CLASS NOTES
MILESTONES
Carrie Fenna Torgersen published a 1995
Mai Yang was named to Twin Cities 2013
1998
Samia Tarraf was recognized by Twin Cities Business Magazine as a 2020 Notable Woman in Technology, Dec. ’20.
Katy Jenkins Steinbach published her 2014
1999
aren Ronningen Jones started a new K position as clinical consultant in the Science Department at Beyond Celiac, Nov. ’20.
2001
nne Dotson Doepner was featured in A Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal for outstanding work with the Minnesota Vikings, Oct. ’20.
picture book titled “Magnus the Naughty Dog Steals Lunch,” Dec. ’20.
S. Mara Faulkner, OSB contributed to 1962
the writing and publication of “Becoming Sinclair Lewis”. The book was written mostly by Sauk Centre resident David Allen Simpkins, but his sudden death two years ago put a halt to the project. At that point, friends and fellow Lewis aficionados like S. Mara came to the rescue, pulling together to finish the book.
Catherine Zabinski published “Amber 1983 Waves: The Extraordinary Biography of Wheat, from Wild Grass to World Megacrop,” Sept. ’20.
Nancy Bishop Polomis was named one 1984
of the 2020 Notable Women in Law by Twin Cities Business, Oct. ’20. She also received the Community Associations Institute-Minnesota Business Partner Excellence in Service Vision Award, which recognizes individuals and companies for their outstanding achievements in the community association industry, Dec. ’20.
2017
Elizabeth “Beth” Brinkman Fletcher 2002 was elected to the Eden Prairie, Minnesota, school board, Nov. ’20.
’17
Melissa Horning Dehmer received 2006
the Junior Investigator Award and over $1 million in research grants from the University of Minnesota, Oct. ’20.
County (Minnesota) commissioner, Nov. ’20. St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce was recognized as a 2020 Most Admired CEO by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Dec. ’20.
first children’s book, “Pip and Charley Make Friends,” Oct. ’20.
Kathryn “Kate” Francis started a new position as senior consultant with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Washington, D.C., Sept. ’20.
Lisa Fobbe was re-elected as Sherburne 1985 Brenda “B” Piette Kyle of the 1986
Business 100 list of People To Know for 2021, Dec. ’20.
atricia Nolan Meling was elected P to the Sartell-St. Stephen, Minnesota, school board, Nov. ’20.
2007
ABIGAIL “ABBY” BUSHEY
was highlighted in Duluth News Tribune for becoming part of the cardiothoracic team at St. Luke’s Hospital, Nov. ’20.
2018
Judith “Judy” Borchlewicz Symalla is a fiscal year 2020 recipient of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Ann Walker Hansen was recognized by 1988
Twin Cities Business Magazine as a 2020 Notable Woman in Real Estate, Oct. ’20.
Mary Maus Kosir started a new position 1989 as executive director of Concordia Language Villages, Oct. ’20.
Dr. Julia Jasken was selected to be 1993
the tenth president of McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, Dec. ’20. She will begin her new position in June ’21. Cami Longstreet Zimmer was recognized by Twin Cities Business Magazine as a 2020 Notable Woman in Technology, Dec. ’20.
PRECIOUS DREW
’07
HEATHER JOHNSON GRIFFIN
’93
DR. NANCY PESTA WALSH was honored for her 10 years as a clinical faculty member at Frontier Nursing University in Versailles, Kentucky, Dec. ’20.
was promoted to assistant director of admissions for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing in Lubbock, Texas, Dec. ’20.
2013
’18
was recognized as one of the Minne Inno Under 25 for 2020, Nov. ’20. Each year, Minne Inno recognizes a group of deserving people under the age of 25 that are local startup leaders. Precious was recently promoted from her role as director of the gBeta Greater Minnesota St. Cloud accelerator to now lead gener8tor’s Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator, Jan. ’21. She also recently recorded a TEDx Talk titled “Who Gets To Be Called An ‘Entrepreneur’ and Why It Matters”.
ichelle Pokorny Jones was recognized M by Twin Cities Business Magazine as a 2020 Notable Hero in Health Care, Dec. ’20.
For complete news and notes from classmates and to post your notes, go to BenniesConnect: csbalum.csbsju.edu or email us at csbalumnae@csbsju.edu. Spring 2021 | 27
