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TELL YOUR STORY.

I am an engineer. I am trained to ask questions, make hypotheses, conduct experiments, and measure results. I have spent my working life understanding processes—in our bodies, in machines, and in organizations. Storytelling? That’s not traditionally been “my story.” That’s why this particular issue of The Quarterly is so fascinating and engaging for me. The Gustie storytellers in this issue are master-level. I am in awe of their attention and commitment to their craft. I learned so much from them that I will use going forward, such as the importance of keeping an audience engaged, the need to begin your story from a place of integrity, and the connections we build when we tap into universal emotions. These insights all resonate with me. As I read this issue, I was prompted to think deeply about how I will tell my story of 2020 and 2021. It will be a whopper of a tale. There’s so much to say about the past year. We will talk about it for generations to come. If I were to make a hypothesis, it would be this: The stories we tell about this time will have tremendous significance in the future. Our stories will shape hearts and minds and policies. They will teach our children what our values are, and what they should be. Because of this, I believe we all have a responsibility to tell our stories during this time. I feel the weight of it on me, our college, our communities, and our country. And I am reminded—again—the power Gustavus liberal arts has to take on such responsibility. These accomplished storytellers come from all corners of Gustavus academics: history, religion, English, dance, theatre, management, athletics, visual art. Their voices and disciplines are diverse, yet their challenge is the same: how to artfully and effectively communicate the human experience, foster understanding, and facilitate connection and empathy. Gusties, please tell your stories—to your family, your friends, and the world; in writing, in song, in movement, in image. In whatever ways your stories can be heard, let them be heard. Your voices matter. Use them for good. Use them to inspire. Use them for change.

Yours in community,

Rebecca M. Bergman President, Gustavus Adolphus College

GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Rev. Jon V. Anderson (ex officio), Bishop, Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA Scott P. Anderson ’89, MBA (chair), Senior Advisor, TPG Capital Tracy L. Bahl ’84, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer, OneOncology Grayce Belvedere-Young, MBA, Founder and CEO, Lily Pad Consulting The Rev. Kevin D. Bergeson ’02 (ex officio), Senior Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church and Schools; President, Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations Rebecca M. Bergman (ex officio), President, Gustavus Adolphus College Suzanne F. Boda ’82, Former Senior Vice President, Los Angeles, American Airlines Robert D. Brown, Jr. ’83, MA, MD, Staff Neurologist, Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and John T. and Lillian Matthews Professor of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Kara K. Buckner ’97, Managing Director/Chief Strategy Officer, Fallon Worldwide Janette F. Concepcion, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Concepcion Psychological Services Edward J. Drenttel ’81, JD, Attorney/Partner, Winthrop & Weinstine Bruce A. Edwards ’77, Retired CEO, DHL Global Supply Chain James H. Gale ’83, MA, JD, Attorney at Law John O. Hallberg ’79, MBA, Retired CEO, Children’s Cancer Research Fund

Susie B. Heim ’83, Former Co-owner, S and S Heim Construction

Mary Dee J. Hicks ’75, PhD, Retired Senior Vice President, Personnel Decisions International

The Rev. Peter C. Johnson ’92, Executive Pastor, St. Andrew Lutheran Church

Paul R. Koch ’87, Managing Director–Private Wealth Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager, Koch Wealth Solutions, RBC Wealth Management Dennis A. Lind ’72, Chairman, Midwest Bank Group, Inc. Jan Lindman, MBA, Treasurer to the King, The Royal Court of Sweden The Rev. Dr. David J. Lose, Senior Pastor, Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

Gordon D. Mansergh ’84, MA, MEd, PhD, Senior Behavioral Scientist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (serving in a personal capacity) and Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association

Mikka S. McCracken ’09, Executive Director for Innovation/Director, ELCA Leader Lab, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Jan Ledin Michaletz ’74, Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association

Thomas J. Mielke ’80, JD, Retired Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Kimberly-Clark Corporation Bradley S. Nuss ’97, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Nuss Truck & Equipment Marcia L. Page ’82, MBA, Founding Partner, Värde Partners

The Rev. Dr. Dan. S. Poffenberger ’82, Senior Pastor, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church Karl D. Self ’81, MBA, DDS, Associate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Ronald C. White ’75, President, RC White Enterprises The Rev. Heather Teune Wigdahl ’95, Senior Pastor, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church