SPRING 2020 800 West College Avenue Saint Peter, Minnesota 56082
2020 Gusties on the college events, decisions, moments, and mistakes that changed the course of their lives—and for the better. PAG E 12
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If you recognize the sweaters, you know this is the St. Lucia Court. The sweaters are just one of the Festival of St. Lucia traditions at Gustavus. In December, as is custom, the student-chosen court of sophomore women caroled through campus, listened to a homily from last year’s St. Lucia, and pretended to partake in the eating of lutefisk at a smörgåsbord sponsored by the Friends of the Library-Gustavus Library Associates (with a talk by author Ellie Roscher ’02 after). Our St. Lucia tradition, rooted in our Swedish heritage, dates back to 1941. This year’s court (l to r) is Melanie Kistnasamy, Abigayle Paulson, Kendra Held, Nora Hagestuen, Hanaa Alhosawi, and Lily Engebretson. Alhosawi is this year’s Lucia. “At Gustavus, I am thankful for all the knowledge, support, and growth that I have gained,” Alhosawi says.
FOR THE LOVE OF FROST-YOUR-OWNS When, where, how, and why we attached to the cookie treat
5
LOOKING AT A NEW LUND Plans shape up for a renovation and expansion
34
CLASS NOTES What your fellow Gusties have been up to
For Alumni, Parents, and Friends SPRING 2020 | VOL. LXXVI | ISSUE 1
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE THE GUSTAVUS HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP
STA F F Chair, Board of Trustees Scott Anderson ’89 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 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 Design | adlerdesignstudio.com, Brian Donahue | bdesigninc.com, Corbyn Jenkins ’20, Sydney Stumme-Berg ’22 Contributing Writers Corbyn Jenkins ’20, Mara Klein, CJ Siewert ’11 Contributing Photographers and Artists BD&E, Nick Campbell ’17, Kris Drake, Corbyn Jenkins ’20, Mara Klein, Nick Theisen ’15, SPX Sports, Ryan Weber ’22, Gustavus Adolphus College Archives, Icons (p. 27, 28): Noun Project, Andy Gigante, Anita Erica, Agnira Chatterji, Adrien Coquet, Ivan Novelo, MX, Creative Stall, and Parkjisun 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.
Paige Reiners ’20 accompanies the Gustavus Choir and Chapel Choir during Christmas in Christ Chapel: Love Beyond Borders, which followed the incarnation story in the gospel of Matthew. For those not in physical attendance, the performance on Saturday night was livestreamed and is now archived at gustavus.edu/cincc. The 2018 program was broadcast on public television stations around the country throughout December.
God, who stretched the spangled heavens infinite in time and space, flung the suns in burning radiance through the silent fields of space: we, your children in your likeness, share inventive powers with you; great Creator, still creating, show us what we yet may do. ~ Catherine Cameron
A planned gift, shared after one’s lifetime, creates a personal legacy that lives on for the benefit of future generations. At Gustavus Adolphus College, a planned gift given through your estate will help equip generations of future students to lead purposeful lives and to act on the great challenges of this world. We invite you to create a legacy in support of Gustavus’s innovative liberal arts education of recognized excellence. For more information, please call 507-933-7512 or email plannedgiving@gustavus.edu.
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. Gustavus Adolphus College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS PLANNED GIVING plannedgiving.gustavus.edu | 507-933-7512
IN THIS ISSUE
2
THE FROST-YOUR-OWN
Our devotion is so strong someone once tried to add them to the Gustavus Wikipedia page as the sixth pillar. Here’s when, where, how, and why you love them.
5
32
LOOKING AT THE NEXT LUND CENTER
Thirty-six years ago, Lund Center was the jewel of the MIAC. Now, plans are in motion to renovate and expand it into a top-tier facility once again.
12 27
HINDSIGHT 2020
From early blunders to eye-opening discoveries, Gusties look back on how the College transformed them.
IN EVERY ISSUE
SO MANY WAYS TO GIVE
4 VÄLKOMMEN
What does a herd of cattle have to do with a pipe organ?
5 ON THE HILL
A grand piano with a load of grain? All have value, and
9 SHINE PROFILES
all can be donated.
22
SPORTS
24
FINE ARTS
36
HERITAGE
32
GUSTIES
44
VESPERS
5
The Frost-Your-Own
Where it came from, and when, is a bit of a campus mystery, so we took to the Gustavus Adolphus College Alumni Facebook page. Your earliest memories pinpoint its arrival to 1996, in the Dive or the old, pre-tornado cafeteria. Why the frost-your-own became so popular is much easier to identify: It’s a sugar cookie, served with giant bowls of colored frosting, a few knives for spreading, sprinkles, and the DIY latitude to “frost your own.” Yeah, it pretty much sells itself, even if (or because) you have to frost it yourself.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
“[I had them] the first time I visited my high school girlfriend (now wife), Emily Ayers-Johnson 05, when she was a freshman in 2001. I started at Gustavus the next fall in 2002. I will say that these may have played a small-but-significant part of my attendance...” —Adam Langenfeld ’06
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“I started at Gustavus in the fall of 2006 and we definitely enjoyed them while we were there! In fact, we loved them so much that Ben Copeland ’10 and I had them as our wedding dessert!” —Chelsea (Roberts) Copeland ’10
“The frostyour-own has always existed for me on an abstract temporal plane. I can’t remember when it came into my life, but I do remember it being there when I needed it.” —Lindsay Concepcion ’19
“When they were available, word spread across campus like wildfire.” —Miriam Rauk ’05
“We’re doing frost-your-owns for Christmas this year with the whole family. I’m excited to share the tradition!” —Kaela Cusack ’05 (see page 29)
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
“I remember someone kept trying to add Frost-Your-Owns as Gustavus’s six pillar on the Wikipedia page.” —Bergit Lilja Nerheim Mars ’11
3
Välkommen LOOKING BACK ON A DECADE.
A decade ago, I was working with a team of scientists and engineers Medtronic to develop a miniaturized pacemaker, and I was enjoying my third year on the Gustavus Board of Trustees. Big Hill Farm had just been founded. The Building Bridges Conference was titled Immigration: Surviving the Land of Opportunity. The College was still processing paper applications. A decade later, things are different—and the same. Our applications are digital. Last year’s Building Bridges Conference, Immigration: Demolishing the Legacy of Bigotry in the Land of Opportunity, shows how this issue continues to be a great challenge of our time. Our student population has changed; more than 20 percent are from historically underrepresented groups. We’ve added the Bonnier Multifaith Center as well as scholars who teach from Jewish and interfaith traditions. We have established the President’s Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, a cross-campus group that provides leadership to move us forward in an intercultural world. The Big Hill Farm has grown, and we’ve leaned into sustainability efforts, another great challenge of our time. We’ve installed a composter and solar energy panels, earned LEED certification on building projects, and established another cross-campus group: The President’s Environmental Sustainability Council. In the past 10 years, we closed Campaign Gustavus with more than $170 million in commitments. Today, the comprehensive Show the World campaign has the goal of $225 million. Because of you, our endowment is larger than ever. It fuels the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan, which fuels the future of the College. (See page 27.) In this issue of the Quarterly, alumni look back on how Gustavus shaped who they are now. Their stories resonated with me. Ten years ago, I could not have imagined being your college president. Then, in 2011, I was asked to chair the Board’s Academic Affairs Committee. In hindsight, this could be viewed as my first step toward becoming the 17th president of Gustavus Adolphus College. It is my calling and my purpose to serve this college. It is—as Martin Luther described—my vocation. (See page 31.) I am grateful for all that has brought me here and excited to continue to work with you to move Gustavus boldly forward.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
I am proud and humbled by the many ways Gustavus has shaped me, how it shapes
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our students, and how it continues to shape alumni. Whatever challenges the next decade brings, we will meet them together as Gusties, and we will act on them.
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), Senior Advisor, TPG Capital 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), Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church; 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, MA, 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, MA, 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, PhD, 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, MA, MEd, 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, MBA, Founding Partner, Värde Partners
Sincerely,
The Rev. Dr. Dan. S. Poffenberger ’82, Senior Pastor, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church Beth Sparboe Schnell ’82, President and CEO, Sparboe Companies
Rebecca M. Bergman President, Gustavus Adolphus College
Karl D. Self ’81, MBA, DDS, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Ronald C. White ’75, President, RC White Enterprises The Rev. Heather Teune Wigdahl ’95, Senior Pastor, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
ON THE HILL New plans call for doubling the size of the current Lund Center. This includes a quadruple increase in cardio, workout, and weightlifting space, plus 60,000 square feet of allseason fieldhouse.
L O O K I N G AT T H E N E X T L U N D
Way, way back there was the Myrum
majors in health and exercise science.
also improve facilities for club sports and
Fieldhouse, a Quonset hut that sat
Gustavus is due—and ready—for a Lund
intramural programs. For varsity athletics,
just north of Uhler Hall and west of
Center expansion and renovation.
it will create top-caliber facilities for teams
“First and foremost, it will enhance the
as they pursue excellence, which is (as the
tremendous size and a floor engineered
College’s commitment to wellness and
rouser goes) our custom. “This project will
to be forgiving on players’ knees; the
wellbeing,” says Tom Brown, director of
honor our great traditions while creating
Minneapolis Lakers even played there. But
intercollegiate athletics. “It will help us
an even greater Gustavus experience for
it sure wasn’t fancy. The track inside was
continue to attract outstanding students
future generations of Gusties,” says Brown.
literally dirt.
to Gustavus.” Indeed, many prospective
Then came a slew of much-needed and
Donors have already committed more
students note that their high schools have
than $30 million toward the $60 million
much-loved athletic facilities: Lund Arena.
better weight room and exercise facilities
fundraising goal. There is more to go.
Lund Center. Hollingsworth Field. The
than those at Lund.
“It will be the continued partnership of
Swanson Tennis Center. Now, 36 year later, we’re headed back
A redo will also create more functional,
our generous alumni and friends that will
flexible spaces. Particularly with health
enable us to deliver this project on time
to Lund Center. The building that was
and exercise science majors and elective
for our students,” says Thomas W. Young
once the toast of the MIAC (see page
courses, “The increased space and state-of-
’88, vice president for advancement. The
26) no longer meets today’s demand for
the-art facilities will aid the great academic
goal: continued fundraising success that
fitness and wellness activities for all campus
work that takes place here,” says Brown.
will enable the new Lund Center to open
communities, as well as the growth of
Expansion and renovation of Lund will
in the fall of 2024.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
Sorensen Hall. Its claims to fame were its
5
ON THE HILL
NOBEL CONFERENCE 56
CANCER IN THE AGE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY Oct. 6 and 7, 2020 | gustavus.edu/nobel
What causes cancer? What are the biological mechanisms that
specificity and greater effectiveness, but also makes them
protect against a disease that originates from our cells?
very expensive to develop, produce and administer. Advances
Researchers have made great strides in understanding both
with cancer raising questions about how to most effectively
immune system responds to it. Their findings have led to the
support patients in the long-term following diagnosis. Nobel Conference 56 will explore the science of these new
cancer cells, with the result that persons undergoing the
cancer treatments, and address the structural and societal
treatments experience fewer side effects than they would with
factors that influence who will have access to these life-saving
traditional chemotherapy.
treatments.
EXPERTS WILL INCLUDE:
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
in treatment also increase the number of individuals living
the progression of cancer and the ways in which an individual’s development of cancer therapies that can strategically target
6
The complexity of these biological drugs allows for their
cause cancer cells to grow? How can our own immune system
Carl June
James Thomas
Director, Center for Cellular
Executive vice president and global
Bissan Al-Lazikani
Immunotherapies and Parker Institute
head of Biotherapeutics; president
Head of data science, Institute for
for Cancer Immunotherapy, University
of U.S. operations, Just-Evotec
Cancer Research
of Pennsylvania
Biologics
Suzanne Chambers
Charles Sawyers
TICKETS ON SALE NOW at
Dean of faculty, Health, University of
Chair, Human Oncology and
gustavus.edu/nobel
Technology Sydney
Pathogenesis Program at the Memorial
Two-day reserved seating: $120
Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
(includes lunch buffets)
Chanita Hughes-Halbert
Single-day reserved seating: $80
Associate dean, assessment and
Kathryn Schmitz
Two-day general seating: $75
evaluation; professor, psychiatry and
Professor, public health sciences
Single-day general seating: $50
behavioral sciences, Medical University
and behavioral research, Penn State
(lunch buffets can be purchased)
of South Carolina
Cancer Institute
Closing banquet: $30
April 29
March 25 + March 27
Voices of Change: Our Generation
Out of Scandinavia | Taikon—The
of Student Activism featuring Jaclyn
Untold story of a Roma Freedom
Corin, co-founder of March for Our
Fighter Film Screening and Lecture,
Lives, Christ Chapel, 10 a.m., free
Cec Eckhoff Alumni Hall, 5:30 p.m.
and livestreamed; at lunch, learn more
screening, 7 p.m. lecture; on March
about the history of student activism
27 there is a lecture at the American
with a presentation by history
Swedish Institute
professor Greg Kaster titled Kent,
MAYDAY! Peace Conference
Parkland, and the History of SocialOut of
Justice Student Activism in the United
Scandinavia
States, Alumni Hall, $20; stay for the
THE SECRET WORLD OF ART
artist-in-
panel and audience discussion about
FORGER ELMYR DE HORY:
residence
how people working for social change
HIS PORTRAITURE ON IBIZA
Lawen
can sustain the work, C. Charles
The Hillstrom Museum of Art features work by the notorious forger, from the collection of his friend and protégé.
Mohtadi is a
Jackson Campus Center, 1:30 p.m.
He made a career of faking it—hundreds of paintings and drawings done in the style of modern masters like Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Amedeo Modigliani—
documentary filmmaker, author, journalist, and publisher in Sweden. Her documentary encapsulates the story of Katarina Taikon, a Swedish activist who fought for the rights of the Roma people.
On February 14, 2018, Jaclyn Corin’s life changed forever after a massive school shooting took the lives
that went on to be accepted into museums and prominent collections
March 10
of 17 students
around the world. It is believed that
Moe Lecture | It’s All a Border:
and faculty at her school, Marjory
many are still unrecognized as fakes.
Reporting and Representation in the
Stoneham Douglas High School in
Margins, lecture by Aura Bogado, Cec
fascination, inspiring journalists, authors,
Eckhoff Alumni Hall, 7 p.m., free and
and filmmakers, including the memoir
livestreamed
The Forger’s Apprentice: Life with the World’s Most Notorious Artist, by de
Investigative
Hory’s close friend and protégé, Mark
reporter Aura
Forgy. Forgy has lent all of the artworks
Bogado will
in the exhibition, which focuses on de
talk about the
Hory’s portraiture. Most of the works
challenges of
have never been shown before.
reporting on immigration.
A lecture by de Hory’s biographer and heir Mark Forgy will be held March 22 in Bjorling Recital Hall, 3:30 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Her work focuses on children in federal custody held in contracted shelters, residential treatment centers, and secret facilities.
Parkland, Florida. Since then, Corin has helped unite more than 2 million people in 900 marches around the world.
#whygustavus
Elmer de Hory has been a source of
$500,000+ Amount raised at A Royal Affair, the biennial Gustie fundraising gala. It set a record for giving, surpassing the 2017 gala by more than $100,000. For more opportunities to give, see page 31.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
Elmyr de Hory (1906-1976), Portrait of Mark Forgy, c.1973, oil on canvas, 36 x 28 inches, collection of Mark Forgy
Kalender
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ON THE HILL
CAMPUS SOCIAL @gustavusadolphuscollege
@gustavusadolphuscollege Kylee Brimsek ’20 and Alejandra Trapero ’20 enjoying the 2019 daylight in Utqiagvik, AK. The two nursing majors were part of a group of Gusties that focused on public health and rural health care there. #gogusties #whygustavus @gustavusadmission Hope you’re all enjoying the Christmas in Christ Chapel livestream! This little pup’s certainly enjoying her first one.
@gustavus
#whygustavus #cincc #gustavusfamily
Hand drawn map of campus, circa 1980 #whygustavus
@bokrakel #whygustavus Because sometimes you get a bread recipe in your alumni magazine #gusties #bakersofinstagram
@gustavusadolphuscollege Thai dance from Saturday’s International Festival. #gogusties #whygustavus
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
10:00 a.m. Time for Reflection
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“Extend that olive branch to those that are different, to those that are troubled. I know it is possible because I saw them do it. And if they can do it, you can do it to.” —Donzaleigh Abernathy on growing up with “Uncle Martin” at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Lecture. She is the daughter of civil rights activist Rev. Dr. Ralph David and Mrs. Juanita Jones Abernathy. Her father spoke at Gustavus 45 years ago.
Follow @gustavus, @gustiealum
SHINE: ELLA NAPTON ’20 In So Many Ways, a Homecoming A LEGACY STUDENT WITH A LONG LINE OF GUSTIES BEHIND HER, SHE MADE HER OWN HOME AT THE COLLEGE.
In a way, she was born here. Her parents, Darin Napton ’92 and Beth Napton ’93 —“soulmates,” Napton says—met in the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library. They weren’t the only ones in her family hanging out there. Multiple aunts and uncles also attended the College. Yet Napton wasn’t convinced about attending herself. But like a lot of Gusties, she found herself on campus on an admitted students day saying to herself, “Well, it looks like I’m going here. It just feels like home. “I was pretty dead set on being an education major,” Napton says. She assumed she’d have a similar experience to her mom who was also an education major. Napton knew she would be a teacher since she was little; she spent hours before and after school in her mom’s classroom. “Arguably I spent more time at the school during the school year than I did at home. And I loved every second of it,” she says. At Gustavus, she found her place teaching English to middle school students. She’s currently student teaching in Rochester. She didn’t just share a major with her mom. They both played in a Gustavus music ensemble and participated in Big Partner Little Partner while students here. “But I definitely didn’t meet my soulmate in the library,” Napton says. (At least not yet.) In the meantime, she’s worked in the education department office, and in the Writing Center as a tutor. She studied away in Germany, and is a semifinalist for a teaching Fulbright in Malaysia. And, she says, “I’ve met some of my best friends here, which is arguably better than meeting your soulmate.” Napton also joined the Gustavus women’s rugby club team—one of her favorite Gustavus memories is going to nationals in Georgia with the team and placing fourth in the nation. “We got to play at the same level as varsity teams from other schools. It was a wild ride. “I think the liberal arts education prepared me to be the best teacher,” Napton says. “The support from the professors, staff, and other students
COMMUNITY
like home.”
This spring, Napton and another education major will student teach in Sweden for seven weeks. “An endowment given to the Global Educators Program paid for our entire trip,” Napton says. It will allow the two more freedom to explore and immerse themselves in Swedish culture. “We are so appreciative of it.”
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
here is amazing. But the community is what made Gustavus truly feel
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ON THE HILL
SHINE: DARSA DONELAN Persistence is Fruitful THIS PROFESSOR COMPUTES THAT PHYSICS CAN—AND SHOULD—BE FUN AND ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL.
“The timing was just so right,” Donelan says. After receiving a doctorate in physics from the University of Florida in 2016, they applied for exactly one teaching position: the one at Gustavus. “I thought, I really want a job at a small liberal arts school, and I want to have control over the teaching labs,” Donelan says. That’s what Gustavus wanted too. And so: a logical choice. It was a relatively simple path to professorship compared to their nontraditional path through higher education. Their first degree was an associate’s in fine arts with a focus on painting, followed by bachelor’s degrees in physics and mathematics—completed while working full time at McDonald’s and overloading on courses. The heavy lifting of their undergrad years translates to a holistic empathy and energy for all kinds of Gustavus students today. Donelan advises a number of student organizations they were too busy to join as an undergrad, including the Society of Physics Students, Queers & Allies, and the Gustavus Rocketry Club. (Donelan also collaborates with the NASA Space Science Education Consortium.) In the classroom, you might meet one of Donelan’s cos-play characters. “If I come off as approachable and the students are enjoying themselves, they are more likely to reach out if they have any issues,” Donelan says. “I don’t think I would be as good of a lecturer if I wasn’t also an artist.” One classroom persona that shines—literally—is Donelan’s Borg from the Star Trek multiverse. They made the costume from bike tire tubes, cabinet liner, chopsticks, jump rope, pieces of hose, a vacuum cleaner tube, bits of foam, and other materials. Science fiction is a major access point for students studying physics at all levels, Donelan says. “People often get to physics via things like Star Trek, Rick and Morty, Marvel Universe stuff. I thought Data (From Star Trek: Next Generation) was so cool. I thought, I want to go to space. Then they
10
want to be that.”
An equitable classroom is essential to Donelan: “I want to be able to reach everyone.” One technique is “think, pair, share.” JUSTICE
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
had an episode of young kids who were smart and gifted, and I thought, I
A question is posed, students think about it on their own, then pair up and try to convince each other why an answer is correct. Then the class shares as a group. Says Donelan, “This allows me to get a sense of what students are understanding.”
SHINE: DAVE STAMPS Swinging Into a Golden Anniversary THIS PROF UPS THE TEMPO ON THE GUSTAVUS JAZZ PROGRAM, NOW IN ITS 50TH YEAR.
Stamps describes his journey to Gustavus as “a zigzag path to my north star.” He knew he wanted to be a music teacher. While in grad school studying jazz trombone, he decided he liked composing more than practicing, and ended up with a degree in jazz composition. After a few years working in arts administration and performing, he found his way to Gustavus as professor of music and director of jazz studies in 2014. 2020 is a particularly special year for Stamps and Gustavus jazz; it’s the 50th anniversary of the program. From its inception in 1970 by professor Mark Lammers, and growth through professor Steve Wright, jazz at Gustavus now consists of three large jazz ensembles, five instrumental combos, and a vocal ensemble. “I came into a very strong jazz ensemble program,” Stamps says. “We’ve expanded upon it, giving more opportunities for students to learn the improvisation and composition sides.” And reaping the rewards: In 2015, the Gustavus Jazz Ensemble won the College Big Band Division at the prestigious Eau Claire Jazz Festival. Stamps has also been busy developing an outreach program for high school students. Jazz Jamboree is a non-competitive educational jazz festival “to help jazz education in the state of Minnesota,” Stamps says. This spring, 10 different high school bands will come to campus to play throughout the day, attend master classes, and have individual clinics with a guest artist. “That’s about 200 additional students hanging out with us here on campus,” Stamps says, learning, playing, and appreciating jazz. And all within the Gustavus liberal experience, which Stamps appreciates. “Since coming to a place with a liberal arts model, I am much more involved in the growth of every single student, guiding
E XC E L L E N C E
community here is special.”
The Gustavus Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble toured Malaysia and Singapore this winter. “(Conductor) Ruth Lin and I were excited to take students into culturally different situations where they could share music with new audiences,” Stamps says. At the home concert, they shared a new piece by Steve Heitzeg ’82, written for the orchestra.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
it, cultivating it. Gustavus has opened me up to community. And the
11
2020 With the clarity of retrospect, Gusties reflect on on the events, decisions, moments, and mistakes that changed their lives —and for the better.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
By Stephanie Wilbur Ash and JJ Akin ’11 | photos by Nick Campbell ’18
12
The path behind us is always clearer than the path before us. This being 2020, what richer topic is there than Gusties reflecting on what made them who they are today? These grads have been out for as few as two years and as many as 48. They’ve reflected on risk and resilience and the roads they now travel. Young adulthood is inherently risky, and at Gustavus, they took their risks in a supportive environment. That’s elemental to the kind of learning that sticks with you for life, says vice president for student life and dean of students JoNes VanHecke ’88: “Being able to say, ‘I can make mistakes, change my mind, and have aha moments because I feel safe and secure and welcomed in this home.’” (Can’t quite see what she’s saying? Take a look at her story about failing pre-calculus. Page 20.)
She grew up in Quitman County, Mississippi, born during the Civil Rights Movement. As she adjusted from the de facto segregation of the Mississippi Delta to life as a college student in Minnesota, she misunderstood her financial aid package— and spent nearly all of the funds in the first weeks of the semester.
He remembers it well. He was sitting in his dorm room, in front of his open sociology textbook. It was just a few weeks into his first semester. Earlier that day, his Intro to Sociology professor John Prehn had said, “You’re good at this. Maybe this could be your major.” He had barely passed high school. Continued on page 16
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
Continued on page 14
13
Paid in Full
HINDSIGHT IN
2020
Continued from page 13
active duty. While her classmates
educational programming to
“It was a rocky start to college,”
studied, she headed to the Saudi
help families understand how to
Mary Booker ’91 says. “I got that
Arabia-Kuwait border to provide
pay for college. From counseling
first-term bill and didn’t know
operational support during
students on the Free Application
what to do or who to talk to.”
Operation Desert Storm. She was
for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
there for six months.
to aiding international students in
That’s when dean of students Bruce Gray ’61 and Gustavus
She was undeterred by this side
navigating the financial aid process
financial aid director Paul Aasen
road. On the contrary, the setback
to stepping in with emergency
sat her down. Their message: You
provided more tinder for Booker’s
funds for struggling students and
can do this. You belong.
ambitions. “It absolutely focused
families, her leadership touches
me academically,” she says. “When
all facets of the university’s
Army Reserve for the $3,500
I came back, I was definitely
enrollment and retention efforts.
signing bonus and $117 monthly
committed to finishing my degree.
stipend. She found jobs at both
If it did anything for me, it helped
of 25 years of professional
Hardee’s and McDonald’s. “One
me realize that in order to have
experience, Booker can see
Mary Booker
check went to pay my tuition and
options, I needed to finish.” She
how her Gustavus experience
’91 parlayed her
one went for living expenses and a
graduated in January of 1991, just
ignited her passion for helping
little savings,” she recalls. It wasn’t
one semester late.
first-generation college students
IN HINDSIGHT
Booker dug in, joining the
•••
Looking back with the benefit
struggles to pay
enough. She became a fixture in the financial aid and student
Today, in her San Francisco office
aid process. “Gustavus—because
for college into
employment office, always seeking
just two blocks from Golden
of its size and location and its
a lifelong career
opportunities to make money. She
Gate Park, Booker is a long way
commitment to diversity in all
worked in the cafeteria, served as
from Quitman County. She is
aspects—really helped shape my
in financial
a collegiate fellow in a residence
the Assistant Vice Provost for
career,” Booker says. At USF,
aid, providing
hall. “I was incredibly lucky to
Student Financial Services at
a minority-serving institution
find those avenues, and that I was
the University of San Francisco,
known for being welcoming and
leadership
willing to ask those questions. The
overseeing a financial aid budget
responsive to undergraduate
and advocacy
worst thing anyone could say to
of nearly $250 million that makes
needs, the alignment of her
me was ‘no.’”
her institution accessible to over
history, values, and profession is particularly strong.
for thousands of college
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
students.
14
access and navigate the financial
She became an on-campus
6,500 undergraduate students.
locus of knowledge on all things
Her resume reads like a “Who’s
related to paying for college. As a
Who” of elite private colleges,
Booker is the last person they
student, Booker helped other first-
winding from Gustavus—where
see as they prepare to cross the
generation and minority students
she was mentored by both of the
stage at commencement. Each
navigate the financial aid process.
people who told her she belonged
one is a reminder of the long
They often signed up for the same
on the hill—to Oberlin (Ohio),
journey she’s traveled personally
classes to save money by sharing
Dartmouth (New Hampshire),
and professionally. “When I
books. By senior year, Booker
and Pomona (California) before
see that student I met at first-
had figured out how to balance
landing at the University of San
year orientation and know the
her jobs, classes, and checkbook.
Francisco in 2016.
struggles they’ve had over four
Things were looking up for the
At USF, Booker helps students
There, when students graduate,
years,” Booker trails off, pauses...
management major as she made
navigate need- and merit-based
“They’re in tears and I’m in tears.
plans for life after graduation.
financial aid, manages the
To see that look on their face, to
student employment and student
know that they’ve done it, that’s
accounts offices, and provides
what energizes me.” •
Then, in the fall of that senior year, the Army called Booker to
‘
‘‘
I can go anywhere and do anything because my ‘home base’ is doing the right thing. Gustavus
’’
should be applauded for that.”
IT CHANGED EVERYTHING Fall 1986 First-year Mary Booker misunderstands her financial aid award and spends it all in the first semester. Spring 1987 She joins the Army Reserves. Summer 1987 She works at both McDonald’s and Hardee’s in Saint Peter. She rides a borrowed bike to get there and lives in the dean of students’ basement apartment. Fall 1989 Three weeks before the end of the semester, she’s deployed to the Saudi ArabiaKuwait border during Operation Desert Storm. January 1991 She graduates from Gustavus, just one semester late. August 1994 She becomes an admission counselor at Gustavus, then transitions to financial aid. 1999–2006 She moves to similar positions at Oberlin College and Dartmouth College, and earns a Master’s in Ethnic Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
2009 She heads to California and Pomona College to become Director of Financial Aid, and earns a Master’s in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Dartmouth. 2016 She becomes Assistant Vice Provost for Student Financial Services for University of San Francisco.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
2007 She moves back to Saint Peter as director of financial aid for Gustavus.
15
A Switch Flipped
HINDSIGHT IN
IN HINDSIGHT
Dan Currell ’94
Continued from page 13 Not once had Dan Currell ’94
2020
there. It was a critical step toward
went back to it at age 32, and
“getting a different angle on the
competed in the Olympic trials for
received praise for his academic
academic world,” he says, and,
the 2008 Beijing Games).
performance. Born in Canada,
with his intellectual awakening at
After a 15-year consulting
he’d come to Gustavus via the
Gustavus, getting into University
career that had him flying around
suburbs of Chicago to play hockey
of Chicago Law School.
the world in “perpetual crisis
and sing in the choir. His parents weren’t sure he’d last.
It seems the Gustavus way of
mode” (which perfectly matched
active, self-directed engagement
his disposition), he’s now a
with knowledge and problem
Senior Advisor for the Office of
to a realization: “This guy
solving, combined with close
Finance and Operations at the
doesn’t know about my high
relationships with professors,
U.S. Department of Education.
school grades. No one knows,”
was what he needed to succeed.
He works on issues of financial
he says. It was quickly followed
“I was tucked away at the side
aid, grants, and operations
by an epiphany: “Doing well
of a hill, doing my thing, in an
management. He’s more aware
here at Gustavus does not seem
environment that wasn’t beating
than ever that his past academic
impossible. It seems plausible.”
me up,” he says. “I remember
struggles are actually quite
sitting in Prehn’s office just talking
common, that what Americans
objective for the next four years:
to him and getting to know him.
consider “traditional” education
“Eradicate the stain of my past.”
I thought, whatever is going on
doesn’t agree with a lot of people.
here is different and totally great.”
“Overall, most people don’t do
How did his parents handle
that well in school,” he says. “At
Prehn’s validation led Currell
It was enough to define his
And he did. He dropped choir, played just one year of hockey, and began to study obsessively. “I was
their new son? “They watched
the national policy level, you can’t
showed up at
exhausted emotionally from high
with mouths agape,” he says. “I
take the entire population of our
Gustavus with
school, but I had a full tank of gas
covered a lot of ground in four
public education system and put
for intellectual life,” he says. He
years. I was a different person by
them in traditional classroom
a lot of talents.
was judicious in choosing classes.
the end of it.”
environments. It’s worth it for us
Academics
was so poor, “there couldn’t be a
“The total story? Unquestionably
gifts people have and drive those
prerequisite,” he says. Sociology
I was fairly learning disabled in
people forward.”
and anthropology were great
some way,” Currell says. He’s
of them. Then,
majors—they had no high school
got ADHD; he’s not wired to
approach. “Go off, read this stuff,
it was.
gatekeeping. To take quantitative
understand information when
figure it out, then come back and
courses, he taught himself algebra
presented in a “sage on the stage”
let’s talk. It’s trendy now,” he says.
between his sophomore and junior
environment. At Gustavus, he
It has long been the Gustavus way.
year. He took an advanced seminar
learned how he learns. “When
Today, he’s still figuring out
in hermeneutics, “and I just ate it
I felt like I knew someone, it
his ADHD. “In hindsight, I
up,” he says, along with analytics
changed my engagement level. If
should have had more fun in
and religion courses. He went
I had to take material and turn it
college,” he admits. “But when I
to Israel to study archaeology.
into something, then I learned.”
look at those four years, I really
He did an independent study on
If he rode his bicycle for a couple
wouldn’t touch anything. I was
the early church with professor
of hours, he could focus enough
able to figure things out for
Garret Paul. He heard about a
after for three solid hours of
myself, my deficiencies were not
one-year study away program
productivity. (Currell raced bikes
held against me, and there were
at Oxford and set his sights on
competitively in high school and
professors helping me at every
it—and spent his junior year
with the Gustavus Cycling Club,
step of the way.” •
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
wasn’t one
16
His high school performance
•••
to experiment with finding the
Take the “flipped classroom”
‘
‘‘
I wasn’t telling anybody hey, by the way, I’m doing homework for the first
’’
time in my life. I needed
to find my way through.”
IT CHANGED EVERYTHING Fall 1990 First-year Dan Currell gets praised for his Gustavus classwork after barely passing high school. He pledges to become the best student he can. Spring 1991 He takes an upperlevel class in hermeneutics by special waiver. It’s the hardest class he’s ever taken. He loves it. He says no to competing in collegiate nationals with the Gustavus Cycling Club, choosing to study instead. Summer 1992 He goes to Israel to study archaeology. 1992–1993 He spends the academic year at Oxford. Summer 1993 He teaches himself algebra so he can take statistics his senior year. 1994–1999 He attends University of Chicago Law School, then practices law for two years.
2005 He begins consulting for nonprofits, and, with his wife, Sara Tollefson Currell ’95, becomes more involved in children’s ministry. 2007 He competes in track cycling Olympic trials for the 2008 Bejing Games. 2018 He joins the U.S. Department of Education as Deputy Under Secretary.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
1999–2015 He begins a career in management consulting, doing 800 presentations in 15 years on every continent except Antarctica. He has bicycles stashed around the U.S.
17
HINDSIGHT IN
F A I L
Investing in the Next Step Two years ago, the Center for Career Development received a $10 million grant that has dramatically enhanced the College’s already-strong career curriculum. Today, the Center is integrating postgraduate preparation into the academic and co-
First
Attempt
In
Learning
curricular life of students and continues to build intentional mentorship, internship, and career experiences for them. By 2025, all students will have the opportunity to engage in an in-depth four-year career development process, participate in at least “I believe career and personal development go handin-hand.”—Andrew Coston, executive director of the Center for Career Development
develop a working relationship with a career specialist in one of seven career interest clusters.
“My hidden agenda is to make you the hero of your life. I want to shift you from ordinary to extraordinary living,” psychologist and teacher Maria Sirois told Gustie students in 2018 during a three-day residency hosted by dance professor Michele Rusinko. It was part of a January Interim Experience course Rusinko teaches called Bouncing Forward. Now in its fifth year, the course focus is resiliency for college and beyond, using tools and techniques from current research in mind-body medicine. The big takeaways: It’s amazing what the human spirit can accomplish when setbacks are reframed as opportunities to step up and forward.
STEVE MELLEMA ’72
“I burned out on math and physics.”
year was challenging, enriching, and (in hindsight) prophetic. “Almost by accident, I got the best liberal arts education Gustavus provided,” he says. Now he’s
As a member of a Gustavus honors program, he
a Gustavus physics professor who—in true liberal
spent two years totally ignoring the “liberal arts”
arts fashion—has taught Chinese film and Malaysian
part of his liberal arts education. Instead, he plowed
religion and culture too.
courses in math and physics. Then came senior year, and no idea what to do with it. He had a whole GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
one career-relevant engaged learning experience, and
BOUNCING FORWARD
through all his major
18
2020
year of electives in front of him. “So, I went around and asked my friends, ‘Who are the best professors you’ve had?’” Mellema’s ’71–’72 academic
HINDSIGHT IN
2020
SOPHIA WARWICK ’18
“Everyone else had a year under their belt.”
PROJECT
21
As a transfer student, she had to muster the courage to join clubs, pledge a sorority, and send that first text asking someone to coffee. At Gustavus, those personal risks paid off with a warm reception. “I made my best friends, my professors turned into mentors, and my bosses at my student employment job became family.” She kept putting herself out there at Gustavus, asking for new challenges doing the things she loves, then moved to Nashville and landed a dream job at a marketing agency for country music artists (among others). Unlike her colleagues, she has no music industry background. “It was uncomfortable and difficult at first,” she says. “But my liberal arts background prepared me to dive in. It gave me the confidence to push forward.”
A Little Help From Friends
fellow Gusties so those Gusties can make their
They’re like super knowledgeable, really kind older
own decisions for themselves.
siblings with your best interests at heart. Begun in the
“It’s so less scary to ask your peer for help
1980s, the peer assistants program first provided drug
in certain situations, and to know you’re asking
and alcohol education. It’s become so much more.
someone who has also had training,” says JoNes
Peer assistants provide education, tools, and easy
VanHecke ’88, vice president for student life and
on-ramps to services students might need but don’t
dean of students. Says Laura Herbst-Johnson,
know about. They provide education and tools to
who trains and supervises the 20 peer assistants, “These are definitely the peers to ask. They are inclusive and open minded, demonstrating a high level of emotional maturity and leadership.” “The goal is to be a person who is there to provide support when needed,” says current peer assistant Michael Volgman-Mercuri ’20. “For me personally, in a vocational sense, it’s a desire to contribute to
How was your 21st birthday? In hindsight, could it have gone differently? Maybe a little better? GustieWELL, in partnership with Peer Assistants, offers a program that helps students plan the outcomes of their 21st birthday before the actual birthday. Soon-to-be-drinkingage students meet with a peer assistant. The student outlines expectations: What do they want the day to look like? What do they want to avoid? Peer assistants talk about strategies for harm reduction for anyone using alcohol. Once a student has a plan in place, they write an encouraging reminder text to themselves, which they’ll schedule to receive a few hours before any celebration. It’s a popular program. Among 140 students eligible during fall semester, 109 voluntarily completed the program within the week leading up to their 21st birthday.
also provide much needed levity at potentially awkward moments, like during safe sex bingo. “I got to interject my smart-ass comments whenever I wanted,” he says.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY
a community.” Peer assistants can
19
HINDSIGHT IN
2020
MARA JOHNSON GROH ’14
“I didn’t see writing as a career.”
4
Her major: physics. Her master’s degree: astronomy. Her job? Freelance writer and photographer. Surprising? Not when you look at her Gustavus past. Her First-Term Seminar was called Travel Writing. During
Number of fulltime licensed mental health therapists who service students. There is also a part-time therapist and two graduatelevel interns.
her study away in Tanzania, she wrote a blog and took photos for the College. “My master’s research, in a nutshell, was taking pretty pictures of the universe,” she says. It was slow going and a bit disappointing when she went looking for jobs, until she answered a call from NASA for a science writer, “kind of on a lark.” Today, she writes for NASA— about new discoveries in space—as well as Scientific American, Outside, PBS, and the Nobel Conference, among others. “In hindsight,” she says, “It all makes sense.”
JONES VANHECKE ’88
“I couldn’t pass pre-calc. Yes, I said pre-calc.” She was going to be a veterinarian. In the meantime, she was on the Campus Activities Board, a Gustie Greeter, and a Collegiate Fellow—the “trifecta” for future student affairs professionals. But, she says, “there were no student affairs professionals in my hometown of Walnut Grove,” so it never occurred to her
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
to think of it as a career field. Finally, after still
20
not passing the math requirement for the veterinary
dean of students and mentor Ruth Johnson. “I said
major, she had an aha moment in the form of former
to her, ‘How can I have your job?’” Now, she does.
“ACADEMICALLY GRIEVING STUDENTS” That’s the title of a workshop for faculty taught by Tom McHugh ’99, director of the academic support center, and Hayley Russell, professor of health and exercise science and excellence in teaching faculty associate in the John S. Kendall Center. When students fail something, they often must let go of previous ideas or expectations for themselves. “That can hurt,” says McHugh. And it can also be an opportunity for reflection and discovery, especially when aided by a heart-to-heart with a professor or a staff member trained to academically advise such students. “It’s a reframing,” says McHugh. “It’s about a change of direction with the help of a caring person.”
HINDSIGHT IN
2020
JORDYN TAYLOR ’16
“I got prepared to do something much bigger than myself.” She had always had a question: “Why aren’t there more books with multiracial people like me in them?” Her involvement and leadership with campus organizations focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion gave her insight and confidence, and solidified two core beliefs: “Everyone has a story to tell. Not everyone has the platform to tell that story,” she says. Naming this great challenge of our time was transformational. She wrote her senior thesis on the subject. With the help of the Gustavus English department, she secured an internship with Minnesotabased Milkweed Editions. With the help of a Gustie mentor (Abby Travis ’10), she flourished there, and then found full-time work as an editor. This fall, she launched her own literary and multimedia publishing collective,
publishing. In hindsight, she says, Gustavus helped
Vermillion Ink Press, focused on narratives by people
her to unpack that question she’d always had—and
of color and those traditionally underrepresented in
then act on it.
MATT FILLMORE ’08
charge of production for Dorsey Pictures, handling production management for shows on such networks as HGTV, Animal Planet,
He was living in Gibbs (Link) when his floormate,
National Geographic, and the Discovery Channel.
Sid Selvaraj ’08, asked, “Do you want to start a film
“The organizational aspect of making film and
society?” Fillmore thought it sounded cool. Then he
television week
and Sid and a few others proceded to put their heart
after week at
and soul into making it happen, failing, learning, and
Gustavus is really
always making. They taught themselves how to use
what set me
cameras from media servies, and editing software
up on the path
from patient peers. They made documentaries
that I’m on,” he
together in the U.S. and in Banglore, India. They
says. “This crazy
petitioned Student Senate for funding—and got
proposal from
thousands of dollars for equipment and to start
another student
GAC-TV. It was a ride he never imagined. “I came
opened me up to
to Gustavus with little interest in media, but I was
a world I could be
having so much fun.” Today he is the executive in
successful in.”
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
“It was literally a knock on the door.”
What does the College want today’s Gustie students to think when they look back 10, 20, 30 years from now? For our vision statement to be realized— that Gustavus, a liberal arts college of recognized excellence, equipped them to lead purposeful lives and to act on the great challenges of their time.
21
SPORTS
“I am almost more excited about next season than I was for this season,” says transfer student and stand-out soccer player Cole Schwartz (Jakarta, Indonesia). "I am excited to see just how far we can take it."
55 POINTS. 44 YEARS.
Gerald Ford was in the White House,
regular season championship, its seventh
Sony introduced Betamax videotapes,
overall conference playoff title, and make
The Gusties have moved the needle
and Captain and Tennille’s “Love Will
a run to the second round of the NCAA
throughout the past two seasons since
Keep Us Together” was on top of the
Championships. Schwartz’ impact was
Tudor Flintham took over as head coach
Billboard charts.
clear with 55 points on 24 goals (the
and there’s no sign of slowing down
third most in NCAA Division III) and
Schwartz, who was named All-America
seven assists.
by both United Soccer Coaches and
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
The year was 1975—and the last
22
time a men’s soccer player in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic
“Transferring to Gustavus has been
good to accomplish my personal goals.”
D3soocer.com, was surrounded by talent
Conference eclipsed 50 points in a
a blessing,” Schwartz says. “At my
during the Gusties’ championship season.
season. (By the way, that was Larry
previous University, I was having difficulty
Matthew Gibbons (Jr., Minneapolis)
Shelhamer ’76.)
breaking into the starting eleven, and
joined Schwartz on the D3soccer.com
I wasn’t finding joy in playing soccer.
All-America team, while Raphael Cattelin
Schwartz. The sophomore transfer from
While the success of the team is the most
(Fy., Edina) and Wesley Sanders (Fy.,
Jakarta, Indonesia, helped Gustavus
important thing, and I am proud to be
Urbandale, IA) were selected to the All-
capture its second consecutive MIAC
a part of such a quality program, it feels
North Region Team.
Fast forward 44 years and enter Cole
Football
The Gusties took fourth at the MIAC
The Gusties finished 7-3 overall and took
Championships, highlighted by Winter’s
fourth place in the MIAC with a record
second place finish, which was the best
of 5-3. Six student-athletes earned First
place by a Gustie since 2005.
Finch (Sr., Mount Morris, IL), Zach Jakes
Men’s Cross Country
(So., North Mankato), Josh Kirk (Sr.,
The Gusties sent two runners to the
Garvin), Brice Panning (Sr., Hamburg),
NCAA Championships for the first time
Kaleb Scott (Jr., Gardena, CA), and
since 1992 as Garet Grant (So., Winona)
Michael Veldman (Jr., Becker). Finch and
took 78th and Andrew Stumbo (Jr.,
Panning were selected D3football.com
Boone, IA) finished 144th at the national
All-Region, while Finch was later named
meet. Both earned All-Region honors as
All-America honorable mention. Panning
the Gusties took seventh at the regional
also earned the College’s 115th CoSIDA
meet. The team placed fourth at the
Academic All-America honor.
MIAC Championships with Grant and
Women’s Soccer The Gusties completed the season at
Stumbo earning All-Conference honors as well.
6-12 overall and 4-7 in the MIAC. Ashley
Men’s Golf
Becker (Sr., Farmington) capped her
Through five events the Gusties never
standout career in impressive fashion,
finished lower than second, capped
becoming just the third player in
by a second-place finish at the MIAC
program history to earn All-Conference
Championships. Jacob Pedersen (So.,
honors all four seasons. She also set the
Minnetonka) took second individually
program record with 397 career saves.
and Max Ullan (Jr., Blaine) grabbed fifth
Volleyball
place, both earning All-Championship
Tierney Winter (Waterville), cross country All-American
Team honors. The Gusties are ranked No.
Men’s and Women’s Tennis
The Gusties made it to the MIAC playoffs
7 in the nation heading into the spring
Daniel Fouchier (Fy., Nootdorp,
for the sixth consecutive year with a
season.
Netherlands) and Michael O’Neil (Sr.,
7-4 record in league play and ended the
Edina) won the ITA Midwest Regional
season 14-15 overall. Kate Holtan (Jr.,
Women’s Golf
Rochester) and Hailey Embacher (Jr.,
The Gusties competed in six events
Oshkosh, Wis.) finished runner up in the
Mankato) earned All-Conference, while
during the fall and claimed sixth place
regional singles final and won his first
Holtan added AVCA All-Region and All-
at the MIAC Championships. Erin
round match at the ITA Cup to earn All-
America honorable mention honors for
Ericson (So., Onalaska, WI) received
America distinction. Ginger Valentine
the third consecutive year.
All-Championship Team accolades by
(Jr., Delano) took second at the regional
finishing sixth at the conference meet.
championships.
Women’s Cross Country
doubles title, while Indraneel Raut (So.,
the first Gustie All-American since 2006 after finishing 18th at the NCAA Championships. Winter was joined by Kourtney Kulseth (Jr., New Richland) as an All-Region performer, while the team took sixth at the regional meet.
Home Openers
Tierney Winter (Sr., Waterville) became March 22 | Baseball v. Bethany Lutheran March 28 | Softball v. Bethel April 9 | Track & Field hosts Lee Krough Invite April 19–20 | Men's Golf hosts Bobby Krig Invite * women's golf does not play at home this spring visit gustavus.edu/athletics for more.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
Team All-Conference honors: Brayton
23
FINE ARTS
The newly formed, all ages, all skill levels band performing in Bjorling Recital Hall. “We are making music in an upbeat and fun environment where students and adults can learn together,” says Mark Kruger, trumpet player and professor of psychological science.
A B A N D T H AT W E L C O M E S A L L
It’s time to dust off that old tuba.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
The newly formed Gustavus Campus
24
Brady Krusemark ’05, Mankato West
since the fourth grade. But after moving
Director of Bands and Gustavus alum,
to Saint Peter in 2010, she hadn’t found a
Band held its inaugural performance in
has been hired to lead the group. He
group that fit her schedule. She joined the
November and is on the hunt for new
says the mix of ages and backgrounds
band playing bass clarinet this fall. “My
members.
brings unique perspectives and
experience with the Gustavus Campus
The 40 piece ensemble consists
experiences to music making. “We talk
Band has reminded me of all the aspects
of Mankato-Saint Peter community
a lot about how music has the ability to
I love about playing in a band,” she
members, Gustavus faculty and staff, and
bring people together,” he says. “Our
says. “The positive attitude, dedication,
students. The idea for the band grew
members might lead very different day-
connecting with others, listening closely
out of the need for a third band due
to-day lives, but when we come together
to one another as we create a meaningful
to booming numbers in the Gustavus
to make music, it’s as if we’ve known each
piece of music.”
band program, as well as the need
other for years.”
for conducting outlets for the rapidly expanding music education major.
Lauren Hecht, associate professor in psychological science, has played clarinet
Also in the band is professor in psychological science Mark Kruger. In true multidisciplinary fashion, he brings
a wealth of experience as a horn player
Call for Artwork
to the ensemble, and his research as
The Hillstrom Museum of Art invites
a psychologist has centered on brass
artists age 18 years or older to submit
performance.
one or two works for a juried exhibition
Another key part of the ensemble
related to cancer by artists who have
is the leadership of student conductors
been affected by cancer. Serving as
and music education interns. During the
juror for the exhibition will be a former
first performance, two music education
curator of the National Gallery of Art in
majors conducted pieces, and nine music
Washington, D.C.
education interns assisted the ensemble
The exhibition, tentatively titled
by playing secondary instruments and
Cancer Never Had Me: Views by
leading sectionals. “I believe this has been
Artists, will be on view from Sep. 14
one of the best parts of this ensemble
through Nov. 8, 2020. It will be shown
experience,” Krusemark says. “It’s always
concurrently with another exhibition,
a joy to see conducting students develop
a focused showing of works in the
and find their own leadership style. We’ve
collection of the Hillstrom Museum
been able to hear their unique voices,
of Art by artists who died of cancer,
learn from their perspectives and insights,
including Grant Wood (1891-1942),
and provide a safe space for them to take
Robert Henri (1865-1929), and Wanda
on the challenge of leading an ensemble.”
Gág (1893-1946).
For those who might be hesitating
Both exhibits will be on view during
because it has been a while since they’ve
Nobel Conference 56: Cancer in the Age
tooted their own horn, Hecht encourages
of Biotechnology.
them to give it a try. “If anyone’s worried
The deadline for submission is June 1.
about their ‘chops,’ they should know
There will be cash prizes for first, second,
that for every person who has been con-
and third place works. Further guidelines
sistently playing their instrument, there
and instructions for submission are at
are just as many who haven’t played for
gustavus.edu/hillstrom.
Megan Nipe ’21 (Burnsville) in Christmas in Christ Chapel: Love Beyond Borders. Says Gustavus Chaplain Siri Rev. Siri Erickson, “The incarnation as we see it in the nativity story is an event of God’s spirit taking shape in the human body of Jesus that reveals God’s ability to transcend the boundary between heaven and earth, between spirit and flesh.”
years, and there are students learning to play a second instrument.”
into it.” Interested in joining the band? If you’re in the area, don’t hesitate to join along. The band currently has openings for all instruments. It rehearses once a week on campus. For more information, contact James Patrick Miller, Douglas Nimmo Professor of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra at jpmgwo@ gustavus.edu.
March 19-22 | Partnering with Gravity: The Gustavus Dance Company in Concert, 8 p.m. (2 p.m. on Sunday), New Laboratory Theatre March 21 | Gustavus Wind Symphony and Gustavus Chamber Winds Concert, 1:30 p.m., Bjorling Recital Hall March 29 | Choir of Christ Chapel and Lucia Singers Spring Concert, 2 p.m., Christ Chapel April 18 | Gustavus Wind Orchestra Midwest Tour Home Concert, 7 p.m., Bjorling Recital Hall April 26 | Percussion Ensemble Concert + Brassworks!, 1 p.m. + 3:30 p.m., Bjorling Recital Hall May 2 | Senior Honors Recital, 1:30 p.m., Bjorling Recital Hall May 2 | Choral Showcase (the Gustavus Choir, the Choir of Christ Chapel, and the Lucia Singers), 7:30 p.m., Bjorling Recital Hall
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
says, “and it’s never too late to get back
NEXT
Krusemark agrees. “Music-making can truly be a life-long endeavor,” he
25
When it opened in 1984, Lund Center was the jewel of the MIAC and one of the best facilities in NCAA Division III sports. It’s forward-looking design—which allowed spectators to catch gymnastics, hockey, swimming, and basketball in the same building at the same time—was unparalleled, earning it the distinction of national facility of the year. Lund was also one of the first college sports facilities in the U.S. to give equal access to men and women, which ushered in a new level of excellence for all of Gustavus athletics. “We made the institutional commitment that athletics was a way to facillitate growth and development in young people,” says Tim Kennedy ’82, who was a sports information intern at the time. (He is now vice president of marketing and communication.) And we made quite an impression on our opponents. Says Kennedy,
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
“When teams came in, their jaws dropped.”
26
Heritage
So Many Ways
to Give
YOU’D BE SURPRISED WHAT GUSTIES CAN DO. What does a herd of cattle have to do with a pipe
received as gifts in kind, meaning the College
organ? Or a grand piano with a load of grain?
can put them directly to use on campus. This
The answer is: All of these things have
was the case recently with the pipe organ and
great value. And all of these can be donated
grand piano. With other forms of property,
to Gustavus.
Gustavus goes through proper channels to sell
Like other non-profit organizations,
the items and then puts the proceeds to use,
Gustavus can accept gifts of tangible personal
in accordance with both the donor’s wishes
property and real estate. Sometimes, items are
and the College’s needs.
Gustavus cannot accept everything that
portfolios. Imagine, a farmer points to
is offered, however, even items appraised
the last truck of corn leaving his property
to have significant worth. The College
at harvest time and says, “That’s for the
archive is regularly offered artifacts that
College.” There are many ways to give.
are believed to have historical value, but it
If you have an asset that you think might
has strict rules on what it can accept. It’s
have value for Gustavus, contact the
the same with the Office of Advancement.
Office of Advancement. We will work to
Gustavus has accepted farmland and
find an arrangement that is beneficial to
lake cabins, office buildings and stock
you and beneficial to the College.
PLANNING YOUR PHILANTHROPY You meet with your accountant at tax time. You consult a financial planner to prepare for retirement. When it’s time to update your will, you turn to an attorney. But what about your philanthropic giving? More than 60 percent of people who donate say they would like to give more. Their biggest concerns are finding out if increased philanthropy can fit within their personal finances and making sure their gifts will have real impact. There are professionals who can answer those questions. Just as accountants, attorneys, and financial planners help manage our money, gift planners can provide expert advice on how to maximize our giving. The first lesson in charitable giving is that it can take many forms—each with its advantages for the donor
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
and for the recipient. Here are the most common ways that alumni and friends of Gustavus support the College.
28
CASH
PROPERTY
PLANNED GIFTS
When we think of
Donations of real estate
Planned gifts in your
charitable giving,
can be remarkably flexible
estate and retirement plans
what first comes to mind is writing a
in serving the needs of both the
establish your philanthropic
check. Gifts by check and credit card
College and the donors. Gifts can
legacy. The options are varied—with
go to work immediately, especially to
provide income for you and provide
some providing reliable income to you
the Gustavus Fund.
long-term benefit to the College.
as well as a promised gift to Gustavus.
DONOR ADVISED FUND
IRA DISTRIBUTION
STOCKS
A popular way to give
If you are over age 70½,
gifts of appreciated stock.
is through your donor
you can make a qualified
Donating stock can provide
advised fund. Your contributions grow
charitable distribution from your
greater tax advantages than giving
in a managed account, just like a mutual
IRA. A direct transfer to Gustavus
cash, and the proceeds from the stock
fund. You decide where and how much
can count toward your required
sales can be directed to specific
to donate.
minimum distribution.
programs at the College.
Will
Gustavus regularly receives
WH Y I G IVE :
Kaela Poepping Cusack ’05 “NOW I AM ABLE TO GIVE MORE, AND MY COMPANY KICKS IN WITH A MATCH.”
Looking back at how Gustavus prepared me for my career, I appreciate that my education was so well rounded. I have fond memories of “Zen & Japanese Culture” and “God Today”–– two unrelated classes that broadened my perspective on life. My
Cusack earned her degree in communication studies at
current job blends art and science, in that I have to think criti-
Gustavus and her MBA at Butler University. She has worked
cally about data but also hypothesize around what the data says
for Adobe for more than a decade and now serves as a
and how to act on it. Thanks to my major in communication
Solution Consultant specializing in business analytics. Kaela
studies, I had plenty of practice writing, speaking, and working
lives in Indianapolis with her husband and two children.
in groups, which are critical skills in the workplace. Because college was such an influential and pivotal time in my life, it’s only natural that Gustavus was one of the first places I
“earn” charitable contributions by volunteering. For every 10
gave to after graduation. I didn’t contribute a lot (maybe $25 or
hours of time I serve, I am awarded $250, which I can direct to
$50 per year), but I wanted to get in the practice of writing that
any organization of my choosing.
check. Charitable giving was something my parents had instilled
I also look for other opportunities to stay connected with
Giving is something I am so passionate about. Adobe is a
Gustie alum who lives around the corner from me. Our kids are
phenomenal company to work for, and they are extremely gen-
about the same age and we both work remotely, so we meet up
erous and encouraging of philanthropic involvement. Not only
weekly to get away from our home offices. We’ve even orga-
do they match my donations dollar for dollar, but I can also
nized events together for the local alumni chapter.
TOP GUSTIE EMPLOYERS AND THEIR MATCHING PROGRAMS Company
Max Dollar for Dollar Match
EACH YEAR, U.S. COMPANIES DONATE $2 TO $3 BILLION—
UnitedHealth Group
up to $5,000
to match charitable giving by their
US Bank
$1,000
3M
$1,000
at such companies ever submit
Ameriprise
$1,500
a request. This means an estimated $4 to $7 billion in
Thrivent
$20,000
matching funds are left on the table each year. Some two-
General Mills
$1,000
thirds of Fortune 500 companies have matching programs.
Cargill
$1,000
Many require a minimum donation of only $25. Does your
Medtronic
$5,000
company have one? Ask.
employees and retirees. Yet only seven percent of eligible donors
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
Gustavus, even here in Indianapolis. Recently, I discovered a
in me growing up.
29
WH Y I G IVE :
Jon Kietzer “ALTHOUGH I WAS NEVER A STUDENT AT GUSTAVUS, I HAVE BEEN A FAN FOR YEARS.“
I went to a couple of nearby colleges—Martin Luther College and Mankato State University––and then to the University of Iowa for my master’s. After finishing my graduate degree, I got a job as organist at House of Prayer, a Lutheran church in Richfield with a lot of Gusties. I also filled in as interim organist at Gustavus for David Fienen, when he took sabbaticals. I experienced chapel services, life on campus, the Gustavus community. As I always say, Chaplain Elvee converted me to Gustieism. It was wonderful working with him. When I was a young guy starting out in the business, Elvee taught me a lot about music and worship. It was during this time, in conversations with Chaplain Elvee, that I decided to endow the cantor position at Christ Chapel. The cantor is the person who leads the assembly of believers in song. Being an organist, I’m a little biased, but I think the organ is the best instrument to lead worship. I like guitars on Saturday night, and on Sunday morning I like the organ. I first wrote my intention for the cantor position into my will. But then, about 10 years ago, I did some more serious estate planning. My dad had been a farmer, but he didn’t want me to be a farmer. Instead, he encouraged my musical interests. He did leave me his land, though, distributed over five different farms.
Kietzer joined the staff of House of Prayer in 1973, where he
When I first started my estate planning, I created a charitable
still serves as organist. He’s held leadership roles in various
remainder trust with the College. A year ago, I did that a second
national organizations as well as Gustavus Friends of Music.
time. There are still two farms left that will ultimately go to fund the endowment. Ultimately, the whole purpose of creating this endowed position is to ensure the tradition of the cantor and organ.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
Worship based in hymns is less subject to the fleeting styles of the
30
I wanted my giving to go to something related to church music, and I have had a great connection to Gustavus. This was the place. I knew that Gustavus would welcome the gift, and that it would be put to good use. —Jon Kietzer
day. Hymns don’t always have to be old, but they do have to have substance and sustenance, not just emotion. As I was sitting in Christ Chapel recently, I was reminded why this is important. To see all the students; to hear the brass, the choir, the soloist, the student organist. Everything was there. You can do new and creative things with hymns, but they have a historical substance that has lasted for thousands of years. In making my gift, I hope this kind of worship continues for years ahead at Gustavus.
THE WORLD’S CHALLENGES, A SENSE OF PURPOSE, AND US President Bergman unpacks the concept of vocation and how discerning it is our college’s calling card.
In your introduction to the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan, you state that Gustavus is “an institution committed to vocation.” What does that mean? RB: To me it has a bit of calling and a bit of purpose combined with the will to embrace both. How that manifests itself in life is not always simple. Think about the complexity of this for a 60-year-old, who has had a lot of lived experience and opportunities for discernment. Now think about how much more complex the process is for an 18-year-old. Still, the concept of vocation can be well understood when you take time to unpack it. It is clear in the two-pronged promise of our vision statement: We equip students to lead purposeful lives.
MEET PRESIDENT BERGMAN
We equip them to act on the great challenges of our time.
She’s excited to talk to Gusties about how they can show the world what Gustavus is and what it can be.
How does Gustavus guide students toward understanding and developing their vocations? RB: Magic happens when a student’s interests, passions, and callings—and the world’s needs—come together. At Gustavus, a student will fall in love with a new discipline. A faculty member will help them dive deeper into its context in today’s world. An
Visit gustavus.edu/showtheworld for more details. Washington DC April 20
Wilmar June 23
New York City April 21
Sioux Falls June 24
Boston April 22–23
Duluth June 29
St. Cloud June 22
Brainerd June 30
alum will connect them with others doing related work. Student organizations and student employment provide practice and experience. All of these things take initiative and self-reflection
of us, when we look back 10, 20, 30 years, we can see the paths
on a student’s part—discernment around their gifts, passions,
we traversed include side roads and intersections and forks. In my
opportunities, and greater purpose in serving the world. What we
own life I have been a biomedical engineer, a business executive,
do here at Gustavus is plant the seeds of that journey and give it
a mom, a volunteer, and a college president, immersed in the
space to grow.
disciplines of engineering, medicine, education, and business.
How does the concept of vocation relate to the liberal
major challenge in the world require innovative, creative thought
arts?
between disciplines. The way to appreciate those disciplines is to
RB: There’s a road that connects our college majors with our
immerse yourself in them. The world needs leaders who can come
current lives, but that road is usually not a straight line. For most
from multiple perspectives. That’s what Gustavus produces.
In the Lutheran tradition, VOCATION
IS OUR CALLING WITHIN OUR SITUATION IN LIFE.
It refers to more than our occupation and includes the personal, communal, and historical relationships, situations, and involvements in which we live today. (edited from the Journal of Lutheran Ethics, “Luther on Vocation” by Marc Kolden)
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
The world is multidisciplinary. Full stop. Solutions to every
31
2019–20 ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
G USTIES REUNION WEEKEND
Kara Buckner ’97, (president), managing director and chief strategy officer, Fallon
JUNE 5–7, 2020
J.C. Anderson ’82, partner/attorney, Gray Plant Mooty
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), trial attorney and assistant to the Chicago regional solicitor of labor
Rick Barbari ’91, head of enterprise data management, US Bank
Welcome back, Class of ’55, ’60, ’65, ’70, ’75, ’80, ’85, ’90, ’95, ’00, ’05, ’10, AND ’15
Mark Bergman ’79, president/owner, Bercom International Mary Booker ’91, assistant vice provost– student financial services, University of San Francisco
Come and immerse yourself in all things Gustavus as we welcome you back to relive your time on the hill. Reunion Weekend is a time to reminisce about the Gustavus you remember, with the classmates you remember. It’s time to celebrate your Gustavus.
Jen Brandenburg ’02, pharmacist, Abbott Northwestern Hospital 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
WHAT YOU’LL DO ON CAMPUS • Gather with fellow classmates at class-specific dinners and events • Engage with current Gustie student ambassadors • Spend the night in the dorms (maybe even with your first-year roommate) • Visit your old study haunts in academic buildings (and some new ones, too) • Sit in on lectures from faculty members • Hang in the Caf, eat Ma Young’s rye bread and frost-your-owns • Track down all of the Granlund pieces • Take a stroll—or run a 5K—through the Arb • Learn by doing: yoga, dance, cooking, kickball • Go to a Dive dance • Sing in the Alumni Choir, and remember and celebrate those who have been lost • Visit downtown Saint Peter, and attend a community concert there —and more
28 32
Alumni Association
Todd Krough ’85, senior investment officer, Tealwood Asset Management Damon Larson ’84, librarian/research coach, Chaparral High School Bill Laumann ’66, school teacher/librarian, Albert Lea ISD #241, retired
Register now gustavus.edu/reunionweekend Discounted packages are available until March 31. All meals, snacks, programmed activities, and transportation are included in programming fees. Half-day block pricing is also available for Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday evening, and Sunday. It’s all about choosing your own adventure. Stay Connected Facebook: /gustavusalumni
Jason Mischel ’96, vice president of sales and marketing, Valley Queen Cheese John Moorhead ’68, co-owner, Lindskoog Florist, retired 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 Gordon Mansergh ’84, (immediate past president), senior behavioral scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Twitter: @gustiealum #gogusties #whygustavus
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
GUSTIES
MY GUSTAVUS MATT RASMUSSEN ’98 "STUDYING AND WRITING LITERATURE FELT SUPERFLUOUS, LIKE A HOBBY. AT GUSTAVUS, I LEARNED IT WAS MY PASSION."
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
I was a hockey player jock in high school, and I wanted to play in college. When I applied to Gustavus, I included a poem in my application. I don’t know why. Maybe I thought I wasn’t smart enough to get in. I wanted to present myself as a Renaissance Man of sorts. I knew Gustavus had poets. I wanted to be a computer science major. I took a J-term course in supercomputing and we had to simulate a triple pendulum. The math involved was so beyond me. But I was doing really well in poetry classes. I met poets Joyce Sutphen and Phil Bryant (’73) and John Rezmerski and Bill Holm (’65). Bill was so cool. I couldn’t believe it was him, in our classroom, just chatting with us! But I was failing computer science. I got so behind and terrible at things that I just stopped going, thinking that would solve the problem. In hindsight, failing was a way to get on record that I didn’t like it. My parents saw being a poet as a side thing. But mostly it was in my own mind, this idea that I had to enter a field that was “promising.” At Gustavus, something changed in me about writing and literature. I don’t know if I would have had that change if I didn’t have that close relationship with Phil and Joyce and Rez and Will Freiert. Their support continued even after I graduated. When I didn’t know if I would go to grad school for poetry, I contacted Phil and Joyce. And now I am teaching here, so it pretty much defines who I am.(Editor’s note: Rasmussen’s award-winning book of poetry, Black Aperture, was named a “Best Book of the Decade” by the Star Tribune. The independent poetry press he founded, Birds, LLC, is now in its 10th year. Its books have also received numerous awards.) I see my First-Term Seminar students and they are like, I have to decide what I’m going to be for the rest of my life! I say, not really. Students who are having trouble at home, who are struggling with grades, feeling like they’re not motivated, sometimes they think of that as fatal to their lives. I tell them, stuff happens at college. I failed classes and I’m fine. I’m okay.
33
GUSTIES
50|
Chuck Pelzl, Pine River, is a retired physician from Pine & Lakes Clinic.
53|
Inga Carlson Nelson, Fergus Falls, is still teaching community education classes at age 87. Marilyn Bloom Taylor, Cave Junction, OR, and husband, Charles, celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary in August.
55|
Janet Fallstrom Engelmann, Burnsville, is a selfemployed piano teacher.
56|
Bob Erickson, Chanhassen, who is a semi-retired, adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas who has just finished writing Gustavus Men’s Swim History 1927–1977 with the help of current Gustavus coach, Jon Carlson ’88.
59| GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
Carol Hansen Johns, Webster, SD, is owner of The Church Mouse.
34
60|
Joanne Hedlof Merta, Edina, retired as a public service assistant at the Hennepin County Library.
65|
V. Delight Licklider Byrd, Omaha, NE, is serving on the Immanuel Board of
Directors and Immanuel Vision Foundation Board. Barbara Schwartz Darr, Redwood Falls, is a retired teacher for the Redwood Area School District. Nancy Swinehart, Guelph, ON, Canada, is a retired teacher for the University of Guelph.
67|
Kate Pearson Halverson, Lake City, has retired from her interior design career and teaching.
68|
John E. Ahlstrom, St. Paul, is sports editor for St. Paul Voice and the South St. Paul Voice newspapers. Carl Zaar, Franklin, WI, a Vietnam War veteran, was selected for a Stars and Stripes Honor flight to DC in October 2019.
69|
Mike Bussey, Woodbury, received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Minnetonka High School Alumni Association. Mike was the former director of the Jerusalem International YMCA during the start of the Gulf War. Under Mike’s leadership, it was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. (Bussey received a Distinguished Alumni Citation from Gustavus in 1998.) John J. Eisinger, Carmel Valley, CA, is an orthodontist in private practice.
70|
Connie M. Ericson, Arlington, VA, retired as an attorney for Kaye Scholer Law Firm. Ken Nordlie, Bloomington, has retired from his position as revenue tax specialist for the Minnesota Department of Revenue. Glen Thorsander, Golden Valley, is a retired art director and manager.
71|
Dave Miller, Inverness, FL, is semi-retired and works as a consultant for DEP, FEMA, and OSHA, monitoring local businesses. He recently returned from Costa Rica where he volunteered teaching at Glory Christian School in San Pedro de Barva.
73|
Brenda Footh Duyan, San Francisco, CA, is a retired administrative associate for Presidio Hill School.
74|
Carol Koenig Guler, Mandan, ND, is a retired registered nurse from MedCenter One Mental Health Center. Nancy Egeberg Kukovich, Harrison City, PA, is the chief operating officer for Adelphoi, which helps abused, neglected, and delinquent at-risk youth.
75|
Tom Holman, Minneapolis, has retired from his job as a housing programs specialist.
Richard A. Kiekhaefer, Lester Prairie, has retired as a veterinarian and partner of the Lester Prairie Veterinary Clinic. Sue Mold McMurchie, Apple Valley, retired as a special education teacher for the Apple Valley School District. Nona Niemeier, Eagle Lake, has retired from Emergency Medical Services at South Central College in North Mankato.
76|
Rev. Ted Kunze, Saint Peter, is a chaplain at Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato, an organization providing a variety of services and living options for seniors. Tim Schuetzle, Mandan, ND, was recently inducted into the New Ulm School Dist. 88 Hall of Fame for his position as warden and director of prisons for North Dakota as well as a criminal justice associate professor at the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND.
77|
Janet Soderling Erickson, Monticello, is retired from her position as director of transformation ministries for Community of Hope Lutheran Church.
78|
Harley Hanson, Grand Rapids, has retired from his position as North Shore Parks resource specialist with the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
79|
Brian Engel, McGregor, is retired from Aon Benfield as senior managing director. Michael Leirdahl, Minnetonka, is a partner for Seifert Leirdahl Associates.
80|
Betty Bender, Forest Lake, has been a nurse anesthetist at Nurse Anesthesia Services, PA, for 39 years. Tanya Bransford, Minneapolis, a District Court Judge at the State of Minnesota, received the President’s Award from the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers at the annual Scholarship Gala in November. Kris Wanha Knetsch, St. Paul, is a school social worker at Ramsey Middle School, part of St. Paul Public Schools. Diann Fangmeier Marten, Saint Peter, is retired from South Central College where she was a chemistry instructor. Mark Mohwinkel, Hudson, WI, retired after 36 years with 3M as an engineering specialist in contamination control. He continues to play trombone in the Bend in the River Big Band and the East Metro Symphony Orchestra.
81|
Twila J. Brase, St. Paul, is president and cofounder at Citizens’
82|
Cathy Strohm Horton, Hendersonville, NC, is Chair of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management for Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
83|
Carrie Berge, Wyoming, is the senior program lead, regulatory affairs at Johnson & Johnson – Sterilmed in Plymouth. Joel Garrison, Monroe,
WA, is assistant principal at Park Place Middle School and athletic director for middle level sports in the Monroe School District, Washington. Thomas Marks, Eagan, is president and chief executive officer of Jobbers Warehouse Supply. Scott Winter, Farmington Hills, MI, received his master’s in education from Wayne State University in May 2019 and is an adjunct faculty member at Wayne State in instructional design.
84|
Julie Anderson Wawczak, Roselle, IL, is office manager for Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Schaumburg, IL.
85|
Kim DevineJohnson, Minneapolis, is a pediatric physical therapist at Children’s Minnesota. Trudy Fredin, Savage, is a self-employed physical therapist. Tom T. Johnson, Excelsior, is a national account executive for Links Unlimited. Ed Flathers, Minneapolis, is an executive assistant, office of the chairman at US Bank. Sara B. Hansen, Commerce City, CO, is the managing editor/director for LadyBoss Weight Loss. Mark Kruger, Highlands Ranch, CO, has been promoted to vice president,
86|
THE LIBERAL ARTS RETIREMENT THESE EMERITI PROFESSORS EXPLORE NEW WAYS TO LEARN AND MAKE.
DOUG NIMMO PROFESSOR EMERITUS, MUSIC, AND FORMER CONDUCTOR OF THE GUSTAVUS WIND ORCHESTRA His passion for furniture design and building was forged from necessity—as a young husband and father without much money, the best way to get new furniture was to make it himself. Today it is the act of building beyond a blueprint that excites him. “The most fulfilling creativity involves the creation of a piece that is my own design—when everything about the process is completely new.” Furniture art differs from his previous work as a music conductor and professor in that it is solitary, touchable, and immediately present. What the acts share, he says, is that when best rendered, “music and furniture are imbued with a profound level of expressive content, so that those who encounter it come to know the experience of life, or how life feels, in a deeper and more meaningful manner.” northlightartfurniture.com
MAX HAILPERIN PROFESSOR EMERITUS, MATH, COMPUTER SCIENCE, AND STATISTICS He’s become known for his blog All of Minneapolis, documenting his efforts to walk every block in the city. He’s also a lead child care volunteer at Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, helping to provide respite care for children ages zero through six. Both activities require in-the-moment presence. With the kids, “I feel fully alive,” he says, “engaging my heart, mind, and body as I strive to understand and meet their needs.” Walking Minneapolis, “provides the slow pace needed to pay attention to the places I pass through. Knowing that I’ll blog about those places disciplines me to actually pay attention.” He’s grown in these endeavors, even as he remains his professor self. Planning routes without duplication is, he says, “a classic computer science problem.” His approach with preschoolers is what it was with Gustavus students: “The question is not whether they can or can’t do something, but rather whether they already have learned to do it or haven’t learned yet.” allofminneapolis.com
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
Council for Health Freedom. She has written the book, Big Brother in the Exam Room: The Dangerous Truth About Electronic Health Records. The book has received awards from Readers Views Literary Awards and the Midwest Independent Publishing Association, among others. Michael Granaas, Vermillion, SD, is director of human factors graduate training in the psychology department at the University of South Dakota. David R. Hakensen, Minnetonka, has been awarded the Paul M. Lund Public Service Award from the Public Relations Society of America. The award honors a PRSA member whose participation as a volunteer in public activities has increased the common good and reflected credit on the organization. It was presented at the PRSA 2019 International Conference.
35
GUSTIES
human resources and employment law for Ardent Mills.
87|
Kristi S. Multhaup, Davidson, NC, is Vail professor of psychology and chair of the psychology department at Davidson College.
88|
Jeffrey J. Jibben, Saint Bonifacius, is an online full-time professor in the College of Theology for Grand Canyon University. Gregory Peterson, Rochester, is the owner and writer of MachineryPete. com, the fastest growing and largest marketplace for used farm equipment.
89|
Michelle MattsonWeiss, Lino Lakes, is a treasurer for Shafer Contracting Co. Inc. Steve Nelson, Long Lake, is an orthodontist at Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
90|
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Eric Dorzinski, New Prague, was inducted into the New Prague High School Athletics Hall of Fame. Heidi Kennedy Manning, Dallas, TX, is Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Misericordia University, Dallas, TX. She was a visiting research scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in 2006 and again in 2012–13, Manning participated in the development of the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument
suite for the Mars Science Laboratory - Curiosity Rover and in the data analysis from that instrument. Laura Bonkoski Nixon, Portland, OR, is an elementary principal at the Centennial School District in Gresham, OR. Melissa Bruninga Ryckman, Columbia, TN, is an associate professor of history and director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, TN.
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Sue AlmenWhittaker, Iowa City, IA, is an instructor in the English as a Second Language Program at the University of Iowa. Per-Johan Berger, Englewood, CO, is chief marketing officer at Berger Marketing Group. Eric Holtan, Tucson, AZ, director of True Concord Voices & Orchestra, released a new Christmas CD in November, True Concord: Carols in the American Voice, inspired by True Concord’s annual Lessons & Carols by Candlelight concerts performed in the Tucson area.
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Shannon Bauer, Zumbrota, is pastor for Wangen Prairie Lutheran Church. Kathy Bonnifield, Minneapolis, was recently inducted into the New Ulm School Dist. 88 Hall of
Fame for being an advocate for social justices. She has worked for various organizations, including the Peace Corps, McKnight Foundation, and the Center for Victims of Torture. Jason Haugen, Boise, ID, is president and CEO of Pinnacle Integrated Medicine. Sara Marvin, Annadale, NJ, is a self-employed psychologist in New Jersey. Bill Radloff, Le Sueur, is a rural mail carrier. Jacqueline Pallo Rennwald, Two Harbors, is a high school teacher for Two Harbors High School.
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Shannon Andreson, Minnetonka, was elected to the Hopkins ISD #270 School Board in the November 2019 election. Beth Wiberg Barbosa, St. Paul, is a named partner in the law firm of Gilbert Alden Barbosa.
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Leslie Anderson, New Braunfels, TX, is teaching adaptive physical education at Comal School District in Texas. Jess Langerud, Cypress, CA, is a director of transformative technology at Providence St. Joseph Health in Anaheim, CA.
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Jill Buhse Anderson, Minneapolis, is the senior vice president of sales for Lionsgate Films.
Michael G. Waldhauser, Kensington, MD, starred in the December production of Peter Pan & Wendy at The Shakespeare Theatre Center in Washington, DC.
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Robert Castille, Arlington, VA, is the tennis coach at George Washington University. Stacey Olson Huebner, Colorado Springs, CO, is the K-12 coordinator of assessment and student achievement at Cheyenne Mountain School District. Andy Peterson, Virginia, was appointed by Gov. Tim Walz as a District Court Judge in the Sixth Judicial District. Aneka J. Swanson, Minneapolis, is an air program strategic coordinator at Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Amy Eggers Dunlop, Wayzata, is a stay-at-home mom.
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Heather Boyd Marx, Blaine, is an attorney with Cozen O’Connor, which focuses on domestic and international clients with strategies for foreign-based manufacturing, import, and distribution of goods.
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Sarah Lampi Kidwell, Plainfield, IL, is the program planner at Will County Center for Community Concerns in Joliet.
Linda Lanz, Wheaton, IL, is a visiting assistant professor and computational linguist at the College of William and Mary and works for Interactive Intelligence as a computational linguist. Krissa Skogen, Highland Park, IL, is a conservation scientist at the Chicago Botanic Garden and adjunct professor at Northwestern University. She will join 100 women in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine) to embark on a voyage to Antarctica this November, the largest such expedition in history. The expedition is the culmination of a year long global leadership training program for women in STEMM called Homeward Bound.
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Angela DeGreeff Follett, Plymouth, a principal and patent attorney with Fish & Richardson, has been named a 2019 Up & Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer, which honors young attorneys who have distinguished themselves through professional accomplishment and community leadership. Martin Kaduc, Seattle, WA, is co-founder of Kambr, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, a software solutions company for the airline industry.
Anne Freier Freirose, Greeley, CO, is a registered nurse, having earned her bachelors of science degree from Western Governors University.
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Joshua Carter, Minneapolis, was recently named director of digital and social marketing for Tunheim, Bloomington. Jamie Lind MacFarlane, Two Harbors, is co-owner and chief financial manager/ events coordinator for Castle Danger Brewery and a third-generation resort owner of Castle Haven Cabins in Duluth.
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Karen Martinson Cherwien, Batesville, AR, is a first-year adviser at Lyon College. Adam Cornell, Excelsior, is director of circular economy for Land O’ Lakes. Andy Cramblit, Kasota, is self-employed at Mankato Valley Seed and Mankato Valley Remodeling. Sarah Lippert, Chicago, IL, is a student affairs administrator in the Department of Geophysical Sciences at University of Chicago.
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Emma Jordan Mohr, Madison, WI, is an assistant professor for the department of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Elizabeth Wojahn Feltes, Sioux Falls, SD,
won the Solo Voice SemiProfessional competition at the North American Festival of Wales in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She performed “Gweddi y Pechadur (The Sinner’s Prayer)” by Morfydd Owenand and “Mein glaubiges Herze, frohlocke” by J.S. Bach. Her accompanist was Karen Jones Wojahn ’79. She will compete in the National Eisteddfod in Wales in August 2020.
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Miah Cherwien, Batesville, AR, is the associate director of administrative computing at Lyon College. Mike Leonard, Lakeville, is a middle school physical education and health teacher for Eastern Carver County School Dist. #112.
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Curtis R. Anderson, Circle Pines, is a senior information security manager at Allianz in Minneapolis. Eleanor Bash, Calgary, AB, Canada, completed her PhD in glaciology in September at the University of Calgary. Taylor Beahrs, North Mankato, is an orthopedic surgeon for the Mayo Health System.
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Riley Hoffman, Richfield, is a physical education and health teacher.
THE LIBERAL ARTS RETIREMENT THESE EMERITI PROFESSORS EXPLORE NEW WAYS TO LEARN AND MAKE.
ELLIS JONES ’52 PROFESSOR EMERITUS, ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT, AND FORMER ASSOCIATE DEAN His is a passion his mother gave to him when he was eight years old: knitting. He quit in high school but picked it up eight years ago while recovering from surgery. His specialty is lap robes—48 five-inch squares sewn together, with each lap robe containing about 35,000 stiches. Each item takes about three weeks to complete. Jones has given away more than 100 of these lap robes. “I knit every day,” he says. “It’s therapeutic and relaxing and can be done easily. Since I generally give away what I make, I think it brings a measure of joy to those who receive the items.”
MARY SOLBERG PROFESSOR EMERITA, RELIGION She took classes in stained glass art 12 years ago and has never stopped. “It requires a kind of patience I seem to have, and an attention to detail my former students will not be surprised to know I also have.” Solberg enjoys every aspect of the process of creating stained glass art—from choosing the glass to cutting, grinding, foiling, soldering, and holding the finished creation up to the light. It’s very different from her previous work as a professor. “I didn’t realize I was an artist—a creative artist—until I found stained glass.” Still, former students should know she is still as full of questions, curiosity, and a passion for justice as ever. You can see her work in the Melva Lind Interpretive Center in the Linnaeus Arboretum. sunmountainstainedglass.com
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
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Matija Novakovic, Houston, TX, is an assistant professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Andrew Offerman, Chaska, has been promoted to vice president of racing operations at Canterbury Park in Shakopee.
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GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
Elias Anoszko, Rhinelander, WI, is a Vallier Treehaven resident ecologist at UWStevens Point Treehaven Field Station. Chris Caldwell, Rochester, is employed by Trader Joe’s. Luke Garrison, Goodyear, AZ, is executive producer at ABC15 News in Phoenix, AZ. In September he was honored with his sixth regional Emmy Award for Best News Producer in the Rocky Mountain District. Sam Schwartz, Edina, is an electrical engineer for Boston Scientific. Scott Slarks, Tulsa, OK, is an assistant athletic director of communications at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa. Nathaniel Swenson, Evanston, IL, is a senior consultant with Beghou Consulting.
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Emily Allex, Fountain City, WI, is working as a hospitalist at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI. Sarah Betzler, Madison, WI, is a virologist at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Katie DeSantis, Minneapolis, is working for Hennepin County’s Office to End Homelessness as a case management assistant and attending the University of Minnesota for a master’s in public affairs. Kirsten Thisius Guentzel, Saint Peter, was named elementary physical education teacher of the year by Minnesota Society of Health and Physical Educators (MNSHAPE). Alex Messenger, Wayzata, is a marketing communications specialist at St. Luke’s Hospital. He has written a book about being attacked by a grizzly bear while on a canoe trip in the Canadian tundra, titled The Twenty-Ninth Day. Luke Paquin, Minneapolis, completed his MBA from Augsburg University in May. Colin Smith, Robbinsdale, is a software consultant for Solution Design Group.
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Keisha Bates, Lanham, MD, is in a doctorate of nursing practice program in the family nurse practitioner specialty. Laura Hinderaker Christian, Victoria, Australia, works for Stitch Fix. Nadvia Davis, Minneapolis, self-published a children’s book called Grant Practices Math with Manners.
Ashley Debilzen, St. Paul, is a development manager at J Murphy and Associates. Sam Grace, Bloomington, IN, is in a doctoral studies program in choral conducting at Indiana University.
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Ethan Bjelland, Minneapolis, works as a Norwegian Language Instructor for Concordia Language Villages and for Mindekirken Norwegian Language & Culture Program. Abbey Burkel, Eagan, is an interior designer for Firm Ground Architects & Engineers. Maria Fish, Minneapolis, is a university recruiting specialist for Cargill. Jen Fox, Hastings, works in communications, marketing, sales, and distribution for Spiral Brewery. Peter Larsen, Mora, is a biology teacher and head Nordic ski coach at Mora High School. Megan Hoeft, Columbia, SC, is director of volleyball operations at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. Kevin Scott, Coon Rapids, is a company commander for the U.S. Army. Laura Westlund, Saint Louis Park, is a pharmacist for Prime Therapeutics.
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Nicole Amegashie, Brooklyn Park, is a
laboratory services scientist for National Marrow Donor Program. Michael Asmus, Gaylord, is finishing a doctorate in musical arts at Stony Brook University and is the founder of the early-music ensemble LaGrande Bande. Ashley Hansen Asuncion, Richfield, is an environmental specialist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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Kristina Ericksen, Minneapolis, is the senior marketing writer for Perforce Software. Sam Luby, Inver Grove Heights, is director of college counseling at Three W International in Beijing, China.
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Brent Chouanard, Hermantown, received his master’s in natural resources and a certificate in environmental education from the University of Idaho. Ben Elvestrom, Minneapolis, is a strategic account executive at SPS Commerce. Kristian Hartmann, Superior, WI, received his master’s of education from the College of St. Scholastica and a Minnesota teaching license. Rachel Scharf Husmann, New Hope, is a resident physician with Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis. Andrew Kendall, Baton Rouge, LA, is a graduate
student at Louisiana State University and employed by First United Methodist Church. Elizabeth Kendall, Baton Rouge, LA, is a teacher at East Baton Rouge Public Schools. John McLean Jr., Eagan, is an assistant coach for the Pensacola Ice Flyers, a junior hockey league. McLean played for the Ice Flyers for three years after college. Matt Spoden, Pierre, SD, graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul in May and was installed as the pastor of Resurrection Lutheran Church in August. Nick Ulen, Chicago, IL, graduated summa cum laude from Illinois Institute of Technology, ChicagoKent College of Law.
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Rebecca Burnham, Vadnais Heights, is a teacher with the Orono School District. Kelsey Harms, Saint Louis Park, graduated with a doctorate in physical therapy from Mayo School of Physical Therapy and is now working in outpatient ortho and neuro physical therapy in the Twin Cities. Travis Sigafoos, Minneapolis, is a bilingual legal services specialist for Hennepin County. Joel Stremmel, Seattle, WA, is a senior data scientist at Optum.
Liliana Benge Briggs, Duluth, teaches art at Duluth Edison Charter Schools and received the 2019 Rookie of the Year Award from the Minnesota Art Educators. Brina Bergland, Ellendale, is the systems coordinator for the Zumbro River Brand. Peter Bode, Fairmont, is the planner and code enforcement technician for the City of Fairmont. Coursey Edwards, Minneapolis, is a registered nurse in the Family Birth Center at Park Nicollet/ Methodist Hospital. William Jones, Hopkins, is a graduate student at the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences studying biomedical engineering. Tanner Olson, San Francisco, CA, is a dental student at the University of California, San Francisco. Carley Sager, Savage, is a registered nurse for Fairview Health Services. Ray Sajulga, Chaska, is a bioinformatic scientist for Be The Match/National Marrow Donor Program and a researcher at the University of Minnesota. Adam Sienczak, Duluth, is an area sales manager for Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles. Branson Wetmore, Chanhassen, is in his second year of graduate school for physical therapy at the University of Jamestown in North Dakota.
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Chandra Bouma Edholm, Minneapolis, is in medical school at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. David Edholm, Minneapolis, works in sales for Infor in St. Paul. Joseph Huff, Fort Worth, TX, manages corporate sales for the Southwestern Division of American Airlines. August Moehrke, Duluth, is opening an exhibit of his work in New York City. Savannah Seiter, Duluth, is in medical school at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
WEDDINGS Marge Lund Kinney ’58 and Paul Borg ’58, 06/29/19 Jennifer Halluska ’88 and Mark Meuffels, 06/07/19, Mayer Katherine Youngdahl ’97 and Otis Frampton, 07/21/18, St. Paul Jake Hagedorn ’01 and M. J. Bach, 07/27/19, St. Cloud Abigail Simon ’04 and Rob Kelley, 08/17/19, Coon Rapids Martha Diedrichsen ’04 and James Mason, 07/27/19, Fort Collins, CO Eleanor Bash ’07 and Brad Cooke, 07/20/19, Calgary, AB, Canada Abby Chapman ’09 and Shawn Little, 10/18/19, St. Paul Sam Schwartz ’09 and Eliese Schwartz, 09/21/19, Edina
Bridget Burtzel ’09 and Andrew Woitas ’10, 08/09/19, Eden Prairie Sandra Walker ’12 and Kyle Kirsch, 09/09/19, Duluth Rebekkah Steinwand ’12 and Justin Mouw, 06/07/19, Sioux Falls, SD Andrew A. Schmitt ’12 and Tasha Ostendorf ’13, 09/14/19, Richfield Matt Van Fossen ’12 and McKenna Jones ’15, 08/10/19, Mankato Ashley Hansen ’13 and Timothy Asuncion, 08/01/19, Richfield Renee Hoppe ’14 and Cory Hoffmann, 06/24/17, Wyoming Kara Peterson ’14 and Alex Lecy, Minneapolis Rachel Smetana ’14 and Dane Knudsen ’14, 08/18/18, Minneapolis Haley Totzke ’14 and Justin Engmark, Wyoming Kelly Thotland ’15 and Christopher Kelly ’15, 08/17/19, Edina Emily Albrecht ’16 and Jack Anderson ’16, 10/05/18, Rogers Rebecca Owens ’16 and Mackenzie Burnham ’16, 07/27/19, Vadnais Heights Gavin Egersett ’16 and Alyssa Maxson ’16, 08/24/19, Savage Shiloh Landskov ’16 and Zachary Haugen, 08/17/19, Waconia Ashley Welp ’16 and Jordan Wilmes, 08/04/18, Saint Peter
David Edholm ’18 and Chandra Bouma ’18, 07/13/19, Minneapolis
BIRTHS Holden, to Daniel DeCamp ’99 and Heidi L. Gruenhagen ’06, 03/16/18 Henrik, to Dan Gustafson ’99 and Krista Gustafson, 09/28/17 Tate, to Wade Gustafson ’99 and Cara Germain Gustafson, 09/27/17 Andrew, to Lindsey Hayden ’99 on 4/21/17 Sylvie, to Doug Everling ’01 and Kjirsten Holmquist Everling ’02, 01/20/19 Beckett, to Robert Johnson ’01 and Melissa Watson Johnson, 07/24/19 Fio, to Aric Bethke ’04 and Taniya Bethke, 11/14/18 Ezra, to Jason Lukis ’04 and Danae Lukis, 01/09/18 Ari, to Adam Miller-Stubbendick ’04 and Jordan Miller-Stubbendick, 11/24/18 Adam, to Andrew Nelson ’04 and Katherine Nolan Nelson ‘03, 03/11/17 Harper, to Jessica Nelson Bartell ’05 and Tyson Bartell, 03/18/19 Wren, to Britt Forsberg ’05 and Joel Nelson, 09/17/19 Casey, to Maisie Reynoldson ’05 and Robert Reynoldson, 10/11/17 Parker, to Mike Leonard ’06 and Lindsey Thiele, 08/09/19 Lena, to Alana Reetz Pearson ’06 and Gregg Pearson, 02/22/19
Juliette, to Lauren Hom Oien ’07 and Michael Oien ’07, 07/19/19 June, to Nicole Gergen Villapiano ’07 and Joe Villapiano, 3/25/19 Bjorn, to Britta Nelson Born ’09 and Allen Born, 06/01/19 Astrid, to Britta Nelson Born ’09 and Allen Born, 03/28/18 Johanna, to Danielle Tollefson Miller ’09 and Eric C. Miller ’08, 11/04/17 Joshua, to Elliot A. Peterson ’09 and Laura Luce ’09, 09/23/19 Avery, to Emily Nelson Shroyer ’09 and Landon Shroyer ’12, 11/04/18 Dino, to Tony Palma ’10 and Andrea Smilanich Palma ’09, 12/10/17 Brooklyn, to Holly Bohlen ’11 and Travis Heidebrink, 12/01/17 Brock, to Alyssa Brom ’11 and Scott Brom, 07/19/18 Aubrey, to Alyssa Rogers Erlandson ’11 and David Erlandson ’11, 08/10/19 Lucy, to Dan Ewen ’11 and Karyn Peterson Ewen ’11, 07/29/18 Emmy, to Bobby Elwell ’12 and Brenna Elwell, 07/31/19 Benjamin, to Andrew Griesman ’12 and Radonna Gasior Griesman ’11, 08/14/19 Henry, to Meg Kaderlik Conklin ’13 and Jared Conklin, 08/21/19 Bennett, to Alecia Hooper ’14 and Wilson Hooper, 09/25/19
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REMEMBERING AARON EVERETT
(former faculty)
Mankato, on 10/27/19. A World War II Navy veteran, he served during the invasion of Guam from 1943 to 1946. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Idaho, his master's from the University of Oregon in French Literature, and his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania. He came to Gustavus in 1968 and taught here until his retirement in 1990, including a year on exchange with Kansai Gaidai University in Japan. He taught French and was head of the foreign language department. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and two children.
REMEMBERING MARIANNE COLBERG KESWANI ’53
(former administrator)
St. Paul, on 10/7/19. She started her career in biochemistery at the Mayo Clinic, but while working there she met and married Dr. Nandkumar Keswani. They were the first to be wed under the new “Inter Community Marriage Act” of 1955 in India. They lived in New Delhi for 22 years, returning to Saint Peter in 1973, when she began work at her alma mater. She worked at Gustavus for 25 years; the last 15 as the foreign student adviser. She is survived by her four children, including Rajan ’80 and Ashwini ’85, and a brother, Charles Colberg ’56.
REMEMBERING WILLIAM “BILL” ROBERTZ ’51
(former faculty)
Saint Peter, on 10/15/19. An Eagle Scout and Gustavus grad, he went on to earn his master's in 1953 and his PhD in 1960 from the University of Illinois. He accepted a position at Gustavus in 1957 and taught classical rhetoric, argumentation, and speech criticism. He also coached debate and spent time as Faculty Parliamentarian and chair of the Faculty Senate. After retirement in 1995, he continued to judge speech tournaments and travel, and he enjoyed his active “geezer” membership with fellow retired professors. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn (Barnes) ’51.
Polly, to Blair Riegel ’14 and Sara Riegel, 05/15/18 Miles, to Terrece Mesenbring ’15 and Chad Mesenbring, 05/24/19
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
IN MEMORIAM
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Carl O. Lofgren ’40, Minneapolis, on 10/29/19. A former Gustavus class officer and retired senior vice president of Benson Optical, Carl was Gustavus’s oldest living alumnus. He is survived by three children including Dennis ’70, Randall ’75, and Lori Amundson ’81. Viola “Vi” Holmes Gustafson ’43, New Britain, CT, on 10/30/19. A former high
school business education teacher, she is survived by two daughters including Marcia Kirchoff ’70. E. Virginia Opp Nyberg ’43, Fargo, ND, on 10/28/19. A retired secretary for the FBI and Ramada Inn, she is survived by four children including Roberta Shimensky ’72. Ilo Funk Schwartz ’43, Buffalo Lake, on 6/16/18. A wife and mother, she is survived by three children including Barbara Darr ’65. Margaret Tellin Overbo ’44, St. Paul, on 10/10/19. A longtime schoolteacher and an accomplished violinist
with the St. Paul Civic Orchestra, she is survived by nephews and nieces. Cecile Carlson Ellis ’47, Bismarck, ND, on 9/11/19. A retired long-time music specialist for the Boulder Valley School Dist., she is survived by two children including Katherine Linstrom ’72. Eunice Johnson Anderson ’48, Lindstrom, on 9/14/19. She was a retired parish coordinator for Chisago Lake Lutheran Church and is survived by six children including Sarah ’92. Aldys Johnson Miller ’49, New Brighton, on 9/9/19. She taught for many
years followed by a career in real estate. Aldys is survived by four children including June Wagner ’80 and Janelle Gregg ’89. Jean Luckman Rasmussen ’49, Spooner, WI, on 9/3/19. A former English teacher and media specialist, she held various positions and is survived by her four children. Charles R. Kiecker ’50, New Ulm, on 9/19/19. A U. S. Army veteran and longtime vice president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank in New Ulm, he is survived by his wife, Ruth, four children and a brother, Thomas ’51.
Robert Pierson ’50, Brooklyn Park, on 1/19/19. A former schoolteacher for Robbinsdale School Dist., he is survived by his wife, Marion (Peterson) ’52, and five children. Barbara Lundberg Cunningham ’51, Richland, WA, on 9/21/19. She was a social worker and mental health counselor and is survived by her husband, John, a son, and a brother, Donald ’51. Ruth M. Zimmerman ’51, Rice Lake, WI, on 8/7/19. An English major, she worked for the University of Wisconsin Center for Co-Operatives.
and recreation for the City of Saint Louis Park, he is survived by his wife, Judith, and three children. Donald Hausken ’56, Annandale, on 10/5/19. Inducted into the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987, Don worked as a health/physical education teacher, coach, and camp director. Don is survived by his five children. Wanda Ahl Hixon ’56, Willmar, on 8/6/19. A wife and mother, she is survived by two children. Colleen Matthies ’56, Dunnell, on 10/21/19. She was an elementary school teacher in Oxnard, CA and is survived by a sister, LuAnn, and many nephews and nieces. LeRoy A. Sanders ’56, Willmar, on 10/12/19. A retired American history teacher for the Willmar School Dist., he is survived by his wife, Ruth (Swanberg) ’57 and three children. Donald M. Eckberg ’57, Silver Spring, MD, on 10/23/19. An Army veteran and a CPA, he had a long career with the IRS and is survived by his wife, Darlene, five children and two siblings, Loren ’58 and Gloria Swenson ’61. Barbara Jungas Lowen ’57, Mountain Lake, on 10/19/19. A high school consumer science teacher and mentor, she is survived by three children including Robyn ’84 and Andrea Loewen-Rodriguez ’89.
Harold “Haru” Matsuura ’57, Hilo, HI, on 8/7/19. An Army veteran, he worked for the Department of Health as chief of environmental health for the island of Hawaii. He is survived by his wife, Patsy and two children. Peter T. Spell ’59, Minneapolis, on 10/1/19. A U. S. Army veteran and a longtime public educator who coached numerous high school teams, he is survived by extended family and friends. Thomas J. Mau ’60, St. Paul, on 8/3/19. A retired school psychologist for the St. Paul School Dist., he is survived by his wife, Judith (Krueger) ’61, and daughter. Arlyce Peterson Johnson ’61, New Brighton, on 9/4/19. She was a former legal secretary for Samuel T. Kantos & Associates and is survived by her husband, Craig ’61, and two children. H. Stuart “Stu” Johnson ’61, Saint Peter, on 10/17/19. A former Gustavus class officer and vice president of Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America (now Scholarship America), he is survived by his two children including Anne-Marie Gunderson ’86. John Lager ’62, Littleton, CO, on 9/1/19. An aerospace engineer, he worked for Martin-Marietta, Boeing, and for the U.S. government as a senior research rocket scientist on such projects as the Hubble Space Telescope, Titan Missile, and Space
Shuttle. In his retirement he took up taxidermy and earned nine national titles. He is survived by his wife, Barb, two sons, two stepdaughters, and two sisters including Mary Jane Monson ’54. Richard Moody ’62, Wheeling, IL, on 10/8/19. He had a long career as an actuary and partner with Hewitt Associates and is survived by his wife Beverly, a daughter, and two siblings including Ruth Tsu ’66 and James ’69. Joan Shogren Anderson ’63, Albert Lea, on 4/23/19. She had a long career as a nurse and nursing instructor at Naeve Hospital, Albert Lea, and Austin Community College. She is survived by her husband, Theodore ’56, and three children including Mark ’88. Donald O. Granberg ’63, Salt Lake City, UT, on 3/12/19. He was professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Missouri and is survived by his wife, Beth, and two children. Judy Ness Kolling ’66, Zumbrota, on 9/25/19. She worked in accounting-related roles for several companies including Minneapolis Rehabilitation Center, Metafile Information Systems, and Strongwell. She is survived by her husband, Bill, and two sons. Gregory E. Mattson ’72, Minneapolis, on 10/7/19. He worked in marketing for Honeywell/Alliant
TechSystems and in sales for CPU Options. He is survived by his wife, Linda, and two children. Wade Bailey ’73, Marietta, GA, on 10/9/19. He had a 40-yearcareer with DitchWitch Georgia starting in sales and finishing as generalmanager. Wade is survived by his wife, Faye, two daughters, and two siblingsincluding Linda Keefe ’69. Kraig Thoele ’77, Bismarck, ND, on 10/3/19. The former regional director of North Central Food Systems, he is survived by his wife, Jane (Catterson) ’78, and three children. Steve C. Tyler ’83, St. Paul, on 8/20/19. He was the chief financial officer for Teledigital and is survived by a son and two siblings. Wyelene C. Haase ’86, Henderson, NV, on 12/13/18. A criminal justice major, she had a 30-year distinguished career with the FBI. Joshua T. Birchem ’22, Roosevelt, on 9/30/19. A Gustavus sophomore who loved nature, reading, and gaming and is survived by his parents, Jeffrey Birchem, and Gretchen Mehmel and a sister. Alexander Sarlis ’23, Wilmington, DE, on 9/23/19. A Gustavus first-year student with broad interests, a sharp sense of humor, and strong intellect. He is survived by his parents, Nicholas and Claire Sarlis.
GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2020
Paul W. Lindau ’52, Beaver Dam, WI, on 9/14/19. Paul served as a Lutheran pastor at many various parishes, most recently at First Evangelical Lutheran Church. He is survived by two daughters. Dexter Linman ’52, St. Paul, on 1/16/19. An Army veteran, he had a long career as a social worker for Hennepin County. Dexter is survived by six children. Carol Lester Lassiter ’54, Boca Raton, FL, on 8/21/19. She was a high school teacher and worked for Eastman Kodak. Carol is survived by her husband, Kenneth, and two children. Sonya Swenson Peterson ’54, Bartlesville, OK, on 10/1/19. She worked as a secretary for many years for Jane Phillips Hospital and is survived by one son. Jean Randin Anderson ’55, Hot Springs Village, AR, on 9/38/19. A longtime elementary school teacher in Saint Peter, she is survived by her husband, Myron ’54, and three children including Laurie Martinson ’80 and Lisa Anderson-Peck ’90. Norman T. Conrad ’55, Los Gatos, CA, on 3/2/19. He was a school teacher for 30 years at Monterey Peninsula Unified School Dist. and is survived by his wife, Donna (Anderson) ’55, and four children including Pamela Greene ’85. George Haun ’54, Winter Haven, FL, on 10/12/19. The former director of parks
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Vespers WAITING FOR THE ORIONIDS IN SUMMER, 2017 For Philip There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy. —Hamlet What does it mean when clouds fill the skies night after night, obscuring meteor showers and Northern Lights, foiling the best laid plans, spoiling even a solar eclipse? It's been a stormy year, to be sure. On my lawn chair I shiver, strain to find Orion's belt. But this night, too, disappoints. Here is the lesson: never depend on science for some sure thing. It's a thin line between physics and a Farmer's Almanac; NOAA's predictions are not easily discerned from Les Propheties of Nostradamus. And if there really are more things than facts, we might as well take advice from tea leaves or a crystal ball. Why wait for the Orionids? The sky has already fallen. Now mine the night for metaphors. — English professor Rebecca Fremo, Moving This Body (Main Street Rag, 2019)
Photo by: Corbyn Jenkins ’20
For Alumni, Parents, and Friends SPRING 2020 | VOL. LXXVI | ISSUE 1
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE THE GUSTAVUS HERITAGE PARTNERSHIP
STA F F Chair, Board of Trustees Scott Anderson ’89 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 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 Design | adlerdesignstudio.com, Brian Donahue | bdesigninc.com, Corbyn Jenkins ’20, Sydney Stumme-Berg ’22 Contributing Writers Corbyn Jenkins ’20, Mara Klein, CJ Siewert ’11 Contributing Photographers and Artists BD&E, Nick Campbell ’17, Kris Drake, Corbyn Jenkins ’20, Mara Klein, Nick Theisen ’15, SPX Sports, Ryan Weber ’22, Gustavus Adolphus College Archives, Icons (p. 27, 28): Noun Project, Andy Gigante, Anita Erica, Agnira Chatterji, Adrien Coquet, Ivan Novelo, MX, Creative Stall, and Parkjisun 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.
Paige Reiners ’20 accompanies the Gustavus Choir and Chapel Choir during Christmas in Christ Chapel: Love Beyond Borders, which followed the incarnation story in the gospel of Matthew. For those not in physical attendance, the performance on Saturday night was livestreamed and is now archived at gustavus.edu/cincc. The 2018 program was broadcast on public television stations around the country throughout December.
God, who stretched the spangled heavens infinite in time and space, flung the suns in burning radiance through the silent fields of space: we, your children in your likeness, share inventive powers with you; great Creator, still creating, show us what we yet may do. ~ Catherine Cameron
A planned gift, shared after one’s lifetime, creates a personal legacy that lives on for the benefit of future generations. At Gustavus Adolphus College, a planned gift given through your estate will help equip generations of future students to lead purposeful lives and to act on the great challenges of this world. We invite you to create a legacy in support of Gustavus’s innovative liberal arts education of recognized excellence. For more information, please call 507-933-7512 or email plannedgiving@gustavus.edu.
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. Gustavus Adolphus College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS PLANNED GIVING plannedgiving.gustavus.edu | 507-933-7512
SPRING 2020 800 West College Avenue Saint Peter, Minnesota 56082
2020 Gusties on the college events, decisions, moments, and mistakes that changed the course of their lives—and for the better. PAG E 12
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If you recognize the sweaters, you know this is the St. Lucia Court. The sweaters are just one of the Festival of St. Lucia traditions at Gustavus. In December, as is custom, the student-chosen court of sophomore women caroled through campus, listened to a homily from last year’s St. Lucia, and pretended to partake in the eating of lutefisk at a smörgåsbord sponsored by the Friends of the Library-Gustavus Library Associates (with a talk by author Ellie Roscher ’02 after). Our St. Lucia tradition, rooted in our Swedish heritage, dates back to 1941. This year’s court (l to r) is Melanie Kistnasamy, Abigayle Paulson, Kendra Held, Nora Hagestuen, Hanaa Alhosawi, and Lily Engebretson. Alhosawi is this year’s Lucia. “At Gustavus, I am thankful for all the knowledge, support, and growth that I have gained,” Alhosawi says.
FOR THE LOVE OF FROST-YOUR-OWNS When, where, how, and why we attached to the cookie treat
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LOOKING AT A NEW LUND Plans shape up for a renovation and expansion
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CLASS NOTES What your fellow Gusties have been up to
