FALL 2019 800 West College Avenue Saint Peter, Minnesota 56082
Title and Deed, the comedic one-man show by Will Eno that was Sam Burnham’s senior theatre honors project, delves into issues of cultural misunderstanding and immigration as well as the idea of being “unhomed”—of not belonging anywhere. Such themes resonated with his fellow students. Gustavus is a home on the hill, but, he says, “We’re all in college here. This is a big four years of discovering what we want to do, discovering who we are.” Isn’t college funny like that?
2
SCIENCE + ART + GLACIERS Nobel Conference 55 is Climate Changed: Facing Our Future
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AT THE CORE OF US —is the concept of justice. These Gusties take up the charge
30
CLASS NOTES What your fellow Gusties have been up to
GUSTIES JUSTICE
THE CHRIST CHAPEL MEMORIAL GARDEN For Alumni, Parents, and Friends
at Gustavus Adolphus College
FALL 2019 | VOL. LXXV | ISSUE 3 STA F F Chair, Board of Trustees The Rev. Dan S. Poffenberger ’82 President of the College Rebecca Bergman Vice President, Marketing and Communication Tim Kennedy ’82 Vice President, Advancement Thomas Young ’88 Director, Alumni and Parent Engagement Angela Erickson ’01
“Thy gardens and thy gallant walks continually are green; There grow such sweet and pleasant flow’rs as nowhere else are seen. There trees forevermore bear fruit and evermore do spring; There evermore the angels sit and evermore do sing.” - Land of Rest, ELW 628
Director, Editorial Services Stephanie Wilbur Ash | sash@gustavus.edu Alumni Editor Philomena Kauffmann | pkauffma@gustavus.edu Visual Editor, Production Coordinator Anna Deike | adeike@gustavus.edu Design Jill Adler | adlerdesignstudio.com, Sarah Hinderman ’20 Contributing Writers JJ Akin ’11, Mara Klein, Emma Leigh Myhre ’19, CJ Siewert ’11 Contributing Photographers and Artists JJ Akin ’11, Callie Benge ’19, Kylee Brimsek ’20, Will Clark ’20, Bryan Holland, Corbyn Jenkins ’20, Emma Leigh Myhre ’19, Will Nunnally, CJ Siewert ’11, Nick Theisen ’15, Ryan Weber ’22, Gustavus Adolphus College Archives Printer John Roberts Company | johnroberts.com Postmaster Send address changes to the Gustavus Quarterly, Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., Saint Peter, MN 56082-1498 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE Saint Peter, MN 56082 507-933-8000 | gustavus.edu Articles and opinions presented in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or official policies of the College or its Board of Trustees. The Gustavus Quarterly (USPS 227-580) is published quarterly by Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., Saint Peter, MN, 56082-1498. Periodicals postage is paid at Saint Peter, MN 56082, and additional mailing offices. It is mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of the College. Circulation is approximately 32,000.
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Gustavus Adolphus College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
Fire up the rouser: Homecoming is Sept. 28. Give to Gustavus Day is Oct. 24. The 3rd of every month is #gustiegearday. Shine on!
Many people have a deep connection to Gustavus Adolphus College. Some consider the College their home. Now College community members have an opportunity to make Gustavus their final resting place by choosing inurnment in the Christ Chapel Memorial Garden. For more information or to reserve a space in the Christ Chapel Memorial Garden, contact Tricia Bergeson in the Office of Advancement at 507-933-7513 or tbergeso@gustavus.edu.
IN THIS ISSUE
14 29
SCIENCE + ART + GLACIERS
On the volcanic mountain Cayambe in the Andes Mountains, Gusties study a rapidly melting glacier. GUSTIES & JUSTICE
At the core of a Gustie’s understanding of the concept of us is the concept of justice. These Gusties live it. MY GUSTAVUS: BRUCE GRAY ’61
“I was a Congregationalist in a Catholic school in Mississippi recruiting a Baptist to come to a Lutheran college in Minnesota.”
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19 IN EVERY ISSUE 4 VÄLKOMMEN
GUSTIES GATHERED AT REUNION WEEKEND
5 ON THE HILL
Nearly 750 Gusties from the Class of ’39 to the
10
SHINE PROFILES
Class of ’14 got together again.
22
SPORTS
24
FINE ARTS
26
GRATITUDE
27
HERITAGE
28
GUSTIES
40
VESPERS
18
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
2
1
Gustavus professors, students, and collaborators take samples of glacial ice at 16,000 feet on Ecuador’s Cayambe volcano. They seek a more nuanced picture of how glacier loss affects the ecosystem here. Photo by Evan Taylor ’12.
Science + Art + Glaciers This may not look like an Ecuadorian summer but it is the Volcán Cayambe in the Andes Mountains in June. An interdisciplinary team of Gusties traveled there to study the effects of Cayambe’s rapidly melting glacier. Professor Jeff La Frenierre (geography, environmental studies) and student Bri Jol ’20 (biology/environmental studies double major), along with collaborators from Ecuador, Argentina, and the U.S., led the expedition. Professor Betsy Byers (art and art history) and student Emily Dzieweczynski ’19 (art/psychology double major) sensory mapped the glacier as part of a future interactive art project. Little data on glacier change and meltwater impact has been collected on Cayambe, yet it is experiencing some of the greatest climate disruption. Sustenance farmers and rural families downstream deal with climate change in ways vastly disproportionate to their carbon output, particularly with a catastrophic and disruptive reduction in their water supply. This year’s Nobel Conference is Climate Changed: Facing Our Future. It will bring to campus the world’s top scientists and thought leaders on climate change, including four from the Nobel GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental
3
Panel on Climate Change. Join us in Saint Peter and via livestream as we grapple with the causes and consequences of climate change and with our responses to the challenges it presents us as individuals and as a society. September 24 & 25. For more visit gustavus.edu/nobel.
Välkommen WALKING HUMBLY TOWARD JUSTICE. Gustavus has five core values that help to define our community and guide our actions: Excellence, Community, Justice, Service, and Faith. We are so proud of them that we printed them boldly on the pillars of the Evelyn Young Dining Room, in full display for all we welcome here. They are landmarks on campus; I often hear gathering students say, “Meet me at Excellence,” and “I’ll be sitting at Community.” Another distinction of our college is our connective roots in Lutheran and Swedish tradition. We value and celebrate this history, even as we evolve and change over time. During my presidency, we have become significantly more racially and economically diverse, with more students from other states and countries than ever before. Our college more closely represents today’s world, which puts our students in excellent positions to go out and act on the great challenges of our time. Our academic profile has changed too—it has risen. The incoming Class of 2023 has an average ACT score of 28 and an average high school GPA of around 3.66. With such changes come a series of humble awakenings. Witnessing excellence in others is humbling. It makes us take stock and work harder. Diversity is humbling. It challenges us to think beyond our biases and preconceived notions. Responsibility is humbling. It asks us to make choices that benefit others before ourselves. Working for justice is humbling. It never ends. It rarely comes with accolades. The Gusties featured in this issue stand up for a just world. Fueled by their passions, talents, and personal experiences, they take on issues of racism, homelessness, hunger, climate change, officer-involved shootings, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. They are humble enough to know that a just world isn’t about them, but certainly needs them. We all make choices that go beyond ourselves: who we hire, who we welcome into our home, what we recycle, what we pray for, how we vote, how we care for our loved ones, where we give our time, talents, and treasures. I have been humbled by my work as your president, by those times when I have been called to take action for a more just world. Doing so has transformed me, made me a better leader. I am grateful because I believe wholeheartedly in our core value of justice and the transforming possibilities of a Gustavus education. GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Consider your own powerful, and humbling, transformations. Where are you
4
making change for good? How can our college help? How can we collectively make the world a better place—for everyone? I want us all to be asking these questions of ourselves and our college, and I invite you to meet me at the pillar of Justice. Sincerely,
G U S TAV U S A D O L P H U S C O L L E G E B OA R D O F T R U S T E E S The Rev. Jon V. Anderson (ex officio), Bishop, Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA Scott P. Anderson ’89, MBA (chair), Special Advisor, Patterson Companies, Inc. Catherine Asta ’75, JD (ex officio), Attorney at Law and Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association Tracy L. Bahl ’84, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer, OneOncology Grayce Belvedere-Young, MBA, Founder and CEO, Lily Pad Consulting The Rev. Kevin D. Bergeson ’02 (ex officio), Associate Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and President, Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations Rebecca M. Bergman (ex officio), President, Gustavus Adolphus College Suzanne F. Boda ’82, Senior Vice President, Los Angeles, American Airlines Robert D. Brown, Jr. ’83, MD, Staff Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and John T. and Lillian Matthews Professor of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Edward J. Drenttel ’81, JD, Attorney/Partner, Winthrop & Weinstine Bruce A. Edwards ’77, Retired CEO, DHL Global Supply Chain James H. Gale ’83, JD, Attorney at Law John O. Hallberg ’79, MBA, CEO, Children’s Cancer Research Fund Susie B. Heim ’83, Former Co-owner, S and S Heim Construction Mary Dee J. Hicks ’75, Retired Senior Vice President, Personnel Decisions International The Rev. Peter C. Johnson ’92, Executive Pastor, St. Andrew Lutheran Church Paul R. Koch ’87, Managing Director–Private Wealth Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager, Koch Wealth Solutions, RBC Wealth Management Dennis A. Lind ’72, Chairman, Midwest Bank Group, Inc. Jan Lindman, MBA, Treasurer to the King, The Royal Court of Sweden The Rev. Dr. David J. Lose, Senior Pastor, Mount Olivet Lutheran Church Gordon D. Mansergh ’84, PhD (ex officio), Senior Behavioral Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (serving in a personal capacity) and Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association Jan Ledin Michaletz ’74, Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association Thomas J. Mielke ’80, JD, Retired Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Kimberly-Clark Corporation Marcia L. Page ’82, Founding Partner, Värde Partners Karl D. Self ’81, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Beth Sparboe Schnell ’82, President and CEO, Sparboe Companies
Rebecca M. Bergman President, Gustavus Adolphus College
Ronald C. White ’75, President, RC White Enterprises The Rev. Heather Teune Wigdahl ’95, Senior Pastor, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
ON THE HILL
Admissions staff and tour guides (l to r) Ashlynn Franzen ’20, Thomas Prahl ’21, Brayton Finch ’20, and Parker Sisler ’21 in the newly redone fire pit lounge in Norelius (Co-Ed). “It’s an iconic Gustavus building with a huge open lounge space that needed a little life,” says assistant vice president for student life Charlie Potts. With that great Gus, it’s got great big pride too.
NEW LIFE TO THE LOUNGES
During last-year’s Move-In Day, new
spaces to make them feel like this is
reno has breathed new life into a space
Gusties discovering their first-year homes
home, and in a multifunctional way.
beloved by Gusties for more than 50
in Pittman and Norelius (Co-Ed) were
Residence hall public spaces should be
years. Students play games, socialize, and
welcomed by spaces reimagined with their
comfortable for studying and for
generally enjoy their Norelius community
living-learning needs in mind.
hanging out with friends, a place to
in the residence hall’s public spaces
see and be seen.”
with the same zeal students had when it
with new carpet, furniture, lighting, and
The Pittman area in particular is a
opened in 1968 as the first co-ed dorm.
paint. In Norelius, the lounge and pit
game-changer. “Every time I walk in
Norelius has become so inviting it’s
area also received a facelift, also with new
there, students are studying or playing
spurred new student programming and
carpet, furniture, lighting, and paint.
games or working on projects together,”
events, such as a 2019 spring semester
Charlie Potts ’01, assistant vice
says Melissa Shugarman, assistant director
favorite: a mocktail party.
president for student life, helped lead the
of residential life. “It exemplifies the
makeovers. “Our residence halls have
academic residence hall philosophy.
public spaces. “Almost all of our first-year
served Gusties for a long time and they
Instead of being a building with a lot
students live in those three buildings,”
needed a refresh,” he says. “Through
of rooms, it’s a true living-learning
says Potts. “We want to give them
the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan, one of
environment.”
something to be proud of. We want them
the main focuses for students is to create
Across campus in Norelius, the
Next on the list for a facelift is Sohre’s
to really love their new home.”
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
The Pittman main lobby got a redo,
5
#whygustavus
ON THE HILL
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CHRISTMAS IN CHRIST CHAPEL: LOVE BEYOND BORDERS This year’s theme will follow the
Average
incarnation story in the gospel of
ACT score
Matthew, connecting us to God’s
of the
abundant and generous border-
incoming
crossing love and inspiring us to
Class
transcend borders that keep us
of 2023
divided from one another and from God’s reign of justice and compassion in our world. The performance will involve more than 350 students sharing a Christmas message through music, readings, prayer, and dance. All tickets are now reserved seating. Guests will select seats in Christ Chapel at the time of ticket purchase.
A ROYAL AFFAIR: GET YOUR CROWN ON! Enjoy food, drinks, music, dancing, and an auction at the Gustie
Dec. 5–8. Tickets on sale October 1; $30 per person (free when livestreamed).
gala you and your friends won’t want to miss. Grammy Awardwinning jazz vocalist Kurt Elling ’89 will perform throughout the night with emcee Peter Breitmayer ’87 (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Middle, and the TV series Fargo). Funds raised benefit the Gustavus Library Associates Endowment Fund and scholarships for first-generation college students. Nov. 9. Tickets on sale now. $175 JW Marriott in Bloomington gustavus.edu/events/royalaffair
KALENDAR Sept. 24–25 Nobel Conference 55 Climate Changed: Facing Our Future (see page 3)
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Sept. 27 & 28 Homecoming (see page 30)
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Oct. 5 & 6 Family Weekend (including the Family Weekend Showcase Concert on Oct. 6, free and live-streamed) Oct. 24 Give to Gustavus Day (see page 26) Dec. 10 Winds of Christmas Concert; 10 a.m., Christ Chapel (free and live-streamed) Dec. 12 Festival of St. Lucia; 10 a.m., Christ Chapel (free and live-streamed); for luncheon reservations, call 507-933-7520
PRETTY GOOD NEWS Biology professor Margaret Bloch Qazi accepted the 2019 Edgar M. Carlson Award for Distinguished Teaching at this year’s commencement ceremony. The award is the College’s highest teaching honor. Students describe her as creative, patient, and, someone who “wants every single one of us to learn and be amazed by what we are learning.” Says Bloch Qazi, “Science isn’t a worldview, it’s a way of knowing.” Religion professor Casey Elledge won the 2019 Faculty Scholarly Accomplishment Award. A scholar of the New Testament interested in Jesus
“All learning happens within a cultural context. The study of the liberal arts allows us to be aware of our role within the greater world.” —professor Margaret Bloch Qazi
and the Gospels, early Judaism, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, Elledge has penned four books and numerous articles,
Gustavus students and members of the
chapters,
Student Senate, Greg Swenson ’91 and
and reviews.
Holly Bunn ’92 who were killed in a car
His most
accident in 1989.
recent book is Resurrection
Through a national search, Dr. Valerie
of the Dead in
Banschbach and Dr. Elizabeth Kubek
Early Judaism,
were named associate provosts and ac-
200 BCE-CE
ademic deans. Banschbach comes from
200. Casey Elledge
Abby Trouth
Roanoke College, where she served as
that can be carried by a high-altitude
professor and chair of the environmental
balloon. Abby Trouth ’20 (Plymouth)
Health and
studies program. Kubek was founding
received a national Barry M. Goldwater
Exercise
program director of the medical human-
Scholarship for undergraduates pursu-
Science
ities major at Benedictine University in
ing careers in mathematics, sciences,
professor
Lisle, Illinois.
and engineering. Trouth has
Hayley Russell
been exploring genetic
won the 2019
Shelby Klomp ’20 (Maple-
Swenson-
wood) has been named a
Bunn Memorial
national Rossing Physics
diseases and making
Award for
Scholar. She has been
DNA modifications
sites that can cause
performing research
Excellence.
on magnetite nanopar-
Nominated and selected by students,
ticles and developing a
the award honors the memory of two
cosmic-ray muon detector
to gene-regulating proteins to underShelby Klomp
stand gene storage and expression.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Teaching
Hayley Russell
mechanisms in para-
7
ON THE HILL
THANK YOU, LONG-SERVING GUSTIES These folks have a combined 145 years of service to the College. Clockwise, from top left: Building Services Coordinator Chris Blaschko (20 years); Men’s and Women’s Golf Coach Scott Moe ’95 (25 years); Administrative Assistant in Old Main Janine Genelin and Vice President of Marketing and Communication Tim Kennedy ’82 (35 years). Not pictured: Arboretum Specialist Tracy Glass (30 years).
Margaret Bourke-White (1904–1971), The Louisville Flood, 1937, gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1971), 7 x 9 3/8 inches
INDUSTRY, WORK, SOCIETY, AND TRAVAILS IN THE DEPRESSION ERA: AMERICAN PAINTINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE SHOGREN-MEYER COLLECTION The Hillstrom Museum of Art is proud to exhibit artworks from this collection with an emphasis similar to that of Richard L. Hillstrom, whom collector Daniel Shogren personally knew. The exhibit documents the country’s transition from agrarian to i ndustrial economies. Artists, including ones associated with the Works Progress Administration and the Farm Security Administration, recorded the social dislocation of the Depression and the Dust Bowl through painting and photography. Shogren notes in his collector’s statement, “The art of this era was the art of America.” Sept. 9–Nov. 10 with opening reception Sept. 9 (7–9 p.m.) and gallery talk Sept. 15 (3:30–4:30 p.m.), both with collector Shogren. He will also be on hand for the
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Nobel Reception Sept. 24 (6–8 p.m.)
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TOUR THE WORLD AS A GUSTIE, WITH GUSTIES
A Symphony of Music, Culture, and History: Oberammer-
Singapore and Malaysia | Jan. 24–Feb. 8, 2020 | with the
gau Passion Play and Central Europe | Sept. 13-24, 2020
Gustavus Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble
Professor emeritus David Fienen leads this rare opportu-
From Kuala Lumpur to Penang to Malacca to Singapore,
nity to see the Oberammergau Passion Play, with stops in
tour through Malaysia’s culture and natural world alongside
Wittenberg, Salzburg, Prague, and Berlin. Due to interna-
students and professors and attend the musical performances
tional demand for Passion Play tickets, the deadline to
of the GSO and Jazz Ensemble. Explore temples, museums,
join the Oberammergau trip is Sept. 30, 2019.
food, and music from the other side of the world.
For more on tours, visit gustavus.edu/president/tours.
CAMPUS SOCIAL FACEBOOK
Follow @gustavusadolphuscollege, @gustieathletics
@gustavusadolphuscollege Tatanka, 2019: the new sculpture in the @linnaeus_arboretum created by Gustavus students and sculptor-inresidence @hellmundstudio. #gogusties #whygustavus “There are many factors that go into
@gustieathletics
what these waters are experiencing,
Head baseball coach Brad Baker ’80
and Gustavus has prepared me to
throws out the first pitch to Steve Lufkin
understand systems as part of the
’88 to kick off Gustavus Night at Target
greater whole.”
Field. #Twins #gogusties
Dan Eiden ’20 on philosophy, fly fishing, and his summer conservation
In 1969, Buzz Aldrin (who was awarded
experience with Trout Unlimited.
an honorary doctorate by the College in 1967) took off on Apollo 11 and carried
Follow /gustavusadolphuscollege
a Gustavus pennant to the moon! #Apollo50th #whygustavus
10:00 a.m. Time for Reflection “ What we can do to help underrepresented voices is pass the microphone.”
“ I went into journalism to explain things.
“ Wetter. Wetter. Wetter. Warmer. Warmer.
We need to understand more so we can
Warmer. Over the most recent 10 years,
fear less. I try to go places, explain things
we’ve seen 165 new all-time daily
to myself, explain things to other people,
statewide records [in Minnesota]. This is
so people will fear less.”
the pace of change.”
—Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist Thomas Friedman on peace and the press at this year’s MAYDAY! Peace Conference
—climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley at July’s Linnaeus Symposium, a preamble to the Nobel Conference, Climate Changed: Facing Our Future, Sept. 24 & 25.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
—#MeToo founder Tarana Burke, interviewed by students Joy Dunna ’20 and Emily Scroggins ’20
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ON THE HILL
SHINE: TORI FRANCIOSI ’21 From Alaska, with Activism SHE’S LEARNING TO IMPROVE HER ADVOCACY FOR THE STATE, AT HER HOME AWAY FROM HOME.
The town of Valdez, Alaska, is a tight-knit community, says Franciosi. Located at the end of a fjord and Prince William Sound, it’s one of the country’s most important ports—with only 4,000 residents. They all have a six-hour drive to the nearest shopping center. Franciosi beams when she talks about her passion for her homeplace. “I feel really connected to it and the people in my state.” She gets fierce when she talks about threats to Alaska’s people and beauty. Case in point: the proposed Pebble Mine project in Bristol Bay (just a five-hour drive plus a one-hour flight from Valdez). The project is on track to create the largest open-pit mine in North America, but at the likely expense of Alaskan land and water and the people who depend on it. In high school, while playing basketball, Franciosi met friends whose families depended on salmon and land in Bristol Bay. “The environment is a huge asset to the southwestern Alaskan communities in regards to the resource access they’ve had for many, many years,” she says. For her, defending Alaska from the project was a defense of human rights as much as environmental ones. She became involved with non-profit organizations advocating for the protection of the environment around the bay because she was inspired by those impacted by Alaska’s big oil near her hometown. Oil spills, including the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989, pollute indigenous wildlife, culture, and economies. Twenty-five years later, pockets of oil remained on some beaches and multiple oceanic populations have not fully recovered, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. With her heart in Alaska, Franciosi looked for a college in the States where she could extend her advocacy through an interdisciplinary, multi-dimensional approach. “At Gustavus, I fell in love with being able to major in science and humanities, studying the human side of policy,” she says. She’s now a geography and environmental studies major. Her wide-reaching notion of community stretched even wider when she became a Gustie: She found a new team in rugby, joined the Environmental Action Coalition, and helps new Gusties find community as a Gustie Greeter. She still works on behalf of Alaska’s environment, compiling data, attending rallies, listening to public comments, and giving presentations (like at GAC Talks this spring). Her advocacy won’t stop when she leaves the hill. “At Gustavus, I made a home away from home that I fight for,” she says. Her next home? Law school.
which had hundreds of student advocates marching for climate justice. Students have played a big part in the College’s commitment to reducing campus energy use by 25 percent in five years and becoming a zero-waste institution.
JUSTICE
Franciosi helped coordinate the recent Groundswell Movement
SHINE: AMANDA JENSEN ’20 Come Along MENTORS BEHIND HER AND GUSTIES BESIDE HER, SHE MARCHS TOWARDS A BETTER TOMORROW FOR ALL.
In her first three years at Gustavus, Jensen went through a lot of major options: Education, Nursing, Communication Studies. She knew she loved people, and that she’s a good relator. “I decided to take advantage of the full depth of the liberal arts perspective,” she says. She finally landed on Political Science. Even though she wasn’t that politically active until she got to Gustavus, “Political Science has given me a good understanding of how institutions shape our society and who we are as people. Our values are informed by how we are situated within those institutions.” She added a studio art minor to explore another way people communicate their values and identities. “Art opens your mind to different perspectives,” she says. “It’s a way we express ourselves and our experiences.” So is service to others. When she was a first-year, her Gustie brother, Alex Jensen ’18, pointed her to the Building Bridges Conference and the Womyn’s Awareness Center. She also became a Greeter—drawn to helping individual students make Gustavus their home. She’s grown in all of her roles, serving as a senior Greeter, as a leader with the student-led conference, Building Bridges, and as co-president of the Womyn’s Awareness Center, advocating for survivors of sexual assault. Case in point: For a week, in between her classes, she sat in front of a window in the Caf painted with “Confirm Kavanaugh” with signs reading “I support survivors.” Because of her leadership in raising awareness for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights and concerns on campus, Jensen was given the College’s Ovanlig Award this past Honors Day. Her goal is to create welcoming spaces for people to talk about current events and identity. “At WAC, we don’t always talk about ‘women’s issues’, but we open a dialogue about identity,” she says. In other words: Everyone should be welcomed, included, and respected— no exceptions. Relators never go it alone. They rely on their relationships with others to grow and learn. She names professors Martin Lang ’95, Jill Locke, Chris Gilbert, and Julie Gilbert ’99 as mentors, as well as director of campus activities Andrea Junso, chaplain Siri Erickson, and Diversity Center staff Tom Flunker and Janet Jennings ’17. “The people at Gustavus have given me the confidence to use my voice productively so I can be bold.”
JUSTICE
What’s a Greeter? People who help facilitate first-year students through new student orientation. They are resources, friends, mentors, and pep squads on campus that students can go to with questions and for support. In other words, says one Greeter, “We’re like your cool but obnoxious aunts, uncles, and cousins.”
ON THE HILL
SHINE: RICHARD LEITCH One Class, Great Change A RISKY IDEA FROM 20 YEARS AGO HAS GROWN INTO A TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE ABOUT THE ISSUES OF HOMELESSNESS.
When Leitch started teaching Political Science at Gustavus 23 years ago, he was eager to get to know the students on campus. Almost immediately he was approached by a student organization working to end poverty that asked him to participate in an event to raise awareness on homelessness. He agreed, and they slept outside in front of the Chapel as a small demonstration of the experience of homelessness. It was an “aha” moment for Leitch, but a mixed one. The act definitely raised awareness on campus of the issue of homelessness, but he personally didn’t feel deprived of anything. Mostly he and the students just talked. Leitch saw an opportunity to push the limits: “I started to think ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could teach an entire course that would implement a sleep-out?’” The first-term seminar course, The Politics of Housing and Homelessness, debuted in 2001. Built into the syllabus were three days and three nights without a secure source of food, place to sleep, or access to hygiene and technology. Though he was passionate about advocating for homeless issues, he didn’t consider himself an expert on housing. Knowing that it is an omnipresent problem in politics, he researched other ways to teach students about the complexities of housing in America and push them out of their comfort zone. Gustavus was an enthusiastic supporter. “A lot of colleges would have shut it down. No one here has ever questioned or challenged this class.” Today, Leitch is always returning to the drawing board to improve the course. As the disparities between what homeless people experience and the privileges the rest of us have continue to widen, it’s harder to keep the sleep-out experience as real as possible. Most Gustavus students will never understand the insecurity of being homeless or at risk for it. “A sleep-out will be over for us. Homeless people don’t know when that will happen for them, if ever.” Still, Leitch trusts his students to leave the hill inspired to support underserved communities in any way they can. “These students who decide to do things in their community are just incredible individuals,” he says. The drive to do so may be unique in the general population, but not among Gusties. “Here, the mission is different. The student body is different.”
Leitch likes to ask his students—and his former students— with definitions, or are you going to collaborate to figure out what we need for our communities to be thriving, sustainable places?” It’s a relevant question for a college student, and relevant for those of us post-college too.
JUSTICE
this provocative question: “Are you going to use your energy
SHINE: MICHELE RUSINKO The Art of Making a Difference IN DISCOVERING HER VOCATION AS AN ARTIST-SCHOLAR-TEACHER OF MOVEMENT AND ACTIVISM, SHE HELPS STUDENTS FIND THEIR OWN.
When she graduated high school in 1973, Rusinko was set on becoming a professional dancer. She devoted herself to ballet while the world coped with the mass murder of unarmed South Vietnamese civilians in the Mỹ Lai Massacre. But then, “I remembe having this moment of going to class and being immersed in all this news and thinking, ‘I can’t be the Sugar Plum Fairy the rest of my life.’” That was the beginning of an adventurous search to make a difference in the world. It has taken her down many paths. First, she became a high school biology and chemistry teacher. Then she discovered modern dance. In it, “I found that home between my artist self and my political self— my ‘creating a movement’ self,” she says. When she started at Gustavus she was the only dance professor, and for ten years she taught the entire curriculum, including both ballet and modern, plus January courses called Creative Movement for Children and BodyStories. Always a scientist, she continually investigated ways to create a classroom where she and students could explore global change. Today, after 31 years of teaching, half of her courses are in dance and the other half are what she calls “courses for the greater good.” She has noticed a trend in public discourse of a rise in loud voices that tear down ideas, so she asks of herself and her students, “How can I facilitate people viewing themselves as makers and creators? How can we use the best of our ideas to make new ways of being together?” Her first-term seminar, Tell Me A Story, is on exchanging stories to embrace experiences and connect communities. She also teaches resilience-based courses, and is developing a course to help first-generation college students find passion and purpose—their vocations. She is always ready to discover new research, methods, and philosophies to inform and refine her role with students. “I have never lost my scientist self,” she says. “There are a million ways to be an activist,” and as a Gustavus professor, she has found her vocational sweet spot at the intersections of creative artist and inquisitive scientist. “Gustavus supported my growth as a scholar and an artist and a teacher,” she says. She responds by passing that passion and purpose on to students. “I love that I really get to know the students, to know who walks in as a first-year and who walks out as a senior.”
Last year, Michele reconnected with Gustie alums Julio Zelaya ’12 JUSTICE
and McKayla Murphy ’16. Both were hungry to be creative but felt depleted by justice work. The three of them developed the Still, We Rise Conference, which encouraged artists and activists to bring their individual strengths to their activism work and to reenergize them for it.
14
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
GUSTIES JUSTICE At the core of a Gustie’s understanding of the concept of us is the concept of justice and a drive to balance inequities with our actions.
BY STEPHANIE WILBUR ASH • ILLUSTRATION BY BRYAN HOLLAND • PHOTOS BY WILL CLARK ’20
A
n enemy of justice is silence,” reads the ELCA’s statement on justice. And so, in this issue of The Quarterly, we raise up the voices of Gusties whose
work advances us toward a more just world. Justice is not new to us. It’s been a recognized core value of ours for decades. (The others, of course, are Excellence, Community, Service, and Faith.) But long before those values were officially defined, Gusties were working for justice, as far back as 1862, when our College was founded and—from day one—admitted women. The beauty of these core values is the inherent tension between them; we don’t pick which ones to follow. Like our liberal arts learning, we must integrate all of them into our lives. But justice can be uncomfortable. Sometimes we recoil at its loaded politics, even as we work to right wrongs. Sometimes our other The Gusties in this issue of The Quarterly stand up for justice, firmly, repeatedly, and despite the challenges. We need these Gusties, and others, to help build a better world for all. We are the only college in the world with the word “us” in it twice. Both our innate spirit of community and our rootedness in the Lutheran tradition call on us to do our work in the world together, in service to each other, for the common good.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
beliefs, and our own interests, get in the way of our actions.
15
OTIS ZANDERS ’79 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, UJAMAA PLACE
He came to Gustavus from the rural Mississippi Delta, following friends who had found the College. The civil rights movement had dismantled Jim Crow laws and desegregated the primary schools he had attended, but plantation thinking was still present and acrimonious there—train tracks literally separated blacks from whites. Gustavus, he says, “was a respite. When I walked around campus, no one moved to the other side of the sidewalk, no one avoided me in class. I was invited to beer busts, fraternity parties. To be able to worship together, dine together, this was a new experience for me. I was able to be Otis.” Campus wasn’t perfect, he says. For instance, “There was an absence of black culture.” So, at every opportunity, he and other African-American students spoke out. “Afros, our music, our dress, there was a lot of pride,” he says. They created the Black Student Organization—a precursor to today’s Diversity Center—and held their own chapel services (see page 27). The first director of the Gustavus Peace Education Program, Bernard LaFayette (a Freedom Rider and disciple of Martin Luther King Jr.), was a major influence.
criminal justice as a major. Already a political science Zanders in 1977, during his leadership with the Black Student Organization.
So was Zanders’ mother, a community
major, he could double major if he completed an internship. He did, with the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Then they offered him a job. Once
organizer herself who saw her son in politics. Zanders was eager
he convinced his mom he wasn’t destined to become the Governor
to work on issues of racial justice when he graduated.
of Mississippi, he accepted it.
The year before his graduation, Gustavus began offering
Since then, Zanders has been a change agent in Minnesota,
FROM
DAY ONE
1862 A Lutheran clergy- 1949 Long before the
African American students
man and Swedish immigrant
College seeks a racially diverse
to Gustavus (see page 29)
starts a small school for those
student body, the Student
By no means an
in the Lutheran faith; three
Senate raises funds to create
exhaustive list, here’s
1960s –1970s
years later, his church takes in
a look at big moments
the Negro Student Scholarship
The Black Student Organiza-
four orphans, which becomes
in student and College
the Vasa Home for Children
efforts to promote
1962 President Edgar
which becomes Lutheran
Carlson ’30 launches an
to become (in 2000) the Pan
Social Service
initiative to bring more
African Student Organization
justice.
tion is active on campus, evolving throughout the decades
impacting policy in the criminal justice system while working
age 30. “My job now is to prevent them from going in, and for the
with young men incarcerated or in danger of becoming so. “I
ones who do go in, to provide a soft landing when they get out,”
have spoken for communities that couldn’t speak for themselves,”
he says. It’s a holistic model with the ultimate goal of producing
he says. He did so first as a training director at the Department
men who flourish in the world. That means secure housing, good
of Corrections Academy, then as a training professor at the first
employment, higher education attainment, and connection with
maximum-security prison in Minnesota, Oak Park Heights, then
families. Ujaama Place has become a critical voice at legislative
on to leadership positions at facilities in Faribault and Stillwater.
hearings and in state task forces. “Ujaama has given me a platform
Eventually he became warden at the Red Wing juvenile facility.
to talk about race and racial injustice,” he says.
There, among children, “I really saw what poverty does to you, what being disenfranchised for generations means,” Zanders says. In the controlled environment at Red Wing, boys flourished. “When they felt safe, were drug-free, had three meals a day, large muscle exercises, mentoring and tutoring, health and dental care, I saw them become age appropriate. They just grew.” But this was the 1990s. Fear of the “super predator,” America’s War on Drugs, and three-strikes laws fed mass incarceration, particularly among African Americans. When Zanders arrived in Red Wing in 1996, a quarter of the kids were black. When he left 16 years later, 75 percent were. “There was a mentality of giving up on juvenile corrections,”
JUSTICE FOR ME IS ABOUT OPPORTUNITY, THAT WITH THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITIES EVERYONE CAN EXCEL, THAT YOU’RE NOT BOXED OUT BECAUSE OF YOUR RACE OR YOUR ECONOMIC STATUS.”
Zanders says. He and his colleagues worked with politicians and communities to keep juvenile offenders separate from adults, “to
Leading a nonprofit brings a different set of challenges than the
put into perspective that these are teenagers, to give attention to
controlled environment of a correctional facility. Working directly
the racial and economic disparities,” he says. Today, the facility
with young men is what drives him, Zanders says. “I identify with
in Red Wing continues to provide treatment, education, and
them. Navigating poverty, disenfranchisement, marginalization,
transition services for male juveniles.
that was my story. And I bring a story of redemption.” It is his deep belief that we are all entitled to equal access to education, that all children should be raised in an equitable, enriching
together policies and procedures. He became its director. Ujamaa
world. “Justice is about opportunity. That is what my story is all
delivers 37 different services for men who are disproportionately
about. That is what Ujaama Place is about. We take people who
represented in the penal system, usually between high school and
have been labeled obsolete and make them relevant.”
1970 In the wake of
team, becoming the first
1984 Gustavus launches 1987 Gustavus trustees
Kent State, a student-faculty
recognized female player in
the Women’s Studies Pro-
vote to divest the College of
committee creates a plan to
MIAC history
gram (Now Gender, Women,
investments in companies
and Sexuality Studies)
doing business in South Africa,
make finals optional; many students finish the semester
1981 The MAYDAY!
engaged in activism
Peace Conference is estab-
1986 The first Rev. Dr.
lished to inspire attendees to
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebra-
1991 Gustavus hires its
work for justice and peace
tion is held, hosting champions
first special assistant to the
throughout the world
of civil rights and non-violence
president for diversity
1973 Jill Lindquist ’74 joins the men’s soccer
spurred on by student activism
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
When he retired, a new nonprofit focused on empowering young black males called Ujaama Place asked him to put
17
MATT PLOWMAN ’90 BRIAN HEDEEN ’95, TOM OTTESON ’91, VIRIDIAN
In July of 2017, Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor shot and killed Justine Damond in Minneapolis. The officers involved were wearing body cameras but they were off. Only Noor’s police partner was witness. Twenty miles west of the shooting, three Gusties were testing a product that could have literally shed light on what happened: a weapon-mounted camera and light that can’t be turned off. With their $800 product, it’s possible the Minneapolis Police Department could have avoided a $20 million civil judgment, and Noor’s and Damond’s families would know more fully what happened. Hedeen (co-founder), Plowman (general counsel and chief
I couldn’t sleep,” Hedeen says. “One of the major recurring
legal officer), and Otteson (co-founder and CEO) didn’t set out
problems in the country could be solved with this product.”
to solve the challenges of officer-involved shootings. Hedeen
The camera they invented doesn’t record moments leading
and Otteson were gadget guys who liked lasers. Their company,
up to a gun draw, but in a few key ways it is more effective than
Viridian, developed a gun sight with a green laser more easily seen
a body camera. For one, “It’s tamper proof. You can’t turn it
in daylight than a red one. They also developed technology that
off,” says Plowman, who joined the company to navigate gun
turns on the sight when a weapon is raised.
regulations. And, as gun draws are rare events, “You’re creating
“Then Ferguson happened,” says Hedeen. In 2014, police
just a fraction of the data created by body cameras.” Police
officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Michael Brown. No video
departments must manage data, and with body cameras, that
exists of it, and eye-witness accounts differ. It kicked off national
means pricey contracts to handle the volume. Also: Weapon-
protest. Hadeen thought, “What if instead of turning on a laser,
mounted cameras get unblocked views while body camera views
we turn on a camera?” As they developed it, more officer-involved
are often blocked when officers are in shooting position.
shootings rose into public consciousness. “There were nights
Viridian’s weapon-mounted camera launched less than
FROM
DAY ONE 1992 The Center for
and leadership by enhancing
1995 I Am We Are is
1999 The Diversity
students’ understanding of
founded in collaboration with
Center opens in the Campus
issues of public concern
the Diversity Office and the
Center, bringing together
Department of Theatre and
established student groups
Dance. It uses performance
devoted to diversity and
1995 The first student-run Building Bridges Conference is
to create constructive
equity into one shared
Community Based Service
held, focusing on issues relating
conversations about race,
physical space
and Learning launches, dedi-
to social justice, diversity,
gender, sexuality, and identity
cated to excellence in service
equity, and inclusion
ESTHER MULDER ’08 FORMER ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER, HENNEPIN COUNTY | NOW TRIAL ATTORNEY FOR THE SOLICITOR OF LABOR, AT THE CHICAGO REGIONAL OFFICE
“I thought I would drop out of high school and be on welfare,” Mulder says. Her mom struggled, and Mulder found herself at St. Joseph’s Home for Children in Minneapolis during her 6th and 7th grades. There, she caught up in her studies and found stability in long-term foster care. Her experiences living on the margins, “drove me to want to fix things,” she says. Flash forward to Gustavus, where profs and staff in the fine arts, political science, and religion departments “kept me keenly aware of issues of homelessness, of racism, of environmental injustice,” she says. After undergrad and Teach for America, she took the LSAT and applied to
IF OUR PRODUCT HAD BEEN IN USE IN FERGUSON, IT WOULD HAVE CHANGED HISTORY.”
Harvard Law on a whim. She graduated from there in 2014. She returned to Minnesota as a public defender, often serving “the most marginalized people in the worst periods of their lives. My job is to be that voice in their corner who gives them some agency in the process.” She bears daily witness to the effects of social inequality. “What we call
two years ago. Today, more than 500 law enforcement
class is really opportunity and access,” she says. “Many of
departments around the U.S. are testing it, with a few dozen
my clients are trying to break destructive family cycles, but
already deploying them. The company, headquartered in
the courts don’t have a lot of patience for failure.” As courts
Maple Plain, Minnesota, employs 30 people. “There will
are the literal administer of justice, so follow her thoughts:
always be a need for police to use force,” Hedeen says. “Police
“Justice is the pursuit of right, of good, of fairness. It always
want transparency. Community groups want transparency.
relies on the truth, and injustice abounds when we obscure
This camera can help answer a big question: What happened?”
the truth. Justice should be a constant guiding principle.”
2000 the Moe
spirituality, and learn
Lectureship is established to
about traditions different
bring to campus top feminist
from their own
scholars in various fields
2019 Students organize
2017 Bonnier Multifaith
Groundswell to raise aware-
Center is dedicated as a
ness and prompt action on
space for people to practice
environmental issues and
their religion, deepen their
climate change
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
OUR SENSE OF INJUSTICE IS NUMBED WHEN WE’RE NOT WITNESSING IT ON A DAILY BASIS.”
19
MIKKA MCCRACKEN ’09 DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND ENGAGEMENT, ELCA WORLD HUNGER
When she was 12 years old, she met her birth father—a rice farmer in South Korea, and learned the personal costs of social and economic injustice that shaped her own early life. Her story ignited within her a desire to work on hunger and other justice issues. At Gustavus, she attended the World YWCA International AIDS Conference in Kenya, and found a sense of belonging at the Diversity Center. “I was able to be myself there and meet other people with different stories,” she says. “I always knew I wanted to be a church bureaucrat,” she says with a chuckle. She chased an internship with the ELCA while
JUSTICE IS ABOUT LIVING INTO WHO GOD CREATED US TO BE.”
at Gustavus, and today she leads the team she first interned with, responsible for the ELCA’s $23.5 million hunger relief and development strategy in more than 60 countries, including the United States. “I wanted to serve with my church and be involved in the big issues,” she says. Working on hunger, “I am able to touch lots of different issues at one time. “Most people think ending hunger is impossible, so having the value of faith in this work is really important,” McCracken says. “Yes, one in ten of our global neighbors experiences hunger and that’s clearly wrong. But I believe in a God of abundance. Justice is about the idea that I’m not whole unless my neighbor is too.”
THE COLLEGE LEADS In conjunction with the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan, President
PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL FOR
Rebecca Bergman has put two justice-related issues front-and-
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
center in her leadership. These Councils include faculty, staff,
The Council works to create and maintain an inclusive and
students, and the President herself.
equitable curriculum, learning environment, and workplace that affirms the dignity of all people. It helps the College examine
PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL FOR
and challenge biases, practices, and structures and, in doing so,
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
advances the values of justice, transformative education, and
The Council develops Gustavus’s environmental sustainability
growth. It advocates for the integration of these ideals into our
vision and goals, including those related to climate change and
academic mission, our policies and practices, and the way we
greenhouse gas mitigation. It recommends to the President’s
live in community.
Cabinet policies and procedures for achieving Gustavus’s environmental sustainability goals, including operational
To learn more about these councils, visit
structures, campus initiatives, and public events.
gustavus.edu/president.
THE STUDENTS TAKE STANDS These current students and recent grads are just a few working for justice on campus and around the world.
Ja’de Lin Till ’21
Will Ristow ’20
Adam Bogen ’19
Kaitlin Hanson ’19
HISTORY
GEOGRAPHY, POLITICAL
GEOGRAPHY
COMMUNICATION STUDIES,
Passion ignited: At the
SCIENCE, AND PEACE
Passion ignited: “I believe
MANAGEMENT
language camp where she
STUDIES
in humanity.”
Passion ignited: by her
teaches, “It was the first
Passion ignited: When he
Currently: His passion and
involvement with the Gus-
place where I was seen as a
took Geographies of Peace
energy has been focused on
tavus mentoring program,
person first and as an Asian
and Violence with Professor
sustainability and environ-
Big Partner Little Partner. “My
second,” she says.
Joaquin Villanueva, research-
mental justice with Gustavus
little partner is a Sudanese im-
Currently: Co-president
ing policing practices with
Greens, the Environmental
migrant, and after I found out
and co-founder of Chinese
classmates
Action Coalition, and the
she had siblings, I took them
Culture Club, leading events
Currently: Teacher’s as-
Groundswell Movement plus
with me too,” she says.
such as K-Pop Dive and Lu-
sistant in the Geography
a semester abroad in New
Currently: Was working in the
nar New Year; Diversity Equi-
department and a member
Zealand.
Gustavus Community Engage-
ty Education Project, visiting
of the Model United Nations
#WhyGustavus: The Gus-
ment Center; now a Gustavus
New York and learning about
Executive Committee (plus
tavus core value of justice
admission counselor. Tutoring
Indian, Korean, and Chinese
Gustavus Choir and G-Sharp
is a significant reason why
Somali students through the
culture there.
A Cappella Choir)
he chose the college. Here,
Hikmah program and still
#WhyGustavus: “We have an
#WhyGustavus: His courses
“I have grown so much as a
meeting with her Big Partner
incredible student involve-
helped connect him to seri-
human, an activist, and an
Little Partner mentees.
ment platform that allows
ous societal issues regarding
ally,” he says.
#WhyGustavus: Her little
students to be heard and
law and the spaces that we
Testify: “Simply understand-
partners showed her what
work with one another.”
enforce.
ing an issue isn’t enough. I
immigrants face, including
Testify: “My main drive is to
Testify: “Justice cannot mean
have learned that I have a
language and cultural issues.
create spaces for underrep-
‘just us.’ Ensuring respect
voice and I have a responsi-
Testify: “Academics should re-
resented people to come
and equality in treatment
bility to spread peace. To me,
flect the community it serves.
to and take pride in their
of all citizens must be a
justice is the active presence
All people should be treated
identity.”
priority.”
of peace.”
with equity and kindness.”
JA’DE
WILL
KAITLIN
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
ADAM
21
SPORTS
Hensch is not just the first athlete in MIAC history to win the grand slam of throws at a conference championship. While there is no official record, it is believed he is the first NCAA athlete to accomplish the feat.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
“I HAD SOME HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS. I THOUGHT I’D TRY IT IN COLLEGE.”
22
That was the first-year approach of Mi-
Hensch’s performance at the 2019
chael Hensch ’19 (North Branch). Four
MIAC Outdoor Championships garnered
at the MIAC Outdoor Championships,
years later and Hensch is one of best
his third consecutive Outstanding Field
thanks in large part to Hensch’s 40 points.
throwers in program history. He is an
Athlete award. He was also selected as the
Taylor Rooney ’21 (Andover) also had a
eight-time MIAC champion, four-time
Central Region Field Athlete of the Year.
great showing, winning the 110 hurdles
All-American, and the only athlete in the
He set two school records in the hammer
with the fastest time of the season in
99-year history of the MIAC to win the
throw and javelin, and capped his phe-
NCAA Division III at 14.09, setting a
grand slam of throws (hammer throw,
nomenal collegiate career as the Gustavus
MIAC Championships and school record.
discus, javelin, and shot put) at the confer-
Male Athlete of the Year, alongside Nora
Rooney also took second place in the high
ence championships in the same year.
Holtan ’19 (Rochester) as the Female
jump. Andrew Stumbo ’21 (Boone, Iowa)
Athlete of the Year. (For more on Holtan,
earned All-Conference in the 10,000
see Gustavus Quarterly, Spring 2019.)
meters, finishing third.
“Mike did it the way you should,” throws coach Tom Thorkelson ’70 says. “There are two ways to get better; in the
“I couldn’t have asked for a better way
As a team, the Gusties finished third
And in July, Aaron Lund was named
weight room and with technique. He got
to end it,” Hensch says. “The community
the new head coach for the men’s and
stronger, but to get better technique,
up on the hill, you can’t get that at any
women’s track & field programs. Welcome
that’s hard, and he was able to do that.”
other school.”
to the community on the hill, Coach.
Baseball
All-Conference. Annalee Olson-Sola
Michael O’Neil ’20 (Edina) were named
After a 12-9 start to the 2019 campaign,
’23 (Northfield) was one of them, and
CoSIDA Academic All-America.
the Gusties rattled off 10 straight
received Outstanding Field Athlete,
conference victories to push themselves
while fellow thrower Katie Keelin ’20
Women’s Golf
to the top of the MIAC standings. They
(Burnsville) won the hammer throw at
The spring golf season for the Gustavus
were able to hold off St. Olaf in the final
the conference meet and qualified for
women was up and down following the
regular season game to claim their first
the NCAA Championships where she
team’s third-place finish at the fall MIAC
MIAC title in 39 years. The Black and
finished 13th.
Championships. The Gusties top finish
Gold won their first two games of the
during the spring was seventh out of 17
MIAC playoffs before being ousted in
Women’s Tennis
the championship game. Sam Archer
The Gusties posted a 19-12 record,
Niepagen Spring Fling, with a handful
’19 (Zimmerman), Adam Stockwell ’19
going 9-1 in the conference to finish
of teams in the WGCA top 25 rankings.
(Apple Valley), Cole Pengilly ’21 (Le
second. Bri Hartmann ’19 (Owatonna)
Emily Kratz ’22 (Edina) continued her
Sueur) and Matt Berkner ’19 (Sleepy
became a four-year All-Conference
solid first-year campaign, finishing with
Eye) were named All-Conference while
honoree to cap an impressive career.
a team-low average of 81.3, earning All-
head coach Brad Baker ’80
Hannah Borgh ’21 (Bettendorf, Iowa),
Conference and All-Region accolades,
was named the Jim Dimick Coach
Lilly Hartman ’19 (Cedar Rapids, Iowa),
while Ellie Brandt ’19 (Wayzata)
of the Year.
Simona Potockova ’22 (Nova’ Dubnica,
concluded her collegiate career with All-
Slovakia), Anna Stutz ’22 (Dellwood),
Conference honors.
and Ginger Valentine ’21 (Delano) also
The Gusties went 17-19 overall and
earned All-Conference honors.
Men’s Golf
8-14 in the MIAC to finish eighth in the
The Gusties finished their season on
league. The highlight win of the season
Men’s Tennis
came when the Gusties defeated then-
The Gusties captured their 31st
17 teams at the Saint John’s Spring
No. 21 Saint Ben’s 6-3 in game one of the
consecutive MIAC title and ninth straight
Invitational before winning the Bobby
series and fell just shy of a sweep when
playoff championship, posting a 20-8
Krig Invite. Ben Hauge ’20 (Ramsey),
the Bennies walked off game two for a
record overall and 9-0 conference
Jacob Pedersen ’22 (Minnetonka), and
1-0 victory. Aly Freeman ’20 (Omaha,
record. The Gusties made it to the NCAA
Max Ullan ’21 (Blaine) all took home
Neb.) had a stellar season both at the
region championship but were beaten
All-Conference honors with Pedersen
plate and on the mound, being named
by No. 2 Chicago 5-2. Patrick Whaling
being named MIAC Player of the Year as
All-Conference and CoSIDA Academic
’19 (Manakin Sabot, Va.) and Chase
well as Freshman of the Year. Pedersen
All-America.
Johnson ’19 (Golden Valley) went on
was named to the Division III PING
to the NCAA Doubles Championship
Central All-Region Team as well as the
and fell to the eventual champions
All-Freshman Team, while Hauge earned
from Bowdoin. Whaling also competed
All-Region honors to go along with
The Gusties took fourth place at the
in the NCAA Singles Championship.
All-America Scholar honors. Thomas
MIAC Outdoor Championships and
Whaling was named ITA Division III Most
Carlson ’20 (Plymouth) joined Hauge on
had eight student-athletes named
Improved Senior while Johnson and
the All-American Scholar team.
NEXT
Women’s Outdoor Track and Field
a high note, taking second out of
Sept. 7 | Soccer home opener: women v. Luther College (12:30 p.m.) and men v. Crown College (3:30 p.m.) Sept. 7 | Football home opener v. Martin Luther, 1 p.m. Sept. 17 | Volleyball home opener v. UM–Morris, 7 p.m.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Softball
teams at the highly-competitive Kathy
23
FINE ARTS
The multidisciplinary senior studio art majors (l to r): Sarah Link (St. Paul), Gino Sahagun (Little Canada), Emily Dzieweczynski (Inver Grove Heights), Christopher Schneider (Kansas City, Kans.), Prabhjot Singh (Rochester), Megan Weaver (Stillwater), and Nicholas Beck (Vadnais Heights)
ART MAJORS AND MORE
The Spring 2019 senior art show,
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Having a foot in both fields has allowed
aspects of the curriculum to make it more
him to think more broadly about
four years of work for seven senior studio
accessible to students who wanted to
current projects as well as the future.
art majors. And—for the first time—each
explore other areas. “The world is moving
“Connections have been easier to make,
of the seven artists graduated with a
towards becoming a more interdisciplinary
and become the basis for new projects
second major in another discipline.
place where students will need to be able
or investigations,” he says. “My vision of
With double majors as diverse as
24
Byers says the department redeveloped
“Fruition,” celebrated the culmination of
to speak outside of the arts. We want our
career possibilities has also expanded.”
management, classics, and biology, these
students to be able to think that way from
Prabhjot Singh ’19 is one of two
students are truly living the liberal arts,
the beginning.”
says Associate Professor and Department
Nicholas Beck ’19 created a body of
students who graduated with both studio art and biology majors. (She’s
Chair of Art and Art History Betsy Byers.
work that focuses on anatomical studies.
also a classics minor.) “I am influenced
The materials and artistic methods were
He was awarded the Flory-Freiert
a lot by thoughts derived from classes,
just as varied as well, with techniques
Fellowship through his classics major
conversations, and experiences,” she says.
ranging from watercolor to fabric and
which allowed him to study figurative
“Being a biology major in addition to an
embroidery to multimedia presentations.
sculpture in both Rome and Minnesota.
art major has definitely inspired me.”
Music
Go Ever On” featuring Brahms’ Ein
of dance, integrated urban dance
The Gustavus Wind Orchestra
deutsches Requiem (German Requiem)
with contemporary dance forms, and
(GWO) completed a 10-day tour
performed by the 150 students of the
exposed students to Continuum, a type
of Minnesota with stops in schools
Gustavus Choir and Choir of Christ
of movement training system originating
and churches from Rochester to
Chapel, 50 members of the Gustavus
in Columbia that is rarely taught in the
Hermantown. The program featured
Alumni Choir, and the 60-piece
United States. The performance also
several student soloists, conductors,
Gustavus Symphony Orchestra. The
featured work by faculty and student
and performers, including Mia Massaro
Brahms was followed by four “Aune
choreographers including dance honors
’19 (dance, Eagan), Charlie Barnhouse
favorites” performed by a 150-member
majors Maddie Bakken ’19 (Mayer) and
’19 (saxophone, Princeton), Oran Clay
alumni choir plus the Gustavus Choir.
Kasey Dumonceaux ’19 (Saint Michael).
’19 (tuba, Tony, Wis.), Andrew DeLuca
This was the final Gustavus performance
’19 (guest conductor, Maple Plain), and
for the retiring Jon and Anita Thomsen
Art/Art History
Emma Silber ’19 (guest conductor,
Young Distinguished Endowed Chair
A photo exhibition of Holocaust
Mankato).
and Conductor of the Gustavus Choir
survivors living in Minnesota, at home
Gregory Aune. The performance
in full color, was on display at the
featured several of the most talented
also featured faculty soloists Melissa
Schaefer Art Gallery in March and
musicians at Gustavus from a variety of
Williams and Michael Jorgensen.
April. The exhibit, Transfer of Memory,
different majors. Each senior student
Jorgensen also retired this year.
was accompanied by two weeks of
May’s Senior Honors Recital
auditioned to be a part of this selective performance. This year’s performers
Theatre/Dance
included students DeLuca, Barnhouse,
Title and Deed (see back cover)
and Clay (from above), plus Mycah
programming coordinated by Bonnier Chair in Jewish Studies and Assistant Professor of Religion Samuel Kessler and included guest speakers from the
Lerum ’19 (soprano, Coon Rapids),
After a January spent collaborating with
children and grandchildren of Holocaust
Alicia Lhotka ’19 (viola, Eden Prairie),
guest choreographers, the Gustavus
survivors.
and Duncan Matthew ’19 (baritone,
Dance Company presented its final
Pueblo, Colo.). Alexander Preston ’20
performance in April—Suspended
(Inver Grove Heights) and Associate
(Denver, Colo.), was awarded the 2019
Between the Worlds: The Gustavus
Professor of Art Betsy Byers was
Music for Peace Composition Prize for
Dance Company in Concert. Working
featured in an exhibit at the 410 Gallery
his piece “Stargazing”, written for string
with guest choreographers Melissa
in Mankato. The two collaborated to
quartet and vibraphone.
Herrada, Natosha Washington and
create 0°C, -3°C, a body of multisensory
Arneshia Williams, it provided students
work focused on the melting of the
greater exposure to different types
Rhone Glacier in Switzerland.
Also in May: a day of celebration
September 4–October 18 | Mykitas Epoch – Fungal Expansion within the Plastisphere: Works by CV Peterson, Schaefer Art Gallery September 9–November 10 | Industry, Work, Society, and Travails in the Depression Era (see page 8) October 31-November 3 | Into the Woods, times vary, Anderson Theatre November 1 | Gustavus Symphony Orchestra Fall Concert, 7:30 p.m. in Björling Recital Hall
November 9 | Gustavus Chamber Winds, Wind Symphony, and Wind Orchestra Fall Concert, 1:30 p.m. in Björling Recital Hall November 16 | Fall Jazz Showcase: Gustavus Jazz Ensemble, Adolphus Jazz Ensemble, and Vocal Jazz, 1:30, 3:30, and 7:30 p.m. in Björling Recital Hall November 22-24 | Two shows: Lyric Confluence: The Choreographers’ Gallery and Time to Get Real: Selections from the Classics of Modern Drama, times and locations vary
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
NEXT
with a sold-out performance of “Song
The art of Emily Dzieweczynski ’19
25
Gratitude “ WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CALL OURSELVES GUSTIES WITHOUT YOUR HELP.” AT THE 2019 CELEBRATION OF PHILANTHROPY, TWO STUDENTS TESTIFY TO THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM FELLOW GUSTIES LIKE YOU. It wasn’t the pork tenderloin medallions with balsamic cherry sauce or the Chankaska wines that really wowed at the
I thank God there are alumni like you who care about my future and are willing to put their own hard-earned
2019 Celebration of Philanthropy. It was
money on the line for myself and my fellow students.”
students Jordan Grovum ’20 and Ja’de
—Jordan Grovum ’20, classics and biochemistry/molecular biology majors, Gustie football player
Lin Till ’21. Both are Heritage Scholarship recipients, and both spoke with grace and gratitude about the opportunities afforded to them by their scholarships.
GIVE TO GUSTAVUS DAY
help support her at Gustavus. “But the
Join the entire Gustavus community
financial burden is so much less thanks
on Thursday, October 24, for a
who was unable to attend college herself.
to you,” she told donors. Next year
one-day giving event that rallies
“I never thought I would be able to go to
during spring semester, she will study
Gusties from across the globe to
a school like Gustavus until a football coach
sustainable development in China.
make an immediate impact on the
visited me in high school one day and con-
Speaking on behalf of students receiving
lives of current Gusties through the
vinced me to give it a look,” he told donors.
Gustavus financial aid, “We are given the
Gustavus Fund. This year will feature
When he and his mom received the financial
chance to join the lifelong community of
new challenges guaranteed to make
aid package and saw the difference alumni
Gusties thanks to the contributions you
your gift—and your impact—go
support could make, they were amazed to
have made.”
further! Join in on social media and
Grovum ’20 grew up with a single mom
find Gustavus an affordable choice. Today,
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Till’s mother works two jobs to
All forms of giving help build the
follow the excitement online at
Grovum is having a dream liberal arts expe-
Gustavus community, allowing it to
gustavus.edu/givetogustavusday.
rience studying both science and humanities
reach further, changing individual lives
Your gifts make a difference!
while also playing football. “When I achieve
and the collective life of the College
my goals in the future, I’ll always remember
for the better. These students gave
the people who made it possible, and I’ll be
powerful reminders of that in May.
sure to pay it forward to the next genera-
On behalf of this grateful Gustavus
tion of Gusties.”
community, thank you.
WHAT IS A HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP? With a four-year commitment of $12,000 or greater, a scholarship is established and awarded to a high-achieving, high-need student. It may be named to represent your family or honor a special individual. It remains with the same student throughout their time at Gustavus. Scholarship recipient Ja’de
26
Lin Till ’21
Heritage
IN THE BASEMENT OF RUNDSTROM HALL sits a tiny and humble chapel. It can accommodate 20, maybe 30 if it’s a packed house. But as Gusties know, grandeur isn’t the point when you’re with your higher power. Consider Dr. Inez Rundstrom, the French and math professor for whom Rundstrom Hall is named. The first “lady student” to receive a degree from Augustana College (according to a book on Gustavus history published in 1942), she also led a small but devoted bible class. Consider the February 16, 1944 issue the end of the semester. (Sidenote: During WWII, Rundstrom Hall was sometimes called “Little Corregidor” by servicemen who felt they were not received warmly enough by the women of Rundstrom. Corregidor, if you remember, was the Philippine island ringed by heavy artillery at the time.) In the 1970s, the Rundstrom chapel was home to Southern Baptist worship sponsored by the Black Student Organization. Says Otis Zanders ’79 (see page 16), “Most of the black students then were from the Sun Belt. We had services, speakers, we dressed up like we were going to church at home.” The March 11, 1977 issue of the Gustavian Weekly speculated these were “the only known church services in the Midwest run by Black students,” and that all were encouraged to attend. Bruce Gray ’61 (see page 29) attended regularly. He says of it, “It was a rocking service. We were bumper to bumper. We would hold hands and sing: We shall overcome.”
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
of the Gustavian Weekly, which noted a prayer circle held in the chapel led by two Gustie Marines who were shipped overseas at
27
2019–20 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
G USTIES
Kara Buckner ’97, (president), managing director and chief strategy officer, Fallon Michael Bussey ’69, (vice president), senior consultant, Donor by Design Group, LLC Dan Michel ’90, (treasurer), director of digital media, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Esther Mulder Widmalm-Delphonse '08 (secretary), assistant to the Chicago regional solicitor of labor and trial attorney J.C. Anderson ’82, partner/attorney, Gray Plant Mooty Rick Barbari ’91, head of enterprise data management, US Bank Mark Bergman ’79, president/owner, Bercom International Mary Booker ’91, assistant vice provost– student financial services, University of San Francisco Jen Brandenburg ’02, pharmacist, Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Gather, Ye Gusties! THE GREAT GUSTIE GATHERING (AKA HOMECOMING) CONVENES ON CAMPUS SEPTEMBER 28.
We call all Gusties—young and young at heart—to the Hill to connect with and cheer their fellow Gusties. It’s a day of family fun, with campus tours and a petting zoo, crafts and coffee chats, inflatables, a wine and beer garden, a marketplace for Gustie-owned businesses, and football versus Bethel. Academic departments, Greek organizations, and other affinity groups will gather, and the Alumni Choir will sing. And yes, there will be frost-your-owns!
Sara Schnell Elenkiwich ’10, operations, Sparboe Farms Cathy Villars Harms ’85, vice president of marketing, Tecmark LLC Amy Zenk James ’94, sales and outreach director, Meadow Woods Assisted Living Peter Kitundu ’92, general counsel, Blue Cross Blue Shield Todd Krough ’85, Sr. investment officer, Tealwood Asset Management Damon Larson ’84, librarian/research coach, Chaparral High School Bill Laumann ’66, retired school teacher/ librarian, Albert Lea ISD #241 Jason Mischel ’96, vice president of sales and marketing, Valley Queen Cheese John Moorhead ’68, retired co-owner, Lindskoog Florist Deb Johnson Rosenberg ’79, director of retirement plan consulting, Stiles Financial Services, Inc. Daniel Sellers ’06, executive director, EdAllies Vidya Sivan ’02, digital communications specialist, Harvard Kennedy School Marcia Stephens ’73, financial advisor, retired Ann McGowan Wasson ’82, homemaker, volunteer
Saturday, Sept. 28 All day until 4 p.m. Game starts at 1 p.m. $20 includes
Gordon Mansergh ’84, (immediate past president), senior behavioral scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
breakfast, lunch, game ticket, Gustie swag, and access to all activities. Register at gustavus.edu/alumni/ forms/homecoming.
28
Alumni Association
CLASS NEWS and information to be included in the Alumni section of the Quarterly should be sent to: Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 West College Avenue, Saint Peter, MN 56082-1498 alumni@gustavus.edu | 800-487-8437 | gustavus.edu/alumni
MY GUSTAVUS BRUCE GRAY ’61 PSYCHOLOGY "I WAS A CONGREGATIONALIST IN A CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN MISSISSIPPI RECRUITING A BAPTIST TO COME TO A LUTHERAN COLLEGE IN MINNESOTA.”
I came from a poor family in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. We were tithing Congregationalists and we never missed church. Director of Admission Howard Holcomb ’49 recruited me but instead I served in the U.S. Coast Guard and played service basketball. When I finally arrived at Gustavus, Whitey Skoog was coaching basketball and Lyle Nelson ’61 was starting point guard on the team. There couldn’t be two starting point guards, so I ran track and officiated basketball. Sue (H ’13) and I were married and had a child, so we lived with other G.I. families in a place over by the old stadium called “The Hatchery” because everyone there had children. After I graduated, I worked for the Minnesota Asylum for the Dangerous Insane in Saint Peter (now known as the Minnesota Security Hospital) and got my master’s in psychology at Mankato State. Holcomb saw me again and said, “How would you like to work for Gustavus?” I traveled the Midwest as a Gustavus recruiter. After my first year, President Edgar Carlson ’31 called us in and said, “If we’re a church school we need to recruit students of color.” So, we started
recruiting students of color in all 50 states. This was the early 1960s; Carlson was ahead of his time. When I went to recruit black students in the south, I would fly to Memphis and rent a car so I wouldn’t drive around with Minnesota license plates. Otherwise, people would harass me. High school counselors would pick their best students to meet us because they knew Gustavus would have something to offer them. We would talk about Minnesota, the campus, new experiences, and winter. When they were admitted, it was because they were bright and they could do the job. There were limited opportunties for black students to attend college and Gustavus was one of them. “We need justice for everyone,” Carlson would say when he was speaking at churches and conferences. But still he would get threatening letters from white supremacists. When black married students looked for rentals in Saint Peter, they would be told, “Oh that’s just been rented.” Then we would find out that wasn’t true. We found places for some students ourselves. Some
The Work Continues In 2004, Gray and his wife, Sue, created an endowed scholarship in their name to help students with financial need, with preference given to students of color. A postdoctoral fellowship is also named for him. It provides opportunities at Gustavus for emerging faculty from underrepresented groups to consider a liberal arts teaching career. Gray is also the author of Black and Bold: A History of African-American Students at Gustavus Adolphus College, available at the Book Mark.
students stayed with us during summers. Many of our recruits went on to become medical doctors, teachers, social workers, and PhDs. Justice has to come from the vast majority. My advice is to get involved with the church and other social organizations to help further justice for all. That’s what it means to be a Gustie.
GUSTIES
49|
Ann Smith Fahrman, Stewartville, continues to teach AARP classes at the local senior center, including Smart Driver classes.
51|
Jean Albers Jannach, Coral Gables, FL, spent two months in Europe last year, including a cruise around the Baltic starting in Stockholm.
54|
Dick Bublitz, Woodland Hills, CA, was recently appointed executive director, California U.S. Route Six Tourist Association.
56|
Joan Krantz Braun, Madison, WI, reports that the Gustavus South Hall girls of 54-55 still get together, this year at the Florida home of Barb Carlson Ulven ’56.
57|
Lowell D. Madsen, Arnolds Park, IA, and wife, Janet, travelled to Cuba in March on a one-week culture tour. Jan Jaeger Scoles, Leesville, LA, and her husband, Carl, renewed their wedding vows on their 40th anniversary.
58| GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Darrell Lorsung, Alexandria, has been retired for 27 years and is enjoying golfing and fishing.
30
59|
Carol Miller Hammarberg, Philadelphia, PA, is planned giving manager for Kencrest Centers. Pat Sweeney, Elk River, has a grandson, Sam Moe, who is a first-year at Gustavus. Their other grandson, Charlie Moe, is now a senior.
61| 64|
Ron Zaniewski, Stillwater, is a retired science teacher. Helen Carlson Butler, Willmar, is retired from
Walmart. Kirsten LeVander Dawson, White Bear Lake, is a selfemployed chemical dependency counselor. Beaty Fritz Graves, Anchorage, AK, is retired from Hope Lutheran Preschool as program manager. Michael Hendrickson, Monterey, CA, has partnered with Monterey Bay Center for Integrated Health, focused on nutritional health and wellness programs for patients with metabolic syndrome diseases. Laurie Prieve Hoheisel, Cambridge, is a retired elementary school teacher enjoying family, grandchildren, and volunteer activities. Rick Hokanson, Eden Prairie, works as a retired volunteer golfer while his wife, Peggy, is a high school teacher for Richfield Schools. Charlotte Olson Jerney, Verona, WI, represented women in the Armed Forces as a speaker at the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC on Memorial Day 2016. She was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in Vietnam. Stanley Kittelson, Litchfield, is a retired contract airline safety auditor. Judy Fletcher Kloster, Willmar, is a retired elementary teacher. Tom O'Connor, Marietta, OH, is a retired pastor from Presbyterian Church of Beverly in Ohio.
65|
Bruce Dissell, Hibbing, retired after 50 years of ordained ministry. He continues to help at Bear River Lutheran Church north of Hibbing. Mary Beth Schwanke Loosen, Cincinnati, OH, is enjoying retirement with grandchildren, traveling with her husband, and volunteering at her church and the county park district. Iris Benson Smyth, Minneapolis, is a retired geriatric nurse practitioner living in Minnesota (in the house in which she grew up) after 46 years in the Boston area. Karen Callstrom Strusz, Red Wing, retired from elementary teaching in 2000 but continues to work part-time at the St. James Hotel.
68|
Jerome King Del Pino, Franklin, TN, celebrated his 50th anniversary of his ordination at the New England Annual Conference Clergy luncheon in June. Bobette Woehler Schauer, Arlington, continues to substitute teach at Sibley East Schools and is the organist at Zion Lutheran Church in Arlington.
69|
Michael Bussey, Woodbury, is a senior consultant for Donor By Design. Les Carpenter, Plains, MT, is retired and involved in numerous organizations including the Montana Wilderness Association. Rollie Clark, Burnsville, is a ParaTransit bus driver for Schmitty and Sons. Barb Seeley Devlin, Bloomington, retired from Springsted Public Sector Advisors as a part-time consultant.
David B. Franzen, Darwin, is retired after working at 3M and Walmart for 11 years. Barbara Cox Hankerson, Miami, FL, is retired from teaching for Dade County Public Schools. Sandra Gingold Iverson, St. Paul, is retired from Fairview Hospitals and Healthcare Systems and is now a pediatric nurse practitioner consultant for International Community Based Primary Healthcare Training. Peter B. Johansen, Saint Peter, retired from his job as clinical director at the Community Behavioral Health Hospital Bruce N. Johnson, Lindstrom, is working part-time as an assistant public defender. Tom Koch, Edina, recently retired from his career as a trial attorney. He celebrated by hiking around Mont Blanc and with a trip to New Zealand. Pete Langsjoen, Saint Louis Park, is senior principal product engineer for Northup Grumman. Darius Larsen, Big Sky, MT, is a retired ELCA pastor. Susan Loveless Ohmann, Clinton, NY, retired as a special education teacher in January. Rebecca Lund Otterness, Saint Peter, retired from Mayo Clinic Health System in January. Kathleen Giese Skoller, Evanston, IL, is a self-employed nature and forest therapy guide. Greg Torgerson, Mound, is a retired general manager for Lappin Electric.
70|
Mae Foster Day, Cottage Grove, retired after 45 years with Allina Health System as the clinical services manager.
Carol Kingbay Kuhl, Bloomington, is a preschool teacher at St. Luke’s Christian Preschool in Bloomington. George Walters and Stancy Phillips Walters, Eveleth, are enjoying volunteer work.
71|
David Eskilson, Florence, SC, has retired from Cummins Corporation.
72|
Vernon D. Hedlin, Farwell, continues to operate his corn and soybean farm.
73|
Gail Wohlman Ahern, Purcell, OK, is a court mediator for family and divorce cases with early settlement mediation. Janet Westerlund Carlson, Maple Grove, retired after 35 years as the director of music at Osseo United Methodist Church. She is the longest serving director of music at an Osseo area church. Lynn Sunde Gostomczik, Janesville, is a retired language arts teacher for Waldorf/ Pemberton/Janesville ISD. Marcia Stephens, Richfield, retired in 2016 as a self-employed financial advisor. She is keeping busy with YMCA and volunteer activities.
74|
Carol Peterson Abrigo, Mililani, HI, is a retired RN in labor and delivery from Queen’s Medical Center. Bob Bonne, St. Paul, is retired from the City of Saint Paul as a firefighter, paramedic, and engineer. William Cafferty, Shoreview, is retired from Minneapolis Public Schools as a teacher.
75|
David Esbjornson, New Brunswick, NJ, is working on a musical with former Mötley Crüe bass guitarist, Nikki Sixx, who has written the musical score. It is based on a book by Sixx, The Heroin Diaries. Nancy Prescott Rude, Tucson, AZ, retired in July as donor relations manager at Habitat for Humanity, Tucson. Patricia Stone Young, Madelia, retired from teaching at New Ulm Middle School at the end of the 2018 school year.
76|
Becky Pyle, Westminster, CO, is a clinical care coordinator for the Sie Center for Downs Syndrome at Denver Children’s Hospital. C. Tom Rudberg, St. Paul, is a sports turf specialist/consultant for S & S Tree and Horticultural Services.
77|
Joel A. Johnson, Portland, OR, has retired as a senior business systems analyst for Nike. Gail Johnson Rudberg, St. Paul, is working for HealthPartners as a nurse practitioner.
78|
Jon R. Bakken, Waterville, is the tight end football coach for St. Olaf College. Mary S. Giesler, Woodbury, is senior vice president and general counsel for the Minnesota Twins. Cheri Leland Jacques, Minnetonka, is the global sales and customer operations SAP analyst for 3M. Mike Stanch, Minneapolis, is a sales executive for Home Depot Pro in Minneapolis.
79|
Nancy L. H. Brown, Northfield, is a chaplain for Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Linda Augst Carlyon, Maple Grove, is a member of the nursing faculty at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park. Tim Hoyt Duncan, Columbia, SC, is now on full-time disability after 35 years of ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA). He continues his battle with cancer.
Kari Siewert Evans, Gaylord, is employed by Ridgeview Medical Center as RN health navigator, and with Michael Foods as employee health nurse. Brian L. Holcomb, Eden Prairie, is managing director for BMO Capital Markets. Nancy Miller Johnson, Northfield, is retired from Northfield Lines as transport planner. Karin Marjanen, Mahtomedi, is a special education teacher for ISD 833. Andrea Dunaisky Newton, Lexington, KY, works part-time as a pediatric RN for Almost Family. Helen Patrikus, St. Paul, is retired from the State of Minnesota as medical regulations analyst. Twyla Olson Peasley, Richfield, is a genealogy researcher and a family history writer. Paul L. Peterson, Chippewa Falls, WI, is the vice president of a nonprofit organization called Minneapolis Angels that provides support, service, and care for children in the foster care system and their caregivers. Joyce Slater Poppe, Fort Myers, FL, is now retired from teaching. John Ramette, Flower Mound, TX, is a consultant. Todd Schmidt, Jonesboro, GA, is an orthopedic surgeon with OrthoAtlanta. Joy Peterson Sietsema, Lindstrom, is retired from Forest Lake School District as media specialist. John Zager, Las Vegas, NV, has retired after 35 years in the energy business (the last four years in Kazakhstan).
80|
Gary M. Hird, Roseville, is executive director for South Central Human Relations Center.
81|
Jay Henry, Minnetonka, is employed by Hope Network, a non-profit Christian organization that helps people with disabilities live independently. Curt Shellum, Rochester, is president/owner of Solar Connection, a solar installation company.
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Suzanne Boda, Marina Del Rey, CA, was chosen in May to sit on the Board of Trustees for Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc).
84|
Gigi Rudquist Boman, Schulenburg, TX, is a high school life skills teacher at Columbus ISD. Lynda White Czarnetzki, Eagan, is senior director, enterprise partner compensation for Securian Financial Group. Sara Matthias Dobbs, Houston, TX, is a consultant for Chevron. Karl Emerson, Inver Grove Heights, is a pastor for Word of Life Alliance Church in Coon Rapids. Greg Mazanec, Stillwater, is employed by Digital First Media as regional publisher for Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio. Alan Olson, Minneapolis, works for U.S. Bank. Pavel Pojdl, Switzerland, is self-employed. Robyn Rime, Rochester, NY, is a senior writer and editor for SUNY Geneseo.
Kevin Sheys, Washington, DC, has joined the law firm of Hogan Lovells in the global transportation regulatory practice. Daina Ogrins Sivanich, Bloomington, is in communications for Peace Lutheran Church. P. Brett Smith, White Bear Lake, is retired from Minnesota Public Radio as education specialist, and from ISD #832 as elementary music teacher. Bill Sternard, Excelsior, is executive vice president for Viking Materials. Inga Anderson Thomas, Olathe, KS, is claims manager for Chubb Insurance.
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Karen Granquist Gutierrez, Excelsior, continues teaching at Metropolitan State University School of Nursing and has been elected to the Board of Directors for Nursing Credentialing Corporation. Kabir Hassan, Kenner, LA, finance professor at the University of New Orleans, was named the 2019 outstanding faculty member for the University of Louisiana system. Dina Sievertson Williams, Chanhassen, is a physical therapist for Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia.
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John F. McCally Jr., Minneapolis, is a video and TV producer for Mastcom in Minneapolis. Doug Williams, Plymouth, is the finance director at Northrup Grumman Armament Systems. Jodie L. Carlson, St. Paul, is deputy chief staff attorney for criminal law for the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Skip Dickinson, Maple Grove, is retired from Target as a senior technical analyst. Susan Johnson Fox, Seattle, WA, is a recovery coach/mentor at Recovering Allies. Mike Helgeson, Sartell, retired as the CEO of Gold’n Plump Chicken, the third of his family to lead the company. He keeps busy with volunteering, travel, and living on the Mississippi River. Kim Jackson, Minneapolis, has retired as vice president of Citizens State Bank. Barbara Parker Jorgensen, Stillwater, has retired from her position as director of research & evaluation, HealthEast Care System. Mary Severson Prince, Pawleys Island, SC, is retired from South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Kris Martin Schaefer, Stewartville, is a retired first grade teacher for Stewartville ISD. Robin Stender, Hudson, WI, retired last April from Dayton VA Medical Center.
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GUSTIES
Carl M. Colburn, San Diego, CA, is now working for Sharp Healthcare. Kris Amundson Gritters, Stillwater, is president of Amundson Strategies.
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GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Mike Dueber, St. Paul, is a senior product development specialist for 3M. Faith A. Farrell, Newnan, GA, is a scenic artist for IATSE. Denise M. Gessner, Hugo, is a self-employed legal project manager. Gregg Goedde, Lakeville, was promoted to senior vice president, ABC Financial Services. He is a 25-year veteran in the finance and bus and motorcoach industries. Michelle Hussong Greenman, San Diego, CA, is working at Retrophin as associate director of regulatory affairs. Rona Allen Hamann, Otsego, is senior human resource specialist for Target Corporation. Kris Syverson Hemstock, North Mankato, is an outpatient therapist at Sioux Trails Mental Health in New Ulm. Kris Nelson-Noble, Sterling, IL, is executive director for Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. Adrian Ludvigson Olsen, Shakopee, is an office assistant for Continental Engineering. Peter Taft, Edina, is vice president, strategy for TDS.
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Jeff Drake, Richville, has been named the superintendent for the Fergus Falls School District. Sue Goehl Hemme, Eden Prairie, continues as the lead OB/ GYN nurse practitioner at the Center for Reproductive Medicine.
John Hemstock, North Mankato, is the chief talent and technology officer for Compeer Financial in Mankato. Daniel Hovland, Willmar, is the elementary school principal at The American International School of Muscat in Oman. Linda Zabel Zuhlsdorf, Saint Peter, is the lead program manager at Scholarship America, managing The Barry Goldwater Scholarship.
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Nicole LaVoi, Minnetonka, is director at the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sports and senior lecturer at the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities.
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Peter Kitundu, Des Moines, IA, is vice president, chief compliance & privacy officer for Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Laura J. Mueller, Portland, OR, has been selected as the new curator of art for the Portland Japanese Garden. Darin Napton, Rochester, is a cardiac nurse at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Mary’s Campus. Blake R. Nelson, Eden Prairie, is an attorney for Hellmuth & Johnson.
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Danielle Dahlstrom, Excelsior, is a product support analyst for Anaplan Accelerate. Mike Finstad, Farmington, is an associate broker for RE/MAX Advantage Plus. Bryan Haines, Eden Prairie, is vice president of Fidelity Bank in Eden Prairie.
Beth Robelia Napton, Rochester, teaches fourth grade for Rochester Public Schools. Marta Hemmingson VanBeek, Iowa City, IA, was selected to be secretary-treasurer of the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Kate Barkley Bendell, Excelsior, is currently a marketing manager for KSTP-TV. Kathy Bonnifield, Minneapolis, is now a program officer for the Proteus Fund. Kari DeBoer Cina, Lino Lakes, is a surgical nurse at Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming and Maple Grove Hospital. Karen Ellingson Cornella, Spring Grove, is a home-based educator for Semcac. Rob A. Crowell, Andover, continues as the solution architect for BTM Global Consulting in Minneapolis. Karrie Whipple Duncan, Minneapolis, is a gifted education specialist for Edina Public Schools. Erika Peterson Eklund, Saint Louis Park, is the director of communications for HGA, is a board member of the Jungle Theater, and a board committee member for the Playwrights’ Center. Sara Brucker Ferguson, Stillwater, is an IT consultant/ project manager at Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul. Heidi Hoops Genosky, Blaine, is vice president of finance with Nura, PA. John Hacker, Coon Rapids, is the vice president of finance at Design Ready Controls in Brooklyn Park. Kari Helling, Minneapolis, is vice president, account and agency experience for Ciceron,
a Minneapolis-based digital marketing and full-service agency. Sarah Johnson-Markve, Orlando, FL, is the owner and graphic designer of Half + Half Design. Per E. Ostlund, Minnetonka, is a senior research analyst with Craig-Hallum Capital Group in Minneapolis. Axel Y. Pierson, Milford, MI, is customs and border protection officer for the Department of Homeland Security. Zachary T. Resch, Kasson, is currently an operations manager at the Center for Regenerative Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester. Kari Wraspir Rhode, Maple Grove, is on the principal litigation counsel at Medtronic. Matt Ruble, Bloomington, is the vice president of American Engineering Testing in St. Paul. Molly Wold Sedgwick, Mendota Heights, owns Pronto Heating and Air Conditioning. Jen Heintz Spencer, Crest Hill, IL, is self-employed as a clinical psychologist. Kurtt Walton, Denver, CO, is a nurse practitioner for Psychiatric Mental Health. Nina J. Wendorff, Park City, UT, is an education event planner for Estée Lauder Companies/Aveda. Susan Olson Williams, Mora, is a deacon at Calvary Lutheran Church and vice president for the Camp Onomia Board of Directors. Tina McCue Woitaszewski, Eagan, is a management consultant and leadership coach at Lead First Consulting.
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Daniel J. Berg, Bozeman, MT, is a self-employed building contractor.
Kristie Peterson Hammar, Tucson, AZ, was elected to the Flowing Wells School Board. Mark Nechanicky, Albert Lea, was awarded 2018 SE Minnesota STEM Forward Outstanding Educator Award in December, one of two STEM award recipients from southern Minnesota. He teaches fourth grade at Albert Lea Area Schools.
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Kris Fredrick, Lino Lakes, is a partner for Quarles & Brady, an intellectual property group. Deanna Kozitza Mason, Madrid, Spain, was instrumental in creating a multi-disciplinary free clinic at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Madrid, Spain. The clinic provides free health care for immigrants barred from the public health care system due to Spain’s economic crisis. Jack D. Sikora, Wauconda, IL, is director of portfolio management at Abbvie in North Chicago.
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Michelle Langner Massey, Minneapolis, is performing in a one-woman play, Jean Cocteau’s The Human Voice, produced by Theatre Novi Most..
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John S. Anderson, Decorah, IA, is a partner with Anderson, Wilmarth, Van Der Maaten, Belay, Fretheim, Gipp, Lynch & Zahasky Law Office, and was appointed city attorney for Decorah. Daniel P. Lundberg, Uppsala, Sweden, is an assistant professor of chemistry at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. He has also published one of the most popular periodic tables on the web.
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Erica Stone Scott, Bloomington, is working at HealthPartners in health promotion.
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Hal DeLaRosby, Bowling Green, KY, is director of academic advising for Western Kentucky University. Drew L. Gehler, APO, AE, is in the U.S. Air Force and is the chief of nuclear security at the headquarters of the U.S. European Command. Melinda Moore, Kaneohe, HI, is a K-12 director of theatre at Punahou School in Honolulu.
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Brian Bergstrom, Brookings, SD, has been named one of two defensive
coordinators for the South Dakota State University football team. Pete Diessner, Wayzata, is vice president of Minneapolis-based Kraus-Anderson Financial Services Group. Andrew Friberg, Storvreta, Sweden, is a researcher at Rudbeck Laboratoriet at Uppsala University, currently working on islet of Langerhans transplantation. John D. Person, Albany, NY, completed his PhD in 2012 from the University of Chicago, focusing on Japanese philosophy. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at UCLA’s Paul and Hisako Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies and is now an assistant professor of East Asian Studies at SUNY Albany.
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Erin Elling Peterson, Plymouth, is an adult/ gerontology nurse practitioner in Minneapolis.
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Erinn Danielson Frees, Minnetonka, is a music therapist at Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota. Melissa Habedank Bender, Alexandria, VA, is senior director of external relations at American Institute for Cancer Research in Washington, DC. Sarah Volk Morrison, Savage, is currently a registered nurse in the Cancer Center at Park Nicollet. Lisa Swenson Perlock, Lakeville, is a licensed professional clinical counselor. Kori Boyenga Petersen, Sioux Falls, SD, is a registered nurse for the Orthopedic Institute. Justin D. Scanlan, Minneapolis, is senior scientist II for Nanocopoeia.
FIRST DECADE AWARD MIKKA MCCRACKEN ’09 As planning and engagement director for ELCA World Hunger, she led inter-unit strategic planning for a $22 million capital campaign for growth. The goal for this political science major/peace studies minor? A just world where all are fed.
DR. ASITHA JAYAWARDENA ’09 A head and neck surgical resident at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, he holds an MD and a master’s in public health. A devoted humanitarian since a tsunami destroyed his home country of Sri Lanka, he has started (among other things) hearing screening programs in Kenya and Haiti.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI CITATION DR. KELLY COLEMAN ’79 A toxicologist and distinguished scientist with Medtronic, he is also a member of the Bakken Society (the company's highest scientific and technical honor). He holds a PhD in toxicology, plus master's degrees in both engineering and chemistry.
WILLIAM MICHAEL, JR. ’82 He is a partner and co-chair of White Collar Defense & Compliance. He is also the second Army lawyer ever to graduate from Special Forces Officer Qualification Course, earning a Green Beret. He has logged more than 100 jury trials in state and federal courts.
ELIZABETH GORDON SACHS ’75 She is the president and founder of the Children’s Radio Foundation, which uses radio training and broadcast to create opportunities for youth dialogue, community building, and leadership. With projects in six countries, the Foundation gives young people tools to make their voices heard.
SILVER ANNIVERSARY AWARD DR. GRACIE VARGAS ’94 A professor of bioengineering and biomedical engineering at the University of Texas Medical Branch, this Gustavus physics major is well-versed in cross-disciplinary research that spans biophotonics, spectroscopy, fluorescence, and nonlinear optical microscopy.
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY AWARD KLAUS SITTE ’69 A recently retired attorney with Associated Students of the University of Montana Legal Services, he is also emeritus faculty at the University of Montana School of Law, teaching alternative dispute resolution and negotiation. For 40 years he served the Montana Legal Services Association. All will be honored at the Alumni Awards Banquet on Friday, Sept. 27. For more information, visit gustavus.edu/alumni.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Bryce D. Anderson, Mendota Heights, is the vice president for Hays Companies. Kim Carlton, St. Paul, is an environmental health supervisor for Minnesota Department of Health. Matthew Dammeyer, Benson, is a family medicine physician at Norton Sound Hospital in Nome, AK. Paul Horvath, Menomonie, WI, is an emergency physician for Mayo Clinic Health System. Rebecca Snyder Kay, Minneapolis, works at the Linden Hills Co Op. Stacey Willemsen Person, Minneapolis, is assistant attorney general for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. Megan Halvorsen Peterson, Minneapolis, is vice president of sales for Nordic Ware. David A. Scherer, Minneapolis, is the multicultural engagement specialist at Luther Seminary.
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GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
GUSTIES
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Matt Seamon, East Grand Forks, is assistant athletic trainer/ instructor for the University of North Dakota. Matt Smith, Saint Louis Park, is solutions engineer for EpiCenter ERP. Reid A. Tuenge, Edina, is vice president merchandising for Save A Lot. Nicole Meyer Vandermeulen, Renton, WA, is coordinator for children, youth, and family ministry for St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Laura Moses Woodroffe, Los Alamos, NM, is a writer and editor for Los Alamos National Laboratory. Matt Swenson, St. Paul, is the senior specialist, executive communications and positioning for Cargill Corporation. Ana C. Bartz, Edina, is a nurse practitioner at the Native American Community Clinic in Minneapolis. Katie Benefield, Morris, has been promoted to sales director, investor services for CBRE, in Denver, CO. Claudio A. Bravo, Tucson, AZ, is a school principal at AmeriSchools Academy. Lindsay Eastman, Naperville, IL, is an associate attorney in the Chicago law firm of Sidley Austin. Rick Walstrom, Champlin, is a technology director for Target. Maren Anderson Webb, Duluth, is a senior planner for the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
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Adam Ingalsbe, Eagan, is a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve 649th Regional Support Group based in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Stacy Sheldon, Memphis, TN, is a program management advisor for FedEx. Andy Twiton, Ordfordville, WI, is a renewal pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison. Sammi Costumbrado, Brooklyn Park, is a market analyst for Novus Media.
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Colette Brandt, Eagle River, AK, is a biological scientist for Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson. Charlene Brooks, St. Paul, was recently named the executive director of the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust, a division of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. Carly Johnson Erickson, Alexandria, is a naturopathic doctor and clinic co-owner at Edgewater Natural Family Medicine with locations in Alexandria and St. Cloud. Carly is also an anatomy and physiology instructor at Alexandria Technical and Community College. Kayla Ricksham Foley, Duluth, is an editor/analyst for Steele CIS. Charles Paukert, Grand Forks, ND, is a tennis pro.
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Jokotola Edu, Minneapolis, is a project manager for Fly For Value Aviation and creative director for Joko Edu. Amber Glaeser, Lakeville, is director of public policy for the Minnesota Farm Bureau. Krishan Jethwa, Rochester, completed his medical degree from the University of North Dakota and will soon complete his medical residency training in radiation oncology at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester. He has joined the faculty at the Yale University School of Medicine as a radiation
oncology physician and assistant professor in the department of therapeutic radiology. Tony Reed, Waconia, is a senior client manager and leader for Christensen Group. Jacob W. Seamans, St. Paul, is an information officer for Minnesota Department of Administration. Angel Matthes Yackel, Cannon Falls, is a family nurse practitioner at Carleton College in Northfield. Emily K. Bull, Eagan, is a senior tax analyst for Abbott. Andrew Evans, Maple Grove, is the SAP security partner relationship manager for Cargill. Alayna Osborne, North Mankato, is the worksite wellness coordinator for Mayo Clinic, Rochester.
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Kala L. Cermak, Viroqua, WI, is a quality engineer for Nelson Global Products. Anthony Cesnik, Madison, WI, is collaborating with the Human Tissue Atlas team at Rudbeck Laboratoreit at Uppsala University in Sweden. Abby Koppen, Lake Elmo, is a closer for Title Mark. Eric Kunkel, Rochester, has been promoted to senior auditor, internal audit services, at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. Irma Márquez Trapero, Woodbury, has been named executive director of LatinoLEAD in Minneapolis. Emily Vick, Eagan, will publish her first novel in October, a young adult novel called Top Hat Society, by Waldorf Publishing. She is a business analyst for Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Minnesota.
REFER A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, WE’LL GIVE A SCHOLARSHIP There is a $4,000 scholarship waiting for a high school student you recommend to us. High school students who choose Gustavus under the endorsement of an alum receive a $4,000 scholarship from the College. It’s that simple. How do you refer someone? Go to gustavus.edu/ alumni/referral, or call 507-933-7676. Students must apply by November 1, 2019. They must choose to attend by May 1, 2020. (Note: Students with immediate family members who have graduated from Gustavus are instead awarded a Gustavus Legacy Scholarship.) Since 2016, more than 300 high school students have become Gusties with your endorsement, and with our financial aid help. Thank you for helping us shape the future of Gustavus by finding the best and brightest young people to join our community.
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Nicole Doerrmann, Minneapolis, is a licensed professional clinical counselor for Fraser in Minneapolis. Tim McComas-Bussa, Minneapolis, is an implementation consultant for Mednet Solutions. Cristian Raether, Eagle Butte, SD, is a registered nurse working at a Native American health services hospital on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Nick Tolrud, Minnetrista, is a software engineer for Siemans Industry in Minnetonka. Katie Volney, Minneapolis, is the account supervisor for Kohnstamm Communications.
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Abbie Barrett, Lakeville, is a product marketing specialist at Wings Financial Credit Union in Apple Valley. Laurel Boman, Brooklyn, NY, is a student at New York University Law School. Patrick A. Dolan, Fort Collins, CO, is now working for the Los Angeles Kings as a video coach. Jenny Hanson, Stillwater, is a supply chain planner for Andersen Corporation. Joshua Heinzen, Brooklyn, NY, is the in-house coordinator for Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
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Kailee E. Carlson, Chisago City, is a registered nurse for Fairview. Carl J. Cronin, Milaca, is regulatory affairs case specialist for Xcel Energy. Tyler Gustafson, Prior Lake, is an associate, treasury for CarVal Investors. Sophia M. Iaquinta, Minneapolis, is working in Guatemala through the Peace Corps with a focus on women and children. April Phillip, Barrow, AK, is director of Allied Health for Ilisagvik College.
Mary Joy Sun, Ithaca, NY, is working on a doctorate in veterinary medicine at Columbia University.
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Gary Cooper, Jr., Saint Louis Park, is the senior supply chain planner for Medtronic. Katherine V. Kemp, Honolulu, HI, is working with the American Nurses Association (ANA) to develop a chapter of ANA in Hawaii, the only state without an association. Nathaniel Long, Washington, DC, is a scheduler in the Minnesota Governor’s Office. Paget Pengelly, St. Paul, is regulatory administrator for Xcel Energy. Travis Sigafoos, St. Paul, is an immigration paralegal for Zimmer Law Group in St. Paul. Julian Waggoner, IV, Rochester, is a legislative assistant for the Minnesota Senate. Shelbie Walsh, Litchfield, is a realtor for Re/Max Results.
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Laura Isdahl, Plymouth, is a fundraising specialist for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Madeline Jentink, Apple Valley, is a medical student at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Christie Visser, Maple Grove, is a human resource specialist for Kim Tong Translation Services.
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Alexandra Bebeau, Mound, is attending Trine University in Angola, IN, in the physician assistant program. Kim Ngan Hoang, Haverford, PA, is a research manager for Swarthmore College.
Emma Johnson, Hopkins, is a docketing specialist for Black Hills IP in Minneapolis. Aaron Larrow, Rosemount, is a supervisory associate for RBC Wealth Management. Sophie Leininger, Plymouth, is executive aide to the Lieutenant Governor in the Office of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. Savannah Seiter, Mankato, is working as a medical scribe at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Owatonna and will begin medical school at the University of Minnesota, Duluth in August.
Lauren TeBrake ’13 and Karl Palmquist ’15, 07/07/18, Minneapolis Michaela Holm ’14 and Jared Bertsch ’14, 10/21/17, Duluth Rebecca Nelson ’14 and Coleman Kelly, 01/19/19, Bloomington Andrea Doebler ’14 and Nathan Meer, 07/08/17, APO, AE Sarah Larson ’14 and Benjamin Reynolds ’14, 07/28/18, Minneapolis Cory Ellis ’15 and Kayla Ingbretson ’13, 06/22/18, New Brighton Adrienne Gruenes ’16 and Manish Verma, 04/06/19, Mankato Megan Eckberg ’18 and Lukas Bullert, 02/23/19, Gaylord
WEDDINGS
BIRTHS
John Clemedtson ’84 and Leah Clemedtson on 8/20/18, Moorhead Kristina Ganz ’04 and Chad George, on 12/31/18, Saint Michael Melissa Habedank Bender ’04 and Christopher Bender, 05/05/18, Alexandria, VA Matt Swenson ’06 and Sara Thatcher, 5/4/19, Minneapolis Mike Cicchese ’07 and Marissa Rieckhoff, 01/12/19, Eagan Holly R. Andersen ’09 and Nicholas Upton, 06/23/18, Minneapolis Colette Brandt ’09 and Martin Lipchik, 10/06/18, Eagle River, AK Andy Haaheim ’09 and Lydia Francis ’11, 10/16/18 , Minneapolis Emily Johnson ’09 and Jedediah Goodman, 08/04/18, Louisville, NE Alli Linn ’09 and Jacob Delheimer, 08/31/18, West Fargo, ND Theodore Roth ’09 and Stephen Fee, 12/23/18, Brooklyn, NY Emma Strand ’11 and Joe Knooihuizen, 03/02/19, Maple Grove Kyle Vick ’12 and Emily Peterson ’12, 10/06/18, Eagan Heidi Rossow ’12 and Beau Winden, 11/17/18, Phoenix, AZ
Jack, to Joel C. Stoltenow ’99 and Lindsay Stoltenow, on 04/04/18 Evangeline, to Sarah Lange Kerkman ’00 and Adam W. Kerkman, on 01/18/19 Milo, to Paul R. Straumann ’00 and Jenny Johnson Straumann ’99, on 03/24/17 Hero, to Mercede Kortus Stricker ’00 and Alexander Stricker, on 05/14/18 Oscar, to Cory S. Weinrich ’00 and Molly Juntunen Weinrich ’99, on 08/02/18 Greyson, to Ethan Keller ’03 and Lindsay Hadtrath Keller ’04, 02/27/19 Maya, to Katie Banks ’04 and Dmitri L, born on 03/16/19 Mack, to Brent A. Borgstahl ’04 and Cori Borgstahl, on 3/8/18 Jameson, to Angela Janda ’04 and Ryan Dudley, on 05/08/19 Henry, to Sarah Jorgenson Magnuson ’04 and Edwin M. Magnuson, on 04/04/18 Mia Rae, to Allison Wires Matthies ’04 and Jacob Matthies ’04, on 5/25/18
Graham to Reid A. Tuenge ’04 and Rachel Tuenge, on 06/06/17 Rudravir, to Arun Vig ’04 and Sabah Vig, on 05/20/16 Winston, to Kim Hardy ’05 and Joshua Hardy, on 04/28/19 Tekla, to Pete Schwingler ’05 and Ingrid Vick Schwingler ’07, on 03/05/19 Lucy, to Tara Brown McCabe ’06 and Jason McCabe, on 08/23/18 Hailey, to Krista Kirchoff Engebretson ’07 and Tyler Engebretson, on 11/16/18 Christian, to Nicole Fiala ’08 and James Fiala, on 04/09/19 Nils, to Nissa Hannemann Peterson ’08 and Timothy Peterson, on 09/22/18 Lincoln, to Julie Mahre Retka ’08 and John Retka ’09, on 12/13/18 Bennett, to Brittany Behnke Anderson ’09 and Timothy Anderson, on 3/31/18 Lucille, to Kendra Mays Buteyn ’09 and John Buteyn, on 08/24/18 Jackson, to Kelly ChaudoinPatzoldt ’09 and Kevin ManbeckPatzoldt ’08, on 11/18/17 Harper, to Aryn Bell DeGrood ’09 and Justin DeGrood ’07, 03/19/19 Henry, to Carly Erickson ’09 and Charles Erickson ’09, on 01/22/19 Sylvia, to Dan Foley ’09 and Kayla Ricksham Foley ’09, on 04/27/18 Noelle, to Gretchen Libbey ’09 and Asitha Jayawardena ’09, on 10/15/18 Charlotte, to Alex Jones ’09 and Emily Degnan ’09, on 02/11/18 Lincoln, to Kayla Timm Mathwig ’09 and Adam Mathwig, on 05/25/18 Cameron, to Emily Mohn McRae ’09 and Nathaniel McRae, on 9/4/18 Clara, to Lindsay Boldt Norgaard ’09 and Charles Norgaard ’09, on 05/15/18
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
Sonja Johnson, New Brighton, is deputy training and party affairs director for the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party. Dane Knudsen, Minneapolis, graduated from the University of St. Thomas Law School. Andi Doebler Meer, APO, AE, is translator for SyncScripts. Emileah ZumBerge Most, Minneapolis, graduated from St. Cloud University with a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling. Andrew Oakes, Minneapolis, is the financial planning and analysis manager for nVent. Tom Olsen, Minneapolis, is a legislative associate for Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. Tanner Peterson, Minneapolis, is RAI director for Tealwood Senior Living. Emilie Scott, Alameda, CA, is a middle school math facilitator at the Alameda Community Learning Center. Amy Vold, Minneapolis, is retail account manager for The Bluebird Group.
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GUSTIES
REMEMBERING MYER “WHITEY” SKOOG
(longtime coach and former faculty)
Saint Peter, on 4/4/19. Whitey was a standout athlete having been awarded the Big 10 Medal Honor in Academics and Athletics, a three-time All Big 10 Player and two-time All American at the University of Minnesota. He went on to play professional basketball for six years with the Minneapolis Lakers and will be remembered as one of the foremost pioneers of the jumpshot. After his playing career he was a professor and basketball and golf coach at Gustavus for 37 years. He is survived by two children.
REMEMBERING STEPHEN HILDING ’58
(former faculty)
Saint Peter, on 5/31/19. A mathematics professor at Gustavus from 1965 until his retirement in 1998, he was also an accomplished cellist and performed with the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, and with the university orchestra at Kansas State University as a graduate student. He earned his doctorate at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In his retirement, he volunteered at the Linnaeus Arboretum and with Habitat for Humanity. He is survived by his wife, Arlene, and four children: Mark ’81, Gregory ’81, Jonathan ’84 and Elena ’87 and a sister, L. Cecile Swenson ’55.
REMEMBERING DAVID V. HARRINGTON
(former faculty)
Saint Peter, 4/16/19. A U.S. Army veteran and former professor of literature and writing at Gustavus from 1960–88. He especially enjoyed teaching the works of Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Milton, as well as singing in choirs and playing the euphonium. He was an enthusiastic jogger for more than 30 years; after he gave up
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
running, he was known for his daily walks in Saint Peter. He is survived by his wife, Aleda, and three children.
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Nathan, to Maren Balk ’09 and David Rivers, on 12/24/18 Evelyn, to Jennifer Pelowski Simon ’09 and Gregory Simon, on 06/11/18 Emmett, to Becky Gustafson Swanson ’09 and Matt Swanson, on 03/11/19 Nora, to Carla Thielbar ’09 and Clint Sevcik, on 2/20/19 Carter, to Erica Dobson Toppin ’09 and Adam Toppin ’10, on 01/29/18 Blake to Tyler Wakefield ’09 and Sarah Purnell Wakefield ’09, on 05/16/18 Molly, to Derek Hilding ’10 and Alison Pelton Hilding ’10, on 03/14/19 Everett, to Megan Schroepfer Koenigs ’14 and Tyler Koenigs, on 01/03/19
IN MEMORIAM Rosemary Levaque Conner ’43, Carlton, on 3/27/19. A music teacher at various schools, she is survived by her three children. William A. Gualtieri ’47, Madison, on 4/28/19. A World War II and Korean War veteran, he later became a dentist and practiced for 46 years in Madison. Bill is survived by four daughters. John Kindschuh ’48, Rock Island, IL, on 2/15/19. A former Lutheran pastor and vice president for Augustana College, Rock Island, he is survived by his wife, Delores, and three children. Robert W. Anderson ’49, Minneapolis, on 4/22/19. Robert was a district manager of Chase Metals and an administrator of Normandale Lutheran Church. He
is survived by his wife, Gladys, and two children, Karen Willyard ’76 and Robert ’79. Patricia Erckenbrack Heinzerling ’49, Sarasota, FL, on 2/22/19. In 1952 she graduated from the University of Minnesota as one of only seven female law students in a class of 163. She had her own law practice and is survived by three children. Joseph Iverson, Jr. ’49, Minneapolis, on 4/19/19. A WWII veteran he was an assistant superintendent at Thief River Falls and then professor of education at St. Olaf College. He is survived by Jeanette (Asplund ’44) and three sons. Dorothy “Dottie” Frederick Hofstad ’49, Allentown, PA, on 10/26/18. A former school teacher, she is survived by two daughters including D. Jane Zimmerman ’69.
Joyce L. Anderson ’50, Minneapolis, on 3/31/19. A former music teacher who also served on the music staff at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, she is survived by a nephew and nieces. Richard Magnuson ’50, Minneapolis, on 3/16/19. A WWII veteran and an attorney with expertise in agricultural cooperative law, he served various companies. Richard is survived by his wife, Finette, and four children. Grant F. Peterson ’50, San Francisco, CA, on 1/9/19. A U.S. Army veteran, he dedicated his whole career to public education. He is survived by many family and friends. Marjorie Alms Augustin ’51, Rochester, on 3/25/19. A registered nurse, farm wife, and mother, she is survived by four children.
Carol Matson Holcombe ’51, Zimmerman, on 4/3/19. A wife, mother, and partner in the Hok Ridge Farm. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dwight ’51 and a son, and survived by one son, Dwight ’77. Margaret “Peg” Sternaman Holmes ’51, Manitowoc, WI, on 3/25/19. A former airline hostess, she was a wife, mother, and volunteer. Peg is survived by her husband, Bill ’52, and four children, Cindy Carlson ’80, Bob ’82, Susan Flessing ’84, and John ’86. Shirley Erickson Bernard ’52, Katy, TX, on 3/7/19. A former social worker, wife, and mother, she is survived by her husband, Ange, and three children. Rodney Johnson ’52, Washington, MO, on 3/29/19. A U.S. Army veteran, he spent most of his
Kent Musser ’56, Mound, on 3/11/19. He worked as a teacher in New London and as a beloved counselor at Mound-Westonka High School. He is survived by his wife, Carol (Lindberg) ’56, and three children: Dan ’82, Lynn Schneider ’84, and Julie Johnson ’88. Nancy Lea Roberts ’56, Saint Peter, on 3/19/19. A former preschool teacher, wife, and mother, Nancy is survived by four children including Gregg ’80, Tim ’83, and Susan Wolfe ’90. Gayla Manuel Clemons ’57, Winona, on 2/3/19. A former physical education teacher and department chair for Lake Forest High School in Illinois, she is survived by a sister, Sandra Pope ’61. C. Kent Peterson ’58, Lakeville, on 3/7/19. A retired senior real estate representative, he is survived by his wife Mary, and three daughters. Richard A. Faye ’59, Webster, WI, on 4/20/19. Dick and his wife owned and operated a family business called Promotional Sports. He is survived by two sons. Patricia Rasche McPherson ’59, Princeton, NJ, on 3/16/19. A former nurse and research assistant at Johns Hopkins Hospital, she is survived by her husband, James ’58, and a daughter. Mark Thorsell ’59, Golden Valley, on 2/14/19. He taught history and special education in the Robbinsdale Schools. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Bunde) ’61; three children including Maria ’91 and Erik ’89; and a sister, Myrna Wolf ’51. Elaine Gustafson Zuzek ’59, Hastings, on 9/7/18. Elaine worked as a registered nurse at Regina Hospital and the Minnesota State Hospital, and is survived by seven children. Robert Lee Krough ’60, Minnetonka, on 2/8/19. Bob had a
25-year career in Owens Corning Fiberglass and is survived by his wife, Sandee, two sons, and a brother, James ’61. Sandra Berge Bearson ’62, Rockville, MD, on 1/20/19. She was an elementary school teacher and homemaker and is survived by two children including Sheryl Hartzell ’92. Anna “Elaine” Axdahl Meyer ’63, Detroit Lakes, on 4/21/19. She was a teacher for 30 years, teaching English and speech as well as coaching. She is survived by her two sons, including Gregory ’89. Harris N. Tofte ’63, Lexington, SC, on 2/2/19. Harris retired from Titan Industries as a national sales manager and is survived by his wife, Patricia, and two daughters. Shirley Gremmert Fehr ’64, Alexandria, on 3/22/19. Along with her husband, Shirley owned and operated the Skelly Gas Station and Restaurant near Alexandria and is survived by three children. Betty Carlson Lahmers ’64, Melrose, on 2/21/19. Betty spent her life as an English and art teacher and is survived by her husband, Gerald, and three children. Larry Jensen ’65, Mesquite, NV, on 4/20/19. A former U.S. Air Force captain, he owned and managed Jensen Spraying. When the company was sold to Habco Int’l, he became their chief operating officer. He is survived by his wife, Jan, and a son. John R. Anderson ’66, Griffin, GA, on 2/18/19. He worked for many years for Diamond Shamrock and then owned his own printing company, Perfect Printing. He is survived by his wife, Judy, two sons, and a sister, Mary Bohn ’68. Craig Halverson ’66, Lake City, on 4/5/19. Craig and his wife owned and operated Touch of
Class Interiors in Eden Prairie. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn (Pearson) ’67, and a daughter. Cheryl Freeberg Tomlinson ’66, Texarkana, TX, on 9/12/16. She was a former income tax professional and is survived by three sons. Patricia Wigren Heinze ’70, Wake Forest, IL, on 4/5/19. She is survived by four children. June Knutson Freinheit ’72, Zumbrota, on 5/18/19. A former physical education and health teacher, she later worked for the U.S. Postal Service. She is survived by her husband, Dale, four brothers, and a twin sister. David Mickelson ’72, Minneapolis, on 2/8/19. A former physician, he practiced medicine in the Boston area for many years and is survived by a sister. Gust Olson III ’72, Wauwatosa, WI, on 3/13/19. Gust worked as an adjunct professor and assistant editor of the Canadian Slavonic Papers at the University of Alberta and as a parish administrator. He is survived by his wife, Hope (Hagelberg) ’72, and son. Robert W. Olson ’73, Abilene, TX, on 2/2/19. An outdoorsman, teacher, and businessman, he is survived by three siblings. Kirk Tofte ’73, Des Moines, IA, on 2/2/19. Kirk worked in the insurance and financial services industry in Des Moines for nearly four decades and is survived by his wife, Barb (Horn) ’73, and two daughters. Thomas Engesser ’74, Saint Peter, on 4/13/19. An educator and Lutheran pastor, he spent much of his career working with special education and at-risk students. He is survived by wife, Peilan Yan, a brother, and three sisters. Jeff Marshall ’75, Houston, TX, on 2/10/19. He was a legal research
analyst and most recently taught government at Houston Community College System. Moses Kata ’77, Minneapolis, on 2/15/19. He is survived by his wife, Marie, and two sons. Barbara Sonday Neasfus ’79, St. Paul, on 9/24/18. A social worker, tutor of adults and children with dyslexia, and a teacher of teachers, she is survived by her partner, Lynn Torke; her parents, Ralph ’55 and Arlene (Waxlax) Sonday ’54 ; her two children; and three siblings. Agnieszka Perlinska ’84, Lawrenceville, GA, on 2/5/19. A former professor of German and Russian, she most recently was a partner and organizational consultant for Leadership Performance Institute. She is survived by her husband, Jarcek Szamrej, two daughters, and a brother, Zbigniew ’90. Erik Ertelt ’92, Farmington, NH, on 2/3/19. He was a software engineer for NCO Capital and is survived by his wife, Julia, two children, and his parents, Wesley and Elinor (Bjorklund) ’62. Stacy Rieckenberg Ryan ’95, Carver, on 3/26/19. She worked as a loan coordinator at Bell State Bank and is survived by her husband, Tom, three children, her parents, and a brother, Robert ’00. Gustavo Correa ’18, Elko, on 4/24/19. A psychological science graduate with dreams of graduate school, he lost his battle with cancer. Gustavo is survived by his wife, Matti Martin ’17, his parents, and a sister. Jeanne A. Miller (staff), Mankato, on 4/27/19. A former business owner/operator of M.J. Rose, Jeanne most recently worked in the Gustavus Dining Service alongside her sister, Mary. She is survived by her father, Robert, and her sister.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
professional career teaming with his wife in a private therapeutic practice. He is survived by his wife, Anne (Ekberg ’55), two children, and a sister, Phyl Wegner ’54. Marilyn Kaatz Fourre ’53, Plymouth, on 4/23/19. A wife and mother, she is survived by her husband, Frank, and three children. Carol Retzlaff Swenson ’53, Edina, on 2/1/19. A wife and mother, she is survived by three sons and preceded in death by her husband, James ’50. Forest “Woody” Chaffee ’54, Saint Peter, on 3/4/19. He served his whole career as a Lutheran pastor at various parishes and is survived by his wife, Judy (Johnson) ’61, two children, and two stepchildren including Heather Stonacek ’86. Beatrice Ihme Gudmundson ’54, Sparta, MO, on 1/23/19. A business education instructor and self-employed property manager, she is survived by two daughters including Lori ’78. Eugene Frisk ’55, Duluth, on 4/14/19. A Korean War Army veteran and former real estate appraiser, he is survived by his wife, Beverly Peterson ’53, and three children. Donald R. Gustafson ’55, Saint Peter, on 4/14/19. A U.S. Army veteran and former history professor at Augsburg College, he is survived by his wife, Beverly (Matson) ’56, three children, and a sister, Evelyn Davenport ’62. Clifford A. Straka ’55, Minnetonka, on 2/2/19. A former assistant principal for Hopkins ISD #270, he is survived by his wife, Mary Katherine, and two daughters. Clarice Tack Swisher ’55, St. Paul, on 2/24/19. A former English teacher at Kennedy High School in Bloomington and author, she is survived by her daughter.
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GUSTIES
GUSTIES GATHERED— FOR REUNION WEEKEND DORM ADVENTURES, FAVORITE HAUNTS, CAMPUS TOURS, AND FRIENDS NEW AND OLD.
Nearly 750 Gusties from the Class of ’39 to the Class of ’14 got together again in June for Reunion Weekend. They took over the campus for the long weekend, baking Swedish kringle, running a 5K through the Arb, and toasting to their youth at The Flame and Patrick’s. Special shoutout to Mim Peterson Manfred ’39. Before the internet, before television, even before the U.S. entered WWII, Mim was on campus playing the Alma Mater. At Reunion Weekend 80 years later, and at age 102 she played it again.
M ark your calendars, class years ending in 5s and 0s. Reunion Weekend
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
2020 is June 5–7.
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HAPPY CLASS ANNIVERSARIES, GUSTIES! IT WAS GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL TOGETHER AGAIN AT YOUR HOME ON THE HILL.
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Names are listed alphabetically (and by married name) and do not correspond with order in photos. Some Gusties may not have been present for photos.
CLASS OF 1994 Jennifer Anderson-Warwick, Rosamaria Buntjer-Little, Lisa Clark, Jessica O'Connor Crone, Rob Crowell, Bryan Cully, Dan Currell, Mark Domschot, Kimberly Iverson Doyle, Matt Drewitz, Erika, Peterson Eklund, Mark Ensrud, Angela Rebling Fink, Chris Fink, Laura Timm Frese, Heidi Hoops Genosky, Jay George, Becki Greene, Nancy Dueis Gunderson, Tim Gunderson, John Hacker, Teresa Harland, Chris
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YEARS
50 YEARS
Harmoning, Kari Helling, Erik Hendrikson, Lisa Halbur Hogan, Belinda Pinney Hollman, Amy Zenk James, Cameron James, Kristin Andersen Johnson, Heather Krause Quiram, Erik Kulke, Scott Larson, Karen Lillestol, Holly Lipelt, Renae Munsterman Lokpez, J.C., McClelland, Kirby McDonald, Mary Crippen Miklethun, Matt Miller, Stephanie Nagy, Kim Wabner Noll, Eric O'Denius, Johanna Olson, Jenny Bisek Otterness, Pete Otterness, Darin Pavlish, Nikki Wingert Pavlish, Tara Grunig Perre, Kari Knop Peterson, Paul Peterson, Matthew Pettis, Tammy Dunderi Putra, Christina Potthoff Rahm, Cynthia Belt Rush, Diane Schlipper, Aleta Gilbertson Schulte, Molly Wold Sedgwick, Steph George Slavik, Todd Swenson, Erick Thompson, Katie Van Sluys, Donny Walsh, Heidi Miller Wherland, Gretchen Anderson Zinsli CLASS OF 2009 Emily Amundsen, Kallan Anastasi, Holly Andersen, Brittany Behnke Anderson, Conor Bennett, Steven Bieloh, Sonja Andersen Bossmann, Scott Broady, Delphine Broccard, John Bussey, Kendra Mays Buteyn, Jenna Zimmer Carlson, Dave Christians, Rachael Click, Angela Colvin, Maura Coonan, Laura Danielson,
Jill Koppelman Danley, Tony Davis, Aryn Bell DeGrood, Tania Schueller Delehanty, Alli Linn Delheimer, Chris Edelbrock, Erin Koppang Edelbrock, Alexandra Ehrich, Cara Evanson, Kristy Schmid Fabel, Kyle Friend, Amanda George, Christine Grotjohn, Andy Haaheim, Nathan Heggem, Laura Hansen Hegland, Evan Hilsabeck, Jake Holsten, Nicole Parris Jacobs, Rachael Flohrs Janssen, Emily Johnson, Erik Johnson, Meghan Johnson, Christine Askham Kamin, Riley Karbon, Nick Kleinwachter, Stephanie Kling, Brandon Knoll, Amy Knutson, Emily Mohn McRae, Julia Kruchoski Meyer, Rachael Driscoll Mitchell, Jessie Gabbert Mittlestadt, Whitney Langenfeld Moore, Jenny Berglund Noennig, Laura Ofstad, Sara Halberg Olson, Jeff Pedersen, Brandon Preuss, Emily Pickford Quitney, Shawn Rancourt, Jenna Schwartz Reinarts, Lynsi Espe Romportl, Marissa Schon, Vicki Schroeder, Brittani Seagren, Carla Shutrop, Catherine Osterhaus Solie, Maggie Sotos, Rita Stevermer, Nikki Rusinko Stromme, Lena Sulpovar, Jill Suurmeyer, Carol Cook Thomas, Erica Koos Walgenbach, Alex Wauck, Amanda Ziemer Wedeberg, Isaac Weeks, Alex Neville Wuornos, Sybylla Yeoman-Hendrix, Zeb Zacharias, Shannon Johnson Zinken
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | FALL 2019
CLASS OF 1969 Donna Sjoding Amidon, Jay Anderson, Dave Benson, Greg “Benny” Benson, Jack Bergman, Tanya Wasenda Bergman, Carol Johnson Blackwell, Barbra Gilbertson Boyken, Sue Brekke Benson, Kathryn Nelson Burks, Michael Bussey, Sheryl Johnson Cain, Les Carpenter, Thomas Cherry, Rollie Clark, Barb Seeley Devlin, John Ditmore, Mike Dobbs, Jean Sieveke Dovenberg, Steve Eckman, Gordy Engel, Sue Walman Engelbert, Gratia Lokensgard Erickson, Jeanne Taylor Erickson, Cathy Nelson Feste, Bill Fletcher, Judy Johnson Fletcher, Chris Pearson Floss, Cheryl Lee Forrest, Lynn Sundquist Fox, Ian Frykman, Cheryl Maley Gelbmann, Rosemary Lange Guttormsson, Ruth Ann Johnson Hager, Linda Kittleson Haller, Tim Haut, Margaret Lovseth Hegge, Steve Hogberg, Susan Howl, Cheryl Fisher Hultstrand, Jack Hultstrand, Bruce Iverson, Sally Grubb Iverson, Sandra Gingold Iverson, Cathy Carlson Jacobson, Karen Alrick Jafvert, Bruce Johnson, Dianne Johnson, Gary Johnson, Julie Johnson, Maggie Reko Johnson, Robert Johnson, Ruth Johnson, Todd Johnson, Karen James Klink, Ken Kotzer, Pete Langsjoen, Elaine Tegtmeier Larson, James Larson, David Leitzman, Jane Norman Leitzman, Anita Youngquist Lindquist, Diane Huggins Linnell, Chris Lundahl Lunz, Judy Matalamaki, Doris Young McCulley, Pam Sonstegard McWilliams, Jeff Miller, Paula Nelson Marten, Bruce Neubauer, Laura Olson Newton, David Nichols, Louise Anderson Nichols, Dar Gustavson Nielsen, Mike Nielsen, Rebecca Lund Otterness, David Payne, Katherine Thorsen Poppen, Al Puder, Sue Hedenstrom Puder, Brenda Larson Reinholtz, Brenda Kelly Robertson, Wanda Schwartz Schnabel, Ann Schwalm Schwanke, Dale Searles, Jean Nord Searles, Jack Setterlund, John Sjoblom, Kathleen Giese, Skoller, Dave Solheim, Becky Biesterfeld Strand, Paul Strand, Bob Swanson, Dar Rouhoff Swanson, Dave Swanson, Donna Johnson Swanson, Bob Swanstrom, David Swenson, Sandi, Hayes Teiken, Mary Trimbo, Russell Vestlie, John Wall, Jane Lindborg Wood, Don Yager, Sandra Schrupp Ziemer, Ted Zinner
YEARS
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Love your neighbor as yourself. — words from Reverend Richard Elvee in his Baccalaureate address to the Class of 1969. Photo from this year's Baccalaureate, 50 years later
HINGE SCORE AREA
Vespers
I wish that when they ask you what God it was you worshiped here you will still be able to hear the words coming over wide waters, the judgment of them swift, kindling a longing in the heart:
THE CHRIST CHAPEL MEMORIAL GARDEN For Alumni, Parents, and Friends
at Gustavus Adolphus College
FALL 2019 | VOL. LXXV | ISSUE 3 STA F F Chair, Board of Trustees The Rev. Dan S. Poffenberger ’82 President of the College Rebecca Bergman Vice President, Marketing and Communication Tim Kennedy ’82 Vice President, Advancement Thomas Young ’88 Director, Alumni and Parent Engagement Angela Erickson ’01
“Thy gardens and thy gallant walks continually are green; There grow such sweet and pleasant flow’rs as nowhere else are seen. There trees forevermore bear fruit and evermore do spring; There evermore the angels sit and evermore do sing.” - Land of Rest, ELW 628
Director, Editorial Services Stephanie Wilbur Ash | sash@gustavus.edu Alumni Editor Philomena Kauffmann | pkauffma@gustavus.edu Visual Editor, Production Coordinator Anna Deike | adeike@gustavus.edu Design Jill Adler | adlerdesignstudio.com, Sarah Hinderman ’20 Contributing Writers JJ Akin ’11, Mara Klein, Emma Leigh Myhre ’19, CJ Siewert ’11 Contributing Photographers and Artists JJ Akin ’11, Callie Benge ’19, Kylee Brimsek ’20, Will Clark ’20, Bryan Holland, Corbyn Jenkins ’20, Emma Leigh Myhre ’19, Will Nunnally, CJ Siewert ’11, Nick Theisen ’15, Ryan Weber ’22, Gustavus Adolphus College Archives Printer John Roberts Company | johnroberts.com Postmaster Send address changes to the Gustavus Quarterly, Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., Saint Peter, MN 56082-1498 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE Saint Peter, MN 56082 507-933-8000 | gustavus.edu Articles and opinions presented in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or official policies of the College or its Board of Trustees. The Gustavus Quarterly (USPS 227-580) is published quarterly by Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., Saint Peter, MN, 56082-1498. Periodicals postage is paid at Saint Peter, MN 56082, and additional mailing offices. It is mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of the College. Circulation is approximately 32,000.
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Gustavus Adolphus College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
Fire up the rouser: Homecoming is Sept. 28. Give to Gustavus Day is Oct. 24. The 3rd of every month is #gustiegearday. Shine on!
Many people have a deep connection to Gustavus Adolphus College. Some consider the College their home. Now College community members have an opportunity to make Gustavus their final resting place by choosing inurnment in the Christ Chapel Memorial Garden. For more information or to reserve a space in the Christ Chapel Memorial Garden, contact Tricia Bergeson in the Office of Advancement at 507-933-7513 or tbergeso@gustavus.edu.
FALL 2019 800 West College Avenue Saint Peter, Minnesota 56082
Title and Deed, the comedic one-man show by Will Eno that was Sam Burnham’s senior theatre honors project, delves into issues of cultural misunderstanding and immigration as well as the idea of being “unhomed”—of not belonging anywhere. Such themes resonated with his fellow students. Gustavus is a home on the hill, but, he says, “We’re all in college here. This is a big four years of discovering what we want to do, discovering who we are.” Isn’t college funny like that?
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SCIENCE + ART + GLACIERS Nobel Conference 55 is Climate Changed: Facing Our Future
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AT THE CORE OF US —is the concept of justice. These Gusties take up the charge
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CLASS NOTES What your fellow Gusties have been up to
GUSTIES JUSTICE