Spring 2009
Education Reputation Benefiting from Concordia’s 115 years of preparing future teachers, Education graduates enter their field well qualified to face the challenges of the 21st century classroom.
WHAT’S INSIDE
REPEAT Concordia women’s volleyball team celebrates its second Division II national championship
Concordia St. Paul magazine is published by the Office of University Advancement Concordia University 275 Syndicate Street North St. Paul, MN 55104-5494 www.ave.csp.edu 651-641-8810 1-866-GROW-CSP Publisher
Heather Riddle, Vice President for University Advancement Editor
Lindsey Brown Contributing Writer Jill Johnson Design and Layout
Jennifer Stricker Photography
Greg Helgeson, Trey Fortner and the NCAA Send information updates and class notes to:
Sarah Erkkinen ’02 Director of Alumni Relations and the Annual Fund Concordia University 275 Syndicate Street North St. Paul, MN 55104-5494 or via e-mail to erkkinen@csp.edu. Concordia University, St. Paul is a member of the Concordia University System, a national network of 10 colleges and universities of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Concordia University, St. Paul admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin. Mission Statement
The mission of Concordia University, St. Paul, a university of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, is to prepare students for thoughtful and informed living, for dedicated service to God and humanity and for the enlightened care of God’s creation, all within the context of the Christian Gospel. © 2009 Concordia University St. Paul
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concordia.ave online EXTRAS
Read about how four more education graduates are impacting 21st-century students.
For these stories and more, visit ave.csp.edu
Read about how alumnus and faculty member Mark Rosenwinkel’s (’77) professional theatre experience is benefiting CSP Theatre students.
LETTERS
The Value of educators Good teachers influence students not only with the knowledge they share but also by their character and way of doing things. I know that my life was changed by the knowledge, faith and charisma of Concordia professors Barnes, Berger, Engelhardt, Heuer, Otto, Overn, Pavel, Peter, Siebert and others as well as classes taught by President Poehler. Class reunions at Concordia echo with success story after success story and expressions of gratitude for the academic foundation laid here. I stand in awe of my own classmates when I learn what God has done to them and through them in lives dedicated to business, civil service, education, law, medicine, philanthropy, raising families and varieties of service in God’s kingdom. Celebration increases from knowing that my class of CSP graduates is not unique. Like a surging surf, wave after wave of CSP students and graduates come to learn and leave prepared to serve. May information in this edition inspire you with reports of the impact of a Concordia education and stimulate you to count the blessings of learning in your own life. I close with the still relevant Concordia educational theme penned by President Buenger more than 100 years ago. “In litteris proficere volo, malo diligere Jesum.” I paraphrase that into a prayer. “Lord, give us joy in education especially knowing the love of Jesus.” In Christ,
Bob Holst President
letters to the editor Dear Concordia,
Dear Concordia,
In regards to President Holst’s comment about rutabagas, potatoes and onions in his letter in the Fall 2008 issue of the magazine – my husband Dale Fisk (Acad. ’58, J.C. ’60) has always refused to eat pumpkin pie because of one year when the food donation truck brought in a load of pumpkins. They were served pumpkin everything that winter, and he came to loathe the idea of pumpkins! He has never mentioned rutabagas....but at the recent 50th Academy class reunion in September, no one else seemed to remember an overload of pumpkins. So, I had to laugh when they served desserts at the reunion banquet: pumpkin cheesecake tarts!
My very first memory of CSP involves potatoes. It was around 1960 and I would have been 5 years old. I remember coming to St. Paul with my grandpa and grandma to bring food for the boys at Concordia from the members of my home congregation, Zion of rural Cologne, Minn. The back of our farm truck was full of potatoes and other produce. After our delivery was complete we went to visit Aunt Bernice, my godmother, who lived in one of the houses on campus. Many people remember her husband as Professor Harold Otte, but he was always Uncle Harold to me. In fact, my first year as a CSP student in 1973, many of my Luther 2 North floor mates greeted him as ‘Uncle Harold.’
They had a great time - and many stories were told (or RE-told) that weekend. Thanks for your work on that event. Lynette Fisk
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Sharon Krueger Schewe ’77
Share your CSP memories or thoughts on the magazine with Editor Lindsey Brown at brown@csp.edu.
COVER STORY
Education Reputation: Benefiting from Concordia’s 115 years of preparing future teachers, Education graduates enter their field well qualified to face the challenges of the 21st century classroom. These alumni, and many more, embody the tradition of excellence that has characterized Concordia’s education programs since their inception.
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COVER STORY
Nurturing Faith and friendship Faith and support. That is the cornerstone of relationships at St. John’s Church and School in Chaska, Minn. So the flood of help and prayers received by kindergarten teacher, Mary Mierow ’72, when her husband, and Concordia sweetheart, Doug ’71, suffered a heart attack last year were no surprise. Mierow’s colleagues rallied around her to make it possible for her to stay home for three weeks to aid Doug’s recovery. After she returned to work, they found volunteers from the congregation to drive him to doctor appointments and rehabilitation until he could drive himself. “The emotional, physical and spiritual support here is wonderful,” she said with gratitude for the support she received. For seven St. John’s teachers, the strength of the bond runs deeper than being colleagues; they also are Concordia University, St. Paul alumni. “Through joys and sorrows we are there for each other to lean on and draw strength from,” said kindergarten teacher Lora Woodford ’01, who many readers may remember from the Spring 2008 feature on the Chapel cross dedicated to her late husband, Matt Woodford ’00, who was killed in a car accident. “We celebrate together, cry with one another, and make any sacrifice necessary to help each other.”
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COVER STORY
St. John’s Chaska teachers pictured from left to right: Laura Schrupp ’08 Brian Herrmann ’00 Mary Mierow ’72 Pam Going ’89 Jeremy Koosman ’02 Lora Woodford ’01 Jana Beckendorf ’01
The teachers also praised the 1,650-member congregation for its role in creating a supportive environment. “The congregation realizes how special the school is and is tremendously supportive of our efforts,” said 5th grade teacher Jana Beckendorf ’01. Support from the congregation and colleagues creates a rich environment for teaching their Lutheran faith. “Reading, math and science are wonderful and will prepare them for the future, but knowing Jesus as their Savior prepares them for eternity,” Mierow said. Little children carefully observe the world around them and notice small details, Woodford said. Recently, one of her students came to school and told her about his mother’s home redecorating project observing that the nails pounded in his bedroom wall reminded him of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
All seven of these Concordia alumni and colleagues agreed that it is impossible to put a price tag on a Lutheran education which gives children a safe place to put their faith into action. “There is nothing quite as remarkable as hearing little children profess their faith day after day in a safe and nurturing Christian environment,” Woodford said. “It is an honor to be part of a group that shares the same passion and understanding for touching children’s lives with Christ’s love,” Woodford said. “Through this understanding, God helps us to offer each other friendship, strength and encouragement.”
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Returning the favor quickly but their biggest challenge is reading and writing. She points out that speaking skills are very different from academic learning skills. “This has been a huge misconception concerning the progress Vang and her family sought refuge in the United States of our students,” she said. Vang knows they need after the Vietnam War. “Our sponsors helped us learn further language training. “We have to advocate a English,” Vang said. “We learned in church, in school and lot for our students,” she said. from friends. We were so submerged in the English language Along with advocacy, she contends that continuing that, at one point, that was all we spoke, which was sad her education is the next best thing she can do for because in a sense we had lost our own language in the them. Vang has enrolled at Concordia again, this process. Sometimes I feel like English is my first language time pursuing her master’s degree in Classroom Instruction with a Reading emphasis. “I continue to and Hmong is my second.” Vang, now a mother of five, was volunteering at her kids’ learn more strategies to help them,” she said. “There school when her husband, Cher, suggested turning her are always new ways to teach reading and writing volunteerism into a career. She obtained her bachelor’s that will match the students’ needs.” Lia Vang (’01 ’10) was not exposed to the English language until the age of 3. Now Vang is teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to students who face the same challenges she once faced as an English Language Learner (ELL).
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degree in Elementary Education and a licensure in English Aside from her academic training, Vang brings her personal experience to the classroom. “Having as a Second Language from Concordia. Vang is an ESL teacher at Sweeney Elementary School language specialists who know how language is in Shakopee, Minn., where 20 percent of the school’s 700 acquired and taught, and who respect cultural students go through their ESL program. Vang said her diversity, is a valuable asset to both a school and its students acquire English speaking and listening skills fairly students,” Vang said.
COVER STORY
Visit ave.csp.edu/magazine to hear from Pickel about EAL and see her do the activity with students.
Educating outside the box For a few days each semester, Dr. Michele Pickel’s (’76) horse arena serves as her classroom. Pickel, associate professor of Education at Concordia, uses Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), a revolutionary strategy for teacher education, to provide useful lessons for future teachers. Two years ago, Pickel was trained to do Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), a cutting-edge therapy method using horse activities to help those with mental health and human development issues. Pickel’s passion for horses and students led her to adopt and mold the concept into a teaching tool to use with her college students. Students travel to Pickel’s home in Lino Lakes, Minn., where she and her husband, Steve ’76, live and keep their four horses. Most students have limited or no knowledge of horses. Groups of students must maneuver a horse through an obstacle course or complete a task. The activity elicits metaphors for the types of challenges the future teachers will face with students.
move through the obstacle. That student picked up the obstacle and moved it closer to the horse telling her team that activities need to be adapted to meet the needs of the student. “This is exactly the kind of thinking teachers must learn in order to meet the needs of struggling students and fix our ailing educational system,” Pickel said. The activities challenge future teachers to think outside of the box, Pickel said, and pushes them beyond their comfort zone. “They have to figure out how to find answers,” said Pickel. “They need to know that if one thing doesn’t work, they have to find something else, and in doing so, they begin to make those metaphors.” Pickel said there is much for students to learn from working with her horses. “A lot of what I’ve learned about teaching I have learned from my horses,” she said. And she hopes in some small way, her students can say the same.
Pickel recalled one “ah ha” moment a student had during an EAL exercise. Her team was having trouble getting the horse to
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COVER STORY
Combining two passions to serve others As a child, Linda (Wuertz) Stoterau ’69, used to play two things: church and school. Now a church musician and a curriculum coordinator, Stoterau said she feels blessed to be in both areas she has always loved. Stoterau said Concordia was the perfect fit for her because of its strong education program and Lutheran heritage. She followed in the footsteps of her brother, sisters and mother by going into the education field. In the years after graduation, Stoterau was a Lutheran school teacher and then spent many years as a stay-at-home mom. In 2001, Stoterau and her family moved to California when her husband, Larry, was elected the LCMS Pacific Southwest District president. She secured a job with the Orange Unified Public Schools in Orange, Calif., and has been coordinating curriculum there ever since. Stoterau said ensuring students graduate is a task that she shares with the classroom teachers. “My job is to be a supporter of good teaching in whatever way I can to make that happen,” she said. “Without decent education
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in the public sector, we’ll face some challenges in the future that we can’t solve. So, we have to do our job and we have to do it better.” The concept of servant leadership is one of the many things Concordia instilled that helps her in her job today. “Whether I am dealing with students or teachers,” she said, “I need to lead them by helping them as opposed to telling them what to do.” Stoterau lives out her second calling as the church organist at her home church, St. John’s Lutheran in Orange and at Christ Lutheran in Costa Mesa, Calif. “I still worship best when I’m sitting on the bench,” she said. “That’s when my spirituality becomes real to me.” Linda’s connection to the Lutheran church is a strong asset to her in public education, she said. “It makes it easy for me to become a confidant for colleagues and students,” Stoterau said. “Those of us in the public sector have a tremendous opportunity to share our faith and relationship with God. We can’t do it in the classroom setting but we can do it on a one-on-one basis.”
CSP NEWS
SEA FOAM STADIUM
Join the excitement As Concordia plans for a new athletic complex
As of April ’09 $6.2 million
Sea Foam Stadium will allow fans to cheer on the Golden Bears football, soccer and track and field teams in an on-campus venue. You have the opportunity to help make this happen! Fundraising for the project is underway and gifts of all amounts are welcome and appreciated.
“We have the opportunity to build a stadium complex that is bigger than any sport, team or person. It truly is another opportunity to have God’s glory be exemplified.” Phil Fandrei ’51 Fandrei and Sea Foam Sales Co. donated more than $5 million to the project.
Naming Opportunities: Bubble................... $2 million Press Box............... $1 million Field...................... $1 million Track..................... $1 million Concourse............. $250,000 Weight room......... $100,000 Locker Rooms....... $25,000 Seats...................... $500
For more information about donating to the stadium project, please contact Heather Riddle, Vice President for University Advancement at 651-641-8803 or via e-mail at riddle@csp.edu.
For details about the project visit www.cugoldenbears.com/ Sea-Foam-Stadium
CSP NEWS
ENDOWMENT: Support for the Concordia Mission
News reports abound regarding higher education endowments and how schools are being affected by market forces. We talked with LCMS Foundation President Tom Ries recently for insights into how endowments work and why they are important to the ongoing mission of Concordia. Ries is the former vice president for finance and operations at Concordia. Tom Ries, LCMS Foundation President
Q: What is an endowment?
Q: How is the money managed?
A: An endowment is a charitable gift that creates a permanent source of income for Concordia to continue living out its mission.
A: Endowment funds are managed by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Foundation, unless the donor specifies otherwise. The Foundation’s Board of Trustees oversees the eight professional asset managers who manage the portfolios for LCMS churches and institutions. Monies are invested in mutual, bond and stock funds.
Q: Why should donors establish an endowment? A: Endowments are a great way for donors to leave a legacy for themselves or for another person. Endowments can be named after the donor or in memory of an individual—a lasting tribute that will forever exemplify the donor’s generous spirit and support of Concordia’s mission. Concordia also relies on support of donors to fund ongoing needs of the institution. Q: How can the endowed money be used? A: Depending on a donor’s specifications, the funds can be used for scholarships, faculty salaries, academic programs and campus ministries. Donors can also establish an endowment to fund a certain project, sustain a program, or develop a new program.
A: At the end of the 2008 fiscal year, Concordia University, St. Paul had the second largest endowment in the CUS.
Q: How does an endowment become a permanent source of income?
Q: How does the size of Concordia’s endowment compare to other private colleges and universities?
A: Upon receipt of the gift, a fund is set up and a fixed percentage of its annual market value gets put toward the specified use. Because only a small portion of the funds are used each year, the fund can last forever. Additional earnings are reinvested each year, which builds the fund over time. Q: Is there a minimum amount of money needed to establish an endowment? A: Yes. Concordia requires a minimum of $30,000 to set up an endowment. The minimum exists to have the fund generate a meaningful amount of dollars. Anything less than $30,000 becomes more expensive to manage than it would be helpful. Many institutions have higher endowment minimums but the Concordia University System wants to ensure there are opportunities for donors to make reasonably modest endowment donations to its institutions. The hope is that those donors will continue to contribute to the endowment as they have new money available.
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Q: How does the size of Concordia’s endowment compare to others in the Concordia University System?
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A: The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) reports that the median U.S. higher education endowment is less than $100 million. In comparison to the 17 colleges in the Minnesota Private College Council, Concordia University, St. Paul’s endowment is relatively small. At the end of the 2007 fiscal year, the largest endowment within the council was more than 35 times the size of Concordia’s.
CSP NEWS
Q: How has the recent down-turn in the economy affected endowments?
Q: How can I set up an endowment?
A: Both stock and bond funds were terribly beat up in 2008 and that was precipitated by the credit crisis that started in 2007. Stocks have been hurt worse because they are more volatile in the short run, but over the last 60 years, they have had the biggest returns. So, I am optimistic about the longterm growth of Concordia’s endowment. There is no question in my mind about its positive growth in the years to come.
A: Concordia would be happy to help you set up an endowment. If you decide to set one up, Concordia will work with you to create a fund that will serve your needs and the needs of the University. The Foundation can also work with you directly.
Q: Should the current economic situation deter donors from setting up an endowment? A: No. Now is an excellent time to set up an endowment. The best time to buy stocks is when they’re low. If donors have the means, their money is going to be well placed on behalf of Concordia.
For more information on setting up an endowment, please contact Vice President for University Advancement Heather Riddle at riddle@csp. edu or call 651-641-8803.
Smallest Endowment in CUS $1,479,961
Concordia University, St. Paul’s Endowment $21,432,214
Largest Endowment in CUS $26,175,386
*Numbers show value at the end of the 2008 fiscal year
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ALUMNI NEWS 1950s 1 Sally and Bob Cordes ‘55 celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Aug. 17, 2008, with their family at Camp Okoboji in Iowa. They met as classmates at Concordia. In chapel, they were required to sit alphabetically in order for the professors to take attendance. They were seated Gene Bunkowske, Sally Clingenpeel, David Cloeter and Robert Cordes. Dave Cloeter left Concordia to join the Navy which put Clingenpeel and Cordes together alphabetically. The rest is history. They have four children: Susan Young of Waunakee, Wis., David of Sand Lake, Mich., John of Cody, Wyo., and Cheryl of Phoenix, Ariz. They also have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In their retirement, they enjoy traveling and serving on the Alumni Council at CSP. Sally enjoys scrapbooking and stamping cards. Bob spent 14 years as a country parson and then 27 years in Grand Rapids, Mich., as a hospital chaplain.
Rev. Loren Delgehausen ‘55 received the Meritorious Service Medal and Legion of Merit for the United States Army. He also received the LCMS Servus Ecclesiae Christi Award from Concordia Seminary. David Rose ’55 is retired and resides in Key West, Fla. Upon retirement from full-time teaching, he began building a retirement home and developed wood working as a hobby. He enjoys tutoring students and mentoring in Take Stock in Children (grades 7-12). He was also a Disaster Relief Coordinator for A.A.L. and Thrivent for Lutherans for the Florida Keys from 1990-2005. He is married to Angeline (Mickleson) Rose ’55 and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July 2007. They raised two daughters; Carrie (69), a Lutheran teacher; and Dottie (63), a speech therapist. Each have three boys. David received Honorary Conch Citation- Key West and the Servant of Christ Award- at the Florida Georgia District Convention in July 2006. Eugene Reddel ‘57 is a Chief Chaplin SVC for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Donelda (Karnopp) Wildung ’57 and Glenn Wildung of Winifred, Mont., celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the American Lutheran Church in Winifred on Aug. 30, 2008. They met in Tigerton, Wis., while Donelda was teaching at St. John’s Lutheran School. Glenn came to be best man at his brother’s wedding. Donelda and Glenn were married Aug. 31, 1958 in Thorp, Wis., at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The Wildungs have four children; Karen Reinhart of Jackson, Wyo., Carlene and Harris Davis of Havre, Mont., Scott
and Tracy Wildung of Stanford, Mont., and Diane Harper of Billings, Mont. They also have 10 grandchildren. Their oldest granddaughter, Ashley Heller, married Lance Oaas on their 50th anniversary in Lewistown, Mont. The four children and their spouses hosted a reception for them on Saturday, Aug. 30, in Luther Hall. Their daughter, Karen, presented a slide show representing the last 50 years and it was enjoyed by all. A family dinner followed the reception. Milten Krueger ‘59 has spent time traveling all but six of the U.S. states, all of the Carribean and parts of Western Europe.
1960s Betty Eisner-Anderson ’65 is a registered nurse at St. Joseph Medical Center and resides in Brainerd, Minn. Phyllis (Johnson) Schultz ’65 retired as the office secretary at St. Paul Lutheran, Granite Falls, Minn., on June 30, 2008. Dennis L. Schultz ’62 retired as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Granite Falls, Minn., on June 30, 2008. Dennis and Phyllis have three married daughters and three grandchildren. Their new address is 93 Primrose Lane, Granite Falls, Minn., and their e-mail address is dpschultz@mchsi.com. Andrea (Marecek) Johnson ’67 is retired from teaching elementary school in Oakdale, Minn., and resides in Maplewood, Minn. She was widowed in 2001 and became a step-great grandma in August 2008. In January 2008 Andrea finally visited her seventh continent, Antarctica. She travels about every month to places such as Europe, Africa, South America, Mexico, Los Angeles, and Tucson. She plans to travel to Asia again next November and continue her motorcycle trips each spring and summer on her own Harley Davidson all over the United States and Canada.
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IN MEMORY Delphin ‘Bud’ Schulz ’43, former Concordia faculty, age 82, entered into eternal life with Christ on Dec. 27, 2008. Bud was married to Lois for 64 years. He dedicated his life in humble ministry as an elementary and secondary teacher/administrator and education consultant for all Universities and Seminaries of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. He was a treasured friend and a model of Christian living to his family, coworkers, and all who knew him. Memorials may be directed to the Lutheran Association for Special Education.
ALUMNI NEWS 1970s
Kevin Juntunen ’88 is employed in the business development department at Network Access 2 Sharon Hinck ’81 published her fourth Products. novel titled “Stepping into Sunlight.” The novel is described as an emotion-packed James Shelhamer ’88 is a deputy sheriff for story of healing and the rediscovery of Carver County. He resides in Belle Plaine, Minn. hope. The book’s main character witnesses a violent crime and learns that survival Paul Turney ’88 is a partner in the company Jazz and recovery are rooted in reaching out Venture, LLP and resides Edina, Minn. and doing good deeds for others. Through Shelli (Clausen) Beron ’89 is employed by her book, Hinck is encouraging people MSDEDA and resides in Owatonna, Minn. She to perform acts of kindness and report married Scott Beron on Nov. 23, 2001. Their son, about the impact at http://pennysproject. Colton Schock, was born on Dec. 21, 1994. blogspot.com.
1980s
George Kelm ’71 and his wife, Nadine, moved to Twin Lakes, Wis., in 2006 after he retired from teaching at St. Peter Lutheran School in Arlington Heights, Ill. He was the director of bands and music education instructor there for 35 years. He now teaches private band lessons, plays for worship services at Hope Lutheran Church and occasionally substitutes for area band programs. Nadine is a part-time church secretary. They enjoy their new home in the beautiful Wisconsin countryside while still being only an hour away from Arlington Heights. George has many fond memories from his years at Concordia and marvels at the beautiful additions to the campus when they visit St. Paul. Lois (Rehborg) Bremer ’72 went back to school at Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa, and received her license for developmentally cognitive disability in 2004. She has been employed in special education for eight years and teaches functional living skills. Parthenia (Jones) Swyningan ’72 is seeking employment and resides in St. Paul, Minn. She is a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Aging, Vital Aging Network and AARP. Her mother and father died in 1993 and 1994 as well as her husband, Landon, in 1999. William Irwin ’73 has traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan for security work. He also traveled to Honduras for volunteer work. Lori Utech ’79 is a family physician at St. Luke’s Hospital in Ellisville, Mo. She has two children; Annmarie (18) and Claire (15).
Maybeth (Kern) Christensen ’89 is retired Mark Schultz ’80 has accepted a call to and resides in Corpus Christi, Texas. Trinity Lutheran in Wausau, Wis., to serve as their Minister of music. Jayne Juntunen ’89 is a paraprofessional for Independent School District 727 and resides in David Packard ’84 is employed at Questar Saint Michael, Minn. Capital as a financial planner and resides in Plymouth, Minn. Andrea Miller ’89 is a client finance analyst for Sirva Relocation and resides in Minong, Wis. Lori (Arndt) Bates ’85 is a stay-at-home mom. Sheila Racine-Robinson ’89 owns Abbey Carpet & Remodeling and resides in Ramsey, Dean Wennerberg ’85 is an independent Minn. consultant at Healthcare Marketing/ Business Development and Athletic 1990s Training. Andrea (Johnson) Brandner ’90 is a director Paul Cassidy ’87 is a director at Leonard at Iposos. Street and Deinard. He resides in St. Paul, Michael Burton ’90 is employed at and helped Minn., and has three children; Abby (17), create a unique non profit service, Minnesota Real Eleanor (3), and Cameron (2). Estate Foundation in St. Cloud. He is a real estate Debera Meidl ’87 is a library media officer. The Foundation simplifies and facilitates specialist at St. Michael Catholic School and real estate gifts to non profit organizations. resides in Prior Lake, Minn.
James Ebert ’90 is employed at Lone Buffalo as Gloria Carver ’88 is employed at Logic an editor. EMS as a documentation specialist.
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All-Academy Reunion Join your friends from Concordia Academy for a reunion during Homecoming 2009, Oct. 2-4. More than 50 alumni have been working on planning this event and they look forward to seeing you! Watch your mailbox and check ave.csp.edu for details.
ALUMNI NEWS representative for MnDACA, a trade association for adults with developmental disabilities. Recently, Todd climbed the “Twin Sisters” in the Colorado Rockies with a 11,400 summit.
Bonnie Bosma ’92 is the owner of Quilting Magic and resides in Zumbro Falls, Minn. In November 2007, she traveled to Kenya, Africa, to teach long-arm quilting at the Amani Ya Juu mission for refugee women.
Melinda (Cloeter) Mennicke ’91 is employed by Mounds Park Academy as a K-4 music teacher. In 2007, she was recognized for her 10 years of employment at the Academy. She resides in Minneapolis, Minn., and has a son Jack (5) and a daughter, Jamie (3). Mindy is also the children’s choir Jeanette Clonkey ’90 is employed as a director at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, professor for the School of Continuing Studies Minneapolis. at Concordia University, St. Paul, and resides in Nancy Miller ’91 is the vice president of New Richmond, Wis. Heritage Bank. Jean Larson ’90 is a human resource manager for The Bergquist Company and resides in River Carolyn Treichel ’91 retired from her job at Village Shores in 2006. She was the Falls, Wis. director of programming for more than 11 Roger Leque ’90 was awarded the Distinguished years. Since retiring, Carolyn has continued Alumni Award from Chippewa Valley Technical promoting the escort senior travel program College in 2002. He also received the Badger with Carrousel Travel/American Express in Award from the Wisconsin Newspaper Richfield, Minn. Association in 2008. He is a graduate of the 180th Session of the FBI National Academy.
Luke Fellows ’92 has been working at Home Renovations for more than three years. He is the owner and full-service remodeling contractor. Luke, his wife, Annette, and his two daughters, Ashley and Paige, reside in Plymouth, Minn.
Cathleen Chin ’90 spent many years working in healthcare public relations and marketing in the mental health field. After relocating to Pennsylvania and New Jersey, she resides in Tarrytown, N.Y. and is employed as a library assistant at a K-12 independent school. She is considering pursuing a master’s degree in school counseling. She was remarried in 2008 to Thomas Chin, a teacher and native of Beijing, China. They were engaged in Stockholm, Sweden, and visited Beijing and Shanghai, China. Her son, Antonio, is 11 years old and her daughter, Gabriela, is 14.
Renae Fox ’92 is a benefits specialist for the state of South Dakota and resides in Revillo. Gregory Keel ’92 is a teacher at MacPhail Center for Music and resides in Woodbury, Minn. Marian Krass ’92 resides in Buffalo Grove, Ill. Keith Zaffran ’92 is married and has one daughter. Steve Cawley ’93 is employed at the University of Minnesota as the vice president for information technology.
Susan Martinson ’90 is a human resources specialist for Cargill Incorporated and resides in Hopkins, Minn. Pamela Nelson ’90 is retired and residing in Hawley, Minn. Thomas Paul ’90 is a human resources manager for the U.S. Postal Service and resides in Mendota Heights, Minn. Michelle Besky ’91 is employed by Quorum Litigation Services and resides in St. Paul, Minn. Charles Bjorklund ’91 is employed by Littleton Regional Hospital in the registrar and resides in Saint Johnsbury, Vt. Maura Coenen ’91 is employed at Thomson Reuters as a project manager. Todd Nelson ’91 is an executive director at Grant County, DAC Inc. He resides in Barrett, Minn., and has been married to his wife, Danielle, for 27 years. They have four grown children; Allie, Cassie, Maggie and Kelsey. They also have four grandchildren. Todd has served as a volunteer firefighter for 20 years in Hoffman, Minn. He is an EMT-I for Hoffman Ambulance and for North Memorial Ambulance, Douglas County in Alexandria, Minn. He also serves as a regional
Have you dreamed of cruising the Danube River? You are invited to join President Bob and Lynne Holst, along with other alumni and friends, this autumn on a journey featuring a seven-night Danube River cruise Nov. 7 - 16, 2009. Discover Europe’s great river and the celebrated cities and quaint villages along its banks. . . Budapest, Vienna, Melk, Linz, Regensburg and Nuremberg. Explore Hungary’s capital city - traditional “Buda” and more cosmopolitan “Pest” - and, from Fishermen’s Bastion, see how the river divides this historic city. Experience Vienna’s imperial architecture and gracious culture and tour riverside towns in Austria’s castlestudded Wachau Valley. Visit the famed Baroque Benedictine Monastery of Melk. In Germany, explore the cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses of a medieval village. Savor the tastes of authentic dishes, learn about local legends, and appreciate firsthand why Strauss immortalized this romantic river in his famous “Blue Danube” waltz. Experience all of this without long motor coach rides or changing hotels. The river boat provides transportation and accommodations for the week. Please contact Sally Cordes (cordes@csp.edu or 651-641-8266) in the alumni office to learn more about this grand travel opportunity. Space is limited due to the intimate size of the river boat.
ALUMNI NEWS Kathleen Darrow ’93 just celebrated 15 years of Christian Zander ’94 is a product manager marriage to her husband, Patrick. Kathleen is the for LMA North America and resides in co-owner and director of Child Care for Tiny Tots Hudson, Wis. & Little Tykes. Edward Crumb ’95 is a deputy sheriff in Rhonda Forkrud ’93 is the vice president of Winnebago Co., and resides in Loves Park, Ill. operations at UnitedHealth Group and resides in Beverley Fritz-Hults ’95 is the vice president Minneapolis, Minn. of nursing at Regional Health Services. She Terry Lambert ’93 is a web business manager resides in Glencoe, Minn. for the Mayo Clinic and resides in Rochester, Marcia Gurno ’95 is a social worker for Minn. Douglas County Department of Human Stephen Logiudice ’93 is retired from her job Services. He lives in Duluth, Minn. as a manager at 3M. Jonathan Illian ’95 was recently diagnosed Jennifer Ohr ’93 is a project manager at IBM with lymphoma. Jon is also struggling with an and resides in Wanamingo, Minn. undiagnosed auto-immune disorder. These health problems have been worsening over the Cheryl Veech ’93 is the regional director of past four years and have involved the University operations at Emeritus Senior Living. She resides of Minnesota, the Mayo Clinic and other clinics in Gulfport, Fla. from across the country. You can visit http:// Billy Edwards ’94 is a training specialist for www.caringbridge.org/visit/jonathanillian to Minnesota Life/ Securian and resides in St. Paul, read the story about what has happened over the last four years, get updates on his health, see Minn. pictures, and sign the guest book. The family James Hildreth ’94 is employed by the City is appreciative of the help and support they of Minneapolis Inspection and resides in Eden have received over the past several years as they struggle to discover the cause of Jon’s medical Prairie, Minn. problems. Guy Jones ’94 is a regional manager at General Parts. He is also the head coach for the Prior Lake Catherine (Ryan) Michels ’95 was married High School girl’s lacrosse team. He resides in in June 1996 to Walter (Mic) Michels. Their son, Jacob, was born in January 1999 and their Richfield, Minn. son, John, was born in October 2001. They Michael LaClair ’94 is a contract service reside in Chaska, Minn. specialist at 3M. He resides in Cottage Grove, Bill Berg ’96 is the audio visual and video Minn. conferencing manager at Lake Superior Michael Okragleski ’94 is a senior programmer College. and senior analyst for T. Marzetti Company. He John Bermel ’96 is a police sergeant at the resides in Centerberg, Ohio. Apple Valley Police Department. Evangeline (Jacox) Patterson ’94 is an executive sales representative at Glaxo Smith Brett Filstrup ’96 is a senior PeopleSoft consultant at Newbury Consulting Group. Kline. She resides in Portland, Ore. Joan (Preskey) Severson ’94 married Paul on Nov. 26, 1994. They have four daughters; Stephanie, Hannah, Carleen and Amanda. They reside in Surrey, N.D., where Joan is now a stayat-home mom.
Christine Husom ’96 is the vice president of Buffalo Orthotics and Sole Comfort Shoes. She resides in Buffalo, Minn.
Penny Johnson ’96 is employed by US Bank in the operations department. She resides in St. Judy Tally ’94 is a production manager at Pries Paul, Minn. Manufacturing. Gail (Whiting) Killeen ’96 is a homemaker Margaret Zachman ’94 is a principle staffing and resides in Hastings, Minn. specialist for Boston Scientific Corporation and Dean Mickelson ’96 is employed by Land’s resides in Maple Grove, Minn. End in customer sales and resides in Hillsboro, Wis.
Brenda (Marthaler) Nealy ’96 owns a Pilates studio. She resides in Phoenix, Ariz. Sara Sandstrom ’96 graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder with a master’s degree in Educational Equity & Cultural Diversity in May 2007. Christopher Short ’96 is the CEO of Short & Miller Marketing LLC and resides in Inver Grove Heights, Minn. Kevin Zanker ’96 is a senior staff accountant at North American Membership Group. He is married to Kris and they have one son, Jacob. They reside in Minnetonka, Minn. Denis Deutsch ’97 ’99 is a systems IT architect for IBM and resides in Wilmington, Del. Douglass A. Farnsworth ’97 is an attorney at Trenam Kemker. James Holmlund ’97 is a Minister of student nurturing at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. He resides in Maple Grove, Minn. Renae (Ingalls) Loth-Birch ’97 is the director and co-owner of Discover Magical Moments Daycare. She resides in Byron, Minn. Kristin Oftos ’97 is an operations manager for Gurstel, Staloch and Chargo. She resides in Blaine, Minn. Deanna (Ressie) Sandcork ’97 and her husband, Rocky, praise God for the birth of their fifth child, Magdalena Jolene, who was born on Oct. 30, 2008. She joins her siblings Josiah (9), Maria (7), Sofia (5) and Bobby (3). They reside in Winona, Minn., where Rocky teaches at St. Martin’s Lutheran School. Chad Weber ’97 is an assistant controller at Investco. Joel Wiegert ’97 was elected and announced a new partner of the law firm Meagher & Geer. Desiree Church ’98 is the vice president for Meritex Enterprises, Inc., and resides in New Prague, Minn. Pam Cottrell ’98 is the office manager at Cottrell Law Firm. She resides in Eagan, Minn. Kimberly (George) Duncomb ’98 is an administrative director at Austin Utilities. She resides in Austin, Minn.
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ALUMNI NEWS Peter Flock ’98 is a senior contact services manager for Windows, Inc., and resides in Stillwater, Minn. Daniel Lovik ’98 is a rural development manager for Frito Lay and resides in Rochester, Minn. Amanda (Christ) McCulloch ’98 is a principal clinical quality specialist at Medtronic, Inc. John Pearson ’98 is a realtor for Prudential Pladson Realty Inc., and resides in Rice, Minn. Michele Rifee ’98 is a professional advisor for Sherwood Financial Group and resides in Owatonna, Minn. Ann Splinter ’98 is a marketing director at South Central and resides in North Mankato, Minn. Todd Voge ’98 recently presented at the Epicor Perspectives conference at Caeser’s Palace, Las Vegas. The presentation was titled, “Better, Faster, Cheaper Processes with Service Connect.” The presentation was about implementation of service-oriented architecture in an organization to increase the interoperability of IT systems. He has presented at this conference twice. Ronel Bloomgren ’99 is a program director for Way to Grow and resides in Minneapolis, Minn. Cynthia Hemmer ’99 is a senior associate at RSM McGladry, Inc. She resides in Otsego, Minn. In September 2008, she proudly completed the 60 mile/3 day Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure of breast cancer. Nathan Hutton ’99 and his wife, Hanna, gave birth to their first child, Brody James, on Aug. 21, 2008. The family resides in Lakeville, Minn. Erica (Talle) Nowak ’99 is a preschool teacher at Nativity Child and Family Center. She and her husband, Robert, welcomed their son, Jakub Robert, on July 5, 2007. They reside in Burnsville, Minn. Michael Rademacher ’99 ’01 is a database administrator for Kroll Ontrack and resides in Savage, Minn. Colleen Tompkins ’99 is a project manager for IBM Global Services.
2000s Susan Burdette ’00 is a mission support specialist for the Department of Homeland Security. She resides in Eagan, Minn. Jonathan Joens ’00 is a fire fighter in Brooklyn Park. He resides in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Daryl Kallevig ’00 is a chief information officer at Albert Lea Medical Center and Mayo Health System. He resides in Duluth, Minn. Maria King ’00 is a registered nurse for the State of Minnesota. She resides in Mankato, Minn. Amy (Tibbits) Koehen ’00 married Charles on June 19, 2004. Their daughter, Emily, was born on Dec. 12, 2004. Cherie Mockler ’00 is a paralegal for Briggs and Morgan law firm and resides in Hudson, Wis. 3 Andrew Bosl ’01 and his wife had their first child, Nolan James, on Aug. 15, 2008.
Debra Caldwell ’01 is the assistant vice president for Community Bank and resides in Amboy, Minn. 4 Jennifer Danielsen ’01 and Paul Farley were married on June 21, 2008. Paul is a graduate of Hamline University. The couple lives in St. Paul with their two German Short-haired Pointers, Henry and Tucker. Jen works for the Shriners Hospital for Children-Twin Cities in Minneapolis and Paul works in the corporate office at Target in Minneapolis.
Colette Deharpporte ’01 owns and works at Onpoint Lasers. She purchased the company in January 2008. She resides in Minneapolis, Minn. Her son graduated from Perpich Arts High School in June 2008. Marilyn Donnelly ’01 is self-employed and resides in Santa Fe, N.M. Seena Ernst ’01 works in the sales and marketing department at Lake Superior College. She resides in Lake Nebogamon, Wis. Darlene Garbe ’01 is an interactive communications specialist at Wolters Kluwer Financial Services. She resides in Crystal, Minn. Mark Heiser ’01 is the assistant director of security at Concordia University, St. Paul. He married Corssa Mertz on May 31, 2008, at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, Minn. Deborah Hertzog ’01 is a senior pharmaceutical sales specialist at Sepracor, Inc.
Bob Ziemiecki ’99 is self-employed as an independent representative. He is looking for employment in social services, human resources and marketing.
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ALUMNI NEWS Nancy Hester ’01 is a management analyst at Jan Befort ’02 is a systems and procedures analyst at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. the U.S. Postal Service. She resides in Zumbrota, Minn. Peter Johnson ’01 is an instructor at South Jolene (Green) Beske ’02 is an Central College and resides in Mankato, Minn. underwriter for CNA Insurance and resides Sean Kavaney ’01 is an outage lead at St. Jude in Faribault, Minn. Medical. Hope (Kelto) Bollig ’02 graduated in July Kelle Mantovani ’01 is a senior staff accountant 2008 from Central Michigan University with at Scientific Games International and resides in her master’s in physician assistant studies. Atlanta, Ga. She is working at Immanual St. Joseph/ Mayo Clinic in Mankato, Minn., as a surgical Kimberly (Diepholz) Newhouse ’01 is a senior PA. Her husband Chris (’01) is a clinical facility manager at Grubb & Ellis Management. psychologist for State Operated Services in Michael Meyer ’01 is a teacher, athletic director St. Peter, Minn. and coach in the Silver Valley Unified School District. He married Katherine Kohls on Aug. 3, 2002, and they have two daughters; Elizabeth Hannah (13), and Emily Suzannah (1). The family resides in Barstow, Calif. Luane Miller ’01 is a documentation manager for OptumHealth. Kaleif (Palmer) ’01 and Israel Olson ’00 welcome the birth of their second daughter, Olivia Faith. She was born on Aug. 21, 2008. She joined her big sister, Lilliana Maria (2). Lisa (Wiese) Place ’01 is a commercial service representative at Federated Insurance. She resides in Owatonna, Minn. Kathleen Schwartz ’01 is an assistant supervisor in lab services at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Kathleen also resides in Rochester. Barbara Stewart ’01 is retired and resides in St. Paul, Minn. Joy (Spitzack) Anderson ’02 was elected Lyndale Conference vice president for the Minnesota South District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League at the June convention. The convention was held at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minn.
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5 Sarah and Michael Sprengeler ’02, welcomed their second daughter, Mary Sarah Jayne Sprengeler, to the world on May 30, 2008. She weighed nearly 9 pounds and will be a partnerin-crime with her sister, Julia (2).
Jesse Stremcha ’02 is the associate director of alumni relations and the annual fund at Carleton College. He and his family reside in St. Paul, Minn. Denise Thiede ’02 is a director of nursing at Woodwinds Health Campus-Healtheast. She resides in Eden Prairie, Minn.
Rebecca Thomley ’02 is the CEO and clinical psychologist at Orion Associates. She resides in Timothy Hanson ’02 is a retired police Dayton, Minn. chief for the Duluth Police Department. He resides in Duluth, Minn. Heather (Sandberg) Thrasher ’02 is a corporate trainer at Professional Veterinary Sheila Heiple ’02 is a nurse health coach Products, Ltd. She resides in Omaha, Neb. for American Health Holding and resides in Sierra Vista, Ariz. Mark Branovan ’03 is a board member at March of Dimes, Eastern Little League and Northern William Hering ’02 is semi-retired but Lake’s food bank. serves as part-time faculty and public safety consultant at Century College. Jennifer Gabbard ’03 is a human resources consultant for the City of Minneapolis. Lisa Jensen ’02 is a learning development specialist at Dean Health Plan. Joan Jung ’03 is in administration for the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office Brian Johnson ’02 is a superintendent at and resides in Minneapolis, Minn. Minnesota Power. He resides in Poplar, Wis. Casey Kunard ’03 is a senior loan officer for Jennifer Pantzke ’02 is the director Citywide Mortgage and resides in Moore, Okla. of human resources at Brainerd Medical Center. She resides in Cushing, Minn. James Miley ’03 is a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch and is on the board of trustees at FOCUS. Mary Pontrelli (’02 ’03) is employed in health care training at Ecolab Inc. She Lisa Olson ’03 is a human resources specialist at resides in Eagan, Minn. the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Babara Reuter ’02 is a benefit specialist for Melanie Rosenberg ’03 is the operations the City of St. Cloud. She resides in Sauk coordinator for Custom Alarms. She resides in Centre, Minn. Kasson, Minn. Charles Segna ’02 is an executive buyer for Micki Stenglein ’03 is an IT manager at KPMG GE Fleet Services. He resides in Eden Prairie, LLP. Minn., with his wife, Cynthia. They have Leah (Hammond) Sturm ’03 is a senior three children; Madelyn, Ian, and Owen. business analyst at Allianz Life. She resides in Barb Sorensen ’02 is a communications Sioux Falls, S.D. She married Jason Sturm on consultant at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 16, 2005. They have two children; Annik (4) and Ryan (1). Mary Soyring ’02 is the executive assistant to the president at Fond Du Lac Tribal Community College. She resides in Cloquet, Minn.
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ALUMNI NEWS
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Michael Summerbell ’03 has been the regional safety coordinator at Valley Natural Gas since 2007. He maintains safety standards at Midwest branch locations in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. He resides in Andover, Minn. He has two daughters; Erin (6) and Annika (2). He visited friends in Hawaii in March 2008. He coached 5-6 year old t-ball during summer 2008.
6 Adam Bulava ’05 proposed to Kathryn Affentranger (Ft. Hays St. University class of ’05) this past Labor Day. They plan to be married next summer.
Reggie Clark ’05 is the director of diversity at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Renee DeSteno ’05 is senior CDM specialist at BAE Systems. Amy Ebertz ’05 is senior marketing consultant at Travelers. She resides in River Falls, Wis.
Noel Gilles ’05 is a member of the American Society for Quality and the Risk Debra Thalison ’03 is a community health Management Association. He continues to volunteer for Big Brothers/Big supervisor for Ionia County and resides in Lyons, Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities. He recently completed Integrated Faculty Mich. Certification Training with the University of Pheonix of Minneapolis/St. Paul. James Falvey ’04 is a major gifts officer at He is beginning Facilitation of Business courses in Q1/S1 of 2009. He is a U.S. Viterbo University. He resides in LaCrosse, Wis. and Europe business development manager at Gibson Musical Instruments. Carla Folkert ’04 is a data analyst for Mayo Michele Heggestad ’05 is a contract specialist at Medica. She resides in Clinic, Rochester, Minn. She resides in Elgin, Eden Prairie, Minn. Minn. Christine (Overby) Hongerholt ’05 resides in New Market, Minn. She is William Heiple (’04 ’06) is a police officer for the a settlement annuity specialist at Ringer Associates. City of Sierra Vista, Ariz. He also lives in Sierra Kristina Parker ’05 is the director of career services at Best Buy Co. Inc., and Vista. resides in Richfield, Minn. She began teaching as an adjunct at Concordia in Kelly-Jon Meyer ’04 is a senior customer service the College of Business and Organizational Leadership in February. specialist for the Minnesota Department of Public Cathie Rhodes ’05 is a Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and resides Safety and resides in Roseville, Minn. in Brainerd, Minn. Jacqueline Moder ’04 is the manager of Public Denae (Older) Rose ’05 is a recreation coordinator at Amerst H. Wilder Works for CN Railway. She resides in Stevens Point, Foundation and resides in Burnsville, Minn. Wis. Allison Tegeler ’05 is employed by Garrity Tegeler and Varely and resides Amy Pozniak ’04 is an instructor at Wisconsin in St. Paul, Minn. Indianhead Technical College. She resides in Duluth, Minn. Sherri Teslow ’05 is a human resources manager at Intermet. Nicole (Majkrzak) Roux ’04 is a project Jennifer (Newcomer) Tuberville ’05 was married on Oct. 18, 2008. She manager at DKS Systems. resides in Eagan, Minn., and enjoys traveling to St. Lucia and the Bahamas. She is a senior case manager at Advisor Net Insurance. Jodi Weber ’04 is the marketing director at Minnesota West Community and Technical Susan West ’05 is a manager at Ameriprise Financial Center. She resides in College. She resides in Lake Benton, Minn. Andover, Minn. She recently earned a M.Ed. for Educational Leadership from South Dakota State University. Todd Weyer ’05 is a social worker for Todd County Social Services and resides in Staples, Minn. Nicole Weber-Knutson ’04 is a compensation analyst at Hormel Foods. She resides in Alden, Sarah Weyer ’05 is a social worker/care coordinator for Wadena County Social Services. She resides in Staples, Minn. Minn. Joe Westcott ’04 is an information engineer at Matthew Will ’05 is a regional coach at Gold Cross. He resides in Duluth, Minn. Travelers Insurance. Karen Zimmermann ’04 is a parish nurse at Jill Anderson ’06 is a contracting representative for Allianz Life. She resides Trinity Lutheran Church and resides in Ringle, in Plymouth, Minn. Wis. Arnulfo Curiel ’06 is a St. Paul police officer. Dennis Berkowitz ’05 is a global account Gary Deutschle ’06 is a police officer for Barrington Hills Police Dept., and manager The Toro Company. He resides in resides in Lake In The Hills, Ill. Edina, Minn.
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ALUMNI NEWS Lisa Hanson ’06 is the director of human resources for Coughlan Companies. She resides in Madison Lake, Minn.
Jeffrey Johnson ’06 is a human resources specialist at Dunwoody. He resides in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Debbi Howden ’06 is a co-owner and general manager at Country Kitchen. She is resides in Cannon Falls, Minn.
Kathrine Johnson ’06 is a senior compensation analyst at CHS Inc. She resides in Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Jeremy Eller ’06 is a financial advisor at Edward Jones. He resides in Faribault, Minn.
Shannon (Ravey) Jorgenson ’06 is an early childhood special education teacher for the ISD 191. She resides in Farmington, Minn.
Gregory Gilliam ’06 is a human resources supervisor for the Independence School District in Independence, Mo.
Cheryl Knoblauch ’06 is a legal assistant at UnitedHealth Group. She resides in Ramsey, Minn.
7 Micahel Grannis ’06 and his wife, Kristy, were blessed with another son on Sept. 21, 2008. Michaiah’s little brother’s name is Tovin Azariah Abel Grannis.
Amanda Larson ’06 works in customer service at Marvin Windows and Door. She resides in Warroad, Minn. She welcomed a new baby boy, Hunter Wayne, on Feb. 8, 2008 (6lb., 14oz.; 20 in.). In 2007-2008 she served as the president for Women of Today.
8 Andy ’06 and Katie Herzberg ’08 welcomed their daughter, Abigail Ann Herzberg, to the world on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 4:27 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs., 15.5 oz. and was 20.5 inches long.
Karen Lenius ’06 is a senior programs director at Mahube Community Council, Inc.
Judith Isaacson ’06 is a court administrator for the State of Minnesota. She resides in Moose Lake, Minn.
Joshua Manka ’06 is senior associate for RBC and resides in Minnetonka, Minn. Deanna (Marzen) McBeath ’06 is a manager of professional development at Thomson Reuters. She resides in Hastings, Minn.
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Nancy Nelson ’06 is a marketing communication manager at 3M Center. She is married with four sons and one grandson and resides in Bayport, Minn.
MBA@CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY THE SMART DEGREE FOR EMERGING LEADERS As alumni, you know the advantages of a Concordia education. Experience it again by pursuing your MBA degree with us. The MBA@Concordia University is flexible, fast-paced and tailored to the needs of motivated professionals like you. CONVENIENT—Attend class just one night a week, always on the same night. “The Concordia program is flexible yet rigorous. I needed a program that could keep up with my travel schedule. I travel worldwide about 50 percent of the time. Having the online format, but supplementing with informal professor and student meetings worked perfectly.” Bob MBA@Concordia University Class of ’08
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ALUMNI NEWS Jennifer Schaefer ’06 is a professor of Pat McAlexander ’07 is an education Charles LaGesse ’08 is the assistant chief of criminal justice at Brown College. She resides in specialist at Mayo Clinic and resides in police for the Superior Police Department. He Champlin, Minn. Rochester, Minn. resides in Superior, Wis. Bruce Schulze ’06 is a chemical health John McDonald ’07 is the president Sherri Liebl ’08 is a clinical research compliance counselor at Human Services, Inc. He and his of Dining Concept Inc., and resides in director at Centra Care Health System. She wife, Anne, enjoy traveling around Europe. Chaska, Minn. resides in Richmond, Minn. Tiffany Storms ’06 is a provider relations Shonda (Hedberg) Moody ’07 is a representative at OptumHealth Care Solutions. development manager at Ecolab and resides in Blaine, Minn. Patricia Tollefson ’06 is the director of executive education at the University of St. James Ries ’07 is a financial advisor at Thomas Opus College of Business. She resides North Star Resource Group and resides in in Minnetonka, Minn. Plymouth, Minn. Kou Vang ’06 is a correctional officer for Brian Rognholt ’07 is a business analyst at Washington County and resides in Cottage Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Grove, Minn. Ronald Roberts ’07 resides in St. Paul, Charles Walerius ’06 is the captain of the Minn. Owatonna Police Department and resides in Kelsey Schwarzrock ’07 is a management Owatonna, Minn. analyst at Anoka-Ramsey Community Brad Wiggins ’06 is the director of College. contact center operations shared services at Joseph Speltz ’07 is a network specialist UnitedHealth Group. at General Mills. Jodell Wizykoski ’06 is a business workstation analyst for 3M and resides in Woodbury, Minn. Kristy Sullivan ’07 is an insurance adjuster at Farmers Insurance. She resides Susan Bruggemeier ’07 is a corrections in Roseville, Minn. agent career/probation-parole officer for the Lisa Tesch ’07 is a supervisor at Toro. Minnesota Department of Corrections. sales Ann Tiberg ’07 is the director of youth and family ministries at Light of the Hills Lutheran Church in Cameron Park, Calif. Linda Habel ’07 is the retired services director with the Public Employees Retirement Melissa Tobiason ’07 is an account manager at CrownTonka. She resides in Association. She resides in Lindstrom, Minn. Ramsey, Minn. Jane Jasmin ’07 is a Dakota Healthy Family Regena Anderson ’08 is an education Home visitor at CAP Agency. specialist at the Mayo Clinic and resides in Jill Johannsen ’07 is an account manager at Hayfield, Minn. Archway Marketing Services. Nikole Held ’08 is a nursing support Steve Johnson ’07 is a software engineer at coordinator at Allina Hospital and Clinics. Pitney Bowes Group 1 Software. Rochell Ballou ’08 resides in Duluth, Minn. Tana (Brown) Johnson ’07 is a contracting officer in the Minnesota Air National Guard. Jody Friday ’08 is employed by Assurant as AVP Corporate Systems. She resides in Embarrass, Minn. Annette Frank ’07 is representative at Jostens.
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Robert Moen ’08 is a revenue cycle performance coordinator at Fairview Health Service. Angela Seeley ’08 is a loan processor at CityCounty Federal Credit Union. Donald Simonson ’08 is a senior information security consultant at UnitedHealth Group. Sandra Sims ’08 works at International Paper and resides in Minneapolis, Minn. Tina Stello ’08 is a pharmacy recruiting specialist at Target. Marin Thurber ’08 is an analyst at Benfield. Janet Tuchtenhagen ’08 is the associate director of marketing for Verizon Wireless. She resides in Plymouth, Minn. Michell Morales ’09 is a marketing database analyst at Harland Financial Solutions.
University Friends Former Art professor Karla Ness, mourns with her family the loss of her 17-year-old son, Eric, who was killed in a car accident. He is survived by his parents, John and Karla, and sisters, Alexis and Signe. The funeral was held on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in New Richmond, Wis. 9 Ellie Heginbotham, professor emeritus, was on campus on Oct. 28, 2008 to hear the Heginbotham Lecture given by author Sandra Benitez. Heginbotham is pictured with chair of English and Modern Languages Dr. Debra Beilke, presenter Sandra Benitez, Sandra’s husband, Jim Kondrick, and English professor Dr. Nan Hackett.
Karen Kuglar ’07 is a superintendent at Mary Higgens ’08 is a sales associate at JM Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center. Brown Company. She is also a consultant with Dairy Management, Inc. She resides in Eagan, Minn. Joe Houser ’08 is an account executive at Action Mailing Services.
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ST. PAUL SOCIETY
Pass your values on to the next generation The process of planning your estate is usually intended to provide you peace of mind about your final affairs and the distribution of your property and possessions. But an equally important planning aspect is declaring and passing on your values—a last message that you share with your loved ones. Your decisions about your estate will model stewardship and responsibility to the next generation. Planning a future gift to Concordia University, St. Paul in an estate plan is a meaningful way to pass on your values to succeeding generations. Your gift to Christ-centered Lutheran education will educate future pastors, church workers, teachers, business leaders and students going into many other vocations. Your act of giving will be an example to others—members of your family, church and community. I can help you add a Christian Preamble to your will or trust as a simple, personal statement of faith. It is a lasting opportunity to proclaim your love of the Lord to family and friends. St. Paul Society benefactors, those who have notified Concordia of their future investment in Concordia through a planned gift, have peace of mind knowing that their wishes for the gifts God has entrusted to them will be fulfilled. To learn more about how you can make a planned gift to Concordia, please contact me. I can be reached at 651-641-8256 or toll-free at 866-476-9277 or via email at laible@csp.edu.
Blessings!
Nathan Laible, JD Director of Planned Giving
Visit www.csp.edu/ plannedgiving for complimentary and confidential estate planning tools and information designed for members of the Concordia University, St. Paul community.
Endowment Fund Honors Long-time Benefactors Long-time University benefactors, Herbert and Ruth Kath, from Roseville, Minn., established, through a generous estate gift, The Zibell-Kath Pastoral Training Endowment Fund. The fund will provide scholarships to pre-pastoral students at Concordia. The son of German immigrants, Herb married Ruth Zibell in 1951 at St. Stephanus Lutheran Church where they remained active members. Through their estate planning, Herb and Ruth demonstrated their faith not only with their generosity but also with these words, excepted from Herb’s last will: “I commend those whom I love to the protecting arm of God, knowing full well that He, in my absence from them, can care for them much more adequately than I could were I present and He absent; and I encourage them to place their confidence in Him richly.”
Please recycle THIS MAGAZINE
This mosaic consists of 644, unique 6X6 inch painted tiles formed to make six joined panels to create an 8x24 foot community art piece. The work celebrates Concordia’s 2008-2009 theme of the year, “One as We are One.” It was created under the direction of local Hmong artist Seexeng Lee and Concordia art student Meghan Stotka, by the 2008 Hmong Culture and Language Program (HCLP) and Language Learner Academy students and staff and Concordia University, St. Paul faculty, students, staff and HCLP community supporters. The permanent installation can be viewed in the gallery of the Music Building.
“One As We Are one”
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