2015-16 Annual Report
Table of Contents Message from President Craft . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Gifts to the College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Launching Science. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Endowment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Revenues and Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 College Highlights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Concordia Language Villages . . . . . . . . . . . 14 C-400 and Reunion Giving: The Legacy Continues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Board of Regents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Dear Concordia Family and Friends, Greetings to all as we begin the 125th year of faith and learning at Concordia College! It has been a summer of achievement, and it promises to be a year of celebration as we honor our past and claim our future as a global liberal arts college of the church. The new and returning students have come to a Concordia that has embraced striking innovation in undergraduate learning: new majors in computer science, neuroscience, and finance; new minors in interfaith studies, international affairs, and more; new modes of learning in digital humanities; and new plans already underway. Starting next year, all students – no matter what their major – will complete a requirement called PEAK. As the name implies, it will challenge students to reach up and out from the discoveries of the classroom to apply those discoveries to the unscripted problems of communities they will serve. PEAK puts Concordia at the leading edge of American higher education. A year from now, students will be enjoying the Integrated Science Complex, a complete renovation of Ivers and Jones so that our facilities will match the inquiry, research-based learning in the sciences and math that our faculty now champion. At the cost of $45 million, it is by far the largest capital project – and it is on time and on budget thanks to the skilled work of faculty, finance, and facilities leaders here at the college. Beyond capital projects, the college has launched itself on two ambitious, mission-driven initiatives. One we call New Ventures, which will lead us to offer select forms of learning to both pre- and post-college graduates. We’ve been doing this for years through the Concordia Language Villages, which this summer and last experienced a surge in enrollment, and we now have in place both accelerated Nursing and Teacher Education programs. More to come! Second is the Concordia Diversity Initiative, an embrace of inclusive excellence in learning; in recruiting students, faculty and staff; and in the relationships we build with partners close by and around the world. As we recall our founding, a college founded by immigrants for New Americans, we reach out to the diverse world in which our students must learn, work, and serve. Previously in this introduction I noted how generous Concordia graduates and friends were in supporting our scholarship, endowment, and capital fundraising goals. I am delighted to report that the 2015-16 year was stronger still, gift income raised last fiscal year totaled $14.8 million – exceeding the goal of$14 million. The Concordia Annual Fund raised $2.37 million and exceeded its goal of $2.34 million. Fundraising for the Integrated Science Complex remains strong with over $27 million raised for this project. Long ago, President Joseph Knutson wrote to a friend that guiding Concordia was an act of faith. It still is, and remains in our 125th year an act to which we are called, out of love for our college, and out of love for our neighbor in response to the liberating love of God. Soli Deo Gloria.
William J. Craft President, Concordia College 2
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Every Gift Matters Every teacher lives with the hope that she will mentor and inspire her students. Darlene Ross ’60 is no different. As an elementary teacher for 38 years, she watched with pride as her students grew up to become engineers, writers, scientists and more. Her legacy continues through her gifts to Concordia that support students and the faculty who teach them. "I give to a lot of causes, but I give more to Concordia because my gifts are put to work right away," she says. Most recently, Ross has supported Concordia faculty by providing funds for activities during their sabbaticals. It’s a way for her to honor the instructors she had as a student and to demonstrate her deep respect for those in the field of teaching. “As a former teacher, I have concerns for other teachers,” she says. “A little gift of encouragement may be helpful.” That’s the beauty of gifts that are given to the college. Every gift provides encouragement and support. Every gift matters.
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Gifts to the College Total gifts to Concordia College and Concordia Language Villages exceeded the fundraising goal for fiscal year 2015-16 by more than $800,000. Many alumni, parents, villagers and friends supported the Integrated Science Complex, Offutt School of Business, Riverside wrestling renovation, Syv Søstre Garden at Skogfjorden, the Norwegian Language Village, and the college’s endowment. The Concordia and Village Annual Funds, with the help of more than 8,200 donors, raised over $2.9 million for student and villager scholarships and other critical operational needs. The Concordia College Legacy Scholarship Program secured 71 scholarships. These scholarships provided over $350,000 in scholarship awards.
20000000 $11,750,693
$14,077,009
$19,969,983
$14,846,419
15000000 $11,967,340 2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
10000000
$19,814,401 2011*
5000000
$10,786,157 2010
* launch of Offutt School of Business
0
Total Gift Incomes for Concordia College and Concordia Language Villages
Friends 17.1%
Deferred Gifts at Face Value $578,058
Corporations and Government 12.8% Foundations and Fundraising Consortia 12.0%
Parents 1.8%
Endowment $3,833,928
Capital $5,224,082
ELCA and Church Organizations 1.0%
Alumni 55.3%
Gifts by Source
The Concordia and Village Annual Funds $2,912,447
Restricted $1,978,998
Unrestricted Bequests $318,906
Gifts by Type Total Giving for Concordia and Language Villages: $14,846,419
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Launching Science
Construction on Concordia’s new Integrated Science Complex kicked off April 22 with a celebratory visual bang. After a brief program on the plaza outside Ivers and Jones Science Center, a thermite reaction set under an old fume hood spewed sparks and heat into the air – a symbol of the demolition first needed to create new. “Today signifies a real milestone reached in our planning and our fundraising,” said the Hon. John Tunheim, chair of Concordia’s Board of Regents. “We know that a state-of-the-art science facility will help Concordia to recruit and retain top-notch students and
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faculty … It will be a place where a community of scientists – together, novice beside pro – will learn science by doing science.” The $45 million complex will update Ivers and Jones Science Center. The more than 130,000 square feet of renovated construction will include 19 teaching labs and 16 classrooms. The facility includes flexible classrooms, T-search labs designed for both teaching and research, and other specialized laboratories. Students will attend classes in the new facility in fall 2017.
Timeline
Matching Gift
Fall 2015:
Faculty and staff move out of Ivers and Jones
Spring 2016: Transition labs and classrooms set up in Normandy and across campus April 2016:
Construction kickoff
Concordia received a major gift from Sanford Health in support of the Integrated Science Complex renovation. The health system announced a match of 10 percent of capital gifts to the project, up to a total of $3 million. “We are delighted by this generous gift and by the ongoing partnership with Sanford, a partnership of shared values and of collaboration in education and service,” says President William Craft. “Science study and health professions preparation are marks of distinction for Concordia College. Our talented graduates regularly become leaders in medicine, nursing, research, and healthcare administration. This match will inspire new giving to the project, for which fundraising has already been strong.” This gift represents the largest corporate gift to date for the Integrated Science Complex. The college has raised $27 million with the intent to raise at least $30 million in gifts to fully maximize the Sanford Health match. Fundraising is ongoing.
Summer 2016: Demolition of interior August 2017: Completion 7
Endowment Market value over time
120,000,000
100,000,000
80,000,000
60,000,000
40,000,000
20,000,000 0 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Concordia’s endowment was at $107,211,380 as of April 30, 2016. While slightly down from last year’s all-time high, the college continues its long standing tradition of strong fiscal management. Student scholarships, which receive 46 percent of funds spent from the endowment, is the largest category supported by it. Special programs, such as faculty professional development, the Dovre Center for Faith and Learning, cultural events and academic lectures received about 27 percent of funds. About 27 percent of endowment funds spent this year supported the current operations, including endowed chairs and campus ministry programs.
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Revenues & Expenses Operating revenue exceeded operating expenditures this year, reflecting careful attention to the financial health of the college. Tuition and fees provide the largest percentage of revenue, followed by our Auxiliary Enterprises (including Residence Life, Dining Services, Cobber Bookstore and Cobber Kids) and Independent Operations (including Concordia Language Villages). The college is grateful for the continued support from individuals and businesses that provided more than 4 percent of the operating revenue for the year. As the college looks forward, it will make a substantial commitment to New Ventures and continue to focus on scholarships and financial aid for students.
Independent Operations $10,214,839
Other Sources $2,311,977
Auxiliary Enterprises $14,749,160
Tuition and Fees $75,717,295
Endowment Income $4,503,367 Private Gifts and Grants $4,918,104 Government Grants $1,696,359
Revenues TOTAL: $114,111,101
Expenses TOTAL: $114,111,101 Debt, Capital and Reserve $3,971,949 Instruction $24,044,946
Research/Public Service $459,382
Scholarships & Grants $35,608,061
Academic Support $4,127,028 Student Services $7,942,579
Independent Operations* $9,817,997 *Additional expenses for Auxiliary Enterprises and Independent Operations such as amounts for debt service are included in the Debt, Capital and Reserve line.
Auxiliary Enterprises* $10,558,920
Institutional Support $11,981,936 Operation and Maintenance of Plant $5,598,303
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Concordia College Highlights Concordia launches up2U partnership with M State Students at Minnesota State Community and Technical College now easily can complete their bachelor’s degrees at Concordia. The two colleges agreed to partner for a program called up2U. Students must enroll in the up2U program as incoming freshmen at M State, meet academic standards, and demonstrate critical thinking and writing skills. They also must complete an M State degree within three years. Students who successfully complete up2U requirements and transfer to Concordia will be able to earn scholarships up to $18,000 per year for their junior and senior years. The up2U program is open to students on M State campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena.
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Fulbright Awarded Taylor Huwe ’16 is teaching in Germany through the Fulbright Program. The music education major and German minor received an English Teaching Assistantship for the 2016-17 academic year. After student teaching first- through fifth-grade music in 2015, Huwe determined he wanted to return to Germany to teach. The Fulbright Program is an international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. It’s designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries. “I am beyond grateful to receive this honor,” Huwe says. “It is with a thankful heart that I look back on the opportunities that Concordia has given me to make me competitive for something like the Fulbright.”
NCAA Postgraduate Scholars Concordia men’s basketball player Jordan Bolger ’16 was awarded one of the prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships for the winter sports season as announced by the NCAA Office. Bolger becomes the 10th Cobber student-athlete in the past 13 years to win the scholarship. He is the first men’s basketball recipient of the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship for Concordia. The NCAA awards 58 postgraduate scholarships to 29 men and 29 women who participated in winter sports, which include basketball, fencing, gymnastics, ice hockey, indoor track and field, rifle, skiing, swimming and diving, and wrestling.
Larson to Lead National Council Dr. Susan Larson, professor of psychology, was elected president of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR). She will serve in 2016-17. CUR is a national organization that supports faculty and student development for undergraduate student-faculty collaborative research and scholarship.
Hope in Focus As a Phillips Scholar, Medora Frei ’17 founded Hope in Focus, a project designed to help children with chronic conditions gain confidence through photography. Each year the Phillips Scholars Program awards six scholarships to students attending a private Minnesota college. These students receive funds to develop a project that will address an unmet need in the state. Frei wanted her project to help children with chronic conditions define themselves in a way not controlled by their disease. Hope in Focus ran at St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in Duluth.
“I am delighted to have been elected to provide leadership to an organization that has been so transformative in the professional development of so many faculty and administrators, including my own,” Larson says. 11
Extended Growing Season Fresh, locally grown tomatoes for Thanksgiving – in Minnesota? It’s possible now that Concordia has a high tunnel, or hoop house, warmed with a solar air system that heats air pumped through tile lines underneath the soil extending the growing season from Valentine’s Day to Thanksgiving. The high tunnel garden is an extension of the campus organic garden, Cornucopia, which has served as an experiential learning site since 2010. The region’s short growing season, however, makes it challenging for students to benefit from it during the academic year. Concordia received a grant to build a high tunnel. Research showed a solar air system could extend the growing season even longer and additional funding made it possible.
100-Win Club Football Head Coach Terry Horan earned his 100th career victory in the annual Lefse Bowl at St. Olaf. “It’s an honor … It’s not an individual thing. It’s a total team effort,” Horan said.
Grant Supports Interfaith Research A grant from the Kemper Foundation helped Dr. Jacqueline Bussie, director of the Forum on Faith and Life, and three students study religious diversity in business settings. The team received a grant from the James S. Kemper Foundation in collaboration with Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC). The Kemper Foundation assists students at liberal arts colleges to better grasp the process of putting their education to work in professional careers in organizational management and leadership. The grant is meant to support research that explores religious diversity dynamics in local professional settings. The interfaith scholars interviewed and surveyed area employers and employees in health care, manufacturing, and service and hospitality industries to determine what concrete skills, knowledge and competencies graduates need to flourish in a pluralistic workplace to better meet the needs of a religiously diverse clientele. In some places, the researchers found businesses were using religious diversity to improve their work environment while other companies were looking for guidance. 12
‘Outlaw Christian’ Published Despite clichés, Christians are not immune to heartbreak, uncertainty, loss or struggle. Dr. Jacqueline Bussie, director of Concordia’s Forum on Faith and Life, released her new book , “Outlaw Christian,” in April. It was published by Thomas Nelson, an arm of HarperCollins. The book tackles difficult questions and opens doors for authentic connections through honest and vulnerable dialogue.
The Concordia Band Tours Spain New Programs Approved Meeting the interests of students and the needs of the job market, Concordia added two majors and several minors to its curriculum. Neuroscience and computer science are new majors. Neuroscience had previously been a minor. The computer science program has two concentrations: computing and data analytics. The new minors are interfaith studies (religion), church music (music), social activism (interdisciplinary), cross-cultural interactions (global studies) and international affairs (global studies and Offutt School of Business). A new pathways concentration also has been added to global studies. In addition, the college has added postgraduate programs. Concordia now offers an accelerated education degree for students who have a bachelor’s degree. Beginning in fall 2017, the college will offer a dietetic internship combined with a Master of Science degree in nutrition with an emphasis in dietetics leadership.
The Concordia Band played six concerts during its 14-day tour of Spain. Directed by Dr. Peter Haberman, the band participated in the Granada International Festival of Music and Dance, in addition to performing sideby-side concerts with semi-professional city bands.
Craft Named to National Boards, Positions President William Craft was elected chair of he Lutheran World Relief Board of Directors and named to the board of directors for the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Craft became an LWR board member in January 2013. His work with AAC&U began early in his faculty career and has continued through his current service as chair of the Wye Seminar Council, a partnership of AAC&U and the Aspen Institute.
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Concordia Language Villages Highlights Al-Wāh.a, the Arabic Language Village, celebrated 10 years of Arabic language learning.
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation gave $49,000 in support of the Village Parks Program and Global Quest. These programs encourage inner city middle school and high school students to explore the linguistic and cultural diversity of Minneapolis.
Summer enrollment grew by over 500 villagers, the strongest summer enrollment since 2009.
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The Syv Søstre garden was dedicated at Skogfjorden in memory of Ann Nelson, a six-year Norwegian villager who was killed in the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks.
A new crowdfunding platform was introduced in cooperation with Concordia College. Successful crowdfunding projects included a French baker’s oven and equipment for the French Hackensack ecology program, Colo-Êco. Four staff members celebrated 25 years and seven staff members celebrated 20 years with the Language Villages.
Lesnoe Ozero, the Russian Language Village, celebrated 50 years of Russian language learning.
The newly renamed Culinary Arts Department showcases the food preparation skills of the Chefs de Cuisine and Sous Chefs in each program.
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C-400 and Reunion Giving: A Legacy Continues When members of the Class of 1965 gathered for their 50th reunion, the memories flowed as effortlessly as the cups of coffee set before them. Classmates swapped stories about professors and friendships. They reminisced about activities that, at the time, were daring but later classified as good-natured shenanigans. And when the weekend ended, the class left with more than fond memories. They left with a challenge to leave behind a legacy. Earlier that year, David Solberg ’65 stepped up. He and his wife, Sandy, challenged the class to raise $125,000 for Concordia’s Annual Fund – and then matched each and every dollar given. “I’ve always been motivated to do what I can to increase the size of our class giving in terms of dollars and percentages,” says Solberg, a former chair of the Board of Regents. “We want people to give what they can afford and then stretch a bit.” The Solbergs’ generosity – and faith in their peers’ willingness to step forward – illustrates the values of Concordia’s C-400 program, which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year.
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Since 1955, C-400 has been a vital source of momentum for Concordia. Its success reflects the spirit of shared experience and mutual encouragement, as each generation of Cobbers strengthens Concordia’s legacy of opportunity and passes it on. C-400 started when Luther Jacobson and Eugene Paulson – Fargo businessmen – turned a crazy, far-fetched idea into reality. Concordia needed a new library and the businessmen thought that maybe, just maybe, they could find 400 people to contribute $1,000 each to the cause. It wasn’t easy, but the idea caught on. Friends and acquaintances drew together, excited by a challenge that stretched their vision and made them feel good about themselves, according to a story written in honor of C-400’s 25th anniversary. Even more surprising was who said yes. Businessmen and farmers, not college officials, challenged fellow peers and friends to join them in supporting a project they cared enough about to sacrifice and work hard for. “I think the fact that we started on the outside rather than from the college itself is one of the most important factors in the success of C-400,” Jacobson told the college’s Alumni News in 1980. “There’s a spirit here you can’t touch because of that.” It took Jacobson and Paulson six years, but they succeeded. And that was just the beginning of C-400.
Throughout the decades, members of C-400 have built Carl B. Ylvisaker Library, an administrative building, the humanities-social science center, a library addition, Knutson Campus Center, renovated Old Main, remodeled Grose Hall and more. Their dollars have constructed and remodeled other buildings, provided more funds for financial aid and provided access to 21st century technology. They’ve established scholarships and strengthened Concordia’s annual operating budget. But more than supporting the college, membership in C-400 has changed the givers. As one member said back in 1980: “If you give $1,000, you can never be the same afterwards. You adopt a whole new concept of stewardship. You come to the realization that you are giving to something larger than yourself, greater than your job or profession.” Today, C-400 membership is reached at $1,250 – an amount designated in honor of the college’s 125th anniversary. Solberg is proud to be part of that group. He was thrilled in April to announce that his class met his challenge and then some, raising $304,258 for Concordia College. “Giving is a privilege, not a requirement,” he says. “One of the greatest privileges of being a Concordia alumnus is being asked to contribute to the current-day students. My classmates reacted to the challenge. And for that, I am thankful.”
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Enrollment We welcomed 566 first-year and transfer students in fall 2015, which brought total undergraduate enrollment to 2,162 students. The student body called 38 states and 26 countries home. Our new students were well prepared for Concordia’s academic rigor. Nearly one-third of first-year students were in the top 10 percent of their high school class.
Incoming Class Statistics for the 2015-16 Academic Year
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24%
9%
ACT above 28
Multicultural
60%
51%
Female
Lutheran
$47,110
$44,845
$51,075
$49,830
Gustavus
Luther
Augsburg
St. Benedict
St. John’s
10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000
$50,988
St. Olaf
0
$52,730
$43,064 Concordia
Comparative Comprehensive Fee for the 2015-16 Academic Year
Tuition & Fees 2015-16 Academic Year
Tuition: $35,250 Room/Board:
$7,600
Student Fees:
$214
Comprehensive Fees:
$43,064
Average Financial Aid Package:
$25,000
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Board of Regents 2015-16 Academic Year
CHAIR: John R. Tunheim ’75, Stillwater, Minn. U.S. District Court Judge, District of Minnesota
Solveig Storvick Pollei, Tacoma, Wash. Professional Volunteer
Rev. Lowell G. Almen ’63, Elgin, Ill. Retired Secretary, ELCA
Rev. Robert L. Quam ’68, Billings, Mont. Retired Pastor and Director, Christikon, ELCA outdoor ministry
Mary Alice Bergan ’66, Fargo, N.D. Treasurer, Fargo Assembly Co.
John M. Quello ’66, Sioux Falls, S.D. Financial Advisor, Loft Advisors
Randall L. Boushek ’79, Elk River, Minn. Senior VP, CFO and Treasurer, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Mary S. Ranum ’78, Circle Pines, Minn. Chair, Board of Directors, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Fay Ferguson ’73, Chicago, Ill. Co-chief Executive Officer, Burrell Communications Group Karen L. Grandstrand ’77, Orono, Minn. Shareholder and Chair of Bank & Finance Group, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. Dr. David M. Gring, Moneta, Va. President Emeritus, Roanoke College and Senior VP, Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting Corey L. Haaland ’86, Edina, Minn. Senior VP, Target Corporation
James E. Senske ’75, Eden Prairie, Minn. Chair and CEO, Commerce Bank, and President, Commerce Label, Inc. Tammy Lee Stanoch ’93, Minneapolis, Minn. Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Recombinetics Stephen L. Stenehjem, Watford City, N.D. Chair, President and CEO, Watford City BancShares, Inc., and Chair, CEO and President, First International Bank & Trust
Dr. Kathryn C. Hasbargen* ’95, Fargo, N.D. President, National Alumni Board of Directors
Dr. Richard L. Torgerson ’64, Edina, Minn. President Emeritus, Luther College, and Senior Consultant, AGB Search
Rachel C. Hollstadt ’70, Burnsville, Minn. Retired CEO, Hollstadt & Associates, Inc.
Joyce Monson Tsongas ’63, Portland, Ore. Founder, Tsongas Litigation Consulting
Keith A. Johanneson, Bemidji, Minn. President and CEO, Johanneson Companies
Thomas Vertin, Breckenridge, Minn. Owner, Vertin Company
Kelby K. Krabbenhoft ’80, Sioux Falls, S.D. President and CEO, Sanford Health
Jan R. Waye ’70, Alamosa, Colo. Owner, Feeder cattle operations in Colorado and New Mexico
Dr. Earl Lewis ’78, New York President, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Dr. Mark N. Wilhelm**, Chicago, Ill. Executive Director, Network of ELCA Colleges & Universities, ELCA-Domestic Mission
Dr. Roland D. Martinson ’64, New Brighton, Minn. Retired Academic Dean and Professor Emeritus, Luther Seminary Rosa M. Miller, Minneapolis, Minn. Retired VP, Latin American Division, 3M Connie Nicholas, Fargo, N.D. Part Owner-Operator, Nicholas Farms Ronald D. Offutt ’64, Fargo, N.D. Founder and Chair of the Board, R.D. Offutt Company and RDO Equipment Company
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Rev. Lynn R. Ronsberg ’75, Grand Forks, N.D. Senior Pastor, Sharon Lutheran Church
Rev. Lawrence R. Wohlrabe, Moorhead, Minn. Bishop, Northwestern Minnesota Synod of ELCA John E. Ydstie ’74, Chevy Chase, Md. Correspondent/Host, National Public Radio *Advisory member, President of the National Alumni Board of Directors **Advisory member, churchwide representative
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919875/50/0916
Office of Advancement 901 8th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56562