It’s something that our faculty take incredibly seriously when they are working with student advisees. When students look at the four-year graduation rates at other institutions, the initial reaction is “that won’t be me. I’ll be able to get done in four years.” When in actuality it’s like you are driving into a parking lot and there are 50 parking spaces in the lot. If you are the 51st car, you don’t get a space in the lot – so you don’t get to park there or, in the case of college, you don’t get the class you need to graduate on time. At Concordia, we are saying we will guarantee students access to the classes they need to continue progress toward graduation in four years – guaranteed.

Karl: And we are backing up the commitment to students to get done in four years with financial assurance. If a student doesn’t finish his or her curriculum in four years and it is evident that it happened as a result of accessibility to classes or something the college could control, then we take the responsibility as a college to help that student enroll an extra semester at no cost. We realize and respect that cost is a major concern for families. Every year the college invests nearly $40 million in financial aid to bring that sticker price of about $45,000 down to an average price of about $22,000. In fact, well over half of the students at Concordia paid either equal to or less than the sticker price of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. I don’t think enough people know that. And when you consider the difference of time to a degree and the learning experiences that students will have at Concordia, there is a major difference in the overall value of Concordia.

Q: The college gained some ground in firstyear enrollment this year and has a plan to increase enrollment over the next five years. What are some recruitment areas that are new frontiers?

Karl: It’s exciting to see all the new academic program innovation going on at the college. In the last few years, the faculty have launched new

academic programs in finance, data analytics, neuroscience, the digital humanities, social activism and interfaith studies. All of these new academic programs will, no doubt, help attract new students to Concordia. Carola: It’s really clear that this generation understands the value of diversity. We have students who come to the college and rightfully say that the college isn’t quite diverse enough. That’s why the Board of Regents, President Craft and the campus community are very focused on diversifying our student body and campus community. As a result, we are reaching out to additional populations of diverse prospective students in the Upper Midwest. Right now the college is working with both community organizations and diverse high schools to better reach students of color and first-generation college-goers. We know this work will take time, but the commitment is evident across campus. Karl: We also need to reach out specifically to Lutheran students. I have confidence there are church congregations all over the Midwest that have great students, youth groups and influential pastors that can help tell the Concordia story. These are students we want at Concordia. We want a chance at recruiting more of these students because we know they can have an incredible experience here. ◊

THE CONCORDIA COMMITMENT Career

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INTEGRATING FAITH INTO ACTION IN THE

WORKPLACE By Erin Hemme Froslie

rom a very early age we are told to avoid at least two topics during any dinner table conversation: politics and religion. After all, these are personal topics that can easily offend and turn an enjoyable dinner party into a debate match. Attend one of the Lorentzsen Center for Faith and Work luncheons sponsored by the Offutt School of Business and one of these supposedly

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sensitive topics serves as the centerpiece of the gathering. The Lorentzsen Center provides resources to students, faculty and business leaders who want to integrate faith and work while practicing values-based ethical leadership. One of its key programs is a luncheon where leaders in business, nonprofits and other community organizations share how their faith influences their work.

In a world where we’ve been taught to separate church and state, public and private, these conversations are challenging. But in a world where businesses make headlines for unethical and immoral conduct – think the financial crisis – it’s a refreshing discussion. “It’s not a forum for preaching,” says Dr. Faith Ngunjiri, director of the Lorentzsen Center. “It’s a forum for conversations about values, ethics, faith, religion and how all of these things are related.” Luncheon topics have ranged from trust in the workplace to bioethics. In 2013, three individuals in the legal profession presented “Faith and Law” where they explored the tension between God’s law and human law. They also admitted how unusual it is to think about, much less publicly discuss, one’s faith. “Historically, judges don’t talk about what they think or feel outside of the courtroom … We don’t have this conversation in public very often,” says Ralph Erickson, a U.S. federal judge. And yet, “I have never met a person who does not have a philosophy or a theology. But a high percentage of people I know cannot put into words the philosophy or theology they hold.” He then challenged the audience: “Go home and think about what it is you really believe and why you believe it.” Conversations about faith and work sparked in the late 1980s and early 1990s when mass organizational restructuring occurred and workers in the U.S. no longer had the assurance or security of a job. People started searching for something stable, something that centered them in the workplace, Ngunjiri says. The impact of 9/11 solidified that search. Concordia is well situated to facilitate these “search for meaning” public conversations. Our Lutheran identity encourages exploration of the duality of daily life and spiritual expression. The Lutheran understanding of vocation as serving the needs of the neighbor also contributes to the discussion.

Burlington Northern railroad between 1970 and 1980. Lorentzsen’s faith formed how he lived and worked. He was known for hiring employees who had integrity, high personal motivation, determination, good judgment and loyalty. He also believed the company had an obligation to provide an affirmative work environment and the opportunity for personal growth and development. Lorentzsen, a former member and chair of the Board of Regents, died in September. The center strives to provide a safe environment where one can model how faith connects the whole of life – personal, family, community and career, says Dr. Paul Dovre, president emeritus of the college who helped to establish the center.

“ We all have faith in something. Many people in business can find in their faith a good resource, a resource for helping them understand and carry out their work.” – Dr. Paul Dovre

As such, faith can and does influence elements of leadership like the treatment of employees, the company mission, goals, product quality and management style. Especially in the Upper Midwest, people often see this connection between faith and work even if they can’t articulate it. “In our region, there is a whole group of business people who serve others because of their commitment to God,” says Leann Wolff ’82, cofounder of Great Outcomes Consulting and a presenter at one of the Lorentzsen luncheons. “The Lorentzsen Center gives us a place to come together and talk about that.”

“If your faith is not telling you how to lead your life, it’s not answering a key question,” Ngunjiri says.

Ngunjiri strives to invite presenters who reflect different ages, faith traditions and genders. Through diverse voices, she hopes people will feel more comfortable initiating honest, reflective discussions about faith in the workplace – even among people who may not share the same views.

The Lorentzsen Center is named for the late Norman Lorentzsen ’41, who was CEO of

After all, understanding can happen one conversation at a time. ◊

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From Refugee to

Entrepreneur By Eric Lillehaugen

rom the beginning, Concordia has been a place for immigrants, refugees and people from all walks of life to come together in common cause for the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of self and community. For Nedzad Halilovic ’01, that commitment to community means a great deal and it’s part of what drew him to Concordia after fleeing a war in his home country of Bosnia at age 17. The opportunity to create a new life in the Midwest didn’t come without risk, but the network of support that he found when he arrived set him on an entirely new path. Despite finding himself in a new culture with little familiarity with the language, Halilovic brought with him a perspective that compelled him to work hard and succeed. “Surviving a war, I learned a lot of things,” Halilovic says. “When I came to America, things were so easy. I was 17 years old, but I felt much older.” That drive to create opportunities for himself is what led him to Concordia. With no money and no college prospects, Halilovic took the initiative to secure his own future. “I walked into the administration office and I said, ‘I heard this is the best school. How can I become a student here?’” Halilovic says.

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Through the help of peers and English tutors, Halilovic found the support that he needed to thrive. He made an impression on his professors and developed close relationships with faculty mentors like Dr. Joan Kopperud, professor of English. “Ned was a fully engaged student in every way,” Kopperud says. “I appreciated his curiosity and desire to learn, as well as his deep sense of commitment to building a better future for himself and his family.” When Halilovic describes his time at Concordia, he recalls meals at dining services and the familiar experience of greeting friends on campus. On several occasions, friends invited him to their homes for Thanksgiving or Christmas, knowing that he had nowhere else to go. Through it all, it’s clear that community made all the difference. “Concordia gave me more than support. Concordia was home,” Halilovic says. And when it came time for graduation, his new community rallied to bring his family to the ceremony. When Kopperud learned that it wasn’t financially possible for any of Halilovic’s family to travel for commencement, she shared his story with other professors, friends and local

organizations. Within a couple of weeks, they had raised enough money to bring his father, Jerry, to the U.S. to see his son walk across the stage and receive his degree. “It’s those kinds of things I will never forget. Ever,” Halilovic says. The hard work and determination that propelled Halilovic through his college career proved to be just as great an asset after graduation. Combined with the entrepreneurial spirit he cultivated working as a boy in his father’s menswear store, he knew that his goal was to become a business owner. Working on cleaning detail as a student, he began to realize what that business would be. “Cleaning is one of those businesses that will never die,” Halilovic says. “It’s always going to be there no matter what.” Shortly after leaving Concordia, he began his first commercial cleaning business, Ambassador Cleaning, with one employee: himself. Halilovic would spend nights cleaning his first client’s location, Timber Lodge Steakhouse, and return in the morning looking for feedback.

Halilovic continued to grow his business, taking on several more restaurants before expanding to include other industries. Eventually, he opened a second business, Rainbow Restoration, for clients with specific needs like mold removal or fire cleanup.

Nedzad Halilovic ‘01 turned his experience cleaning as a student at Concordia into inspiration for two businesses: Ambassador Cleaning and Rainbow Restoration.

Halilovic has maintained a sense of responsibility to the community that welcomed him 20 years ago. His passion for giving back led him to Fargo’s Kiwanis chapter, where he was recently named president – the first Muslim to hold the position.

“This is my home. My kids were born here. This is my community. It wouldn’t be right not to give back.” – Nedzad Halilovic

Through his own dedication, Halilovic overcame adversity and cultural differences, affirming our college’s earliest commitment to provide a welcoming place for those seeking opportunity and heeding a call to give back. ◊

“They’d tell me, ‘oh, they did a fantastic job,’” Halilovic says. “But the whole time, it was just me.”

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A Legacy of Song and Scholarships B y Am y E. K el ly

Pastor Paul Bortnem seemed to know people wherever he went. His passion for his ministry was evident through the people who gravitated toward him. In addition to his extensive background in languages and his biblical study, he also had a love of science and mathematics and the desire for women to have equal access to STEM opportunities. When Paul passed away from cancer in 2014, his sister Veronna Capone and her husband, John, wanted to honor Paul’s family and keep his legacy alive in a meaningful way. They consulted Paul’s wife, Rosine, and adult children, Peter Bortnem ’90 and Rebekah (Bortnem) Lundstrom ’92, along with their spouses, Kristin (Anderson) Bortnem ’97 and Mark Lundstrom ’92, to see what seemed most appropriate. Their answer was to create endowed scholarships in STEM for women and to honor his love of music, through the commissioning of a musical work. “Music was really important to Paul and church music in specific,” John says. “He enjoyed singing. He also had such a love of science and math, so it seemed like a very appropriate combination and I think it’s something Paul would enjoy.” In addition to the scholarships, the Capone’s gift is being used for the commissioning of “The Passion of Jesus Christ,” composed by

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Dr. René Clausen. While the trial and eventual crucifixion of Jesus is a deep and heavy story, Clausen says creating the piece is anything but dark. “It’s a joyful process,” Clausen says. “This is our 125th year as a college and it’s coming into the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. It’s an opportunity to create a piece of new art that can celebrate the college and our Lutheran heritage.” More than 400 Concordia choir and orchestra members will perform the hour-long piece at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis and on campus in April. “Our connection to Concordia is really Paul and Rosine’s children, Peter and Bekah, and their spouses, who are all Concordia graduates,” Veronna says. “And Concordia provided them with good educations.” In addition to honoring Paul’s memory, John and Veronna wanted to uphold Paul and Rosine’s dedication to education by giving back to the college that was instrumental to the Bortnem family. “They are really good people, with really good values,” John says, “and that’s what got me interested in giving to Concordia.” ◊

2016 ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS The Alumni Achievement Award (AAA), the college’s highest honor, is conferred upon alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers and service to others.

Dr. James B. Buhr

’67 has devoted his life to global influence as a family practice physician for more than 40 years. He has served in Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Africa, Liberia and Cameroon. In 2006, he represented Global Health Ministries in assessing the need to build a hospital in Central African Republic. Once it was built, he returned to evaluate the services provided by it. In Valley City, N.D., he serves as county health officer/medical director, coroner, and is the primary physician for more than 100 individuals at the Open Door Center, which serves adults and children with disabilities and mental health needs.

Jean E. Bye ’79 has been focused throughout her career at

Dotson Iron Castings on building a company that outperforms the competition while creating a culture that values and inspires employees. Today, she is president and CEO of the iron foundry in Mankato, Minn. In 2014, she initiated a special interest group within the American Foundry Society that mentors and coaches women in the industry. She is the first woman to serve on the society’s executive committee and will be the president of the association in 2018. Additionally, she has participated in the invitation-only International Foundry Forum twice.

Dr. Karen A. Feste ’66 has contributed to the field of

international relations through her work in conflict resolution, terrorism and U.S. military intervention. A professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver, some of her students became prominent policymakers. She founded and directs the university graduate program in conflict resolution, securing a $1.4 million grant from the Henry Luce Foundation for its development. She’s published six books including “Plans for Peace,” “Expanding the Frontiers” and “Terminate Terrorism.” Feste was twice a Fulbright Scholar to Vienna, Austria, and held visiting professorships in China, Germany and Turkey. She’s on the advisory board for the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights and active in Forward Global Women.

David J. Horazdovsky ’78, president and CEO of the

Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, has key passions for innovative care and consumer-focused service. As leader of the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of long-term care, housing and senior services, he emphasizes well-being and improved environments. He joined the society in 1978 and was tapped to lead the organization in 2003. In addition to his work with the society, he serves as a board member of a healthcare technology company and a national affordable housing trust company. He continues to be involved in public policy and advocacy for seniors. ◊

Global Travel Our global travel programs provide opportunities for our alumni and the entire Concordia family, reinforcing the college's traditions and values with an emphasis on education. The following are our upcoming trips: March 15-29

China

Led by Dr. Tao Ming and Eric Johnson In Beijing, Chengdu, Chonquing and Shanghai, explore temples and artifacts, walk on bamboo paths with pandas and experience the thrill of a high-speed train. May 8-18

Germany Choir

Led by Dr. Michael Culloton Follow the path of Martin Luther, learn about World War II sites and the Gutenberg press while enjoying The Concordia Choir on tour. June 7-16

Germany Cycling

Led by President William and Anne Craft Take a 30-35 mile-per-day bicycle ride on excellent biking trails in Thuringia, where Luther, Goethe and Bach worked and lived. July 10-22

Italy Opera

Led by David Hamilton Visit famous sites of Italy in Milan, Verona, Florence and Rome, and immerse yourself in art, fashion, design, ancient architecture, Italian cuisine and opera performances. To find out more and to register for these adventures, go to ConcordiaCollege.edu/alumnitravel

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CLASS NOTES 19 3 9

196 7

Donald Gilbertson, Gold River, Calif., earned a Citation of Honorary Alumnus from

Dikka (Moan) Ballantine married Ken McDonald in July 2015; they live in Seattle.

Concordia for his service in the Navy and 32 years of Lutheran ministry; his attendance at the college was cut short due to his father’s failing health.

// Ed Langsdorf, Sun City, Ariz., retired after 16 years as a college scout for the NFL San Diego Chargers; he previously taught and coached at Concordia and Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore.

19 5 0 James Hofrenning, St. Paul, Minn., was listed in Marquis’ “Who’s Who in Religion” in February; he and his wife, Ingeborg, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

19 57 Evonne (Mathison) Beattie, Phoenix, was honored as a 50-Year Member of the Music Teachers National Association at the national conference in San Antonio.

196 5 Judith (Jensen) Elgethun, Larkspur, Colo., received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado chapter of American String Teachers Association at the Colorado Music Educators’ Convention. // Rachel Larson, Greenville, S.C., is a professor of history at North Greenville U, Tigerville; she also works with the teacher education program.

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1969 Claudia (Wallin) Hagen, Moorhead, retired after 27 years as administrative assistant of Concordia’s biology department. // Patricia (Kolar) Strand, East Wenatchee, Wash., retired after teaching elementary music for 39 years; she was inducted into the 2016 Washington Music Educators Association Hall of Fame.

19 7 2 David Wigtil, Germantown, Md., is self-employed translating more than 12 Euro-languages into English.

19 7 3 Margaret (Hayford) O’Leary, Northfield, Minn., is associate dean for Humanities at St. Olaf College. // William Sedgeman, Warren, Minn., retired for a second time from Warren-Alvarado-Oslo Public School; he taught instrumental and classroom

music for 41 years. // Paul Selden, Portage, Mich., retired as president of Performance Management Inc., which he founded; he continues to be active in a number of volunteer organizations in the Kalamazoo area. // John Toso, Roseville, Minn., retired from emergency medicine in 2014 to care for his wife of nearly 42 years, Joann, who passed away in 2015; he provides consultative services to Global Health Ministries.

19 7 5 James Sanoden, St. Paul, Minn., retired after 27 years with the U.S. Customs Service in the Los Angeles area.

19 7 6 Randi (Harrisville) Lundell, Roseville, Minn., is one of the co-authors of “Luther and Bach on the Magnificat: For Advent and Christmas” published by Wipf & Stock, 2016; she has a short story, “Death in the Narthex,” published in the anthology “Cooked to Death: Tales of Crime and Cookery” Nodin Press, 2016. // Cynthia (Opdahl) Moore, Yakima, Wash., retired as worship leader at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church; she teaches private voice and piano lessons and is a brand partner for Nerium International.

19 7 7 Janice (Holter) Kittok, Delano, Minn., was endorsed as a Minnesota State Senate candidate for District 29 of the Minnesota DemocraticFarmer-Labor Party, Wright County.

19 7 8 Mary (Erickson) Flesberg, Argusville, N.D., was named the 2016 Teacher of the Year for Moorhead Public Schools. // Roxanne (Gerdes) Kremer, Wilmont, Minn., was named the 2016 Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars K-5 Teacher of the Year during the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention.

19 8 0 Tracy (Hagstrom) Durant, Buffalo, Minn., received the Dedicated Lifetime Award from the Minnesota Educational Theater Association, Minneapolis.

19 8 1 Lorraine Frojen, Gig Harbor, Wash., is senior veterans service representative for Veterans Benefits Administration in SeaTac.

19 8 2 Ann (Sackreiter) Butt, Salt Lake City, is an assistant professor at the U of Utah. // Evelyn (Panula) Weston,

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Babbitt, Minn., is chair of the Laurentian Youth Leadership Project for the congregations of NE MN Synod ELCA’s Laurentian Conference.

19 8 4 Joanie Eppinga, Spokane, Wash., co-authored a book on educational leadership, “Powerless to Powerful: Leadership for School Change,” published by Rowman & Littlefield. // Cathy Lindquist, Moorhead, is marketing manager for Moore Engineering Inc., West Fargo, N.D. // Thor Tolo, Seattle, is an assistant professor of business and the academic programs coordinator in the College of Adult and Professional Studies at Northwest U, Kirkland, Wash.

to chief operating officer of Gilda’s Club Louisville (named for Gilda Radner). // Stacey Von Wald, St. Paul, Minn., earned a teaching degree in special education and a Master of Arts degree in autism spectrum disorders from the U of St. Thomas.

19 8 7 Kirsten (Pedersen) Boehne, Savage, Minn., has presented on monarch butterflies for the John Prescott Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Hi Lo Bloomington Garden Club; she has also presented on her volunteer experiences with the Science Museum of Minnesota and her work with prehistoric artifacts found in Minnesota.

Minneapolis.

19 8 9 Shawn Brandon, Arnold, Md., is pastor for Gloria Dei! Lutheran Church. // Kirsti (Stommen) Holm, Drobak, Norway, is research and development coordinator for the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation; Kirsti and her husband, Torben, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Kimberly George married Kevin Frey in February; they live in Robbinsdale, Minn. // Kirk Thompson is a library information specialist for DoDEA (Department of Defense Education Activity)/ Stuttgart High School.

19 8 8

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Ryan Haaland, Durango, Colo., received the Fort Lewis College Achievement Award; he is chair of the Fort Lewis College department of physics and engineering. // Lisa Yerington, Escondido, Calif., is a self-employed life coach.

John Fatino, Pleasant Hill, Iowa, was recognized for 20 years of service to Whitfield & Eddy; he is a member attorney, member of the firm’s executive committee, and chair of the Transportation and Trucking Law Practice Group. // Kim (Johnson) Poppe, Hudson, Wis., is a mortgage loan underwriter for Wells Fargo Home Loans,

A boy, Alex, was adopted by Kenton and Holly (Adamson) Bender, Accident, Md., in March; Alex was born in May 2008. // Kelly (Abrahamson) Binfet, Fargo, does community outreach for Ronald McDonald House of the Red River Valley. // Joy Erickson, St. Paul, Minn., was named Best Real Estate Agent of 2015 by White Bear Lake Magazine. // Karen (Burton) Evenson, Rosemount, Minn., is associate pastor at Rosemount UMC and campus pastor at Faith UMC in Farmington; she is employed by Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. // Elliot Konschak, Andover, Md., is senior vice president, U.S. MPCI Market Leader, for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. // Eric Singsaas, Duluth, Minn., is initiative director for bioeconomy and forest products for the U of Minnesota Natural Resources Research Institute.

Janet (Allen) Gruenberg, Prospect, Ky., was promoted

Mini Reunion at the Lodge Cobbers from the class of ’71 reunited with classmate Marcia Hillestad Seguin (right front) at Cove Point Lodge on Lake Superior in August. (l-r) back: Lynne (Lundquist) Genter, Sue (Hytjan) Graff, Connie Manske, Lynn Bachman; front: Deborah (Miller) Birkeland and Marcia

Jeffrey Greenwood ’95, Burke, Va., was promoted to colonel in the U.S. Air Force; he was pinned with his new rank by his daughter, Griffin (left), and son, Garrett, while his wife, Nicole, assisted. The ceremony, which was also attended by his parents, in-laws and sisters, was held in the Joint Staff Flag Room at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

19 9 1

19 8 5

19 8 6

A Pinning Ceremony

19 9 3 A girl, Joanna, was born to Janet and Jonathan Holte, Battle Creek, Mich., in May.

19 9 4 Ryan Bemis, Alton, Ill., is owner of Bemis Family Chiropractic. // Kalee (Hohn) Dawson, Coon Rapids, Minn., passed the FINRA General Principal Series 24 examination.

19 9 5 Erin (Ingersoll) Gillett, Fargo, was promoted to professor at Minnesota State U Moorhead; she is in her 16th year as a faculty member in the elementary and early childhood education programs in the School of Teaching and Learning. // Jeffrey Greenwood, Burke, Va., was promoted to colonel in the U.S. Air Force at a ceremony at the Pentagon and began a 10-month training at National War College, National Defense U, in Washington, D.C. // Andrea Hanson married Matthew Jorstad in May; they live in Grand Forks, N.D.

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« class notes

Girls Getaway A group of ’91 alumna has gathered every year for the past 20 years. This year they spent the weekend in Nisswa, Minn. (l-r): Lori (Watt) Feigum, Jen (Jacobson) Nelson, Julie Nelson, Julie (Johnson) McChesney, Sarah (Simonson) Greene, Jenny (Hanson) Tudor, MayAnn (Carr) Severud, Sarah (Olsen) Psick, not pictured; Jonna (Overby) Underwood, Maret (Swick) Kashmark, Hiedy (Fladeland) Morey

Supervisors. // Nels Paulson, Menomonie, Wis., was named Educator of the Year for the U of Wisconsin-Stout by the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce. // Thomas Rosengren, Belgrade, Minn., is production manager for The Barn Theatre, Willmar. // A boy, Asher, was born to Gregory and Jessica (Haugrud) Sjostrom, Pelican Rapids, Minn., in January.

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19 9 8

Amanda (Hams) Crisalli, Paradise Valley, Ariz., is executive producer and lead

A girl, Zoey, was born to Stephanie and Benjamin Corwin, Fargo, in March;

actress for the film “President Buchanan and the HalfWoman.” // A girl, Geneva, was born to Jodi and David Dettmann, Rochester, Minn., in February. // Christine (Ward) Peterson, Broken Arrow, Okla., earned a master’s degree in health informatics and information management from the U of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis; she is a compliance officer for Conifer Healthcare Solutions. // Charity (Dittmer) Ramler, Minneapolis, is senior vice president for Aon.

Benjamin is an account executive for Gartner. // Kevin Wollin, St. Paul, Minn., is an account manager for BNSF Logistics.

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19 9 9 Matt Quam, New York, is deputy chief development officer for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. // A boy, Bryden, was born to Ashley and Tim Wenz, Kalispell, Mont., in February.

2 000 Kristen Hetland married Joe Ford in October 2015; they live in Fargo; Kristen

Lance Harrell, Sauk Rapids, Minn., founded Empowered Biofuels, an environmental nonprofit that assists marginalized women in Latin America through the development of local renewable energy. // Nancy Hunter, Zurich, Switzerland, is EU brand director –

is associate professor and chair of the health, physical education and exercise science department at Concordia. // Kristy (Heinle) Miller, Duluth, Minn., received the 2015 Service Hero Award from UnitedHealthcare. // Doug Paulson, Cedar, Minn., was appointed to the Committee on Guiding Implementation of

IMLYGIC for Amgen Europe GmbH in Zug. // Dawn Tucker, Richfield, Minn., is manager of specialty care, marketing and communications for Allina Health, Minneapolis.

K-12 Engineering Education by the National Academy of Engineering, Washington, D.C.; he also was elected as board director for the Council of State Science

concordia magazine

Willow Bousu married Russ Gerhard in June; they live in Eagan, Minn.; she is an executive assistant for Thrivent Financial. // Carrie (Strouth) Herrig, Grand Forks, N.D., earned certification as a GallupCertified Strengths Coach, becoming the second in the state and joining the 700 certified strengths coaches worldwide; she is a learning and development coordinator at the U of North Dakota. // Jakob Jensen, Salt Lake City, is the first back-to-back winner of the Golden Anniversary Monograph Award from the National Communication Association since 1980. // A girl, Zoe, was born to Kris and Kim (Martian) Kroetsch, Fargo, in January. // Christina Myers, St. Paul, Minn., is client services manager, client relationships, for LAKANA. // Kathryn Rice, Baton Rouge, La., is founder and school director of Baton Rouge College Prep. // Angie (Taylor) Thaxton, Sauk Rapids, Minn., is community manager for the American Cancer Society, St. Cloud. // Jason Witzke, Perham, Minn., is a selfemployed property manager/ owner.

2 00 2 Sarah Barrett, Minneapolis, earned a Master of Social

Work degree from St. Catherine U and the U of St. Thomas School of Social Work, St. Paul. // A boy, Jaxson, was born to Elizabeth and Evan Kuhn, Nisswa, Minn., in April. // Jon Mageroy, Ås, Norway, is a researcher for the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research. // Nicole (Paquette) Overby, Big Lake, Minn., earned a Master of Arts degree in marriage and family therapy from Argosy U, Twin Cities; she is a marriage and family mental health practitioner for Valhalla Place, Brooklyn Park. // Amanda (Hastad) Thompson, Willmar, Minn., is lead author of an article published in the June 15, 2016, volume of American Journal of Health System Pharmacy; she is co-author of an article published in the April 16, 2016, journal Case Reports in Oncology.

2 00 3 A boy, Cormac, was born to Bill and Gretchen (Wester) Blakeney, Savage, Minn., in May 2015. // A boy, Andrew, was born to Brent ’02 and Kimberly (Nelson) Davison, Elk River, Minn., in May. // Christopher Lebsock, Billings, Mont., completed a License in Sacred Theology (S.T.L.) in moral theology at the Pontifical U of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome and returned to the Diocese of Helena, Mont., to serve as priest at the Cathedral of St. Helena. // Allie (Martinson) Loerzel, Eden Prairie, Minn., is in care management at Allina Health. // A boy, Gabriel, was born to Brent and Joni (Engelmann) Ness, Eden Prairie, Minn., in February. // Marija Reiff, Charlottesville, Va., received the 2016 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award

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from the U of Iowa Council on Teaching, Iowa City. // A girl, Emma, was born to Erik and Karen (Damhof) Sorenson, Minnetonka, Minn., in June.

2 00 4 A girl, Julia, was born to Trevor and Sonja (Vanderpan) Brandt, Grand Forks, N.D., in January. // A boy, Carl, was born to Kevin and Marie (Reigstad) Ellis, Minneapolis, in June; Marie is director of Public Affairs and Legal Counsel for the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. // A boy, Ryan, was born to Aaron and Jennifer (Vomhof) Hoska, Roseville, Minn., in May. // Lindsey Moe, Fargo, was promoted to compliance officer for Bell Bank, where she has worked for 13 years. // A boy, Elliot, was born to Nicole and Marshall Moore, St. Louis Park, Minn., in June. // A girl, Amelia, was born to Eric and Karen (Miller) Nelson, West Fargo, N.D., in March. // Gretchen Nordstrom married Jonathan Davis in April; they live in Washington, D.C. // Kyle Olson, Fargo, is a realtor for Keller Williams Roers Realty. // Abbi Telander, St. Ann, Mo., is an alumni and volunteer coordinator for the St. Louis Children’s Choirs. // A girl, Arya, was born to Mark and Megan (Stein) Lyons, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in December 2015.

2 00 5 Oby Ballinger, St. Paul, Minn., created an online daily Bible group helping nearly 200 people around the country read through the Bible in a year. // Erinn Brauer, McCook, Neb., is area director of financial aid for Mid-Plains Community College. // A girl, Eleanor, was born to Steven and Juliet

(Nygaard) Erb, Fort Collins, Colo., in April. // Amanda (Olson) Holman, Omaha, Neb., collaborated with a group of students to write, shoot and direct a public service announcement titled “Let's Change the Talk” focusing on the best ways a parent can initiate “the talk” about sex, using Holman’s research as a foundation; she is an assistant professor at Creighton U. // A boy, Ryan, was born to Andrew and Katherine (Somerfeld) Rogers, Baltimore, in February. // Shantel (Seemann) Schonour, Roslindale, Mass., earned an Education Specialist degree in reading from the U of Massachusetts, Lowell; she is a reading specialist and English teacher for Minuteman High School, Lexington. // Melissa Sire, Seattle, earned a Master of Science degree in early childhood education from the U of North Dakota, Grand Forks; she is a pre-K-teacher at Thornton Creek School. // Michelle Urberg, Seattle, earned a doctorate in music history and theory from the U of Chicago; she received a Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship from the U of Illinois, Champaign.

2 006 Tyler Bormann, Breckenridge, Minn., is the head coach for boys basketball at Moorhead Senior High School. // Ellen (Mueller) Fox, Washington, D.C., is a science associate at The Journal of Immunology and The American Association of Immunologists. // A boy, Sebastian, was born to Rachel (Tepe) and Stephen Mollick, St. Louis Park, Minn., in April. // A boy, Briggs, was born to Nolen and Alison (Perleberg) Peterson, Oakes, N.D., in March; Alison is

a clinic manager at CHI Oakes Community Hospital and Clinic. // Karla Solum, Moorhead, was named USA Beach Volleyball Sports Medicine Provider of the Year for 2015 by USA Beach Volleyball, Torrance, Calif. // A girl, Inga, was born to Ted and Kristin (Tramp) Steinmann, Eagan, Minn., in May. // A twin girl, Betsy, and boy, Joel III, were born to Joel and Dena (Hammond) Weinberger, San Diego, in April.

2 00 7 A boy, Colin, was born to Adam and Sarah (Hartmann) Hetz, Brooklyn Park, Minn., in April. // A boy, Bennett, was born to Lindsay (Morlock) and Andy Lowther, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., in February. // A boy, Noah, was born to Chad and Nicole (Ellingson) Schroeder, Brooklyn Park, Minn., in March. // Allison Wendel, Fargo, is an English and STEM teacher at West Fargo High School.

2 00 8 Berit (Christensen) Dockter, Silver Spring, Md., is a health policy analyst for Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Baltimore. // A boy, Elliot, was born to Jonathan ’06 and Liz (Carlson) Eisert, Fargo, in October 2015. // A girl, Dorothy, was born to Matthew ’09 and Hannah (Griffin) Fleming, Eden Prairie, Minn., in May. // A boy, William, was born to Jaclyn and Chad Johnson, St. Joseph, Minn., in March; Chad is a SMART Kids coordinator for the Salvation Army, St. Cloud, Minn.

2 00 9 Kelly Meyers, Eagan, Minn., is senior specialist

merchandise presentation for Target Corporation, Minneapolis. // Joe Raasch married Nicole Syverson in April; they live in Fargo; Joe is an on-boarding assistant for Pedigree Technology. // Daniel Ram married Alice Cao in December 2015; they live in Providence, R.I.; Daniel received a doctorate in immunology from Tufts U, Boston, and a postdoctoral fellowship to Harvard Medical School. // A boy, Cade, was born to Anna (Overson) and Cody Salo, Cloquet, Minn., in August 2015. // A boy, Ethan, was born to Parker and Kristina (Bruns) Schultz, Lakeville, Minn., in May. // A boy, Joshua, was born to Jeremiah and Heidi (Kittleson) Schutt, Winnebago, Minn., in November 2015. // A boy, Bentley, was born to Benjamin and Christina (Jacobson) Verbick, Minneapolis, in July.

2 0 10 Katie Bleskacek married Steve Steinke in July 2015; they live in Fridley, Minn. // A boy, Cameron, was born to Kevin and Jessica (Wiener) Gruber, Belgrade, Minn., in December 2015; Jessica is a commercial loan assistant for Central MN Credit Union, Paynesville. //

He’s Got the Outfit Right Oliver, the son of Courtney (Voges) ’10 and Joe ’10 Douglass, dresses the part as a future member of Cobber Nation. Oliver was born in February 2015.

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« class notes

Future Cobbers for Class of 2027 Baton Rouge College Prep is a small middle school in Baton Rouge, La., founded by director Kathryn Rice ’01. The school’s mission is to prepare 100 percent of its scholars for success in college and life.

Maggie (Olson) Hartmann, Alexandria, Minn., earned a master’s degree in nursing from the U of North Dakota, Grand Forks; she is a family nurse practitioner for Sanford Health, Parkers Prairie. // A girl, Cecelia, was born to Ross and Jade (Kilen) Haugen, Thief River Falls, Minn., in March. // Andrea Johnke, Richfield, Minn., is an instructional support specialist for Great Clips Inc., Minneapolis. // A boy, Wesley, was born to Kevin and Marissa (Funkhouser) Loge, Kasson, Minn., in April 2015. // A girl, Olivia, was born to Katie (Wolf) and Tim Pipinich, Helena, Mont., in March. // Megan Rice married Logan Hollenkamp in September 2015; they live in Eagan, Minn. // A girl, Claire, was born to Kent and Sarah (Siegle) Sannes, West Fargo, N.D., in May. // A girl, Hallee, was born to Amber and Taylor Sannes, Crookston, Minn., in March. // A girl, Alianna, was born to Bruno ’12 and Megan (Gehring) Surdo, West Fargo, N.D., in March; Megan is director of Total Rewards for TMI Hospitality.

2011 Sasha Bergsagel married Nathan Dykema in October 2015; they live in Fargo. //

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Rachel Claseman married William DeVries III in July; they live in Minneapolis. // A girl, Alma, was born to Sara (Holmgren) and Ross Dankers, Kalispell, Mont., in June. // A boy, James, was born to Mackenzie (Kane) ’10 and Casey DeRoo, Coralville, Iowa, in August 2015; Casey received a doctorate in physics from the U of Iowa, Iowa City, and the Leon Van Speybroeck Postdoctoral Fellowship from HarvardSmithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass. // A boy, James, was born to Nicholas ’12 and Katrina (Corcoran) Holman, Baxter, Minn., in June. // A boy, Barrett, was born to Brienne (Roullier) and Joshua Jans, Minneapolis, in January. // Amber Sperling married Cale Benoit in June; they live in Langdon, N.D.

2012 Heidi Drobinski married Bilal Ghandour in May; they live in Hastings, Minn.; Heidi is an elementary teacher for South Washington County Schools. // Erik Hatlestad, New London, Minn., was promoted to program associate for CURE, which strives for public awareness on the Minnesota River Watershed and other renewable energy

programs. // Benjamin Jacobson, Alexandria, Minn., earned a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary, St. Paul; he is associate pastor for First Lutheran Church. // A boy, Soren, was born to Kyle ’11 and Anne (Jepson) Larson, Mahnomen, Minn., in March. // Logan Rutten, Philadelphia, earned a Master of Education degree in curriculum and supervision from The Pennsylvania State U; he is a Latin teacher at Penncrest High School, Media. // Brittany Soiney married Dan Swanson ’11 in August; they live in Boise, Idaho. // Anna

Haven, Conn., is a case manager at Columbus House, a homeless shelter. // Kelly Knutson, Hooksett, N.H., is a Concord-north regional field director for NextGen Climate, Concord, Conn. // Mariah Lardy, Fargo, is the club manager for Anytime Fitness, Dilworth, Minn. // Karley Thorson, Pierre, S.D., is a fourth-grade teacher at Buchanan Elementary. // Lauren Wavra, Fargo, is a legal assistant for the city prosecutor’s office.

Stasko, Woster, Ohio, earned a Master of Science degree in plant pathology from The Ohio State U, Columbus. // A girl, Alianna, was born to Megan (Gehring) '10 and Bruno Surdo, West Fargo, N.D., in March; Bruno earned a master’s degree in sports management from Concordia U, St. Paul, Minn.; he is the career and development program manager for Sciences and Mathematics at Concordia College. // Andrea (Wagner) White, Evansville, Minn., is a communication art and design instructor for Alexandria Technical and Community College.

Patrick McGuire in August; they live in Fargo.

2013 Andraya Abrego married Joseph Perron ’11 in June; they live in Fort Collins, Colo. // A girl, Analiese, was born to Meghan and Nathan Meidinger, Houma, La., in February. // A girl, Freya, was born to Jon and Kristi (Knight) Neumann, Barnesville, Minn., in July.

2 0 15 Kayla Bones, Fargo, is the youth director for First Presbyterian Church. // Madeline Johnson, New

2 0 16 Alyson Kasemodel married

ME MOR I A L S 1939: I. Thordis “Teddy” (Aas) Zagona, 99, Tucson, Ariz., in June; she is survived by her husband, Salvatore. 1941: Norman Lorentzsen, 99, Woodbury, Minn., in September; he is survived by his wife, Donna Boller. 1942: Ardeth (Burgeson) Coward, 95, Matthews, N.C., in May. 1943: DeWayne Lee, 95, tAlbuquerque, N.M., in June. // Violet (Otheim) Saarela, 94, Puyallup, Wash., in May. 1944: Dolores "Dee" (Lea) Fowkes, 94, Huber Heights, Ohio, in April. // Chrycentie “Chris” (Hanson) Liggett, 93, Roundup, Mont., in August; she is survived by her husband, John. 1947: Berniece (Samdahl) Brekke, 90, Centennial, Colo., in March; she is survived

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by her husband, Arvid. // Dorothy (Gilbertson) Morstad, 90, Greenfield, Wis., in June. // John Odland, 90, Fargo, in August. 1948: Ralph Hofrenning, 94, Fargo, in May; he is survived by his wife, Judith (Erickson). 1949: Avis (Knutson) Berglund, 88, Pasadena, Calif., in August; she is survived by her husband, Carl. // Shirley (Viker) Lavanger, 89, Plymouth, Minn., in March; she is survived by her husband, Allen. 1950: Robert “Bud” Strand, 89, Portland, N.D., in August; he is survived by his wife, Opal. // Constance (Lunde) Vanvig, 86, Bismarck, N.D., in July. 1951: John Grindberg, 86, Blaine, Minn., in April; he is survived by his wife, Esther. 1952: Wilma (Kvenild) Pierson, 87, Fargo, in April. 1953: Lowell Austinson, 85, Ada, Minn., in July; he is survived by his wife, Clarice. 1954: Philip Grothe, 86, Thief River Falls, Minn., in March. 1956: Barbara (Duncan) Erickson, 80, Moorhead, in August; she is survived by her husband, Floyd. // Helen (Sillerud) Haugrud, 82, Rothsay, Minn., in August; she is survived by her husband, Harlan. // Robert Leiseth, 88, Detroit Lakes, Minn., in June; he is survived by his wife, Marilyn.

1957: Gayle (Clementson) Olson, 81, Grand Forks, N.D., in June. 1958: Darrell Rude, 79, Duluth, Minn., in May; he is survived by his wife, Laurie. 1959: Herman Holland, 78, Moorhead, in March; he is survived by his wife, Gail (Chelstrom) ’63. // Milton Madson, 79, Fargo, in April. // Suzanne (Solum) Tirk, 79, Ravensdale, Wash., in February. 1960:

Merlyn

“Mike”

Flom, 78, Sartell, Minn., in July; he is survived by his wife, Loretta “Lori” (Overgaard) ’62. // Verla (Hemmingson) Iwen, 78, Great Falls, Mont., in April. // Mary (Hartfiel) Nelson, 78, Valley City, N.D., in August; she is survived by her husband, Myron ’57. // Andrea (Norby) Sylvester, 77, Barnesville, Minn., in April; she is survived by her husband, Richard. 1962: Sharon (Burkhart) Grossmann, 75, Fort Collins, Colo., in April. // Allen Schauer, 76, Wilton, N.D., in April. 1964: Patricia (Lundquist) Olson, 73, Spicer, Minn., in May; she is survived by her husband, Jeff. 1966: Robert Jacobson, 71, Eugene, Ore., in April; he is survived by his wife, Linda (Torvik) ’67. 1967: Sharon (Wollertson) Doeden, 71, Moorhead, in May; she is survived by her husband, John. // Eileen Moe, 70, Austin, Texas, in May.

IN MEMORIAM Norman Lorentzsen, 99, Woodbury, Minn., died Sept. 21. He was the youngest son of Norwegian immigrants who grew up in Dilworth, Minn., where he and his father worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Lorentzsen graduated from Concordia in 1941 and then enlisted in the U.S. Naval Air Corps, serving as a patrol bomber pilot in the Pacific Theatre through 1945. Following the war, he returned to work for Northern Pacific and rose through the ranks to executive positions with the Northern Pacific and its successor, Burlington Northern Inc. He founded and served as chair of Burlington Northern Transport and Burlington Northern Air Freight Inc. He served as president, CEO and a director of Burlington Northern through 1981. Lorentzsen served as a member of the Concordia Board of Regents for two decades, eight years as chair, and as a leader in five major fund drives. Concordia recognized Lorentzsen’s distinguished career and service with the Alumni Achievement Award, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree and the naming of the administration building. The Lorentzsen Center for Faith and Work, built on the tradition of the Norman Lorentzsen Business Ethics lecture series, continues to honor his extraordinary legacy. He is survived by his wife, Donna Boller; son, Thomas (Marge); daughters, Mary Nesvig (Kirk) and Katherine Johnson (Jeff); stepdaughters, Janet Dutcher and Jill Nasvik; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. ◊ 1974: Steven Schwendeman, 63, Edmond, Okla., in February; he is survived by his wife, Rebecca (Solum).

2005: Amanda May, 33, Fargo, in June.

1975: Stephen Vorhes, 63, Eugene, Ore., in July.

2017: Amanda Lundeen, 21, Moorhead, in September.

1993: Randall Gerdon, 45, Wahpeton, N.D., in July; he is survived by his wife, Sara.

editor’s note: Class notes and photographs may be submitted online at ConcordiaCollege.edu/ classnotes.

2000: Constance "Connie" (Davidson) Shubert, 79, Park Rapids, Minn., in May.

2009: Brandon Root, 31, Fargo, in March.

2003: Noelle (Crea) Koosmann, 35, Montevideo, Minn., in August; she is survived by her husband, Brad. // Durand Onell, 35, Elk River, Minn., in March.

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Looking Back

Moving Forward

b y d r . ol i n j. s t or v i ck , cl as s i ci s t - i n- r esid e nc e

I first saw Concordia College in July 1955 when I returned from a year’s study of Greek archaeology at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. My wife, Ruth, and our two oldest children, Helen ’72 and Rolf ’75, were with me. I had, a few months earlier, accepted the position of instructor of classical languages at Concordia. Ruth and I both appreciated the education we had received at a sister college of Concordia, so we knew we wanted to be at a liberal arts college of the church. We returned to Moorhead in August to move into the apartment in Brown Hall.

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The campus was much different from the present campus. There were no buildings of the buff brick that has become the standard. There were 15 barracks-type buildings of two units each between Brown Hall and 12th Avenue South. These housed faculty and married students. A large complex of similar military buildings just north of the gym housed biology and chemistry. Brown and Fjelstad halls were the main dormitories and Bishop Whipple and South Hall (now Academy) were also dormitories for women.

When I asked about the library, I was directed to the basement of Fjelstad. The first unit of Carl B. Ylvisaker Library was still under construction and we moved into that building in February 1956. Long lines of students and faculty carried armloads of books. Park Region dormitory was also being built and came into use that fall. That December, I attended my first faculty Christmas dinner held in the space that is now occupied by The Maize. The faculty sang from memory the first two verses of Jeg Er Saa Glad Hver Julekveld (“I am so Glad Each Christmas Eve”). I knew the first verse but not the second. And I wondered what sort of place I had joined. It turned out that I had joined a place steeped in tradition and excellence, a community that placed a strong emphasis on quality teaching and dedicated learning. It was a place where a vibrant spirit of collegiality among faculty, students and administration was apparent. These qualities are still true today, even if they manifest themselves differently than when I first stepped on campus. Back then, very few faculty had individual offices. Most had a desk in a large room with other faculty. My colleague in classics, Charles H. Skalet, had a desk in a room with the modern language faculty. There was not room for me, but fortunately the philosophy department was in the room next door and Reidar Thomte, with whom I had studied as an undergraduate, graciously found space for me. We were very short on classrooms, so I taught my first two years of Latin in Old Main and the upper-level classes in the rooms above the circulation desk of the library.

The student enrollment was 1,354 and the faculty that year numbered about 80. There were only 12 earned doctorates on the faculty. Carl L. Bailey (who wrote the college mission statement) had been named academic dean the year before I came and he instituted a plan in which four faculty could have a year’s leave at full salary to finish their degrees. After a decade or so, the percentage of doctorates had increased dramatically. Of course, there were many excellent and wellprepared teachers on the faculty who had kept the college alive through the difficulties of the Depression and WWII. They now faced steep enrollment increases with limited facilities. We had classes six days a week. Saturday classes were at 8, 9 and 10. Chapel was held every weekday in the gym and nearly everyone attended. The faculty tried to sit in the north section of the permanent seating so they could get out quickly and grab a cup of coffee before the next class at 10:40. This was in the days before the departmental coffee pot, and this coffee time not only provided refreshments but connected faculty across departments. Pleasant though it is to look back on the past, we cannot stay there. As we celebrate Concordia’s 125 years and cherish our own memories, we cannot yearn for how things used to be. We must look instead to the future and envision a Concordia-Yet-to-Be. If we learn anything from the past, it is that Concordia will be a place that demonstrates excellent teaching, dedicated learning and a spirit of collegiality. This will be accomplished by those who love her, support her and believe in her mission. Soli Deo Gloria. ◊

Following World War II, a federal housing project funded the building of veteran housing units on campus. The barracks were removed in 1961.

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Leah (Nelson) Becklund ’14, Michael Chambers ’15, Matt Dymoke ’14 and Emma Connell ’14 celebrate Concordia’s 125th at the Young Alumni Birthday Bash in October at Urban Growler Brewing Company in St. Paul.

More photos: ConcordiaCollege.edu/hub

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