Spring 2018 Quarterly

SPRING 2018 800 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE SAINT PETER, MINNESOTA 56082

20 Years

For Alumni, Parents, and Friends SPRING 2018 | VOL. LXXIV | ISSUE 1 STA F F

THE CHRIST CHAPEL MEMORIAL GARDEN at Gustavus Adolphus College

Chair, Board of Trustees The Rev. Dan S. Poffenberger ’82 President of the College Rebecca Bergman Vice President, Marketing and Communication Tim Kennedy ’82 Vice President, Advancement Thomas Young ’88 Director, Alumni and Parent Engagement Angela Erickson ’01 Managing Editor Stephanie Wilbur Ash | sash@gustavus.edu Alumni Editor Philomena Kauffmann | pkauffma@gustavus.edu Visual Editor, Production Coordinator Anna Deike | adeike@gustavus.edu Design Brian Donahue | bdesigninc.com, Jill Adler | adlerdesignstudio.com, Sarah Hinderman ’20 Contributing Writers CJ Siewert ’11, Sophia Warwick ’18 Contributing Photographers and Artists Terry Clark Photography, Kylee Brimsek ’20, Diana Draayer ’18, Nick Campbell ’18, Brenden Huber, Kevin Kinley, Glenn Kranking ’98, Steven Lang, Chuck Niederitter, Randall Nelson, Lorie Siebels, CJ Siewert ’11, SPX Sports, Stan Walderhauser ’71, Gustavus Adolphus College Archives Printer John Roberts Company | johnroberts.com Postmaster Send address changes to the Gustavus Quarterly, Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., Saint Peter, MN 56082-1498 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE Saint Peter, MN 56082 507-933-8000 | gustavus.edu Articles and opinions presented in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or official policies of the College or its Board of Trustees.

The Gustavus Quarterly (USPS 227-580) is published four times annually by Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, Minn.

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 42,800.

Gustavus Adolphus College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

Many people have a deep connection to Gustavus Adolphus College. Some consider the College their home. Now College community members have an opportunity to make Gustavus their final resting place by choosing inurnment in the Christ Chapel Memorial Garden.

For more information or to reserve a space in the Christ Chapel Memorial Garden, contact Maggie Hedlund Forster ‘09 in the Office of Advancement at 507-933-6513 or maggie@gustavus.edu.

IN THIS ISSUE

5

HERE WE GROW

The Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan hits its stride in the coming months. Up first: these seven strategies

14

for change.

14

IT MADE US GREATER

The 1998 tornado left the most extensive damage to a college campus in the U.S. at the time. What we built, and rebuilt, in its place is a greater Gustavus.

22 25

NUMBER ONE

IN EVERY ISSUE

Mohanad Alhouni ’18 is the Intercollegiate Tennis

4

VÄLKOMMEN

Association’s number one Division III player—only the

5

ON THE HILL

second Gustie in history to hold the title.

9

KALENDER

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SHINE PROFILES

$75 MILLION IN SEVEN MONTHS

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SPORTS

It’s been an unprecedented season of giving.

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GRATITUDE

Here’s where the gifts will go.

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GUSTIES

40

VESPERS

Sky Over Down Under On the night of January 13, while most of us were shivering under Orion, 40 Gustie students and three faculty were marveling at the sky from an entirely different perspective. Everything was upside down where they were. Chuck Niederriter’s Astronomy of the Southern Skies January Interim Experience course is intensive astronomy geared to non-science majors, and an excellent example of Gustavus liberal arts in practice. The students visited several observatories—such as the Mount John Observatory in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand (where this photo was taken)—as well as Siding Spring Mountain in Coonabarabran, Australia, and the CSIRO radio telescope in Parkes. While exploring land, sea, and (of course) sky in Australia and New Zealand, “we discuss the relationships between science and mathematics, science and religion, and science and society,” says professor Niederriter. The goal: an understanding and

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

appreciation of the Universe. For though Gusties may have different views of the skies, we’re all living in the same Milky Way.

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3

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Välkommen JUST LOOK AT OUR HISTORY.

On March 29, 1998, I was a senior executive with Medtronic and working on a strategic technology plan for the company.

I don’t recall the exact specifics of the day, but I do remember hearing about the tornado on the news that evening. And, I remember thinking how devastating the damage was to Gustavus and the town of St. Peter.

Flash forward to March of 2008, the 10-year anniversary of the tornado. It was my second year on the Gustavus Board of Trustees. My son, Matthew ’07, had recently graduated and was pursuing a master’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Minnesota. And, I remember thinking how the tornado was a watershed moment for the College and the community.

I could see—the whole world could see—how the values of community and excellence had become uniquely intertwined at our College. It’s as if the two were swirled tightly together by the power of the tornado.

Today, I believe the bond between community and excellence lies at the center of what is vital to Gustavus, and I have placed these two core values at the forefront of my presidency. This is the solid ground on which we are building the next phase of the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan, and I am proud of the ways the plan is taking shape. The work the Gustavus community has invested in moving our strategic plan forward is excellence in action.

Community. Excellence. They define our tornado history. They define the ongoing work we do to fulfill the promises of the strategic plan. They define the academic rigor and co-curricular opportunities we offer our students. As was evident in the spring of 1998, we stand on a foundation of excellent effort, authentic leadership, and a community that knows how to get things done.

From this center, we rise.

Sincerely,

G U S TAV U S A D O L P H U S C O L L E G E B OA R D O F T R U S T E E S The Rev. Jon V. Anderson (ex officio), Bishop, Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA Scott P. Anderson ’89, MBA, Special Adviser, Patterson Companies, Inc. Catherine Asta ’75, JD, Attorney at Law and Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association Tracy L. Bahl ’84, MBA, Executive Vice President, CVS | Caremark Grayce Belvedere-Young, MBA, Founder and CEO, Lily Pad Consulting Rebecca M. Bergman (ex officio), President, Gustavus Adolphus College Suzanne F. Boda ’82, Senior Vice President, Los Angeles, American Airlines Daniel G. Currell ’94, JD, Managing Director, Advance Law Edward J. Drenttel ’81, JD, Attorney/Partner, Winthrop & Weinstine Bruce A. Edwards ’77, Retired CEO, DHL Global Supply Chain James H. Gale ’83, JD, Attorney at Law John O. Hallberg ’79, MBA, CEO, Children’s Cancer Research Fund Susie B. Heim ’83, Former Co-owner, S and S Heim Construction George G. Hicks ’75, JD, Founding Partner, Värde Partners Linda G. Huett ’66, Retired President and CEO, Weight Watchers International, Inc. The Rev. Peter C. Johnson ’92, Executive Pastor, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Eden Prairie, MN Linda Bailey Keefe ’69, MBA, Vice President, NAI Brannen Goddard Talmadge E. King, Jr. ’70, MD, Dean, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco Paul R. Koch ’87, Senior Vice President/Investments, UBS Financial Services Jan Lindman, MBA, Treasurer to the King, The Royal Court of Sweden Jan Ledin Michaletz ’74, Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association Thomas J. Mielke ’80, JD, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Kimberly-Clark Corporation

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Marcia L. Page ’82, Founding Partner, Värde Partners

Rebecca M. Bergman President, Gustavus Adolphus College

The Rev. Craig A. Pederson ’90 (ex officio), Assistant to the Bishop, Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA, and President, Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations The Rev. Wayne B. Peterson ’77, Pastor, St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, Plymouth, MN The Rev. Dr. Dan S. Poffenberger ’82 (chair), Senior Pastor, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Prior Lake, MN Christopher J. Rasmussen ’88, PhD, (ex officio), Independent Higher Education Consultant and Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association Beth Sparboe Schnell ’82, CEO, Sparboe Companies Ronald C. White ’75, President, RC White Enterprises

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The Rev. Heather Teune Wigdahl ’95, Senior Pastor, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Menomonie, WI

ON THE HILL

As it should be, students will be at the center of the next three years of the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan.

HERE WE GROW

There’s a lot of action around campus.

Today, we are enthusiastic about

Throughout the summer and fall,

the work ahead. And—of course—our

the great challenges of our time through

hundreds of Gusties across multiple

students will be the first to benefit from

an innovative liberal arts education of

departments and disciplines weighed

it. Of the seven strategies the College

recognized excellence.

in on what will be the next steps in the

has chosen to prioritize for the next

Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan. Gathering

three years, five serve students directly.

transform from within,” says Tunheim

community-wide input on what first to

In the coming months, expect to hear

(who is also associate professor and

tackle involved “a willingness to listen,

more about how Gustavus is working to

Board of Trustees Endowed Chair in

to speak our intentions, and to find

meet students’ financial need, designing

Management and Leadership). “We talked

commonalities,” says Kathi Tunheim,

and implementing a truly innovative

the talk with the Gustavus Acts Strategic

special assistant to the President for

liberal arts education (including career

Plan. Now we are walking the walk.”

strategy. “Gusties have really come

readiness), improving our facilities,

together to do the hard work of

and creating a more diverse, equitable,

prioritizing, and it has been inspiring to

and inclusive college. All will propel

To learn more or join in, visit

see such shared passion.”

us toward our vision: to equip students

gustavus.edu/gustavusacts.

to lead purposeful lives and to act on

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

“It’s incredible to watch Gustavus

5

ON THE HILL

CAMPUS SOCIAL Follow @gustavusadolphuscollege, @gustieathletics

INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK

Bentley the therapy dog visited stressed-out

Nine Gusties have been named Fulbright

students this weekend. Good luck to Gusties

semifinalists—a record number.

as they go after their last day of Fall Semester

#gogusties #whygustavus

2017 with dogged determination #gogusties #whygustavus #nofilter #badpuns

Courtney Erickson ’20 and friends touring the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium in South Korea on the Olympic Quest January Interim Experience. Students also explored Japan and China.

Follow /gustavusadolphuscollege

#gustiesaroundtheworld

TWITTER @Hey_Its_Rissa “I think the fact that on day 2 of Meanwhile, back on campus...

learning ancient Greek we can read,

#gogusties #whygustavus

write, translate, and understand and entire paragraph is pretty impressive” #whygustavus Follow @gustavus, @gustiealum

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

10:00 a.m. Time for Reflection

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In the spirit of Dr. King’s service, my question is this: How are you serving your community? How are you fulfilling the promise that we passed on to you?

—Civil rights activist Dr. Joyce Ladner at January’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Lecture

• Times and dates of events listed on this page are subject to change. Call to confirm.

Kalender

• Up-to-date sports schedules may be found at gustavus.edu/athletics.

• A more complete fine arts schedule or for more information on fine arts events noted here, contact Mara Klein, director of fine arts programs: 507-933-7013 or mara@gustavus.edu.

MARCH

APRIL

Ongoing until April 22 Scharftopia:

11 Moe Visiting Lecture in Gender,

and Department of Theatre & Dance

The Far Out World of Kenny Scharf;

Women, and Sexuality Studies; with

productions may be ordered online at

Hillstrom Museum of Art; Mon.-Fri.,

essayist and playwright Cherríe Moraga;

9 a.m.–4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday,

Cec Eckhoff Alumni Hall; 7 p.m.; free

• Tickets for the Gustavus Artist Series

gustavustickets.com and are available two weeks in advance of the performances.

1 p.m.–5 p.m; Free; The artist will give a public gallery talk on April 22 at 4 p.m.

18 Lindau Residency in Conservative Thought lecture; with Dr. Walter

27 Linnaeus Arboretum 45th

Williams on the role of government in a

Anniversary and Arbor Day Celebration;

free society; Cec Eckhoff Alumni Hall; 7

MAY

11 a.m.–1 p.m; registration required for

p.m.; free; this event will be livestreamed

2 MAYDAY Peace Conference: Mighty Be Our Powers: Gender, Justice, and

luncheon, call 507-933-6181 20–22 Marriage of Figaro; St. Peter

Peacebuilding with Nobel Peace Prize

29 20th Anniversary of the Tornado;

Yoga Studio (112 Grace Street),

winner Leymah Gbowee; Christ Chapel;

Gustavus, Saint Peter, and Nicollet

8 p.m., except March 22 at 2 p.m.;

10:30 a.m.

County will remember the tornado

gustavustickets.com 5 Honors Day: Convocation, Christ

with recollections, reflections and the ringing of church bells at 5:29 p.m.; Saint

21 Faith Conference: Doubt and

Chapel, 10 a.m.; Senior Honors Recital

Peter Senior High School; For more see

Difference: Finding Faith through

featuring honors music majors in

stpeterchamber.com/

Authentic Engagement; with Dr.

concert in Bjorling Recital Hall, 1:30 p.m.;

tornado-remembered

Jacqueline Bussie, Christ Chapel, 9 a.m.;

Choral Showcase in Christ Chapel,

gustavustickets.com

7:30 p.m.; free 11–13 Falling Toward Beginning: The

APRIL

Gustavus Dance Company in Concert;

27 Gustavus Women in Leadership Conference: “Leadership: Influence Not

Anderson Theatre, 8 p.m., except May 13

Authority”; keynotes Kristine Jurczyk ’97, principal and Co-Head of Vista Equity

at 2 p.m.; gustavustickets.com

Violent Extremism, Elin Ahldén ’99, (see page 28) Founding partner and Chairman of

12 Gustavus Wind Orchestra 140th

Swedish Comunications agency Lennox Public Relations; Minneapolis Event Center;

Anniversary Concert; Christ Chapel,

8 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Register at gustavus.edu/leadership/women.

7:30 p.m.; free

Register for Summer Camps Camps for a variety of sports, activities, and ages keep the campus active all summer long.

Registration for most is open—to Kristine Jurczyk ’97

Elin Ahldén ’99

Anne Speckhard

view and sign up for camps visit gustavus.edu/camps.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Partners, Anne Speckhard, Director of the International Center for the Study of

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ON THE HILL

SHINE: BARB LARSON TAYLOR ’93 Exhausted. But proud.

THE TORNADO REVEALED RESILIENCE AMONG STUDENTS, AND A NEW CAMPUS NORMAL.

At the time of the tornado, Larson Taylor was both assistant director of alumni relations and head resident of Wahlstrom Hall. Only three years into her full-time career(s), “I was nowhere close to a decision-making role,” says Larson Taylor, but she both worked and lived on campus, with a panoramic view of student response, College response, and alumni response.

With alums, says Larson Taylor, “We were trying to figure out what to do with the spring class reunions. What could a reunion even look like?” One way: the alumni board of directors orchestrated alums to help students move back in on the day they returned. And then there was the alum who helped Larson Taylor orchestrate the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fundraising concert. (Most moving lyric: If we’re ever going to see a rainbow/we have to stand a little rain.)

As far as student response: “I remember the initial emotions—the shock of them seeing the campus, the grief over what happened as well as their lost possessions in the residence halls. But there was also comfort in being together and relief knowing they could finish the semester.” At the all-campus gathering in Lund, “We all wore the ‘Rebuilding a Greater Gustavus’ t-shirts,’” remembers Larson Taylor. “A student spoke about how she never thought she was a materialistic person until she lost everything.” It was a collective, cathartic moment of camaraderie and growth.

And there was some classic Gustie ingenuity. As head resident, Larson Taylor had a private washer and dryer. It became the costume shop for the rest of the semester so that students could continue to produce the scheduled play (which was performed outside). “The resilience that was shown by students was just incredible,” Larson Taylor says.

But it was not without trauma. “I remember being exhausted, thinking it would be a long haul before both Saint Peter and Gustavus would be back to normal as a community.” Did we get back to normal? “There are still times now I will drive up College Avenue and it will still strike me how different it looks. When I walk down Eckman Mall and I see the big trees that are still standing, I can remember what it looked like before. It’s a new normal.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

“And through it all, I have never been prouder to be a Gustie.”

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Few can boast the diversity of Gustavus service Larson Taylor can. Even her current capacities comprise a list so long it won’t fit in this space. Let’s just say it includes the Nobel Conference, the Guild of St. Lucia, Christmas in Christ Chapel, and several National Advisory Boards. No surprise that in 2015 she received the Erik Norelius Award for Outstanding Administrative Employee. For this year’s Founder’s Day award recipients, see page 34.

SHINE: TOM MCHUGH ’99 If You Have a Rake— THEN YOU’RE A HELPER. SO GO GET A RAKE.

When the tornado hit, McHugh was with 20 other Gusties on a Habitat for Humanity trip in rural Virginia. The group huddled around a single television watching CNN, waiting for the station to cycle back to that 10-second segment about “that Minnesota college.” They took a vote: Would they go back to Saint Peter? McHugh and his friend Larry Englehardt ’00 said they should stay in Virginia and honor their volunteer commitment. Everyone else voted to return, so the team headed back.

McHugh and Englehardt weren’t satisfied with that. “We had made this commitment to help people,” he says. So the two spent their spring break living with Englehardt’s parents in Le Sueur and cleaning up Saint Peter.

“We walked around with our rakes because if you had a rake, you were doing something. You were a helper.”

The need for help in town was great. “To see it, all you had to do was stand in one place and look around,” McHugh says. He and Englehardt roamed from block to block, helping strangers move tree trunks and branches and debris, pausing to eat lunches from the Red Cross van or free bowls of soup from Patrick’s. All around them were others doing the same—friends, coworkers, neighbors, complete strangers, all going house to house, doing whatever was needed. Many of those houses were those of Gustavus faculty and staff who were frantically putting together the campus so students like McHugh could get back to class.

Now, in his 16th year as a Gustavus employee, McHugh can see how the College’s rapid, students-first response to the tornado informs his work serving current Gusties. “There were so many people working so hard to make sure that my life as a student went easy, that I was fed, had a safe place to stay, that I got my mail, that I went to class,” he says.

“That’s the Gustavus community—people who put their own needs aside and helped these students finish their year.”

Twenty years later, McHugh recounts his part with casual

McHugh is now director of the Center for Academic Resources and Enhancement (CARE), which helps students build on their strengths through individualized academic advising, skill development, and educational accommodations for those with health conditions that affect their academics. The Center also works with faculty to ensure all students have personalized care and support from a knowledgeable faculty adviser.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Gustie logic: “We said we were going to help others, so we did.”

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ON THE HILL

SHINE: GLENN KRANKING ’98 A House Lost. A Community Found.

HE RODE IT OUT IN THE SWEDISH HOUSE. IT WAS DESTROYED, BUT GUSTAVUS WASN’T.

He was with his friend, Elin Ahldén ’99 (see page 28), and her parents who were visiting from Sweden. They were in the Swedish House, and as none of them had ever encountered a tornado, they did not go to the basement until a third siren went off. “As soon as we did, the tornado was on us,” Kranking says. “The windows broke; the air was thick with debris. We couldn’t hear anything over the fire alarm because the dust in the air set it off.”

When it was over, the group (which now included Nathan Meyer ’99) came upstairs.

Safety and Security arrived and told them to head to the basement of Wahlstrom Hall because another tornado could be coming. “When I got a look at the Swedish House from the outside (see page 16), that’s when it sunk in what had happened,” he says.

Kranking was planning to travel for spring break so he had six rolls of film with him. He started snapping photos, and President Axel Steuer saw him and told him to take as many as he could. Kranking and Ahldén walked around campus, documenting. “We reported a gas leak. We came across the very tip of Old Main lying on the ground. We saw the football bleachers crumbled up like pieces of paper, and the cars in the parking lots picked up like toys. It was amazing, the power of this storm.”

The power of Gustavus leadership was pretty amazing too. When he returned from his trip, Kranking was part of the team that called students to let them know they would be moving or would get a new roommate. He was seated next to Chaplain Elvee, who would say things on the phone like, “You’ll be staying on bench three of the chapel so bring your sleeping bag!” Says Kranking, “The registrar, David Wicklund, redid every person’s schedule before he addressed the damage on his own house. I heard that in the end, there were only five students who had class conflicts.”

Classes were difficult, though. “We had other thoughts on our minds,” he says. Though one of his classes did grant students the Kranking Exception: If your house was blown away, you didn’t have to turn in your previous paper drafts.

“Back then, there was a feeling that Gustavus didn’t have a defined community,” Kranking says. Right after the tornado, “We saw that it was always there.” Example: There had been a divide in the cafeteria

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

between the north and south side residents. “After the tornado, it was

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gone. Today, as a faculty member, I can say it is still gone.”

Kranking was the first to document the tornado’s devastation on campus. He has since become the de facto historian of that time. “When I joined the faculty here, I was asked to give presentations on the history of Gustavus and the tornado,” he says. “It’s always been so well attended by parents of current students and by alums. There is this fascination with seeing how the campus changed and survived.”

SHINE: PHIL BRYANT ’73 Yes. That is a tornado.

AND THIS IS HOW WE ROLL THROUGH IT.

Professor Bryant was in his Confer-Vickner office watching the new wonder of live weather radar via the Internet on the afternoon of the tornado. On that same floor, visiting professor Xu Zhong-hui from Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an, China, was working in her office. He explained to her what a tornado was. Shortly after, she pointed at a window and said “Is that a tornado?’” Bryant looked and saw a solid white wall of cloud, then pieces of buildings and trees circling within it. “I said, ‘Yes,’ and, ‘We need to go downstairs. Now.’” The two ducked inside a crawlspace by the elevator. Their ears popped.

“The vortex took up all the little rocks from the roof sheeting and they hit us like machine guns,” says Bryant. “She grabbed ahold of me and I grabbed ahold of her and I thought, we’re going to die together.” He felt bad for her, knowing she would die so far away from home. Then Bryant closed his eyes and waited, “for whatever was going to come.”

The storm abated. And Bryant and Zhong-hui left the crawlspace.

The hallway to their offices was crammed with overturned desks.

Outside, “everything was just wrecked,” he says. He remembers Zhonghui hyperventilating. Later, a friend from Chicago would call Bryant to say they’d seen him on CNN right after the tornado. Bryant has no recollection of being interviewed.

“My house in Saint Peter was totaled,” he says. His wife and highschool-aged children had survived by huddling in the basement; their cat by curling itself into a sink. “And then Axel says we’re going to open the school in less than a month.” That famous Phil Bryant whole body laugh kicks in. “I mean, it’s laughable! We’re all walking over wire and flashing and sheetrock. I’m teaching Keats’s ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ while all this jackhammering is going on!” Bryant laughs and laughs. “We were all sleep deprived and depressed but we were all like, okay, here’s how we’re going to do this.”

Working through FEMA and insurance companies, it took the 23 days to resume class. Says Bryant, “this is how Gustavus rolls.”

The devastation of the tornado took an incredible toll on faculty, particularly those living in Saint Peter. While professors continued to foster academic excellence with teaching and mentorship of students, their workplaces and their homes existed in various states of chaos. One of the most moving artifacts of the time is a book of faculty responses to the events—in essay, poem, and other forms. It can be found in the Gustavus Adolphus College Archives.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Bryant family three years to get back into their house. It took Gustavus

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It Made Us Greater IT’S BEEN 20 YEARS SINCE THE

Sometimes, when Gusties talk about the

building (which was all of them), it is the

COMFREY-SAINT PETER TORNADO

tornado, emotions bubble up. For Ken

memory of a letter from Jessica that can

RIPPED THROUGH CAMPUS, LEAVING

Westphal, then vice president of finance

still move him to tears. Despite having not

IN ITS WAKE THE GREATEST

and treasurer, it is when he thinks of the

yet begun her Gustavus education—she

DESTRUCTION TO A COLLEGE

“crisis cabinet”—the team who led the

was to start in the fall—Jessica sent $25

CAMPUS IN THE NATION AT THE

feat of reopening the College three weeks

and a note that said she didn’t choose

TIME. OTHER INSTITUTIONS WOULD

after the twister hit. “It gave me such an

Gustavus because of the campus but

HAVE CRUMBLED UNDER THE

appreciation for Gusties, who work so

because she knew “the people of Gustavus

DEVASTATION. NOT OURS.

hard, so smart, who pull together.”

were more important to students than

For Owen Sammelson, who was

trees or buildings.” Says Wunderlich:

acting director of admission, it is when he

“Taking an unfortunate act of nature and

delivers the fact that the College did not

making something good out of it—that

By Stephanie Wilbur Ash

see a decline in enrollment in the fall of

was how we moved forward.”

Photos from the Gustavus

1998, “even though our competitors were

So many inspirational truths about

Adolphus College Archives

telling prospective students we might not

that time and, in between, some difficult

even be open,” he says. In fact, the College

ones. “I remember seeing us on CNN

welcomed a record-breaking class.

and thinking, who in their right mind

For Warren Wunderlich, then director

would want to come to this college?” says

of the physical plant, whose job it was

Westphal. There was fear that the College

to piece back together every damaged

would not reopen in time to finish out the

People never forget that you were there when they needed help.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

—Ken Westphal, then vice president for finance and treasurer

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semester (if at all), that current students

Peter and often began with prayer. “We

would transfer. Faculty and staff would

were firmly convinced that God had great

show up to a decimated workplace and go

plans for the College,” says Steuer.

home to more destruction. “You couldn’t

In fact, the College had just finished

MARCH 29, 1998 It broke records. The most tornadoes

look around because you would get

a strategic plan for campus four years

to touch down in Minnesota in a single

depressed,” says Sammelson. And then the

earlier. “The tornado sped up that process

day in March (14), the strongest ever

rain came, then snow, then more rain.

dramatically,” says Wunderlich. The

recorded in March (F4), the longest

It may have been the College’s

Board of Trustees quickly gave

single path of a tornado recorded (67

approval to rebuild with that

miles). It happened like this:

plan in mind. Steuer negotiated

finest hour.

—Owen Sammelson, then acting director of admission

a $6 million advance with the

2 p.m. A dangerous supercell storm

insurance company on a piece of

forms over South Dakota.

paper he happened to have in his Many close to the situation told

wallet, waiving loss of business insurance

3:23 The first tornado (an F2) touches

then-president Axel Steuer to shut down

to get it. “It was a risky thing to do,” he

down in Linsmore, Minnesota.

Gustavus and re-open in the fall. Steuer

admits, “but we needed the money now.”

said no. “They thought I was crazy,” he

Millions more dollars followed—from

3:50 Another tornado drops outside

says. “But I was confident that everyone,

Lutheran Brotherhood, Aid Association

Avoca, then grows to 900 yards

from contractors to College staff, would

for Lutherans, the state of Minnesota, the

wide and F3 status.

rise to the challenge,” he says.

Nobel Foundation, the King of Sweden,

He was right. The College’s emergency response team kicked into action, meeting every day in the basement of Sorensen or

colleges and churches around the world,

4:30 Still on the ground more than

and our thousands of alumni and friends.

47 miles later, that tornado enters

And from that ground zero, with

Comfrey. It then moves across six

Norelius. Campus-wide meetings were

our hearts and your help, the College

counties, growing to 1.25 miles wide

held at First Lutheran Church of Saint

reopened and a Greater Gustavus rose up.

and F4 status, killing a man in his home in Hanska and injuring others.

5:18 Another tornado drops two miles east of Nicollet. It sucks six-year-old Dustin Schneider out of his family’s van, killing him.

5:29 That tornado barrels onto campus and through Saint Peter as an F3 more than a mile wide. On the ground for 18 miles, it inflicts $120 million worth of damage, nearly $60 million to the College. More than 600 homes were damaged or destroyed, as were 17,000 trees. More than 80 percent of the Colleges windows were shattered, right where many students would have been standing had it not been spring break.

Over the next hour Tornadoes drop all the way to Hastings.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

At the first opportunity, more than 2,000 volunteers came: couples, families, church congregations, busloads of friends. You brought your Gustie spirit and incredible work ethic (plus rakes and chainsaws and pickup trucks). You asked, what can we do? “The key feeling everyone felt was, we’re going to recover. We’re going to make it work,” says Owen Sammelson, “And no one was going to give up.”

15

MY TORNADO

were straight line winds. Then the radio

Michelle Twait ’98

cut out.

THEN: SENIOR | NOW: PROFESSOR

sound. In the midst of it, the phone rang.

AND LIBRARIAN AT GUSTAVUS

I picked it up, and the voice was

Then came that stereotypical train

WHAT YOU

very faint. It said, “I’m in the student That day I had worked at Blue Earth

union, what should I do?!” I said, “Stay where you are!” I didn’t know who it was

County Library. I

until later, when I found out it was my

had come home to

housemate, Beth (Russell) Brandt ’98.

Adolphson House on campus, and my roommates and I were deciding on dinner. I suggested we go out, but one of my roommates who was in the

After, we went outside and I remember thinking, straight line winds did this?

Across the street, part of the roof of the Swedish House had been peeled away like it had been opened by a can opener.

WE ASKED GUSTIES ON FACEBOOK

I could see into an upstairs bedroom, to a

ABOUT “THE TIME OF THE

dresser with items on it undisturbed.

basement shouted, “Guys, I

Adolphson House is still there

TORNADO.” HERE’S THE IMPRINT IT LEFT ON SOME OF YOU.

think you should come down

today. The Swedish House

here.” Most of us had grown

and Holly House which were

“I had borrowed my boyfriend’s car

on the same street were both

and left it in the purple lot while I was

up in Minnesota and weren’t too afraid of any weather. She

destroyed. The cut of the

said, “Humor me.”

tornado was so razor sharp that it’s

We went downstairs and the last thing we heard on the radio was that there

amazing that our house just across the

away on spring break. P.S.: We’ve been married for 16 years.” —Jessi Hunzeker Strinmoen ’02

street survived intact.

“I worked for the glass company that replaced all the windows at the Chapel after the storm. It changed my life being in town the day after the storm and seeing what Mother Nature truly can do.” —Chris Shogren

Library

“My daughter, Jenna, was two months old when the tornado went through

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

our home. She was on my lap, under a

16

mattress when our home was destroyed.

And now she’s a sophomore at Gustavus!”

—Julie Creamer ’89 Glenn Kranking ’98, Nathan Meyer ’99, and Elin Ahldén ’99 were in the basement of this 1880s Victorian—the Swedish House—during the tornado.

“I remember seeing the lights on Sorensen lit up to say ‘Thank You’.”

—Troy Gies ’91

REMEMBER

MY TORNADO

allowed to have work groups come.

I was a leader for one of those

Florence Amamoto

groups. I will never forget the mother

PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH

who volunteered whose child had not even started yet at Gustavus. She said, “I

I lived on the far north side of Saint Peter.

already feel like I am a part of the Gustavus

When the sirens went off,

community; I wanted to be here.”

We taught in double shifts: Monday,

the inside bathroom.

Wednesday, Friday and Tuesday,

The next morning, I

Thursday, Saturday. The students were

checked on homes of

great. I even had a student who actually

friends who were out of town for Spring Break.

One house was fine. Another

did better. A senior, he had just been floating through. Because of

“I organized a group of teens from Scott

friend’s garage was leaning. The

his schedule, we

County 4-H to help with the cleanup.

last house, I turned the corner

met individually. He

It was pretty powerful to arrive and

and was shocked—it wasn’t there.

find so many students, professors,

The community really pulled

went on to graduate school.

and employees working alongside

together. We were running

the thousands of volunteers who

around, helping each other out.

poured into Saint Peter. A true loving

People whose houses were severely

community.” —Lola Danielson Amendt

damaged were taken in by others. So many

close to who were graduating. I am so glad

alumni wanted to help with the cleanup.

I did. Everyone came together to make this

The pressure was so intense that the

work. It was a real testament to the Gustie

second weekend after the tornado, we were

spirit and the Gustie community.

Rocks like these, ripped from the roofs of campus buildings, were found all over Nicollet County and beyond.

There was so much broken glass it was prohibited to wear open-toed shoes (changing the footwear plans of many for graduation). Twenty years later, Gustavus librarians still find glass embedded in the pages of library books.

I had delayed my sabbatical because there were students I was very

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

I dutifully moved to

17

The admission crew was totally

MY TORNADO

THEN: VICE

moved all our files to Olin Hall. We

THE TREES PLANTED. THE INSURANCE

decided we were going to meet our

CLAIMS FILED. AND THE COLLEGE’S

admission goal. We didn’t really believe

LARGEST INCOMING CLASS.

PRESIDENT FOR ADMINISTRATION, ACTING DIRECTOR OF ADMISSION | NOW: RETIRED

because many of us lost everything. We

that, but we kept saying it to each other.

There were days when people would crash and become very emotional.

Someone would take them out into the

I was reviewing scholarship applications.

I went home at 4 p.m. I never saw anything that was on my desk again, except a picture of me with my daughter’s golden retriever that a FEMA worker found embedded with glass shards.

My wife and I went into a closet under

hall and hug them. When someone went down, someone always rose up.

We discovered later that many prospective students came as volunteers picking up debris. After, we had 500 people at an admission event in Bloomington—

our basement stairs. After it was over,

unbelievable! That

it was totally silent. Then people were

was the day we

calling to each other—“Are you okay?”

realized we’d made it.

MY TORNADO

I don’t recall that it was

Warren Wunderlich

anything other than busy. I

THEN: DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL PLANT | NOW: RETIRED

don’t remember even having time to think. It was actually a liberating time. Everyone was so appreciative of every improvement. We had good working relationships with our

I was home with my wife and our youngest child. I saw the flag in the neighbor’s front yard do a 180. I

but unfettered by politics.

People asked what they could do. People who were carpenters were

things started crashing.

supervising contractors. Big contractors

Afterwards, I walked through every

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

constituents. It was long hours,

got down to the basement about the time

building with the campus safety

18

RECOVERY

Owen Sammelson ’58

operational, which was unbelievable

like Kraus-Anderson got everybody they could

director and flashlights. We saw

together. Two-person

a lot of broken windows, walls

operations showed up with

pushed in from the force. There

their Bobcats, not even

were buildings we couldn’t even

sure if they’d be paid.

go into. The next morning, I went out to the parking lot and my wife

Those crabapple and linden trees that sweep down

was in the car bawling. The campus was a

the hill were planted right after the

moonscape.

tornado. A few weeks later, they bloomed.

2

days it took for the first trailers to go up

4

days it took for President Bill Clinton to declare Saint Peter and Nicollet County a disaster area

12

trailers used for classes and college services until the end of the academic year, known affectionately as “FEMA Village”

23

days until campus reopened, a heroic feat many believed could not be achieved

$3,000

amount of credit each student received for missed class and loss of personal items

$50+ million insurable storm damage (Gustavus was well insured)

2,000+

volunteers who showed up on the first weekend they were allowed on campus

MY TORNADO

their houses. We saw that the boy’s house

Steve Kjellgren ’86

was pretty much gone, but we were able

THEN: DIRECTOR OF

2,450

trees planted over the course of the next three years— more than were lost

100

we would have any semblance of a campus.

VICE PRESIDENT,

But then we had thousands of volunteers

AUXILIARY SERVICES

on campus—and we had to feed them. We had some tents, and some pots and pans.

It was a picture perfect,

The physical plant guys were able to get

bluebird day. Then it turned

me some burners and propane. Our

kids—including a neighbor—

200+

total residence hall beds gained (in Arbor View, Prairie View, College View, and Carlson International Center residence halls)

cross, formerly atop the Christ Chapel, found near Rundstrom Hall mangled but still intact

0

deaths or serious injuries to students, faculty, and staff. Heard often: “Thank God it was spring break.”

custodial staff said, “Can we make sandwiches?”

and we ducked downstairs.

I was working out of

I made it as fun as I could.

the back of my car, trying

They were between the

to make a plan for when

ages of six and ten. train sound, and a pressure

enrolled as first-years in the fall, a record-breaker

1

It seemed fairly unrealistic to me that

NOW: ASSOCIATE

There was a real loud

725

next day.

DINING SERVICES |

threatening. I gathered up the

percent of applicants for the 1998–1999 academic year who received a letter or phone call within 10 days of the tornado

to connect him with his grandparents the

change. We felt the house shake.

It was an eye-opener when I went

the students came back. I made a connection with a company that had portable kitchens in semi-trailers. Our physical plant people built a loading

outside. The house was still standing,

dock on the backside of Lund Center. We

but nothing was where it should be. The

built a big old dining room and serving

windows were blown out. There was a car

kitchen in the Lund Forum.

hood leaning up against our front door.

In a way, it was not terrible. We had

The boy who was with us wanted to get

gotten over the destruction part and

home, but the garage door was on top

we were putting the pieces back. We had

of my car.

the students back. A lot of Gustie Rousers

When we got it off, I piled the kids in.

were being sung. There was a whole new

We weaved through debris, power lines,

commonality, a new sense of community.

trees, light poles, people crawling out of

We were moving forward.

It was makeshift, camplike, and heavy on hamburgers. Everyone remembers eating in Lund.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

IN NUMBERS

19

LOST

1 The original College View four-plex was lost.

Now it is a much larger apartment complex.

WE LET GO OF SOME BELOVED BUILDINGS BUT GAINED NEW ONES. 1

2 The spire of Christ

2

Chapel fell. Every window broke.

3 College leaders tried

to save historic Johnson Hall, the second oldest building on campus, built in 1910. But it was too damaged.

4 3

4

5 Holly House and

Terrace House, which both housed intentional student communities, were lost.

5

6 The day the crane

raised the spire on Christ Chapel was a joyous one. Repairs retained the building’s Mid-century integrity.

7 Severely damaged

Melva Lind Interpretive Center got a big posttornado expansion.

GAINED 6

8 Though we lost

the bowling alley and arcade, the new C. Charles Jackson Campus Center brought the Hillstrom Museum of Art, the Courtyard Café, and a more strategic use of space. Plus, the new dining service has revolutionized the way students are fed.

7

9 The Carlson GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

8

20

9

International Center focuses on global community; attached but distinct is today’s Swedish House.

Also lost: The Brick House. Also gained: Arbor View and Prairie View residence halls.

Kraus-Anderson, our contractor, was there at 9 a.m. Monday

MY TORNADO

morning. Our cleaning contractor recommended that right away

Ken Westphal

we board up the library. I was so grateful for that. We had very few losses to our collection. And we were

THEN VICE PRESIDENT FOR FINANCE

all so grateful that our facilities plan had just

AND TREASURER | NOW: RETIRED

been updated. Our decisions were laid out.

I was with my wife and daughter in the basement

When students wanted to be part of

when it came through. I checked on an elderly

the rebuilding process, they walked fields

neighbor, and then immediately headed up to

picking up debris so farmers could plant

campus to call the insurance company. We needed

crops. That was a turning point in our

good thinking, so I was trying to put my emotions

town-gown relationships.

aside on the phone, but at one point the person on

A year later, I spoke at a conference about

the other end said, “Mr. Westphal, please calm down!”

the College’s response to the tornado. Some peers said, “At our campus, I don’t think we would

I kept waiting for that point where the

have had the people to pull this together the way you did.” I was

campus was not damaged, but all I could see

thinking, of course, this is Gustavus. This is who we are. There is

was the destruction.

no one I’d rather go to bat with than all these great Gusties.

LIVING THE LEGACY THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COMMUNITY.

Owen Sammelson, then vice president of administration. “The tornado just brought

It’s a sentiment spoken by so many Gusties who experienced the tornado.

Former president Axel Steuer certainly

it out so that everyone could see it. That’s

agrees. “The College was stronger

the lesson to learn from the tornado.”

afterwards. The community became a stronger place,” he says.

For current president Rebecca Bergman, that sense of community was

theme valuing community and delivering excellence. “They are central to our mission and essential to our students. We all have a stake in both.” she says.

As I reflect upon it now, I am reminded again how important it is to take care of your people. The College’s values were lived, and that made all the difference.

—Axel Steuer, former president of Gustavus

evident the moment her son, Matthew,

These words—which could have been

became a first-year in 2003. It informs

spoken in 1998—continue to ring true for

her presidency today. “Our strong

today’s Gustavus.

community is omnipresent at Gustavus.

And I continue to work everyday to meet

Gustavus, Saint Peter, and Nicollet

and feed that true sense of service and

County will remember the tornado at

belonging.”

This year, in conjunction with the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan, President Bergman has spoken passionately on the

Saint Peter High School on March 29.

Hear recollections, reflections, and the church bells ring at 5:29 p.m. For more, see stpeterchamber.com/ tornado-remembered.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

“We always had a community,” says

21

SPORTS

SPORTS

An accomplished tennis player in Libya in his youth, Mohaned Alhouni ’18 was sent to the United States by his parents after political unrest made life in his home country dangerous. He went to high school in Duluth and the Twin Cities before choosing Gustavus.

NUMBER ONE

Winning this fall’s Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)

Kamphoff, a sports psychologist,” Alhouni says. “She helped me

Midwest Regional was tennis as usual for Gustavus No. 1 singles

realize some of the little things that I didn’t notice before. It’s

standout Mohanad Alhouni (Sr., Tripoli, Libya). He’s now done

helped me stay poised in big moments of the match, either in the

it three times.

third set or in a tense moment.”

But advancing to the eight-player ITA Oracle Cup—which

Alhouni—it’s a win for Gustavus too. Alhouni is only the second

winning it all—that was something new, and special.

Gustavus men’s tennis player to claim the ITA singles title (John

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

“My goals have been the same since my freshman year,”

22

The distinction of national champion isn’t just special for

features the best Division III tennis players in the country, and

Kauss in 2008 was the first). And in this upcoming season, with

Alhouni says. “I just wasn’t quite there mentally in previous years

Alhouni now ranked as the No. 1 singles player in Division III,

to handle [some] situations. But as a team, we have put in a lot of

every team member’s mind is on another championship season.

work over the offseason and in the spring. It was much easier as a

They’re definitely looking good in the MIAC. The team

senior to adapt to the pressure of facing the top seven guys in the

has won 295 consecutive conference matches and 29 straight

country. I wasn’t as tense or tight this time around.”

league titles.

Alhouni has all the physical traits of a great tennis player, but

To give those stats some context: Ronald Reagan was in office

strengthening his mental approach to the game is something he’s

and the average cost of gas was $1.19 the last time Gustavus lost

put a lot of work into. “We’ve done a lot of work with Cindra

a MIAC match.

Volleyball

Football

Wayzata) were named All-Conference

The Gusties enjoyed one of the best

For the second straight season, the

and United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-

seasons in the 49-year history of

Gusties finished with a 5-5 overall

North Region Second Team. Murakami

the program. After getting upset

record. They did improve in the MIAC

was also recognized on the USC Scholar

in the MIAC semifinals, the Gusties

with a 4-4 record, one more win than

All-America Team.

earned an at-large bid to the NCAA

the previous season, taking fourth place.

tournament where they proceeded

Defensive end and punter Casey Decker

Women’s Cross Country

to win a regional title and advance to

(Sr., Mapleton) earned First Team All-

The Gusties competed in five meets

the NCAA quarterfinals for the second

Conference honors and was named

leading up to the MIAC Championships

time in team history. They finished the

CoSIDA Academic All-District. Second

where they took fourth place. Sadie

year 26-7 overall while Nora Holtan

Team All-MIAC members included

Klug (Sr., Waseca) earned All-

(Jr., Rochester) led the team as AVCA

Brayton Finch (So., Mount Morris,

Conference honors with a ninth place

All-American, CoSIDA Academic All-

IL), Kevin Krohn (Sr., Richfield), Matt

finish. In his first season, Head Coach

American, and MIAC Player of the Year.

Berkner (Jr., Sleepy Eye), and Brendan

Brenden Huber led the Gusties to a

Kate Holtan (Fy., Rochester) earned

Boche (Sr., Lakeville).

sixth place finish at the NCAA Central

AVCA All-America honorable mention,

Region meet. Klug captured All-Region

Central Region Freshman of the Year,

Men’s Soccer

and MIAC Rookie of the Year honors.

The program celebrated its 50th season

Brittany Luethmers (Jr., Prior Lake) and

with a second-place finish in the MIAC

Men’s Cross Country

Hanna Albers (Jr., St. Louis, MO) joined

after posting a 7-3 record in the league

The Gusties ran in five races prior to

the Holtan sisters on the All-MIAC Team.

and 13-6 overall. Matt Murakami (Sr.,

the MIAC Championships, where they

Eden Prairie) and Arthur Parens (Jr.,

finished eighth. Andrew Stumbo

accolades with a 15th place finish.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

The 2017 Women’s Volleyball team advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for only the second time in Gustavus history.

23

SPORTS

Midfielder No. 9 Sophie Leininger (Sr., Plymouth) was a team leader in the Gustie run for a women’s soccer conference championship. She also earned her second MIAC Elite 22 award, given to the player in the MIAC Championships with the highest cumulative GPA.

(Fy., Boone, IA) earned All-Conference

Rapid City, S.D.) joined Becker on the

place finish. Her second round 73 was

with a fifth-place finish. Huber also took

All-Conference team, while Sophie

a career-best.

the reins of the men’s team for his first

Leininger (Sr., Plymouth) won the MIAC

season as head coach and directed the

Elite 22 award and was named CoSIDA

Men’s Golf

team to a 12th place finish at the NCAA

Academic All-District.

The Gusties competed in four meets

Central Region meet.

24

leading up the MIAC Championships where they placed fourth. Alec Aunan

The Gusties highlighted their fall

(Sr., Rock Island, IL) earned co-medalist

The Gusties earned the MIAC’s sixth

season by winning the Eau Claire

honors, garnering the program’s

seed for the league playoffs after

Invitational for the third straight

25th MIAC individual championship.

posting a 5-4-2 record and made an

year. They finished fifth at the MIAC

Chris Captain (Sr., Rochester) tied for

improbable run to the conference

Championships. McKenzie Swenson

fourth place to earn a spot on the All-

championship, losing a heartbreaker

(Sr., Buffalo) led the team with a 13th-

Championship Team.

to St. Kate’s in overtime. The Gusties finished the year with a 10-6-4 record, their third straight season with at least 10 victories. Ashley Becker (Jr., Farmington) was selected First Team All-America, becoming just the ninth student-athlete in program history to receive the honor. Josie Mazzone (Sr.,

SPRING OPENERS

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Women’s Soccer

Women’s Golf

Sat. March 17: Baseball vs. Mount Marty at 1 p.m. It will be the first game on the new field.

Mon. April 2: Softball vs. Bethany Lutheran at 3 p.m.

Sat. April 14: Track & Field hosts the Lee Krough Invitational beginning at 10 a.m.

SEVEN MONTHS. $75 MILLION.

$10 MILLION

Gratitude

• Nobel Hall of Science expansion and renovation • Scholarships for National Merit Scholars From Bob Peterson ’74 and his wife, Cindy, the gift includes a $5 million challenge to help raise the final gifts needed for the Nobel Hall of Science project. Once the dollar-fordollar challenge is met, a second

IT’S BEEN A SEASON OF TRANSFORMATIONAL

$5 million will be remitted to support

GIVING FOR GUSTAVUS.

scholarships specifically for National Merit Scholars.

Since July, Gustavus has received more than $75 million in commitments. That’s never happened before. Each gift is unique in its intention. All support the Gustavus Acts Strategic Plan. Says President Rebecca Bergman, “We are seeing a wave of giving that continues to build as alumni, parents, and friends commit to the College’s vision and

Known by most

direction. Our future is bright because members of our community believe in Gustavus.”

of his Gustavus classmates as

These donors want you to join them with gifts of any size. Visit gustavus.edu/giving to explore

“Stick” due to his

ways to give at all levels. All gifts matter.

slim build as a freshman, Peterson graduated with degrees in economics and environmental studies. After working in the

$40 MILLION

• Scholarships and financial aid for the

College’s business office, he went

most talented incoming students

on to earn his MBA in accounting at

• Nobel Hall of Science expansion and

the University of Southern Califor-

renovation

nia. Since 1991, he has served as

• The College’s endowment, which will significantly boost operating funds

President and CEO of Melton Truck The Nobel Hall of Science expansion

Lines, one of the nation’s leading

and renovation will nearly double the

flatbed trucking companies.

For more on this gift, see the Fall 2017

building’s footprint, completely renovate

issue of the Gustavus Quarterly.

the existing facilities, and connect it to the Schaefer Fine Arts Center.

There’s a momentum at

$25 MILLION

• Center for Career Development

From an anonymous alumni couple, this

exciting. I see positive

• Scholarships and financial aid

grant includes $10 million to endow the

• Nobel Hall

Gustavus Center for Career Development

things going on there

of Science

in support of student vocation and career

every day, and we’re

expansion and

readiness, $10 million for scholarships

renovation, plus

and financial aid, and $5 million for the

privileged to be in a

athletics facilities

Nobel Hall of Science project and athletics

position to be a part of it.”

updates

facilities updates.

—Bob “Stick” Peterson

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Gustavus right now that’s

25

G USTIES WHAT’S PLANNED

Gustavus

REUNION WEEKEND JUNE 8–10, 2018

WELCOME BACK, CLASS OF ’48, ’53, ’58, ’63, ’68, ’73, ’78, ’83, ’88, ’93, ’98, ’03, ’08, AND ’13.

Staying up late in the dorms. Walking through the Arb. Meeting your friends in the Caf. Checking out your crush at a Dive dance.

Savoring Ma Young’s pecan pie or Swedish kringle. Laughing until your abs hurt. Oh, and going to class.

Sound like your time on the Hill? Good. That was our vision as Gustavus embarked last year on a reinvigoration of class reunions—giving you the opportunity to re-engage with everything you loved about being a Gustie during an entire weekend when the campus can be your playground.

We are excited again to welcome you back to Reunion Weekend in June. And while we hope you come back to the Hill whenever you can, please accept our invitation to attend this special weekend, and join your classmates when it will be all about you.

Always consider Gustavus a home, and we’ll see you on Reunion Weekend.

26

Alumni Association

• Tours where you can learn about changes since your time on campus • Alumni College to engage with faculty, staff, and alumni in lifelong learning • Remembrance services that honor classmates who have passed, and music from the Alumni Choir • Class dinners and receptions to spend time catching up and make new memories • A donor reception that recognizes and celebrates the generosity of Gusties • Special messages from 50th, 25th and 10th reunion classes with a walk down memory lane, plus recognition of alumni award winners and a message from President Bergman • A community concert with professional alumni musicians featuring music all generations will love • And so much more...

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Discounted all-inclusive packages: all meals and snacks plus all activities and transportation Half-day options: Friday, Saturday morning, Saturday evening, and Sunday options include select meals, activities and transportation (see website for additional details)

For specific packages, pricing, and frequently asked questions, see gustavus.edu/reunionweekend.

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

2017 ALUMNI BOARD MEMBERS Gordon Mansergh ’84 (president), senior behavioral scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Kara Buckner ’97 (vice president), marketing consultant J.C. Anderson ’82, partner/attorney, Gray Plant Mooty Rick Barbari ’91, head of enterprise data management, US Bank Lydia Benge Cloeter ’13, lead recruiter– Minnesota, Boom Lab Mary Booker ’91, assistant vice provost– student financial services, University of San Francisco

LAST YEAR, ALUMS LOVED 1 Reconnecting with old friends Touring and/or spending time 2 on campus 3 Staying in the dorms with the student 4 Interacting ambassadors

Michael Bussey ’69, senior consultant, Donor

by Design Group, LLC Sara Schnell Elenkiwich ’10, operations, Sparboe Farms Theresa Gienapp ’97, director of planned giving, Macalester College Antonio Gomez ’14, senior analyst, UnitedHealth Group Cathy Villars Harms ’85, vice president of marketing, Tecmark LLC Brenda Kardock ’90, account specialist, FOX 47 KXLT-TV Stephanie Kendall ’76, executive consultant, Smarter Workforce, IBM Corporation

Spending time getting to know classmates they did not know well as a student

“I had the time of my life being with my dear friends, but also connecting with other classmates that I rarely, if ever, spoke to while at school. It was a very friendly,

596

exciting weekend.

Truly a Gustie

attended last year’s Reunion Weekend

LAST YEAR’S REUNION WEEKEND WAS A HUGELY SUCCESSFUL REVAMP.

95%

welcome!”

Todd Krough ’85, vice president/financial advisor, Bernstein Private Wealth Management Damon Larson ’84, librarian/research coach, Chaparral High School Bill Laumann ’66, retired school teacher/ librarian, Albert Lea ISD 241 Jane Norman Leitzman ’69, teacher, retired Ginny Kirkegaard Leppart ’76, teacher, retired Dan Michel ’90, digital content manager, Feeding America Jason Mischel ’96, vice president of sales and marketing, Valley Queen Cheese Kay Rethwill Moline ’56, (emerita member), retired Gustavus nursing faculty Esther Mulder ’08, public defender, Hennepin County Leslie Nielsen ’81, owner/manager, Meloy Park Florist

86%

said attending Reunion Weekend increased their likelihood to attend again

said the weekend met or exceeded their expectations

Peter Kitundu ’92, general counsel, Blue Cross Blue Shield

Karl Self ’81, clinical associate professor/ director of division of dental therapy, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Daniel Sellers ’06, executive director, EdAllies Vidya Sivan ’02, print and online communications specialist, Harvard Kennedy School Catherine Asta ’75 (immediate past president), attorney

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

5

Bob Brown ’83, staff neurologist/professor, Mayo Clinic

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GUSTIES

MY GUSTAVUS Elin Ahldén ’99 ENGLISH MAJOR, CLASSICS MINOR “I CONNECTED ALL THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT SWEDISH CULTURE WITH ALL THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT AMERICAN CULTURE.”

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

An American exchange student from Alaska, Linda Lanz ’00, told me about Gustavus. I arrived from Sweden to study just for fun for a year and then go home and be a responsible girl and become a doctor.

I took a lot of English classes because I loved literature, and halfway through, my adviser, Dr. Claude Brew, looked me in the face and said, “You are allowed to study what you are passionate about.” And I stayed.

I spent my entire first year in Confer-Vickner. I had studied English—Swedes speak good English. My first assignment was to read My Ántonia. I read the preface three times, and every time I fell asleep! Reading English was an incredible load of work for me. But it has been so incredibly valuable to me.

And there were cultural differences. People brought me to a lutefisk dinner on my birthday, but my family didn’t eat lutefisk and certainly not in October. My hair was short, my jeans were tight. I spent the night at my boyfriend’s more often than not and I wasn’t embarrassed about it. But I embraced all the cultural differences. Captain Crunch cereal? That was one of the weirdest things I’ve ever experienced. You have so many brands of detergent. I was like, I don’t even know where to start!

My parents were in Saint Peter when the tornado hit. [We were with Glenn Kranking ’98 and Nathan Meyer ’99 in the Swedish House.] It was terrifying.

I had a friendship family in Saint Peter—Marge and Stanley Halvorson. They took my parents in, and my parents stayed the whole two weeks. It was a formative experience for them. They saw a community that cares.

What I gained at Gustavus was definitely reading, writing, thinking, and arguing skills. As a manager, I see such shortage of people with those skills.

And I gained the courage to study for passion and to study for love. I came thinking Sweden had it all figured out, but I met such free thinkers—both faculty and students. That was an unexpected and extraordinary experience.

I also learned to call myself a feminist, and I haven’t stopped since.

Gustavus made a Swede a feminist. Think about how ironic that is!

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Ahldén is founding partner and chairwoman of Lennox Public Relations, a Stockholm-based communications firm. She will be a featured alumni speaker (along with Kristine Jurczyk ’97) at the Gustavus Women in Leadership Conference on April 27 at the Minneapolis Event Center.

(See page 9 for more and to register.)

GUSTIES

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Hiram Drache, Moorhead, released his 17th book entitled Service Above Self at age 93 and is working on two more books.

Lois Dickhart Skillrud, Bloomington, IL, is still singing and teaching voice in her home studio.

Donna Lindquist Chommie, Bismarck, ND, recently retired from her work as a real-estate agent.

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Vada Peterson Carlson was recognized, posthumously, with a plaque displayed at Anoka High School recognizing her for her 21 years of dedicated employment as the librarian and media generalist.

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Robert E. Christenson, Saint Louis Park, is founder of Do-It-Myself-Healing.

Jeanine Lundahl Olson, Pipestone, is a retired musician.

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Evelyth Peterson Nelson, Saint Peter, still lives on the farm by Norseland and enjoys attending Gustavus activities.

Jim Krueger, Eugene, OR, lives in a senior retirement community with his wife, Ellen, and enjoys travel, golf and running 5K races.

IS THERE A GUSTIE NURSE IN THE HOUSE? YES. MANY.

Joan Boyum Tavares, Greensboro, NC, is continuing to facilitate a year-long leadership academy for executive directors of nonprofits in the North Carolina area.

Bonnie Lewis McClees, Bothell, WA, is retired and keeps busy with church choir, swimming, three grandchildren under age 10, and camper trips.

Emmy Hanson Abello, Santa Ynez, CA, has been doing a lot of traveling: Mexico, South America, Japan, and Hawaii.

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V. Delight Licklider Byrd, Omaha, NE, serves on the Board of Directors at the Vision Foundation in Omaha.

Mark Kuechenmeister, Walla Walla, WA, is a retired ophthalmologist enjoying his time spent between Walla Walla and Citrus Hills, FL.

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Gals from the Gustavus Nursing Class of 1963 met for lunch at Lake Elmo Inn in September. Front (l to r): Jan Heaberlin, Susan Bergquist Lemke, Nancy Johnson Knoell, Heather Harshberger Fluck, Peg Kretschmer Brinkman. Back (l to r): Eunice Holm Fultz, Naomi Lineer Dorau, Karen Katz McCarville, Lorna Johnson Breiter, Marlys Schneider Swenson, Chris Swenson Wilmot, Konnie Rickert Brunberg, Carolyn Helgeson Liebenow, Connie Ponsor Fisk.

The Gustie Nurses Class of 1964 gathered for four days in Stillwater in October. Front: Diane Kvols Schweizer. Middle (l to r): Joan Carlstrom Morehouse, Sharron Anderson-Erickson, Joyce Wallinder Johnson, Helen Hesli Jacobson, Carol Woods Blaeser, Char Olson Jerney. Back (l to r): Delores Bade Alt, Carolyn Kruger, Barbara Nelson Kroll, Herland Hernes, Janet Helm, Karyl Krantz Blair, Carla Johnson Stoneberg, Ruby Monson Englund. (Not pictured: Susan Hansen Rohloff and Lois Hoernemann Banke.)

Nancy Eddy, Pittsburgh, PA, retired from teaching and still sponsors an after-school Geography Club.

Harold LeVander ’62, Woodbury, was named a lifetime achiever by Marquis Who’s Who, a publisher of biographical profiles.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Kenneth W. Kirby, Cedar Rapids, IA, continues to play in bands, sing in choirs, write essays, and interview battle veterans, and well as volunteer at a senior living community.

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A new species of lizard— Anolis kathydayae— has been named for Kathryn Day ’78, chief administrative officer for the Miller Institute for Basic Research at the University of California, Berkeley. The researchers who named the lizard for her cited her contributions "to the professional and personal development of scientists and the advancement of basic science through her position running the Miller Institute.”

Karen Bossart Rusthoven ’66 was awarded the 2017 Minnesota Charter School Pioneer Award in September 2017. She founded the Community of Peace Academy in 1995 and served as school director until 2012.

The book POW/MIA Accounting: Searching for America’s Missing Servicemen in the

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Soviet Union (Palgrave/Macmillan) by

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Paul Cole ’79 was published in February.

Cole is a Scientific Fellow at the Joint POW/MIA Command at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Kathy Eaton Asted, Andover, is self-employed at Asted Consulting Associated and at Riverdale Pediatric Dentistry.

Barbara Veker Elnes, Edina, is a substitute teacher in the Hopkins and Edina school districts.

Ingrid Wilson Molde, Battle Lake, is a retired school teacher enjoying traveling with her husband, Al Molde ’66.

Jean Magnusson Nye, Chicago, IL, retired from being an associate in ministry at Faith Lutheran Church.

Julie Hallquist Petersen, Shoreview, is retired from teaching second grade at Como Park Elementary.

Jim Schoenrock, Woodburn, OR, retired as a senior pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Judy Opheim Schwakopf, Burnsville, is a retired education coordinator at Carondolet Health.

Stephen B. Streed, Fargo, ND, has been the senior chaplain for 28 years at Eventide Lutheran Homes in Moorhead/Fargo area.

He finished his doctorate in Aging and Spirituality.

Carl L. Zaar, Franklin, WI, retired in September from his work as a corporate internal audit manager at the Marcus Corporation.

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Steve Hoffmann, Anoka, is an engineer/scientist for TRW, Inc. Jean Bjorling Young, Ghana, Africa, works at the Assemblies of God Hospital, Saboba. She is the surgical specialist.

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Carol Saeger Gercke, Parker, CO, has retired after 45 years in pediatric and NICU nursing.

Diane Havlik Shallue, Blaine, is an adjunct instructor at United Lutheran Seminary in Pennsylvania teaching an online course on Christian education for all ages.

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Gail Wohlman Ahern, Purcell, OK, works as a family and divorce mediator for Early Settlement Mediation.

Tim Berg, Lake Crystal, retired from his position as professor emeritus and the president’s chaplain emeritus at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Larry Cruse, Carver, retired.

SueAnn Hoernemann Fynewever, Cincinnati, OH, retired as director of lending services for Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund.

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Amy Stark, Santa Ana, CA, is a psychologist working with families experiencing divorce.

She also works with the Girl Scouts teaching self-esteem and using her book, Whole Heart for Girls.

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Kris Lewis Anderson, Rosemount, is a sales executive for Modernistic.

John W. Bergstrand, New Ulm, is the administration assistant for Nicollet County Human Services.

Gretchen Bingea, Boise, ID, is the pastor for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Boise.

Marie Young Egnell, Brooklyn Center, is now retired.

Connie Lundgren-Gardner, Green Bay, WI, is a paralegal for Wanezek, Jaekels, Daul, and Babcock, SC. Luz Maria Corazao Giesecke, Lima, Peru, is the assistant to the administration for Sistemas Aplicados A Negocios.

John D. Okoh, Delta State,

Nigeria, retired from civil service in 2013.

John E. Olmon, Saint Michael, is a retired estate planning attorney.

Dave Pfeiffer, Waukesha, WI, is the assistant football coach for Oconomowoc School District.

Joanne Tracy, Eden Prairie, has retired from her French and Spanish teaching position at Bloomington ISD #271.

Bob Wiesner, Rochester, is CEO of Paramark Corp.

Bonnie Hanks Wilson, Austin, TX, is the benefits specialist for University of Texas, Austin.

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Beth Onkka Stuckey, Saint Peter, is senior curriculum developer for Western Governors University.

Sandi Samuelson Thompson, Tucson, AZ, was awarded the 2017 Arizona Association of School Psychologists Keith Perkins Lifetime Achievement Award for exemplary service to the profession. Sandi is the school psychologist at Vail, AZ, school district.

Boak B. Wiesner, Delano, is a retired biology teacher from Delano School District.

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Beth Groehler Davis, Eden Prairie, graduated from Walden University in 2015 with a certification for nurse educators (CNE) and is an assistant professor at St. Catherine University.

Randall P. Erlandson, Brea, CA, is vice president of sales for Orange Circle Studio/Studio Oh! Connie Schmidt Fust, Plymouth, is a franchise business consultant for International Dairy Queen.

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Julie Anderson Wawczak, Roselle, IL, has semi-retired from working in an elementary school library but continues to substitute in different local districts.

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Lynn K. Anderson, Hopkins, is a personal trainer for golfers at Two Irons.

Jay A. Gutierrez, Woodbury, is the customer solutions manager for Post Consumer Brands.

Karyn White Hansen, Columbus, OH, received her master’s degree in early childhood education from Capella University in 2012 and is a kindergarten teacher at Tree of Life Christian Schools.

Janet Bonko McManamon, Lino Lakes, is business operations manager for Particle Instruments.

Gregory Peterson, Rochester, is founder and principal for Machinery Pete.

Mary Zimmermann Peterson, Red Wing, is conveyor belt specialist for Applied Power Products.

Sven Thierhoff, Oberursel, Germany, is vice president international for International Management Group.

Kris Grove Tucker, Lakeville, is vice president of global regulatory affairs for Wright Medical.

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Dawn McClure Duffy, Red Wing, is marketing executive assistant for Treasure Island Resort & Casino.

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Bruce Ensrud, Edina, is a wealth advisor at Thrivent Financial and received honorable mention for the Invest in Others (IIO) Catalyst Award. IIO recognizes the charitable work of financial advisors across the nation that actively give back to their communities.

Jeanne Reddy Laing, Lakeville, is spending this academic year serving as a Minnesota math corps tutor through Americorp.

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Rick Barbari, Chanhassen, works in information technology for US Bank.

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Kim Bowar Kruger, Duluth, received her MBA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2014 and is the department chair for

the physician assistant master’s program at College of St. Scholastica.

Rolf Olson, La Paz, Bolivia, is a foreign service officer with the U.S. Department of State recently assigned to the United States embassy in Bolivia where he serves as the political/economic counselor.

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April Sherren, Eden Prairie, is an obstetrics and gynecology physician at Park Nicollet Medical Center.

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Brian C. Carlson, Minnetonka, is a business project manager for Ameriprise Financial.

Jesse Christianson, Mankato, was recently promoted to senior vice president/senior business relationship manager at Wells Fargo Bank.

Jenifer Breutzmann Fournier, Chicago, IL, is vice president, financial planning and analysis, for Leo Burnett.

Andrew Heintz, Minneapolis, is senior financial reporting consultant for Merrill Corp.

Megan Gregor Mason, Waconia, is an English teacher for District 110 Schools.

Jason Molesky, Northfield, is a K-12 education development executive at Apple.

Rebecca Moen Pirius, Denver, CO, is policy associate for the National Conference of State Legislators.

The book GROUNDED: Leading Your Life With Intention (MCP Books)

by Nancy Dahl ’83 was published in November. Based on her 15 years as a C-suite business leader, the book is for leaders seeking an authentic, integrated life. Dahl has held executive-level positions at Lifetouch, Cambria, and (currently)Tastefully Simple.

Kyle ’98 and Melissa (Golberg) Molin ’98 displayed their Gustie pride by building a backyard basketball court with the Three Crowns at their home in Chaska.

Corey Bartlett ’00, president and CEO, Automotive Parts Headquarters in St. Cloud, received the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association’s 2017 Pursuit of Excellence Award.

Shawn Reid, Minneapolis, is now grade dean and head girls hockey coach at The Blake School.

Erika Jeffrey Vickerman, Minnetonka, works for Oak Knoll Christian Preschool as assistant to the director.

Jamie Voss, Minneapolis, is the accounting manager for Pediatric Home Service.

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Chad Bigalke, Apple Valley, is legal counsel for Securian Financial Group.

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Dave Savage, Berkeley, CA, was promoted to associate professor with tenure in the Departments of Molecular & Cell Biology and Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley.

Christian White, Bloomington, is a pilot for Delta Air Lines.

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Kristina Campbell Mattson, St. Paul, was elected to the Transportation Committee of her neighborhood district council in St. Paul and as the at-large coordinating committee member of the 4th congressional district, Green Party.

Michelle Schaefer Stepka, St. Paul, is a residency coordinator at University of Minnesota where she oversees education and events for the University of Minnesota orthopedic residents rotating at Regions Hospital.

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Jenny Schmitz Barnes, Mount Vernon, IA, is the Rise Up Program Coordinator at Cornell College.

Becca Smith Darrow, Bayport, is client engagement manager for Exosite.

Jill Batalden Hoehn, Long Lake, is an organizational effectiveness consultant for TCF Bank.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Martha Dalager Hanson, Albuquerque, NM, is a lecturer on the piano faculty for the University of New Mexico.

Craig W. Jergenson, Maple Grove, is president of Coach Craig Financial Group.

Susan Luhman Michael, Durham, CT, is an elementary science specialist and outdoor educator for Regional School District 13.

Joni Anderson Myers, Saint Peter, received her master’s in art from Mankato State University in 2012.

Ruthanne Vos, Golden Valley, is a partner at Mathison & Vos.

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GUSTIES

LINKED BY GUSTAVUS, HITTING THE LINKS. The 2017 Bob Krough Golf Outing was held at Stonebrooke Country Club in Shakopee. Proudly wearing their Gustie golf attire are Jim Krough ’61, Byron Helgeson ’60, Arlyn Burmeister ’60, Jim Donicht ’60, Jerry Thrall ’60, Chuck Smith ’59, Bob Krough ’60 and Doug Pritchard ’59.

Megan Backer Kelley, St. Paul, is director and employee relations counsel for Target.

Ambryn Melius, Minneapolis, is a mental health counselor and a dance/movement therapist for Family Enhancement Center.

Andy Meyer, New Berlin, WI, is assistant professor of economics at Marquette University.

Sarah Holm Pospisil, La Porte City, IA, is a first-grade teacher at Union Community Schools.

Kari Vickerman Taintor, Plymouth, is an in-context experimentation sales and logistics manager for General Mills.

04| The annual Baldy Golf Tournament was held in the Brainerd Lakes area in September. Named for Steve “Baldy” Baldwin ’74, who died in 1988, the golfers play for the “R” Cup in honor of tourney founder Ross “R” Handahl ’75, who died in May. The inaugural “R” was won by Craig Senn ’73. Front (l to r): Steve Smith ’74, Greg Lundgren (married to Betsy Bloomquist ’75), Carl Wicklund ’74, Steve Olsonoski ’75, Bob Bonne ’74, Bill Lunz ’74, Kirk Swanson ’74, David Hann ’74, David Bohline ’74, Rob Linner ’74, Doug Cramblit ’74. Back (l to r): Richard Black ’75, Senn, Peter Patten ’76, Bob Hobart ’73, and Chuck Schweiger ’74.

Diana Messig, Fremont, CA, is a meeting and event planner at Ernst & Young in San Jose, CA. Josh Williams, Minneapolis, is the senior manager of shopper marketing for J. M. Smucker Company.

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Andrew Bennett, Hastings, NE, is a graduate student in technology, innovation, and education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

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Seyward Mattson Ask, Willmar, is the pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer.

Darin L. Mays, Minneapolis, is director of product management for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

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Mike McKenney, Quincy, MA, is director of sports medicine at Northeastern University in Boston.

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Abby Chapman, St. Paul, is assistant to chief medical officer of Boynton Health at the University of Minnesota.

Anna Renner, Baltimore, MD, is a safety engineer for the Army Public Health Center in Baltimore, MD. Brittani Seagren, Elkhorn, NE, is a nurse practitioner at Riverside Medical Group.

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Roxi Brace, Eagan, is a kindergarten teacher in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District #191.

Nick Harper, Minneapolis, is an attorney and civic engagement manager for The League of Women Voters Minnesota.

Alison Utke, Nashville, TN, is the commercial operations manager for Mars, Inc.

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Dave Erlandson, Plymouth, is a physical therapist for Orthopedic & Sport Rehabilitation.

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Alyssa Graham, Chicago, IL, is a registration and events manager for Professional Convention Management Association.

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Harrison Blankenship, Maple Plain, is co-founder of Uptown Woodworks in

Emily Kofoed Brisse ’04 received a Minnesota Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant.

Her long-form essay on the abduction of Jacob Wetterling was published by Creative Nonfiction’s True Story as its own chapbook.

Elizabeth Brauer ’13 is CEO/co-founder at Luumu—Finnish Delicacies + Design, a food and design business specializing in cuisine, upcycled jewelry, and home decor inspired by the Finnish aesthetic.

College and works for PMT as an assistant marketing manager.

Timothy J. Miller, Golden Valley, received his doctorate in physical therapy and is employed

by Advanced Travel Therapy as a physical therapist.

Suzanne Mundhenke, Duluth, is due to graduate from Kansas City University with a dual degree in D.O./MA in bioethics.

Evan Odean, Duluth, is a researcher for the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Rachel Oien, Champaign, IL, accepted a SAGES fellowship as a PhD student in geology at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Jacie Richmond, Owatonna, graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul in May with a master of divinity degree and was ordained as a Lutheran pastor. She is now an associate pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Owatonna.

Kelli Buerman Rorem, Bloomington, is a physical therapist for Wellspring Health Center.

Elise Rosenow, Maple Grove, is a physician assistant at Mercy Hospital–Emergency Room, Coon Rapids.

Ashley Sivanich, Victoria, graduated from Des Moines University with a master’s degree in science and is employed at Lakeview Clinic as a physician assistant.

Laura Stubenvoll, St. Louis Park, is a purchasing and logistics analyst for Sparboe Companies.

Eric Thorn, Eagan, works for Venture Bank as a credit analyst.

Jessica Weber, St. Louis Park, received her master of science from Rush University and works for Optum as a client implementation manager.

Tyna Johnson, Litchfield, received her AAS in Interior Design from Alexandria Technical and Community College in June and is employed by Bria Hammel Interiors as an assistant designer.

Renate Willer, Minneapolis, works for Our Saviors Housing as a case manager.

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Kayla Hanson, Marshfield, WI, graduated from the University of Minnesota with a master’s degree in public health in May and is working as a research epidemiologist at the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute.

Kristine McLean, Eagan, graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in May and was sworn in as an attorney at the Minnesota Supreme Court bar admission ceremony in October.

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Carlie Hedlund, Dassel, is a graduate student in educational leadership at Saint Mary’s University.

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Sofia Huitron Martinez, Andover, is a bilingual quality assurance specialist for United Health Group.

Megan Kinser, Apple Valley, is an athletic trainer at Saint Peter High School.

Robert Rasmussen, Minneapolis, is an audit senior assistant for Deloitte & Touche.

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Mark Meier, Washington, DC, is a legal administrative assistant for 340B Health.

Megan A. Nelson, Stillwater, is a customer account management representative for 3M.

WEDDINGS Jodi D. Clark ’88 and Mae Morales, Bonner, MT Kerri Doyle ’88 and Steven Bavier, Delano Jennie English ’96 and T.C. Dumont, 01/19/17, Chicago, IL Jennifer Koehnen ’98 and Paul Lutter, 06/10/17, Plymouth Chris Stromberg ’98 and Sharon Wright, Frederick, MD Bohdan Vadis ’98 and Stephanie Vadis, San Diego, CA Kari Smith ’99 and Ralph Cena, 10/07/17, Las Cruces, NM Chad Gustafson ’01 and Catherine Erickson ’02, 12/02/17, Saint Cloud Amy Sommer ’02 and Nicholas Rosevear, 10/22/16, Denver, CO Lindsay Hadtrath ’04 and Ethan Keller ’03, 12/28/17, Minneapolis Ambryn Melius ’03 and Alexandria Kewitt, 9/19/15, Minneapolis Kim Eisenreich ’05 and Alex Eichmiller, 07/22/16, Columbia, MD Jon Quinlivan ’07 and Lindsay McKenna, 05/26/17, Cottage Grove Amanda Ziemer ’09 and Jake Wedeberg, 07/29/17, Mount Sterling, WI

I am convinced that the liberal arts college is one of the few remaining forces for constructive and liberating change in our society. In pursuit of its mission, it must not only seek balance and excellence but always strive in an exemplary way for some distinction.”

—Dr. Edward Lindell (1928–2017) (See page 37)

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Minneapolis where they design and create rustic wooden wall art.

Jacob Bruihler, Lincoln, NE, is a natural resources specialist for the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.

Kristen Campbell, Denver, CO, received her master’s degree in biostatistics from the University of Colorado in May 2017, and is working as a biostatistician for Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Krystal Bundy Chapman, Randallstown, MD, graduated from Lesley University with a master’s in special education and elementary education in May 2015.

Anna Eames, Minneapolis, works for the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute at Allina Health as a certified genetic counselor.

Alissa Fahrenz, Aurora, IL, works for Acciona Energy as a structured finance analyst.

Sydnie Graff, Le Sueur, works for Le Sueur County Public Health as an RN Case Manager.

Jess Harren, St. Paul, is a senior analyst–customer, consumer and market insights for 3M. Maja Johnson, Duluth, is in her third year of medical school at the University of Minnesota.

Claire Koukol, Bellevue, NE, received her master’s in dentistry in May 2017 and is a pediatric dental resident at University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Korryn Leudesdorf, Bloomington, is a project manager for vRad. Tam Meuwissen, St. Paul, completed her master’s in exercise physiology in 2015 from Ithaca

Valentina Muraleedharan, Washington, DC, is a public affairs fellow at the U.S. Baha’i Office of Public Affairs.

Mya Smith-Dennis, Savage, is the training and outreach coordinator for USTA Northern which involves working with diversity and inclusion, wheelchair and adaptive tennis, and on-court trainings.

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GUSTIES

FOUNDERS DAY AWARDS The College honored three outstanding employees at our annual Founders Day celebration, which recognizes the dedication of the iconic Old Main on October 31, 1876.

Kelly Waldron ’84 is the 2017 recipient of the Erik Norelius Award for the Outstanding Administrative Employee. The award, named for the College’s founder and first teacher, honors an administrative employee who exemplifies the vision, dedication, and service shown by Norelius.

Waldron, who serves as the controller within the finance office, is responsible for management and accounting of budget lines and money across campus.

Chris Gilbert is the recipient of the 2017 Faculty Service Award, the College’s highest recognition for distinguished service activities across campus. Professor Gilbert, who teaches in the Department of Political Science, is an expert in religion in politics, third parties in American politics, and the politics of Minnesota. He recently co-authored (with two Gustavus students) a book chapter, “The Resurgence of Evangelical Political Strength in 2016 Minnesota Electoral Politics,” which will appear in the forthcoming book God at the Grassroots 2016: The Christian Right

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

in American Politics.

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Bruce Volek is the 2017 recipient of the Augusta Carlson Schultz Award, which recognizes an outstanding support staff employee who has demonstrated exceptional service and dedication to the College.

Named in honor of one of the first employees of the Gustavus Dining Service in the late 1800s, award winners exemplify the dedication and spirit of service of the support staff. Volek, a Gustavus employee since 1992, is the director of landscape services in the facilities management division; his team is responsible for mowing, maintaining, improving, and grooming the College’s beautiful 350-acre campus.

Anne Betcher ’11 and Jalaal Madyun, 08/27/16, Minneapolis Maria Brown ’11 and Blaine Rutledge, 09/30/17, Saint Louis Park Dave Erlandson ’11 and Alyssa Rogers ’11, 08/05/17, Plymouth Sean Tessmer ’11 and Jennifer Neidich, 10/21/17, Bloomington Nick Breckner ’12 and Katie Ness ’12, 10/07/17, Minneapolis Breanne Ceranske ’12 and John Flatter, 06/24/17, Waupaca, WI Hannah Fischer ’12 and Nathan Frey, 10/21/17, Omaha, NE Jennifer Goeke ’12 and Nathan Huff, 09/21/13, Minneapolis Nathan Dexter ’13 and Cassandra Quam ’13, 08/26/17, St. Paul Amrik Donkena ’13 and Megan Born ’13, 06/10/17, Chaska Jared T. Haen ’13 and Kaitlin Hazard, 7/29/17, Rochester Bradley Kluver ’13 and Katherine Eslinger ’13, 06/18/16, Wayzata Jennifer Werness ’13 and Josh Hale, 09/23/17, Chaska Casey Hagadorn ’13 and Kyle Hinnenkamp, 09/15/17, Hibbing Timothy J. Miller ’13 and Erin Sherman ’13, 5/29/16, Golden Valley Sophie Donnelly ’13 and Samuel Schmid, 09/30/17, Saint Louis Park Krystyna Johnson ’13 and Michael Wenisch, 10/15/16, Litchfield Karolyn Peirson ’13 and Seth Rasmussen, 10/28/17, New Richmond, WI Ben Whalen ’13 and Abby Whalen, 10/21/17, Richfield Emily Hansen ’13 and Bradley Wieck ’11, 9/17/16, Inver Grove Heights Robert L. Smith ’53 and Marlys Benshoof, 09/22/13, Shoreview

Eric Jorgenson ’14 and Caitlin Fermoyle ’15, 11/04/17, Rochester Hillary Sabourin ’15 and Joseph Dipple ’13, 10/08/17, Camrose, AB, Canada Chris Stahl ’15 and Megan Klapperich ’16, 06/17/17, Albert Lea

BIRTHS Alistair to Megan Gregor Mason ’98 and Michael A. Mason ’95, on 1/11/16 Berline Clara by adoption, to Jennie English ’96 and T. C. Dumont, born on 4/13/13, adopted 1/12/17 Ambrose to Dan Larter ’96 and Amaris Vargas Larter, on 09/03/16 Ingrid to Kristin R. Coady ’98, born 5/5/17 Savannah to Chris Holze ’98 and Marissa Ward Holze, 1/14/16 Sophia to Jason Smerdon ’98 and Rachel Solomon, born 12/16/15 Quinn to Wade Gustafson ’99 and Cara Germain Gustafson, 01/28/17 Nora to Matt Iverson ’01 and Kristine Kohorst Iverson, 08/10/17 Grant to Anne Spence Harris ’01 and Travis Harris, 01/06/17 Sigmund to Becky Lipka ’01 and Alex Lipka, 07/07/17 Brooklyn to Christian White ’01 and Karly Mangen White, 04/19/17 Isaiah to Anne Freirose ’02 and Kristine Freirose, born 11/26/01, adopted 6/16/17 Andrik to Michelle Schaefer Stepka ’02 and Kevin Stepka, 08/05/17 Mikayla to Becca Anderson Campbell ’03 and Colin Campbell, 10/16/17 Griffin to Steph Witty Anderson ’03 and Troy J. Anderson ’03, 1/10/17

Life Abundant: A Celebration of Christmas during the 500th year of the Reformation, is online and available for viewing for free. Visit gustavus.edu/events/ccc.

Ruby to Kallie Lundmark Norton ’03 and Benjamin Norton ’03 Summer to Lindsay Zumbrunnen Guetzkow ’03 and Josh Guetzkow, 06/30/16 Logan to Jill Batalden Hoehn ’03 and Casey P. Hoehn ’04, 1/23/16 Soren to Megan Backer Kelley ’03 and Ian Kelley, 6/7/15 Albina to Amanda Reiser Lillemoe ’03 and Tate Lillemoe, 08/17/17 Andrew to Chad Paulus ’03 and Kasey Stecker Paulus ’03, 09/27/17 Jack to Jonah Evenson ’04 and Erin Krempel Evenson, 08/04/17 Connor to Leah Neal Renne ’04 and Christopher D. Renne ’04, 07/02/17 Twins Jonathan Richard and Vivian Janet to Elizabeth Wojahn Feltes ’05 and Michael Feltes, 3/30/17 Vincent to Kim Hardy ’05 and Joshua C. Hardy, 06/22/17 Finn to Melissa Laine Holman ’05 and Patrick Holman, 06/23/17 Marek to Becky Kuehl Hybbert ’05 and Adam Hybbert, 06/21/17 Iris to Rachel Kelley ’05 and Forrest Kelley, 08/09/15

Natalie to Julie Miller Goodmundson ’05 and Charles Goodmundson, 06/16/17 Daniel to Laura Palzer Dahlstrom ’05 and Robert Dahlstrom, 07/10/17 Elinor to Marissa Wold Uhrina ’05 and Joe Uhrina, 09/24/17 Julia to Jamie Germscheid ’06 and Danielle Smith Germscheid, 08/29/17 Nora to Kristine Overson Moser ’06 and Ryan Moser, 05/20/17 Tristan to Becca Nolan Weaver ’06 and Gene Weaver, 08/27/17 Paul to Barry Cattadoris ’07 and Ellen Cattadoris, 06/30/17 Harrison to Chris Fogderud ’07 and Sarah Demke Fogderud ’07, 09/03/17 Jacob to Kristin McKenney ’08 and Michael A. McKenney ’08, 07/03/17 Madeline to Kayla Flynn Butler ’09 and Adam K. Butler ’08, 08/29/17 Sophie to Kevin Freund ’09 and Johanna Olmstead Freund ’10, 10/29/17 Maverick to Ashley Paul ’09 and Ian Paul, 05/24/17

Jeannette Anderson Eide ’42, Brooklyn Park, on 10/1/17. A former teacher in the Minneapolis school system, she is survived by two of her three children, including Sandra Bremer ’80.

Warren Friest ’43, Rockford, IL, on 7/25/16. He was a retired printer for the Rockford Register Star and is survived by his wife, Ardene (Claude ’43), and three children.

Wayne Breneman ’45, Sherburn, on 11/18/17. A World War II veteran, he worked many years as a microbiologist for Merck Pharmaceutical and then became a farmer. He is survived by his four children including Mark ’70 and Kristin Fuller ’73.

Lavonne Golnast Galbraith ’45, Denmark, WI, on 10/18/17. A former social worker, she is survived by four children.

Janet Johnson Breneman ’46, Sherburn, on 10/25/17. She worked as a medical technologist at the Trimont Hospital for over 30 years and is survived by four children including Mark ’70 and Kristin Fuller ’73.

Helen Eriksson ’46, Edmonton, AB, Canada, on 10/26/17. She was a Lutheran Deaconess and social worker working in Sunday schools, Bible schools, church camps, and daycare. She is survived by many nephews and nieces.

Darleen Schuman Stein ’46, Bloomington, on 9/20/17. She was a practicing nurse until her retirement and is survived by three children.

IN MEMORIAM

YEARS OF SERVICE AWARDS

Armand V. Paulson xStaff, Mankato, on 11/2/17. Armand had a 24-year career at Gustavus as the audio-visual technician, retiring in 1991.

He is survived by his four children.

Paul E. Collins ’39, Brookings, SD, on 9/30/12. A World War II veteran, he retired from the service as a Lieutenant Colonel, and after completing his graduate work was on the faculty at South Dakota State University in horticulture, forestry and landscape, and parks department. He is survived by two children.

Evelyn Strom Pearson ’40, Edina, on 10/8/17. A long-time Gustavus Class Agent and former teacher, she is survived by two of her three daughters, including Kathryn Halverson ’67 and Ruth McCuthcheon ’72.

Congratulations on Gustavus staff celebrating 20 years or more of service to the College. (Top, l to r) 20 years: Ann Volk, Karri Anderson, Deborah Andros. (Bottom, l to r) 25 years: Shirley Mellema, Bruce Volek, Martha Mascarenhas.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

The 2017 Christmas in Christ Chapel program,

Landon to Katelyn Johnson Hollaway ’10 and Bryan Hollaway, 09/01/17 Magdalena to Drew Yackel ’10 and Angelica Matthes Yackel ’10, 10/21/17 Johnathan to Rachel Guptill Strehlow ’11 and Derrick Strehlow, 06/24/17 Josiah to Jeni Goeke Huff ’12 and Nathan Huff, 06/20/17 Ava to Mandi Bertness ’13 and Nicholas A. Bertness ’13, 06/18/17 Natalie to Adam Bischoff ’13 and Katherine Betcher Bischoff ’13, 06/14/16 Ainsley Jo to Shannon Edelbrock ’13 and Kyle C. Edelbrock ’13, 09/05/17 Olivia to Jordan Knoop ’13 and Emily Lindberg Knoop ’13, 05/07/17 Malcolm to Bethany Flohrs Maday ’14 and David Maday, 02/16/17

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GUSTIES

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Darleen Schuman Erickson Stein ’46, Minneapolis, on 9/20/17.

She was an active nurse until her retirement in 1987. She is survived by three children.

Vernis Olander Strom ’47, Beaver Dam, WI, on 8/18/17. She was a long-time junior high school English teacher and is survived by her two sons.

Enid Fredlund ’48, Minneapolis, on 4/28/17. She was a medical technologist for Minneapolis Internal Medicine and is survived by one brother, E. Dean ’58.

Harold Mattke ’48, Minneapolis, on 10/15/17. A World War II veteran, he was an insurance underwriter for the board of pensions for the ELCA. He is survived by his wife, Bernice, and four children including Lynne Schulz ’71, and a brother, Glenn ’53.

Myrtle Lindquist Hokenson ’49, LeSueur, on January 5, 2018.

She was a retired nurse and is survived by three children.

Jean Oppedahl Johnson ’49, Edina, on 9/23/17. She was home economics teacher and a secretary to Bishop Chilstrom and is survived by her husband, Robert, and four children including Rebecca Knudson ’78 and Bradley ’80.

Clinton H. Knudson ’49, Minneapolis, on 9/9/17. A tank gunner during WWII, he participated in the Normandy landing on D-Day and remained on the German front until he was injured. He later taught anatomy and physiology at the College of Saint Catherine. He is survived by two of his four children.

Barbara Stoneburg Lindblom ’49, Mora, on 7/16/17 She helped manage Mora Drug where her husband was the pharmacist. She is survived by three children.

Margaret Evans Martin ’49, Granite Bay, CA, on 8/19/17. She was a practicing registered nurse for many years and survived by four of her six children.

Clifford S. Lofgren ’50, Gainesville, FL, on 8/26/17. He was an entomologist for the Department of Agriculture and is survived by two of his four children.

Shirley Palmer Schleicher ’50, Edina, on 10/30/17. She had a sales and design career at Dayton’s/ Macy Home Store and survived by two children.

Roger L. Benson ’51, Sioux City, IA, on 12/27/14. A World War II Army veteran who served 32 years in the military. He also had a career as an elementary school teacher. He is survived by his wife, Betheen, and four children.

Wayne Lundquist ’51, Carver, on 10/29/17. He was a farmer and is survived by his wife, Rita, and three sons.

Lloyd Olson ’51, Trimont, on 1/8/16. He was an Army veteran and a farmer and is survived by two children.

Ken Samuelson ’51, Post Falls, ID, on 10/14/17. He was Korean War veteran and then started a dental practice that lasted 40 years. He is survived by two of his three sons.

Marian Gillitt Wyman ’51, Fort Dodge, IA, on 8/24/17. She worked as administrative assistant for the Betty Crocker Brand and was also a hand model for General Mills.

She is survived by her husband, John, and two daughters.

O. John Bloom ’52, North Branch, on 9/21/17. A former social worker and administrator at the Fergus Falls State Hospital. He is survived four children and a sister, Marilyn Taylor ’53.

Jack D. Gage ’52, Minneapolis, on 9/13/17. He was an attorney and headed the corporate tax department at Faegre Benson Law Firm.

He is survived by three children.

Patricia Larson Lind ’52, Winthrop, on 10/6/17. She was a former farmer along with her husband and is survived by three daughters including Rebecca Monke ’74.

LaVonne Christenson Talle ’52, Anoka, on May 5, 2017. She was a retired teacher with the AnokaHennepin School District and is survived by her husband, Herman, and a son.

Thorvald Olson ’52, Ormsby, on 12/8/17. He was a lifelong farmer and is survived by four children.

Miriam Zimmerman Giannone ’53, New Haven, CT, on 8/5/17. She had a rewarding career teaching violin in numerous schools and privately. She is survived by three of her four children and a sister, Ruth Zimmerman ’51.

Gladys Johnson Biltonen ’54, Mounds View, on 2/15/16. A lifelong teacher, she is survived by her two children.

Marilyn Ahlgren Stewart ’54, West Hartford, CT, on 9/17/17. She was an English teacher and docent for the Wadsworth Atheneum and is survived by her son.

Augusta Nelson Rinta ’54, Oakdale, on 12/2/17. She was a learning disability teacher for White Bear Lake School District and is survived by three children.

Kaye John “KJ” Botham ’55, Mesa, AZ, on 10/9/17. He was the former director of national sales for Warner-Lambert and is survived by his wife, Ruth, and four children.

James L. Brusseau ’55, St. Paul, on 11/15/17. He was an administrator for Hennepin County and dedicated to education and public service. He is survived by Carolyn (Jens ’56) and three sons.

Lawrence J. Lee ’55, Huron, SD, on 10/6/17. A former U. S. Navy pilot, he worked in the music business and developed a custom cabinet business. He is survived by his wife, Betsy, and one of his three children.

Corrine Wellendorf Heiberg ’56, Northfield, on 9/9/17. A wife and mother, she also worked in her husband’s dental office. She is survived by her husband, Elvin, and two of their three sons.

Charles “Cubby” DeCorsey ’57, Bloomington, on 12/12/17. He was a professional educator and coach for 31 years at Richfield ISD. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine, and two children including Robert ’91.

J. Gary Gustafson ’57, White Bear Lake, on 1/9/18. A retired teacher and coach at Maplewood/ North St. Paul School Dist. and member of the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame, he is survived by eight children.

Richard D. Lurth ’57, Mankato, on 9/14/17. An Air Force veteran, he worked building and repairing pipe organs and later was a USDA Inspector for food processing facilities. He is survived by two brothers and a sister.

David W. Pearson ’57, Duluth, on 11/24/17. A former mechanical engineer, he later became a Lutheran pastor and served various parishes. He is survived by his wife, Judy, and five children including Jennifer ’88, Scott ’90 and Stephanie ’92.

Robert O. Tucker ’57, Rochester, on 12/1/17. A long-time employee of IBM Corporation, he is survived by his wife, Janice, and four daughters.

Arlene Jornlin Ramberg ’58, Saint Michael, on 10/7/17. A former social worker, she is survived by three children.

Mark Wiberg ’58, Des Plaines, IL, on 8/30/17. He had a career as a Lutheran pastor with his last assignment at Trinity Lutheran in Des Plaines. He is survived by his wife, Ann (Kilty) ’60, two sons including Ben ’83, and two brothers including Joel ’60 and Paul ’66.

Jerome “Jerry” Ostrom ’59, New Brighton, on 11/7/17. He served as research forester for more than 30 years for the U.S. Forest Service and is survived by his wife, Judy, and two daughters.

Wayne Otto ’61, South St. Paul, on 2/25/17. He was an elementary principal for South Saint Paul ISD #917 and is survived by his wife, Sandra, and two daughters including Melissa Rossow ’92.

Gordon Thompson ’63, Corvallis, OR, on 12/31/17. A retired high school teacher, he is survived by his wife, Sharon (Bauer) ’63, and two children.

Barry Bloom ’64, Menomonie, WI, on 12/19/17. A retired business education teacher, driving instructor, and wresting coach for Durand High School, he is survived by his wife, Julie, and two sons.

Susan Yager Jungerberg ’71, Cumberland, WI, on 11/9/17.

She was an elementary school counselor for Gaylord Nelson Education Center in Clear Lake, WI. She is survived by her husband, Bruce ’70, a daughter, and three siblings including Don Yager ’69.

Steven Johnson ’73 Union Grove, AL, on 12/9/17. He was a CEO of Applied Systems Client Network and is survived by his wife, Beverly, and three children.

Brenda Hess ’79, Redondo Beach, CA, on July 16, 2017. She was an RN at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, and is survived by four sisters.

Jill Rokala Rygwall ’91, Princeton, on 10/13/17. She worked for the U.S. Marshal’s Service as a seizure and forfeiture specialist. She is survived by their son, Andrew, and her parents.

Derek S. Hansen ’94, Minnetonka, on 11/25/17. A former Gustavus and semi-pro hockey player, he was a vice president for American Funds Group and served the College in a variety of ways as an active alumnus, and is survived by his wife, Kara Buckner ’97, his parents, and two sisters.

Ross G. Nelson ’95, Wayzata, on 10/12/17. He was a senior project manager in commercial construction and is survived by his wife, Lucy, and two daughters.

Christopher D. Bandasch ’09, Santa Monica, CA, on 11/12/17. He was a presidential scholar who started his own business in solar installations. He is survived by his mother, Cheryl Downey ’66, his father, and a sister.

REMEMBERING EDWARD LINDELL, FORMER PRESIDENT December 14, 2017. Dr. Lindell was president of the College from 1975-1980, leading Gustavus through a pivotal period.

He made it his goal to place Gustavus on solid financial footing while continuing to support and enhance the College’s rigorous academic curriculum. By the end of his presidency, the College’s endowment had grown three-fold. His legacy goes beyond the College’s finances—he strengthened the College’s relationships with the Church and with Sweden. After leaving Gustavus in 1980, Lindell served in a variety of senior leadership roles at the Lutheran Brotherhood (now Thrivent Financial), and was a member of many boards including the the Nobel Foundation and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The grandson of Swedish immigrants, he also worked with the Swedish Council of America and American Swedish Institute. He received the Swedish Order of the Polar Star, Knight First Class, from the King of Sweden His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, in 1976. He and his wife, Patty, co-founded the Gustavus Library Associates in 1977. Now in its 41st year, the organization boasts more than 200 members and with an endowment nearing $3 million for the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library. He will be remembered for his quick wit, deep faith, and lifelong commitment to service. He is survived by his wife Patty, sons Paul and Erik, and five grandchildren.

REMEMBERING WILLIAM “BILL” LYDECKER xFACULTY December 29, 2017. Bill served as the first Gustavus college counselor and taught psychology from 1963–1992. He was also chair of the College’s academic policy and programs committee. He graduated from Carleton College in 1958 and completed a PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a post-doc fellowship in behavioral therapy at the University of New York–Stony Brook.

Bill sang bass, and was a life member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, a charter member of the Mankato Riverblenders, and a founding member of the quartet, Magic. He also played brass in the Saint Peter Govenaires. He lost his first wife, Marilyn “Marna” Krueger, to cancer, and his second wife, Ann (Reusink) Favor, a Gustavus education professor, to a car accident. He is survived by his two sons and two stepsons, a sister, and former Gustavus colleague and late-life companion, Ruth Johnson ’69.

GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

Kristi Chapman ’64, Dublin, GA, on 11/8/17. She was the director of operations and finance for Center for Independent Living and was a life-long advocate for the disabled. She is survived by a son.

Darlene Auger Stensby ’64, Edina, on 10/3/17. She was a Lutheran pastor and is survived by two of her three daughters.

Mary Burgeson Haedt ’68, Red Wing, on November 8, 2017. She had a career as a special education teacher and a beekeeper. She is survived by her husband, Bob, and five children including Susan Engel ’91.

Nancy Preston Endsley ’70, Golden Valley, on 12/8/17. She was a real estate agent for Roger Fazendin Realtors and is survived by two children.

Linda M. Lunde ’70, Dubuque, IA, on 11/10/17. She was a kindergarten teacher at East Dubuque Public Schools and is survived by close friends.

William S. Seeley ’70, Minneapolis, on 1/1/18. A former attorney and adjunct professor at Carlson School of Management, he is survived by his wife, Jane, two children, his mother, and a sister, Barb Devlin ’69.

Roland C. Amundson ’71, Minneapolis, on 11/16/17. A former attorney, faculty member at William Mitchell Law School, and Minnesota State Court of Appeals judge, he is survived by his partner, Mark Letourneau, and four sons.

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GUSTIES GATHER

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GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY | SPRING 2018

1. 1973 Gusties gathered in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in October to celebrate more than 40 years of friendship brought together by first floor Valley. L to r: Jill Fagerlund, Brenda Footh Duyan, Elaine Sooger McGillivray, Lynne Burcky Proctor, and Deb Horne.

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2. Karl Dexheimer ’95, Jason Bever ’95, Tim Mason ’96, and Hans Snyder ’96 on their annual hunting trip in Ashley, ND.

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3. Krister Johnson ’88 and his wife met Peter Brietmayer ’87 in Los Angeles at a French restaurant called Church and State—an appropriate choice as both studied in the religion department. They had a terrific time looking over old photos of the choir’s trip to Russia.

4. Enjoying an exquisite performance of newly commissioned Holy Spirit Mass by Kim Andre Arneson, performed at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in St. Paul by the National Lutheran Choir. Proud G Choir alumni include National Lutheran Choir board member Philip Eidsvold ’99, and Lutheran Choir members Joseph Crippen ’85, Erik Carlson ’15, Torunn Allen Harty ’99, Tony Spain ’09, David Johnson ’65, and Gustavus professor and choir conductor Gregory Aune.

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5. Members of the 1987 MIAC Football Championship team returned to campus on Homecoming to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their championship.

The team, led by Head Coach Dennis Raarup ’53 (front, center), earned a 10-0 regular season record and won all nine conference games— the first to do so in program history. Raarup is the winningest coach at Gustavus, with an all-time record of 99-68-1 as head coach from 1971-1987.

6. Roger ’54 and Janet (Christenson) Carlson ’53 enjoyed some summer recreation with Gustie Athletics bean bag boards at their home on Leech Lake in Walker. The boards were made by their sons, Brad ’81 and Doug ’85.

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7. The 50th Anniversary of the 1968 MIAC Men’s Hockey Championship was celebrated in November. Members of the team—pictured at Lund Arena—are Paul Thompson ’70, John Moorhead ’68, and Ian Frykman ’69.

8. The 15th anniversary celebration of 2003 MIAC Women’s Basketball Championship brought members of the team to campus in November. The team achieved a record of 25-4 overall and 20-2 in the MIAC. Front (l to r): Lacy Skoog Dunsmore ’05, Kelly Etzel Barnholdt ’03, Kirsten Kaufmann Morse ’04, Kate Sandvig Ohrt ’04, Allison Lindstrom Wenderski ’03.

Back (l to r): Assistant Coach Dan Wolfe, Jess Hanson ’04, Kate Roggow ’05, Kelly

Van Norman Stauff ’04, Laura Haugen George ’04, Angie Peterson Potts ’04, Jen Klohs Reynolds ’04, Kristin Kachelmyer Krusemark ’05, and Head Coach Mickey Haller.

9. Gusties in town for the football game against St. Olaf. L to r: Scott Blomberg ’90, Mary (Allen) Blomberg ’90, Len Rollins ’90, Lisa Rollins, Christine (Lund) Codner ’89, and Kevin Codner ’90. Scott, Len, and Kevin tripled up in Valley View/ Pittman their sophomore year.

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Vespers

March 6, 2017

For Alumni, Parents, and Friends SPRING 2018 | VOL. LXXIV | ISSUE 1 STA F F

THE CHRIST CHAPEL MEMORIAL GARDEN at Gustavus Adolphus College

Chair, Board of Trustees The Rev. Dan S. Poffenberger ’82 President of the College Rebecca Bergman Vice President, Marketing and Communication Tim Kennedy ’82 Vice President, Advancement Thomas Young ’88 Director, Alumni and Parent Engagement Angela Erickson ’01 Managing Editor Stephanie Wilbur Ash | sash@gustavus.edu Alumni Editor Philomena Kauffmann | pkauffma@gustavus.edu Visual Editor, Production Coordinator Anna Deike | adeike@gustavus.edu Design Brian Donahue | bdesigninc.com, Jill Adler | adlerdesignstudio.com, Sarah Hinderman ’20 Contributing Writers CJ Siewert ’11, Sophia Warwick ’18 Contributing Photographers and Artists Terry Clark Photography, Kylee Brimsek ’20, Diana Draayer ’18, Nick Campbell ’18, Brenden Huber, Kevin Kinley, Glenn Kranking ’98, Steven Lang, Chuck Niederitter, Randall Nelson, Lorie Siebels, CJ Siewert ’11, SPX Sports, Stan Walderhauser ’71, Gustavus Adolphus College Archives Printer John Roberts Company | johnroberts.com Postmaster Send address changes to the Gustavus Quarterly, Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., Saint Peter, MN 56082-1498 GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE Saint Peter, MN 56082 507-933-8000 | gustavus.edu Articles and opinions presented in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or official policies of the College or its Board of Trustees.

The Gustavus Quarterly (USPS 227-580) is published four times annually by Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, Minn.

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 42,800.

Gustavus Adolphus College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

Many people have a deep connection to Gustavus Adolphus College. Some consider the College their home. Now College community members have an opportunity to make Gustavus their final resting place by choosing inurnment in the Christ Chapel Memorial Garden.

For more information or to reserve a space in the Christ Chapel Memorial Garden, contact Maggie Hedlund Forster ‘09 in the Office of Advancement at 507-933-6513 or maggie@gustavus.edu.

SPRING 2018 800 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE SAINT PETER, MINNESOTA 56082

20 Years