GUSTAVUS
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE
Legacy
THE OHLE
SUMMER 2014
THE QUARTERLY
THE GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY Summer 2014 Vol. LXX, No. 3
in this issue 4 FROM THE PRESIDENT 5 ON THE HILL
A new president n The Moe Lecture n Another state title for the forensics team n Reflections on an international tour n The Wellness Initiative n Calendar
20 FEATURES
The Ohle Legacy n Charter school leader n Community-based learning engages faculty
34 SPORTS
Winter sports review
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41 ALUMNI NEWS
Alumna named Attorney of the Year n Reunion Weekend 2014 schedule n Theatre of Public Policy founder n Airline senior VP n Class Notes n Weddings n Births n In Memoriam
ON THE COVER
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President Jack and Kris Ohle Photo by Terry Clark, BD&E
Managing Editor Steven L. Waldhauser ’70 | waldo@gustavus.edu Design Anna Deike | adeike@gustavus.edu Contributing Writers Ethan Armstrong ’09; Meghan Krause’00; Kathy Lund Dean; Douglas Nimmo; Matt Thomas ’00 Contributing Photographers Al Behrends ’77; Terry Clark (BD&E); Brian Fowler (SportPiX); Tim Kennedy ’82; Matt Thomas ’00, Stan Waldhauser ’71 To be added to or removed from the magazine’s mailing list, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations, ph. 507-933-7511 or 800-487-8437, or e-mail alumni@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.
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THE GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY
The Gustavus Quarterly is printed on Domtar Earthchoice paper (30% PCR and sustainable source certified by SmartWood) using soy-based inks and alternative solvents and wetting agents, by the John Roberts Company, Minneapolis, an EPA Green Power Partner. The Gustavus Quarterly (USPS 227-580) is published four times annually, in February, May, August, and November, by Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn. Periodicals postage is paid at St. Peter, MN 56082, and additional mailing offices. It is mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of the College. Circulation is approximately 41,900. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Gustavus Quarterly, Office of Alumni Relations, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., St. Peter, MN 56082-1498.
22 Photo by Stan Waldhauser ’71
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE
St. Peter, MN 56082 507-933-8000 | gustavus.edu Chair, Board of Trustees George Hicks ’75 President of the College Jack R. Ohle Vice President for Marketing and Communication Tim Kennedy ’82 Vice President for Institutional Advancement Thomas Young ’88 Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement Glen Lloyd Gustavus Adolphus College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
SUMMER 2014
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Rev. Jon V. Anderson, MDiv, New Ulm, Minn. (ex officio) Bishop, Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA, Redwood Falls
Thank you for walking with us The potential of Gustavus Adolphus College is unlimited! As Kris and I leave the President’s House on the Hill, the house we have called our home for six years, our hope is that Gustavus will always challenge itself to reach higher. The College is certainly capable of doing so, and one of my priorities has been to instill the confidence and pride in the entire Gustavus community to reach higher. We live in momentous times for higher learning— liberal arts education is under close scrutiny, both its costs and its “return on investment” challenged. I have been blessed to be here with you as we have turned challenges to opportunities with a healthier endowment and an initiative making the case for the return on a Gustavus education. I have no doubts that this college will continue to thrive. When I was hired as president in 2008, I was given three charges: financial and human resource development, strategic planning, and fundraising. Our fundraising successes permitted us to establish bold goals for the $150 million Campaign Gustavus as we looked to the future after celebrating our sesquicentennial. The endowment now stands at a new high, over $130 million. Commission Gustavus 150 enabled us to engage the College’s various constituents—more than 500 alumni, faculty, staff, parents, students, church leaders, community partners, and other friends—in setting a course for the future by establishing a strategic plan and strengthening our core values. We embarked on an extensive branding and marketing campaign to strengthen the College’s image. And, finally, I am most proud of the work that the members of the Board of Trustees have done and the commitment they have made to the College’s mission and core values in setting a reasoned course for the future. As Kris and I have traveled the country and the world representing the College, we have been struck by how supportive and generous the alumni and friends of Gustavus have been to us. Your deep love and hope for this place has inspired us in ways that are hard to describe. Your passion drove us to do everything we could to set an ambitious course for future generations of Gustavus graduates, to make sure they are prepared to go out in the world and make their lives count like so many past generations of Gusties have done. Thank you for walking with Kris and me on this journey serving this great institution. We are thankful for all the dedicated and extraordinary people who have surrounded us here, and for those who have come before us and will come after us. We are continually energized by the students, young adults whose talents and curiosity give us great hope for the future. Gusties will shine!
Scott P. Anderson ’89, MBA, Eagan, Minn. Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Patterson Companies, Inc., Mendota Heights Al Annexstad, Excelsior, Minn. Chairman, Federated Insurance Companies, Owatonna Tracy L. Bahl ’84, MBA, Greenwich, Conn. (vice chair) Executive Vice President, CVS/Caremark, Woonsocket, R.I. Warren Beck ’67, Greenwood, Minn. President, Gabbert & Beck, Inc., Edina Rebecca M. Bergman, North Oaks, Minn. (vice chair) Vice President, Research, Technology, and Therapy Delivery Systems, Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management, Medtronic Incorporated, Mounds View Mark E. Bernhardson ’71, MA, Bloomington, Minn. City Manager, City of Bloomington The Rev. Åke Bonnier, Skara, Sweden Bishop, Diocese of Skara Daniel G. Currell ’94, JD, St. Paul, Minn. Executive Director, Corporate Executive Board, Arlington, Va. Ardena L. Flippin ’68, MD, MBA, Chicago Physician, Retired The Rev. Brian Fragodt ’81, MDiv, Medina, Minn. Senior Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Lake James H. Gale ’83, JD, Washington, D.C. Attorney at Law Marcus M. Gustafson ’73, DDS, Lakeland, Minn. Founder and Former CEO, Metro Dentalcare, Minneapolis John O. Hallberg ’79, MBA, Wayzata, Minn. Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, Minneapolis Jeffrey Heggedahl ’87, MBA, Tonka Bay, Minn. (ex officio) Chief Executive Officer, Ecova, Spokane, Wash., and Immediate Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association Susanne Björling Heim ’83, Edina, Minn. Business Executive Alfred Henderson ’62, MBA, Chanhassen, Minn. Business Executive, Retired George G. Hicks ’75, JD, Eden Prairie, Minn. (chair) Managing Partner, Värde Partners, Inc., Minneapolis The Rev. John D. Hogenson ’81, MDiv, Stillwater, Minn. Senior Pastor, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi Linda Bailey Keefe ’69, MBA, Atlanta, Ga. Vice President, NAI Brannen Goddard Talmadge E. King Jr. ’70, MD, Oakland, Calif. Julius R. Krevans Distinguished Professor in Internal Medicine and Chair, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco Paul Koch ’87, Plymouth, Minn. Senior Vice President/Investments, UBS Financial Services, Inc., Wayzata The Rev. Daniel A. Kolander ’68, MDiv, Marion, Iowa Pastor, Retired, and Congregational Strategic Planning and Pastoral Training Consultant Jan Michaletz ’74, Edina, Minn. Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association Jack R. Ohle, DD (hon.), DLitt (hon.), St. Peter, Minn. (ex officio) President, Gustavus Adolphus College The Rev. Wayne B. Peterson ’77, MDiv, Plymouth, Minn. Pastor, St. Barnabas Lutheran Church The Rev. Dan S. Poffenberger ’82, MDiv, Stillwater, Minn. (vice chair) Senior Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church Beth Sparboe Schnell ’82, Corcoran, Minn. Chief Executive Officer, Sparboe Companies, Wayzata
Jack R. Ohle President
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Ronald C. White ’75, Las Vegas, Nev. (ex officio) Chief Sales Officer, Growth Development Associates, Inc., and Past President, Gustavus Alumni Association The Rev. Heather Teune Wigdahl ’95, MDiv (ex officio) Senior Pastor, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Menomonie, Wis., and President, Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations
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Forensics team’s 3rd consecutive title Choir companion tour Moe Lecture GWO tour reflections
1 0 Wellbeing Initiative 11 Doc Glass obituary 12 Nobel Conference 50 12 Calendar
ON THE HILL
NEWS FROM CAMPUS
Rebecca Bergman named 17th president of Gustavus Adolphus College by Matt Thomas ’00
Incoming President Rebecca Bergman and Board Chair George Hicks ’75 greeted faculty, staff, and students following the on-campus announcement of her election.
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he Board of Trustees of Gustavus Adolphus College has elected Rebecca M. Bergman to be the College’s 17th president. Bergman is the first woman in the 152-year history of the College to be named president and will succeed Jack R. Ohle, who is retiring after serving as president of the College since July 2008. Bergman will officially take office July 1, 2014. Bergman, who has been a member of the College’s Board of Trustees since 2007, has spent the past 26 years at Medtronic, Inc., including the last 14 years as a senior executive. She currently serves as vice president of research,
technology, and therapy delivery systems for the company’s Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management (CRDM) business, where she leads a research and development team of scientists and engineers. She previously was vice president, CRDM new therapies and diagnostics, as well as vice president, corporate science and technology, where she directed biomaterials and biosciences research and development, new therapy development, and information management initiatives. “Becky is a proven leader as demonstrated not only by her successful 26 years at Medtronic, but also by her seven years of service on the College’s
Board of Trustees,” said Warren Beck ’67, trustee and chair of the presidential search committee. “Her leadership skills, ability to collaborate and effectively communicate, and knowledge of the College’s strengths and challenges make her uniquely qualified to lead Gustavus at this pivotal time in the College’s history. I couldn’t be more pleased that she will be our next president.” Bergman received her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Princeton University and earned graduate credits in a PhD program in chemical engineering and material science at the University of Minnesota. She has received a number of Medtronic’s highest technical and leadership awards during her tenure with the company. She was elected as a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering in 2001 and to the National Academy of Engineering in 2010. “Gustavus Adolphus College is a special place. It has been an extraordinary experience for me to have the privilege to be a member of the Gustavus Board of Trustees and to get to know the campus, the people, and the culture of the institution,” Bergman said. “I have prized the opportunity to work with an institution so strongly committed to education and discovery. I look forward to participating in the next phase of the Gustavus story in whatever ways can best foster the future success of the College.” Bergman is married to Thomas A. Bergman, MD, chief of neurosurgery at Hennepin County Medical Center, a senior partner with Neurosurgical Associates, and clinical associate professor at the University of Minnesota Department of Neurosurgery. The couple has four children, Matthew ’07, Andrew, Laura ’14, and John. n
Matt Thomas ’00 is director of media relations and internal communication at Gustavus.
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NEWS FROM CAMPUS
Briefly . . . Swedish scholar visits Henrik Bohlin, associate professor and senior lecturer in philosophy in the School of Historical and Contemporary Studies at Södertörn University, Stockholm, Sweden, was on the Gustavus campus in early March to present a lecture on Swedish higher education reform since 1993 sponsored by the AmericanScandinavian Foundation and the Gustavus Department of Scandinavian Studies. He is currently an AmericanScandinavian Foundation Swedish Visiting Lecturer at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. Bohlin’s visit was facilitated by John Hasselberg ’74, associate professor of global business leadership at Saint Benedict and Saint John’s. n n n
Jill Locke, professor of political science and gender, women, and sexuality studies, has been offered a fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J., for the 2014–15 year. She will spend the year working on a new research project, “Hannah Arendt and the Political Lives of Children: Heroism, Responsibility, and Equality in the Civil Rights Movement,” as a member of IAS’s “Egalitarianisms” seminar. Locke has been a member of the Gustavus faculty since 2000.
Forensics team captures third straight state championship by Matt Thomas ’00
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or the third straight year and the sixth time in the past seven years, the Gustavus Adolphus College forensics team has won the Minnesota State Collegiate Forensics Tournament. The Gusties won the team sweepstakes by amassing 390 points as they took first place in 7 of the 11 individual events. Minnesota State-Mankato placed second with 322 points, while Concordia College took third with 265 points. “Earning our sixth championship in seven years is a testament to our students’ commitment to the preparation process, their drive to achieve excellence, and their ability to persevere,” Director of Forensics Kristofer Kracht said. “Cadi [Kadlecek, associate director of forensics] and I are proud of the legacy this team is in the process of creating.” The results from the state tournament in mid-February are similar to results the program has achieved all season long. In early October, the team hosted eight other programs from Minnesota, South Dakota, and Nebraska for the Great Minnesota Get Together. The Gusties placed first in the team sweepstakes and earned six individual championships. In mid-October the team
competed against 20 other teams from six different states, placing first at South Dakota State’s Jackrabbit Joust. The team continued its October hot streak when it took first place once again at Minnesota State Mankato’s Larry Schnoor Invitational. In early November the team had a chance to see how it stacked up against most of the best programs in the nation at Bradley University’s L.E. Norton Memorial Tournament. There the Gusties placed seventh out of 47 teams and finished ahead of many larger universities such as the University of Alabama and the University of Northern Iowa. In mid-January, the team traveled to the University of Texas at Austin and placed fifth out of 41 schools. For the first time in the history of the program, the team broke a competitor to the semifinals in every event. The team is now focused on achieving its best ever result at the American Forensic Association’s National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET), which will take place at Arizona State University as the Quarterly is in press. The team placed eighth at the tournament last year and believes a top five finish is within reach this year. n
Pack your bags for a choir companion tour in 2015 Join the Gustavus Choir on a tour of Great Britain and Paris from Friday, January 16, through Saturday, January 31, 2015. This trip companion tour is designed for alumni, parents, and friends of Gustavus to visit significant sites in England, Wales, and Paris while having the opportunity to hear outstanding music performed by the Gustavus Choir. Arrive in London and begin with a tour of the city including a visit to Westminster Abbey. See St. Paul’s Cathedral before joining other members of the companion tour for an evening at the theatre. When the tour moves on into Wales, sightseeing will include the
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magnificent Cardiff Castle, followed by an evening concert at St. Edward’s Church. Then join the group in a walking tour of Stratford upon Avon including visits to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Anne Hathaway’s cottage. The tour is completed with four days in Paris. Join travelers with Gustavus connections on an extraordinary journey. For more information on the tour, contact Jackie Neeck Peterson ’77 at jpeters9@gustavus.edu or 800-726-6193. A detailed itinerary can be found at https://gustavus.edu/president/ tours/2015GustavusChoir.php.
by Matt Thomas ’00
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himamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute for Nigerian writer who burst onto Advanced Study in 2011–12. the literary scene in 2003 with her Adichie also visited Gustavus classrooms debut novel, Purple Hibiscus, visited the on Tuesday, March 11, and signed copies of Gustavus campus on March 10–11 to deliver her books following Monday’s lecture. the 2014 Moe Lecture in Gender, Women, The Moe Visiting Lectureship is and Sexuality Studies. In her presentation, endowed by Robert and Karin Moe of titled “Performing Gender: Sometimes I Do Minneapolis in honor of their daughter, Kris and Sometimes I Don’t,”, she talked about Burke Moe, class of 1984. Since its inaugural gender roles and cultural issues, major year in 2000, the Moe Lectureship has themes in all three of her novels. afforded Gustavus the opportunity to bring Purple Hibiscus, the story of a 15-year to campus top feminist scholars from fields old Nigerian girl from a wealthy family with including anthropology, biology, English, a fanatically religious and tyrannical father, nursing, and philosophy. n has received wide critical acclaim. It was shortlisted for the Orange Fiction Prize and was awarded the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book. Adichie’s second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun, is set before and during the Biafran War of the 1960s. It received the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction and has been adapted into a film starring Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor, which is set for release later this year. In 2013, Adichie released her third novel, Americanah, which was selected by the New York Times as one of The 10 Best Books of 2013. The book is a story of love and race centered on a young man and woman from Nigeria who face difficult choices and challenges in the countries they come to call home. After falling in love as teenagers, Ifemelu and Obinze lose touch with one another when Ifemelu flees Nigeria to study in America. Years later they are reunited in Nigeria, but when they reignite their shared passion for their Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie homeland and for each other they face the toughest decisions of their lives. Adichie holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from Eastern Connecticut State University, a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University, and a master’s degree in African studies from Yale University. She was a Hodder Fellow at Princeton University during the 2005– 06 academic year, received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2008, and a fellowship from Karin and Robert Moe, P’84
About the Moe Visiting Lectureship The Moe Visiting Lectureship was endowed in 1996 by Robert and Karin Moe of Minneapolis, Minn., in honor of their daughter, Kris Burke Moe, class of 1984. Since being fully funded in 2000, the Moe lecture series has afforded Gustavus the opportunity to bring top feminist scholars to campus from fields such as anthropology, film, cultural studies, biology, English, nursing, philosophy, history, and theatre. The development of a program and more recently a major in gender, women, and sexuality studies has provided a vital interdisciplinary home for the lecture series. In addition to their generous support of the Moe Lecture in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, the Moe family made a $1 million commitment in the fall of 2007 to the John S. Kendall Center for Engaged Learning, which is dedicated to faculty development and advancing active and interdisciplinary learning across the campus.
ON THE HILL
Internationally acclaimed novelist delivers Moe Lecture
Past Moe Lectures 2012 Jackson Katz, independent filmmaker and author 2010 Drucilla Barker, University of South Carolina (anthropology) 2008 Anne Fausto-Sterling, Brown University (biology) 2006 Angela Davis, University of California, Santa Cruz, university professor and political activist (philosophy) 2004 Lourdes Portillo, Chicana filmwriter and director 2003 Verona Gordon, University of Minnesota (nursing) 2002 Jacqueline Royster, The Ohio State University (English/composition) 2001 Anita Gonzalez, Connecticut College (theatre) 2000 Margaret Simons, University of South Illinois (philosophy)
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NEWS FROM CAMPUS
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ditor’s Note: The following reflections represent Gustavus Wind Orchestra (GWO) conductor Douglas Nimmo’s prepared remarks for his appearance at February’s Gustie Breakfasts. This was Nimmo’s seventh and final international tour with the GWO, as he retires at the end of the spring 2014 semester after 27 years on the Gustavus music faculty. The GWO musicians returned early from their Christmas break to begin preparation for the forthcoming Gustavus Wind Orchestra Tour to East Central Europe. It was Saturday, January 4, 2 p.m.—time for rehearsal, time to study, time to get ready for our life-changing tour. I told the GWO members that prior to going to Europe, they needed to be in physical, mental, and emotional shape. They needed to have the “chops” in those three areas of life to be in top condition. Either that, or they would not have the stamina, insight, or clarity of mind to have a marvelous experience. I called those first two and a half weeks “GWO Boot Camp.” We maintained a rigorous schedule, beginning each day at 8:30 a.m. with a 90minute lecture presentation by Professor Emeritus of Music David Fienen. That part of the course included reading, viewing
political and historical videos, listening to music of the countries we were to visit and their respective composers, and taking in insightful piano performances by Dr. Fienen. In addition, the GWO rehearsed three and a half hours daily, not counting individual sectionals and practice—or what I call “brick” time—on evenings and weekends. It was a time of very intense and critical study as we prepared for . . . What were we preparing for? What was this tour to be about? What was to happen musically? What were we studying? What were we learning? We learned more about rhythm— how it creates energy and momentum, pulse and direction. More of harmony and dissonance—how they create mood, tension, resolution, and focus. Further, we came to understand balance in music (which seems to symbolize balance in life) and about the attack or onset of a note, the nurturing and development of that note, the release of that note. These are events in music that are similar to events in our lives. Beginning, middle, end; seasons, times. Such seasons and times are part of all lives. We learned of movement through space and time at many changing and
GWO members posed for a group photo at the statue of Johann Strauss II (“The Waltz King”) in the heart of Vienna, Austria.
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by Douglas Nimmo, DMA
varied tempos. And about duration, range, intensity, note shape, follow-through. About nudging a phrase, lifting a note off the page at the point of release—about mentally blowing “past” the release, so as to bring an artistic and fulfilling conclusion. And we learned about the value of lingering a bit before resolving harmonic dissonance. We learned significantly more about what it means to be actively listening, becoming aware of how sounds create lasting impact upon us in ways that are distinctive. And we learned more about the fact that such lasting change and impact seems to be unique to music—a profound gift, which has been given to us. We learned about creativity, imagination, and wonder. About taking risks—about getting “caught up” in the process of spinning out music, and about having no words to adequately describe the fulfillment one may possess because of a personal experience with a single piece of music—or, for that matter, a single note of music. We learned a great deal more about what it means to have excellent communication, leading to community, leading to—dare I say—communion. If we experienced excellence in our journey, it was due to what Osmo Vanska calls, “Verk. Verk. Verk.” It is what Vince Lombardi meant when he said to a young Green Bay football team, “Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.” And, if we experienced that excellence, it was because we know that for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra to be successful, the game plan always must be about we, and never about me. Individuals matter, to be sure. But it is the collective WE, working hard together, toward common goals imbued by common values, that makes excellence possible. By January 22, we had completed the first part of our journey of learning. As we loaded the plane, the excitement of the flight and the anticipation of the unknown in Europe was in the students’ faces. I smiled inside. I had told them many times that some of the best parts of the foreign experience would turn out to be events “ . . . that we can’t plan. They just happen.”
Photos by Al Behrends ’77
Tour Reflections: The Gustavus Wind Orchestra’s 2014 Tour of East Central Europe
I had no idea of how true that statement would be. Every day, something seemed to happen that was a “wow” moment—and each of these moments was made possible because of the music, and because of our commitment to the pursuit of excellence. At our final dinner together in Munich, I told the members of GWO that as time moves forward, our journey together is likely to increase in value. I can confidently say that, because after seven international tours, previous GWO members are still sending me messages about how their tours continue to give to them—10 and 20 years later! At that dinner, I also asked them to say “thank you” to people who made it possible for them to go. Of course, parents and other family members and friends may have contributed financially to make the tour possible. But, as expensive as an international tour is, it is not all about money. As Peter Westby said at our “Say So” following the closing dinner, “I was concerned about the cost of the tour. But now, I have come to realize that the value of what we have done together cannot be measured in dollars—it is much more valuable than that!” So while money is important, the picture of possibility is broader. All of this began when a young child came home one day from school, and said to his or her parents, “Mom and Dad, I would like to join the band.” And they said—“YES.” And because of that one life-changing parental decision, a child was able to be a part of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra and tour to Europe. Such a small thing really—a decision to say “YES” to a child’s request to learn how to play an instrument—a “YES” that has made a life-changing and lifelong impact of value for good. Indeed, for each of the
current and former members of GWO, a parent’s decision to say “YES” has been one of the most important decisions in that child’s life, bringing a magnificent sense of what it means to feel, and to know, and to understand, as Leonard Bernstein said, “what it means to be complete.” For me, each concert performed by GWO in Europe became a celebration of our previous and current learning experiences. And, each concert was imbued with the magic of possibility—the understanding that there is a great deal more to know and to feel that lies ahead on the path of life. I witnessed young American musicians presenting gifts of culture and musical insight to people of many varying backgrounds. At each concert setting, the musicians and concert goers became united, became bonded. Tears of joy followed by tears of parting. Hugs, smiles, fulfillment. The “Gustie” musicians were changed. I was changed, too. Throughout the experience, I found myself asking, “What is happening here?” Music opened the doors of insight, understanding, perception and reaction, embodiment. With each concert, the celebration grew to be more profound, almost larger than life. The bridges of communication were broadened and reinforced. And after each performance, we sang: “Remember the friends you’ve made here, Remember when you’re away . . .” How could we not remember? “What is happening here?” I felt joy as I witnessed David Fienen performing Bach at our first concert at the St. Simon and Judah Church in Prague. He performed it on an organ that had also been played by Mozart and Haydn. It may seem like a small thing, but my
ON THE HILL
Conductor Douglas Nimmo led the GWO’s performance at the Basilica of the Italy Sepwchre in Biechow, Poland.
colleague made music by touching the very “fingerprints” of Mozart and Haydn, more than 225 years later. I remember the wind orchestra members’ faces as he played—all were beaming. Auchwitz-Birkenau. Reflections back to Schindler’s List. As we approached the camp, the normal happy sounds of GWO joy turned to silence—it was a nervous silence, perhaps a fear of the unknown, perhaps an overwhelming sense of reverence. The day there was cold and raw, gray, windy. Somehow the weather seemed appropriate. The numbness lies deeply within me as I reflect. On that day, the GWO members learned more about themselves. They became more adult, more mature, more aware. “What is happening here?” A greater and greater sense of being complete. I keep coming back to the music. I keep coming back to the people. That is what art experiences are all about. Music identifies, clarifies, intensifies, and offers greater insight into feelings that people everywhere know as personal and real. We played for the people of the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Austria— and they came to know themselves and us in a deeper way. The music was the glue that bonded the tour process. The music made it possible to know experiences that would have been otherwise impossible to know. For many years, I have held an overwhelming sense of gratitude that Gustavus has a long tradition of music ensemble touring. There is no better way for our musicians to grow as citizens of the world, and there is no greater ambassadorial opportunity than to witness our Gustavus musicians giving the gift of music to others, followed by their immediate and heartfelt interaction with the peoples of those countries. I hope GWO tours will always be in the fabric of Gustavus, for we can give no greater gift than that given by the Gustavus musicians in recent weeks. We have been home now for some days. And yet, the journey continues. Every day is a new reflection, a new insight— not just a wonderful memory, but a new understanding, a new learning. I do not have any words that can do justice to the amazing nature of our collective experience. What I know for sure is that my cup of gratitude is overflowing, and that I will never be the same again. n
Professor Douglas Nimmo, conductor of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra since 1987, retires at the end of the current academic year.
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NEWS FROM CAMPUS
Wellbeing Initiative announces initial programs by Meghan Krause ’00
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n case you haven’t noticed, we are facing a health crisis of epic proportions. The majority of those who die are dying from largely preventable conditions. Rising healthcare costs are crippling businesses. Health and fitness topics permeate
conversations, yet we are increasingly sick, depressed, stressed out, and overweight. This is no surprise, of course: We are engineering our world to deplete us. Through the College’s new Wellbeing Initiative, we seek to change this mixed-up
reality by focusing on the interdependence of purpose, vitality, and connection to live the College’s core values of faith, justice, excellence, community, and service. I have the great privilege of inviting you to join us as we build a culture of well-being. Here’s a quick peek at some of our work on campus: • Be U Peer Coaching Groups: More than 180 students and employees are participating in peer coaching groups to identify and reach their individual well-being goals in a confidential, small-group setting. • Financial Literacy Program: Nearly 500 students are engaged in a financial literacy program run by the Finance Club. • Mindful Eating Program: 20 employees are participating in a pilot program to learn to eat instinctively and create a healthier attitude toward food.
Left: Students broke into small groups to simulate the Peer Coaching groups.
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ON THE HILL
Arthur W. Glass, 1921–2014 The Wellbeing Initiative is all about helping the Gustavus community thrive with authenticity, purpose, health, and balance to meet the challenges of a world in need. Join us in this positive movement in optimal living. Visit our blog, and connect with us on Twitter and Facebook. In the months ahead, we will feature stories to inspire and motivate you to live healthy, happy, and satisfying lives. You can also follow our progress in upcoming issues of the Gustavus Quarterly, where we will announce exciting new programs and resources to help you thrive. When it comes to our individual and collective well-being, remember: Every choice counts. n
Meghan Krause ’00 joined the College in January 2014 as director of Wellbeing and leader of the recently announced Wellbeing Initiative.
Below: Nearly 100 students were present for the initial gathering introducing the Wellbeing Initiative.
A
rthur Warren Glass ’43, a member of the faculty of the Department of Biology for more than three decades, died on April 5, 2014, in St. Peter. He was 93 years old. “Doc” Glass, as he was affectionately known by generations of students and colleagues, was born in 1921 in Flint, Mich., but was raised in St. Peter on the edge of the Gustavus campus. He graduated from Gustavus with a biology degree in 1943, then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II, serving with distinction in the Okinawa campaign. He came back a captain and resumed his studies in biology at the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded an MA in zoology and genetics in 1948. He joined the faculty of his alma mater’s Department of Biology in 1950 and completed his PhD at the University of Minnesota four years later. It was “Doc” Glass who recognized that the anatomy of a fetal pig compared nicely with human anatomy and enlisted his friend and colleague Charles Hamrum ’47 to help redesign the comparative anatomy course. Their beautifully illustrated lab manual based on the fetal pig was used nationally through several editions. It was Glass whose course in genetics introduced needed research planning and statistical techniques to the science students of the “Old Main Era.” And it was Glass who designed the biology wing of the Nobel Hall of Science, which took Old Main’s place in 1963; who served on the committee that planned the first Nobel Conference; who was on the committee that pioneered the 4–1–4 curriculum reorganization that subsequently caught on across the country. Art Glass received awards from the Gustavus Alumni Association recognizing outstanding service as a Class Agent, and from his faculty colleagues when he was named recipient of the Edgar M. Carlson Award for Innovative Teaching in 1978. He chaired the St. Peter Planning commission, coached youth and varsity hockey, taught square dancing in the Physical Education Department for 15 years and led the traditional New Student Orientation Square Dance for many years as well. He sat in on banjo and guitar with many an aspiring student folk singer/biology major. And he wowed the first-year students in his introductory biology course by writing his name on the board with both hands simultaneously. Glass retired in 1986 and was named a professor emeritus. He is survived by his wife, Gladys, their four children—Sherry ’70, Jeff ’77, Cindy Hovgaard, and Tracy (a member of the Gustavus physical plant staff)—seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. n
SUMMER 2014
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CALENDAR
WHERE DOES SCIENCE GO FROM HERE? GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE | OCTOBER 7 & 8, 2014
The 50th Nobel Conference at Gustavus will celebrate a half century of bringing breakthrough science to lay audiences in the upper Midwest, across the country, and more recently around the world. Nobel Conference 50 will assemble previous Nobel Conference participants to look at recent advances and future directions in the physical sciences, evolutionary biology and ecology, medicine and physiology, and the intersection of science and public policy. We will also set aside time to reflect on the rich history of the conference itself. Join us on October 7 & 8, 2014.
INVITED PARTICIPANTS: Evolutionary developmental biologist Sean B. Carroll, University of Wisconsin-Madison, speaker at the 2003 conference
Petrologist and geochemist W. Gary Ernst, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif., speaker at the 1988 conference
1997 Nobel laureate in physics Steven Chu, University of California-Berkeley, speaker at the 2007 conference
Chemist Harry B. Gray, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, speaker at the 1995 conference
Neurophilosopher Patricia Smith Churchland, University of California, San Diego, speaker at the 1994 conference Cognitive neuroscientist António Damásio, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, speaker at the 1994 conference Theoretical physicist and mathematician Freeman Dyson, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, N.J., speaker at the 1980 conference
1996 Nobel laureate in chemistry Sir Harold W. Kroto, Florida State University, Tallahassee, speaker at the 1995 and 2001 conferences Evolutionary geneticist Svante Pääbo, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany, speaker at the 2008 conference 1979 Nobel laureate in physics Steven Weinberg, University of Texas at Austin, speaker at the 1976 conference Biomedical engineer Jennifer L. West, Duke University, Durham, N.C., speaker at the 2006 conference
Tickets may be ordered from gustavustickets.com or by phone at 507-933-7520. For more conference information, visit gustavus.edu/nobelconference.
MAY
FUN ALL
Continuing through June 1 Art Exhibition: 2014 Senior Art Majors’ Exhibition; Hillstrom Museum of Art, regular hours: Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m– 4 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 1–5 p.m. Free. 10 Music: “Symphonia Resurrectus,” from David Holsinger’s The Easter Symphony, with Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Antiphon & Steve Wright’s “Cinema” for trumpet & wind ensemble; The Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Gustavus Choir, & Choir of Christ Chapel, Douglas Nimmo, conductor; Christ Chapel, 7 p.m. Order tickets online at gustavustickets.com or call 507-933-7598. 14 St. Peter/Mankato Gustie Breakfast: Dan Mollner, associate professor & academic librarian of Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library; Jackson Campus Center Banquet Room, 7:30–9 a.m. For reservations, contact Institutional Advancement (507-9337512). 15, 16, 17, & 18 Theatre: A workshop production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, by William Shakespeare, directed by Henry MacCarthy; Linnaeus Arboretum, call for times (507-933-7353). Free; performance will be cancelled in event of rain. 17 Music: Vasa Wind Orchestra & Gustavus Philharmonic Orchestra, Karrin Meffert-Nelson & Justin Knoepfel, conductors; Björling Recital Hall, 1:30 p.m. Free. 17 Music: Christ Chapel Handbell Ensembles, Chad Winterfeldt, conductor; Björling Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. Free. 18 Music: Brassworks! Scott Moore, conductor; Björling Recital Hall, 3:30 p.m. Free. 21 Twin Cities Gustie Breakfast: Dan Mollner, associate professor & academic librarian, Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library; American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, 7:30–9 a.m. For reservations, contact Alumni & Parent Engagement (800-487-8437, or gustavus.edu/alumni/). 31 Music: Gustavus Symphony Orchestra 2014 Season Finale, Ruth Lin, conductor, with concerto/aria competition winners; Christ Chapel, 8 p.m. Free.
JUNE
1 Commencement: Baccalaureate, Christ Chapel, 9 & 10:30 a.m.; commencement exercises, Hollingsworth Field (weather permitting; if inclement, Lund Center Arena), 2 p.m. Ticket required for baccalaureate (and commencement if indoors). For more information, contact Marketing & Communication (507-933-7520). 11 St. Peter/Mankato Gustie Breakfast: Mike Dueber ’89, Alumni Mentoring Program; Jackson Campus Center Banquet Room, 7:30–9 a.m. For reservations, contact Institutional Advancement (507-933-7512). 18 Twin Cities Gustie Breakfast: Mike Dueber ’89, Alumni Mentoring Program; American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, 7:30–9 a.m. For reservations, contact Alumni & Parent Engagement (800-487-8437, or gustavus.edu/alumni/).
JULY
9 St. Peter/Mankato Gustie Breakfast: TBA; Jackson Campus Center Banquet Room, 7:30–9 a.m. For reservations, contact Institutional Advancement (507-933-7512). 16 Twin Cities Gustie Breakfast: TBA; American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, 7:30–9 a.m. For reservations, contact Alumni & Parent Engagement (800-487-8437, or gustavus.edu/alumni/). 18, August 1 & 15 Summer Snapshots, hosted by Admission: 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
AUGUST
13 St. Peter/Mankato Gustie Breakfast: Admission & Return on Education Report, Tim Kennedy ’82, vice president, marketing & communication; Jackson Campus Center Banquet Room, 7:30–9 a.m. For reservations, contact Institutional Advancement (507-933-7512).
20 Twin Cities Gustie Breakfast: Admission & Return on Education Report, Tim Kennedy ’82; American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, 7:30–9 a.m. For reservations, contact Alumni & Parent Engagement (800-487-8437, or gustavus.edu/alumni/). 21–Sept. 1 Gustavus at the Fair: College booth in Education Building at Minnesota State Fair, staffed 9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily. Wear your Gustie gear and stop by to sign our visitors’ book!
SEPTEMBER
1 Opening Convocation of the College’s 153rd academic year; Christ Chapel, 10 a.m. 10 St. Peter/Mankato Gustie Breakfast: Nobel Conference 50 Preview, Scott Bur, director, Nobel Conference; Jackson Campus Center Banquet Room, 7:30–9 a.m. For reservations, contact Institutional Advancement (507-933-7512). 17 Twin Cities Gustie Breakfast: Nobel Conference 50 Preview, Scott Bur, director, Nobel Conference; American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, 7:30–9 a.m. For reservations, contact Alumni & Parent Engagement (800-487-8437, or gustavus.edu/alumni/).
OCTOBER
7–8 Nobel Conference: “Celebrating 50 Years of the Nobel Conference: Where Does Science Go from Here?” Lund Center Arena, opening at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 7. For more information, contact Marketing & Communication (507-933-7520) or visit gustavus.edu/ nobelconference/. Ticket required; order online at gustavustickets.com.
ON THE HILL
PLEASE NOTE: Times and dates of the events listed on this page are subject to change. Please call to confirm events of interest.
SUMMER LONG
SPORTS Up-to-date sports
schedules may be found on the Web, through the Gustavus homepage (gustavus.edu). For a printed schedule of any or all of the Gustie varsity athletic squads, download from the Web or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Ethan Armstrong ’09, director of sports information, Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 W. College Ave., St. Peter, MN 56082-1498. Also, you can listen to selected Gustavus athletics broadcasts over the Internet. Broadcasts may be accessed through a link on the Gustavus athletics website (client.stretchinternet.com/client/gac.portal#).
THE ARTS To receive a more
complete fine arts schedule or more information on fine arts events noted in the calendar, contact Al Behrends ’77, director of fine arts programs, by phone (507-933-7363) or e-mail (al@gustavus.edu).
TICKETS Tickets for the
Gustavus Artist Series and Department of Theatre & Dance productions may be ordered online at gustavustickets.com. Tickets for Department of Theatre & Dance offerings are available two weeks in advance of the performances.
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“Honored to be Gusties . . .
An Interview with
called to serve” A
the President
s President Ohle approaches his retirement, the Quarterly had the opportunity to interview him and ask some questions about the past six years as well as the College’s future.
Quarterly: What’s the state of the College as you pass the presidency on? Jack R. Ohle: Even with the challenges higher education and Gustavus face, it is my belief that Gustavus is stronger than ever before and ready to meet those challenges with tremendous potential as it shapes its own future. The Board of Trustees’ leadership and the work of the faculty and administration will enable the College to meet the challenges. The Board, the faculty, and the administration are working together to better understand their responsibilities in building a stronger Gustavus to educate students for the 21st century. QTR: Have you accomplished what you and the Board of Trustees set out to do? JRO: We have addressed the goals we established together in 2008. The foundation for the continued growth and advancement of the College is in place. We have done so in one of the most challenging economic times in higher education and in the country since the Great Depression. QTR: What changes do you see coming for higher education, and particularly liberal arts colleges? JRO: The next ten years will be the most exciting and yet the most challenging times for liberal arts colleges. Students and families are demanding accountability and asking how to better understand the real value of higher education. Institutions must articulate more than the economic value students receive from their education. We must help families and students understand not only the return on their investment but the lifetime return on a Gustavus education. QTR: Describe the role of a college president today. How has it changed during your tenure here? JRO: In the 16 years I have served as a college president, the role of the president has changed dramatically. The financial model in higher education has changed, requiring that more of the president’s time be spent externally to engage alumni and friends in greater numbers than ever before. The president’s role will expand further in external ways, necessitating strong internal leadership in all areas. Gustavus is fortunate to have outstanding senior leadership. QTR: What have been your guiding priorities? JRO: A president’s guiding principles must be first and foremost to maintain the academic and overall quality of the institution. Gustavus’s academic quality is unquestionably strong and will continue to be in the future due to the strengthening of the faculty through endowed positions, academic program development, and facilities. QTR: What initiatives and accomplishments are you proudest of? JRO: My work with the Board of Trustees to develop a governance structure has enabled all constituents of the institution to be involved in the College’s future. When the College’s constituents are engaged in meaningful ways, Gustavus benefits immensely.
Students Daniel Felton ’15, Megan Gustafson ’16, Dani Cabrera ’15, and Nathan McNab ’15 enjoy coffee and cookies with President
QTR: What are your great unfinished tasks? JRO: As Kris and I look forward to retirement, we are thankful for the many opportunities we have had at Gustavus. We are mindful
Ohle, Kris, and Chester at the President’s Home. SUMMER 2014
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that we are stewards of the College for only a short period of time in the College’s history. There will always be unfinished tasks in any presidency. We look forward to celebrating the College’s continued endowment growth, the completion of the Nobel Hall addition and renovation, the remodeling of the Folke Bernadotte Library and the relocation of the Hillstrom Museum, additional endowed faculty positions, and the completion of other recommendations outlined in Commission Gustavus 150. QTR: What does Gustavus need to address in the next 5–10 years? JRO: Many of the “must dos” at Gustavus for the next 5–10 years have been discussed in response to previous questions. We must continue to provide the highest level of academic excellence in a student-centered culture. We must also build the endowment, continue to engage alumni and friends, strengthen the faculty and academic programs, and address facility needs. All that will require attention to keeping the cost of a Gustavus education affordable, marketable, and quantifiable. QTR: Talk about the students enrolled at Gustavus these days. JRO: Today’s Gusties are highly engaged in their education,
“E
ngagement and faith-filled commitment have been the cornerstones of Jack and Kris’s six years at Gustavus. From the outset, Jack has emphasized the importance of bringing members of the extended Gustavus community into active participation in the College’s ongoing life. This emphasis was evident in Commission Gustavus 150, a process for setting priorities that involved many people from among the faculty, administration, student body, alumni, church, and St. Peter area. The emphasis on engagement also is evident in the various ‘national advisory boards,’ through which alumni and other friends offer time, expertise, and resources to support faculty members and administrators responsible for particular departments or programs. “Leading a college is never easy, particularly during times of change. But Jack and Kris accepted the challenge with remarkably good cheer. They are people of faith who viewed their time at Gustavus as a calling to live out their vocation among us. Over time, the value of their legacy of engagement will become ever more obvious.”
James H. Gale ’83 Chair (2006–2010) Board of Trustees
16
THE GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY
competitive in their academic studies, motivated and open to new ideas, passionate about helping others, and have a strong sense of justice for the world and fairness for everyone. They look beyond their classroom education to integrate what they have learned with a sense of vocation and calling. QTR: If you were to leave a note in the desk drawer for your successor, what would it say? JRO: Congratulations, President Bergman. I am excited for you as you begin this next chapter in your life. Serving private, churchrelated, private education is a noble calling. My hope for you is that you will find it as fulfilling and rewarding as I have experienced. QTR: What will you and Kris be doing a year from now? JRO: We will be following our passions and dreams, finding new opportunities to serve and give back. We especially look forward now as we retire to have more time with family and friends. We have been blessed to have made great friends during our years of service in higher education and look forward to sharing time together. “Kris and I are honored to be Gusties and have felt called to serve.”
“I
nvited to be the College’s 16th president, Jack Ohle, knowing the challenges, enthusiastically embraced the future of Gustavus. He has employed his many skills, coupled with a strong faith and courage, to garner the resources and make the difficult decisions that have taken the Board of Trustees’ Strategic Vision, Mission, and Values for an ever greater Gustavus into reality. “Among many other things resulting from his Presidency: •A governance structure, unique to Gustavus, engaging the talents and energy of the broader community in a manner focused toward achieving that strategic direction; •C ommission Gustavus 150, which provided many the opportunity to contribute to building the vision, assembling the bones of the Strategic vision; •C ampaign Gustavus 150, which allowed the broader Gustavus community to add not just sinew and muscle but also skin to the vision, as evidenced in part by the many physical changes across the face of the campus. “In all that he has done, it has been with the great support and assistance of Kris.” Mark E. Bernhardson ’71 Chair (2010–2013) Board of Trustees
“W
e thank President Ohle for his outstanding leadership during his presidency at Gustavus. The work he and his senior staff have accomplished in the areas of strategic planning, fundraising, board governance, branding and marketing, and student recruitment has advanced the College and strengthened the academic programs in bold and important ways during the most significant downturn in the country since the Great Depression. As a result of Jack’s leadership and hard work, the College is well positioned for future success.” George G. Hicks ’75 Chair (2013– ) Board of Trustees
Agenda
AN AMBITIOUS
During the past six years, President Ohle has presided over an ambitious agenda that he and the Board of Trustees established to ensure the future of Gustavus.
• Leadership and direction for Commission Gustavus 150, a strategic, constituent-based planning process engaging the Board of Trustees, the faculty, administration, staff, students, alumni, friends, and church constituents and comprising eight task forces that examined aspects of the College’s mission, core values, and future aspirations. Recommendations were made to the Board of Trustees by the task forces. • With the Board, prioritization of the Commission Gustavus 150 recommendations and establishment of the College’s strategic framework for the next ten years, through 2020. Two hundred twenty-one recommendations were prioritized. Through April 2014, 155 of those recommendations have been initiated, implemented, or completed. • Engagement of the faculty in developing an academic strategic plan, incorporating many academic-related recommendations of Commission Gustavus 150. • Oversight of major building initiatives, including Beck Academic Hall and the fact that it has achieved LEED Platinum certification, a Sesquicentennial Plaza, and the West Mall as well as plans for the renovation of the Anderson Social Science Center and the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library and a renovation and major addition to Nobel Hall of Science. • Planning for the celebration of the College’s Sesquicentennial in 2011–12, which included an announcement of Campaign Gustavus, the College’s largest comprehensive fundraising program, and a visit to the campus by Their Majesties King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden. • Engagement of hundreds of alumni, friends, and church constituents on national advisory boards, the Crown Council, and in key volunteer positions to help advance the College. • Cultivation of the largest single gift in the College’s history. • Establishment of seven new endowed faculty positions. • Development of the Center for Servant Leadership and the Wellbeing Initiative, engaging students, faculty, and staff in vocation- and health-centered learning opportunities. • Support for the enrollment management concepts of recruitment, retention, and financial aid to increase and stabilize enrollment, resulting in the largest incoming class in the College’s history in 2011. • Enhancement of the relationship with Sweden, the Royal Court, and the Nobel Foundation. • Significant growth in Gustavus’s endowment, which is currently at its highest level in the College’s history at more than $130 million. • A brand identity process that established the College’s “Make Your Life Count” slogan and new marketing initiatives for the College’s fundraising and recruitment activities.
MAKING LEARNING
SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY-BASED
LEARNING CAN
CHANGE THE WORLD by Kathy Lund Dean, PhD, Board of Trustees Distinguished Chair of Leadership and Ethics
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THE GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY
H
ere’s a recipe for success: Start with professors from all over the Gustavus campus who are passionate about engaging students in real-world leadership opportunities. Add students who come to Gustavus not only to undertake a particular course of study but also to become agents of change for the common good. Mix in community
organizations and neighborhood leaders from around Minnesota whose work lifts up the neediest and most vulnerable among us. Connect this amalgam of people with relationships nurtured by Jeffrey Rathlef and Dave Newell ’03 in the CommunityBased Service & Learning program, and you understand the transformative potential of student experiences using communitybased learning. Rathlef and Newell, the director and assistant director, respectively, for Community-Based Service & Learning at Gustavus, have worked single-mindedly to up the community-based learning ante on campus. And it’s working. Housed at Gustavus within the Center for Servant Leadership, community-based learning (CBL) is an umbrella teaching and learning strategy that includes more commonly used practices like service-learning and civic engagement. At the heart of it, CBL “integrates community engagement with academic coursework, [emphasizing] reciprocity and collaboration with community stakeholders, as well as structured reflection by which learning and meaning is derived from experience” (from the Gustavus Community Based Service & Learning website). An immersion technique, CBL values the process of personalized learning as much as the content of coursework students encounter. Every student learns differently, and CBL’s unique collaborative structure allows students to come at course material
in ways that make sense to them. Because the learning process is as important as course material, CBL may be the perfect way to blend liberal arts’ lifelong learning orientation with job-ready skills students can use in any organizational setting. UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AND REJUVENATION The CBL initiative uses two faculty-led programs to help create meaningful, substantive and reciprocally valuable experiences with community partners: the CBL Academy, held each February during touring week, and the Community Engaged Scholars (CES) Fellows program, an intensive 15 month immersion that allows three faculty Fellows from any discipline the opportunity to delve more deeply into their CBL practice. It could be the chance to develop new courses or modify existing courses, but the goal is to develop intentionality around integrating CBL. Along with Barb Zust ’76, PhD (nursing), and Kyle Momsen ’01 (athletic training), I am a current Fellow for 2013–14. Our different disciplines allow synergistic work to occur across our oftensiloed programs. One fruitful outcome of our Fellows experience will be the chance to present a collaborative research project at the 2014 Upper Midwest Civic Engagement conference at the University of WisconsinStout in June.
I have used CBL for 17 years, usually as the sole faculty member in my college to do so—a frequently isolating experience for me and a one-off experience for students. Gustavus’s commitment to supporting the faculty’s CBL is a make-or-break factor in helping students have multiple CBL experiences throughout their liberal arts program of study—a key recommendation by the recent Carnegie Report on re-discovering the power of the liberal arts in leadership education. Because CBL is an innovative process for learning, it can be used in any content area on campus. For the fall 2013 semester, CBL was integrated into 37 course sections across 15 different departments including Biology, Health and Exercise Science, Education, Nursing, and my own department, Economics and Management. Public Discourse, in the Department of Communication Studies, holds a special place in Gustavus’s CBL practice and has a venerable history challenging students to engage with controversial issues that are shaping our public dialogues. In all, more than 600 Gustie students were involved in CBL in fall 2013 alone. And, courses that use CBL are spread across a Gustie’s four-year experience, from First Term Seminar to senior-level specializations, allowing students to increase the complexity and variety of work they complete. They gain a language with which to talk about their experiences with potential employers
Members of the Gustavus faculty were wholly engaged in a World Café discussion centered on the question, “What does it mean to be a neighbor?” at the Waite House in the Phillips Neighborhood of Minneapolis during a three-day CBL Academy program in February 2014 with representatives from Phillips Neighborhood community organizations.
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or graduate schools. Students make their lives count each and every time they engage a community partner and do work that truly matters. Steve Moertel ’15, a student of mine who is enthusiastic about his CBL project, summarized his experience: “I would say that the best part about CBL is that it’s the real world, and you get to interact with a business that is making real decisions for their organization. It carries a greater weight than classroom lectures, because unlike the hypothetical situations and simulations that can be brought up in a classroom, the decisions and efforts you make with that company have real life effects outside of a grade. I really understood this during our time in class, because it was markedly different from any other class experience I had ever had, and it gave me a sense of being a professional, and not just a student.”
STUDENTS HAVE AN EXPE
STUDENTS HAVE AN EXPERIENCE OF THE WORLD—RIGHT HERE CBL dovetails directly into Gustavus-wide programs and opportunities. One prominent example of this is with the non-negotiable need to instill in our students a globalized mindset. While about half of our students do get to study abroad, half do not. How do we prepare students who do not physically go abroad to experience the complexity of being in a fundamentally “foreign” space? Carolyn
around the country, where language students are paired with local native speakers to practice language skills and gain insights into global cultures. Because Angelique was careful to stress the win-win nature of the program, many local Spanish-speaking families are now involved in Language Buddies, offering Gustavus Spanish students this immersive learning opportunity semester after semester. Moving from internationalization to “having an experience of the world” has made all the difference in the world (pun intended) for me. While I have used CBL for many years, connecting CBL with our core values helps keep them front and center, reminding me almost every day why Gustavus is special. The CES Fellows Program and the CBL Academy mean direct support among a community of CBL practitioners—no one has to go it alone. Students get to do work
David Newell
Jeffery Rathlef
Joe Larson ’79, executive director of the Aliveness Project, with
2013–14 CES Faculty Fellows Kyle Momsen ’01, Kathy Lund Dean, and
Phil Voight, co-chair of the Department of Communication Studies.
Barb Zust ’76
Gustavus faculty visited with Joe on-site last February.
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O’Grady, EdD, director of the Center for International and Cultural Education, has kept Gustavus abreast of the globalization conversation and has helped us answer that question. Carolyn has reframed the learning opportunity from a relatively narrow “internationalization” focus to a much more inclusive frame of helping students “have an engaged experience of the world.” Carolyn notes, “Gustavus already provides many opportunities in the curriculum and co-curriculum for our students to have an engaged experience of the world before they graduate. These include the many departments and programs that ask their students to consider how their area of study can improve the world.” The skills that students need to navigate our globalized workplaces, such as an appreciation for different beliefs, competency using communication media effectively, and practice of ethical leadership, can be gained right here at home using CBL. Our local communities provide a rich setting in which students may engage with different cultures, languages, and life experiences. A hugely successful example of how local CBL offers global perspectives is the Spanish Language Buddies program. Angelique Dwyer, PhD, a 2011–12 CES Fellow, modeled St. Peter’s Language Buddies outreach on similar programs
THE GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY
ERIENCE OF THE WORLD—RIGHT HERE that matters, that engages their hearts and minds together, and that much more closely mimics the real world. Yiyi Chen ’14, a student in my conflict management course last semester, reported, “I was able to identify the conflicts that our client was encountering from what I had learned in lectures, and gave suggestions based on the principles in the book. I also realized that I could not completely apply what I learned from the book to the real situation. The real world was more complex.”
INFRASTRUCTURE MATTERS—A GUSTAVUS DIFFERENTIATOR One of the key signs of a healthy, growing institution is its learning opportunity infrastructure. When resources are committed to making signature learning opportunities available year after year, and professors, staff and students work together to make them come alive, that’s when magic happens. The CES Fellows program ensures that Gustavus’s core values and commitment to CBL are enacted with vibrancy. And, the focus on the scholarship of teaching and learning that comes from driving these experiences puts Gustavus on the very front edge of what the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) calls “high impact practices,” which offer the best in transformational student learning. Another sign that CBL won’t be going away any time soon is Gustavus’s April 2014 application to be recognized as a Carnegie Community Engaged Campus. The Carnegie designation—a ten-year certification—would put Gustavus in the company of top CBL-practicing institutions in the country, including only seven colleges and universities in Minnesota. Earning Carnegie recognition is predicated on institution-wide infrastructure and a documented CBL ethos. Finally, Jeffrey Rathlef is making sure our community partners’ voices are heard by creating a SurveyMonkey instrument sent after each CBL opportunity. Deeply committed to CBL’s principle of reciprocity, we are not simply taking it for granted that community partners are experiencing positive outcomes with our students—we are directly accessing their viewpoints. Kath Pengelly, volunteer and advocate
Dave Newell ’03, assistant director of Community-Based Service and Learning at Gustavus (standing, right), facilitated a World Cafe discussion with Phillips Neighborhood community members and Gustavus faculty and staff during the 2014 CBL Academy in February.
coordinator of Lifeworks in Eagan, offered my students important feedback on their project last fall, and noted, “Students bring a variety of educational backgrounds and disciplines that have direct application at Lifeworks. We know that a student today has the potential to become our employee, employer, family member, advocate or donor tomorrow. We welcome this partnership to learn from each other with the end goal of fostering a greater understanding of people with disabilities and finding meaningful lives for all.” Seeking community partners’ voices strengthens our relationship with them, and
the faculty may use that intentional feedback for student development and learning. It takes a pedagogical village to support such an intensive, cross-disciplinary way of educating our students. At heart, CBL balances ownership and creativity for learning among many people who are invested in making learning successful. n Kathy Lund Dean, Ph.D., is a professor of management in the Department of Economics and Management and the Board of Trustees Distinguished Chair in Leadership and Ethics.
FURTHER READING AND LINKS: • Community-Based Service and Learning maintains a homepage (gustavus.edu/servantleadership/ community service/) on the website of the College’s Center for Servant Leadership (gustavus.edu/ servantleadership/). • The Carnegie Report’s Rethinking Undergraduate Business Education: Liberal Learning for the Profession may be found at carnegiehighered.org/book/rethinking-undergraduate-business-education-rethinkingliberal-learning-for-the-profession. • The Center for International and Cultural Education is helping students “have an engaged experience of the world.” See Winter 2012–13 issue of the Gustavus Quarterly, p. 9. • The National Survey of Student Engagement (nsse.iub.edu) lists “high impact practices” promoting transformational student learning. • Joe Larson ’79, executive director of the Aliveness Project in Minneapolis (aliveness.org), served as a resource for Gustavus faculty participating in the annual CBL Academy last February. • Kath Pengelly, volunteer and advocate coordinator at Lifeworks in Eagan (lifeworks.org), offered Gustavus students feedback on their CBL projects last fall. She is a current community partner.
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Head of the
CLASS Jon Gutierrez ’82
In 1991 Minnesota became the first state to pass legislation establishing charter schools. The first charter school organized that year enrolled 50 students. Within 15 years nearly 3,600 charter schools across the country enrolled about 1 million students. Charter schools are public schools, receiving state funds. They are nonsectarian and open to all; their students do not pay tuition. by Steve Waldhauser ’70
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Photos by Stan Waldhauser ’71
D
uring the halftime breaks at varsity basketball games in old Myrum Memorial Fieldhouse, Gustavus Coach Bob Erdman ’56 used to send his senior guard out to the center circle to entertain the crowd. Jon Gutierrez ’82 would juggle and dribble multiple basketballs, spin five balls at once—two on his shoetops, two on his fingers, even one from a pen held between his teeth—and otherwise wow the fans with his dexterity. Some 30 years later, Jon is still juggling, spinning, and multi-tasking. But now it’s history and literature, and critical thinking and writing skills, and school finances. For Jon is executive director of and the driving force behind Stillwater’s St. Croix Preparatory Academy, one of the most successful charter schools in Minnesota. St. Croix Preparatory Academy (SCPA) is a K–12 charter school that opened in former retail spaces in downtown Stillwater, Minn., in the fall of 2004. The school started with 200 students in grades K–7 and has experienced tremendous growth, moving to a new facility on 59 acres of land just south of town in 2009 and enrolling more than 1,100 students in grades K–12 (with a waiting list of more than 450) during the 2013–14 school year. In 1991 Minnesota became the first state to pass legislation establishing charter schools. The first charter school organized that year enrolled 50 students. Within 15 years nearly 3,600 charter schools across the country enrolled about 1 million students. Charter schools are public schools, receiving state funds. They are nonsectarian and open to all; their students do not pay tuition. At the same time, the State of Minnesota requires that each charter school have a sponsoring or “authorizing” organization, which provides academic and financial oversight and ensures that the school complies with all legal requirements. St. Croix Prep is authorized by Friends of Education, a non-profit educational foundation based in Wayzata, Minn. SCPA also maintains a school board, made up of six parents and three teachers. “In the Stillwater area, more than 20 percent of the students don’t attend traditional schools,” Gutierrez says. “Parents in this area are comfortable with school choice, and St. Croix Prep is another option in a community that offers many great educational choices.” Jon, a native of Ashland, Wis., who majored in accounting at Gustavus, came
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to education in a round-about way. After graduating from Gustavus he worked briefly as an accountant for Touche Ross (now Deloitte Touche) before becoming a hightech sales executive with Lawson Software and later rival PeopleSoft. During that time he also enrolled at Trinity International University, where he earned a master of divinity degree. He says he began to direct his energies toward education after noticing the poor writing and weak critical thinking skills around him in the business world. “Actually, when the bubble burst in 2002 I decided to get out of the tech field,” Jon admits. “I was taking some
60 parents attended the first informational meeting. Some were considering private schools because they wanted a smaller, more focused environment. Some wanted more rigor in the curriculum. But for most, hearing from school director Jon Gutierrez made a distinct impression. “It was clear that he had sound ideas about how a school can and should be run,” reported one parent. “What we were surprised by was that we were full in six weeks,” Jon says. The K–7 model with about 200 students was already obsolete. St. Croix Prep would outgrow its facilities in five years, building a new school in 2009 and adding a class annually until it
Jon with a pre-calculus class of 10th, 11th, and 12th graders.
time off when I connected with a group of parents interested in educational issues and thinking about starting a private or charter school. I was probably on the edge of their conversations—I wasn’t really involved in a lot of it, but I was aware of some of the trends and issues. Basically, I was the one who had time on his hands. The group encouraged me to think about starting a school. My background in the tech field—it was high growth in those days—was starting things, getting things going. I agreed to do it for a year, and it’s now ten years later . . .” By the time St. Croix Prep scheduled its first informational meetings in early 2004, Jon had become a leader in articulating the school’s developing mission and was on board as its executive director. More than
graduated its first class of seniors in 2010. “So, what you see here,” Jon deadpans, waving his arms at the far walls of the school’s entrance atrium, “is not what we initially envisioned.” The businessman in him still orders his work: as the school celebrates its tenth year, he runs it like a business, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, selective staffing, and a constant focus on delivering a quality product. But he’s also personally invested— he and his wife, Kelly, have sent all three of their children to SCPA since it opened: Older daughter Anne started at SCPA in 2004 as a seventh-grader and was a member of the first graduating class in 2010; she is now a senior at Davidson College in North Carolina and will graduate this spring. Son Michael,
now a junior, started at SCPA as a secondgrader. Younger daughter Grace started as a kindergartener in the school’s first year and is now a ninth-grader. St. Croix Preparatory Academy is one of a handful of charter schools using the classical liberal arts model as its educational philosophy. The classical model has been around for 2,500 years going back to Plato but has enjoyed a sort of renaissance lately, particularly among charter and private schools. Traditionally, it comprises seven disciplines, of which three—grammar, logic, and rhetoric, known as the “trivium”—were originally taught as prerequisite to the
information. Finally, the rhetoric stage (grades 9–12) involves communication of ideas and focus on synthesis and evaluation. Students argue and defend their opinions and arguments based on their understanding and knowledge of subjects. Gutierrez attributes much of SCPA’s success to its classical model. “We teach specific content in a way that’s appropriate for each grade level,” he says. That content includes ancient history and classical literature as well as Latin. For example, the classical model approaches history from the beginning for grades one through four, then again for grades five through eight, and yet
of Kevin Byrne, who made history real and learning engaging and exciting. And Milt Brostrom, who was always encouraging even as I reached the limits of my mathematical understanding. And my coaches Whitey Skoog and Bob Erdman, whose significant conversations with me weren’t about basketball at all. I learned the value of learning, the value of study, the importance of hard work. “I think the model we try to maintain here is to prepare students so that, when they go on to a place like Gustavus, they’re comfortable with the academic expectations and the organizational and time demands they’ll have. . . . The liberal arts approach gives students the means to adapt; they aren’t going to look at things in isolation.” * * * * *
"The challenge of the new"—Jon brings a new skill to a 2nd-grade physical education class.
“quadrivium”—arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy. SCPA’s educational model is organized around the trivium, which also specifies the order in which its trio of disciplines is taught. Jon explains that “grammar,” “logic,” and “rhetoric” are used in broader senses than what their dictionary definitions might imply. The grammar stage (for grades 1–4) is the knowledge and comprehension stage. Children are exposed to as much information as possible to satisfy their hunger for facts. In the logic stage (grades 5–8) the focus shifts to analysis and application of what’s been learned, and students seek patterns and relationships among the facts. Students’ minds are developing and they ask different questions as they start to interact with
again for grades nine through twelve. Each time through the cycle, students focus on a different learning objective according to the three sequential disciplines of the trivium described above. “Students here learn to be hungry for learning,” Jon maintains. “We emphasize history, world cultures, languages, art, music. It starts at an early age. There’s homework at an early age—that’s somewhat out of trend. It’s built into the culture—there’s a lot of positive peer pressure here. We want to provide the opportunities for these students to aspire to selective colleges and universities.” “My high school experience was not ‘rigorous,’” Jon admits, “so Gustavus represented a real adjustment. I adapted, and some faculty members helped me. I think
In March 2013, St. Croix Prep completed a 23,000 sq. ft. expansion that added six middle school classrooms, staff work areas, additional cafeteria space, a fitness center, locker rooms, and a 7,500 sq. ft. multipurpose performance space for concerts, theater productions, meetings, assemblies, and community events. For the past ten years, St. Croix Prep has consistently been ranked among the top-performing schools in Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment scores; it’s been listed in national magazines’ rankings of top schools in the nation. The school is clearly thriving and an integral part of the Stillwater educational system. Jon Gutierrez is optimistic about whatever future presents itself. “The world today is a lot different from when I was growing up. There are new pressures, and some of the things these students go through are a lot different from what I had, so I derive a great deal of satisfaction from being in an environment where I can contribute positively to their lives—to see them learn; to see them work through failure, persevere and overcome; to see a new class of kindergarten students and then shake their hands at commencement exercises and know they’ve been launched successfully into the next journey of their lives.” n Steve Waldhauser is a 1970 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College who returned to his alma mater in 1977 and is now director of editorial services and managing editor of the Gustavus Quarterly.
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SPORTS NOTES
Winter sports summary WOMEN’S HOCKEY The Gustavus women’s hockey team saw its reign atop the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) come to an end in the 2013–14 season. The Gusties finished second in the final conference standings at 14–4–0 (28 points). After defeating Bethel 3–2 in the MIAC playoff semifinals, Gustavus’s season concluded with a 2–0 loss to regular season champion St. Thomas in the playoff championship. The postseason defeat suffered to the Tommies ended Coach Mike Carroll’s run of 10 consecutive MIAC playoff titles and trips to the NCAA tournament. The Gusties finished the year with an overall record of 17–8–2. Four Gusties were honored with MIAC postseason awards following the conference season. Senior forward Melissa Carolyn Draayer ’15 Doyle (White Bear Lake, Minn.), junior defender Courtney Boucher (Hastings, Minn.), junior forward Carolyn Draayer (Deephaven, Minn.), and sophomore forward Allison Eder-Zdechlik (Stillwater, Minn.) were all named to the all-conference team, while Draayer earned the MIAC Elite 22 Award—an award presented to the individual with the highest cumulative grade point average on the active roster at the MIAC playoff championship contest. Draayer received the MIAC Women’s Hockey Elite 22 Award thanks to the team’s trip to the championship game and her near-perfect 3.98 GPA in communication studies.
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by Ethan Armstrong ’09
MEN’S HOCKEY The Gustavus men’s hockey team posted its best finish in the conference standings since the 2009–10 season and made it back to the MIAC playoff championship for a third straight year after what was the team’s seventh consecutive winning season. Gustavus finished second in the MIAC with 38 points after going 12–3–1 in conference play. After defeating Saint John’s 3–2 in the MIAC playoff semifinals at Don Roberts Ice Rink, the Gusties saw their season end with a 2–1 loss to St. Thomas in front of a capacity crowd at the St. Thomas Ice Arena in the MIAC playoff championship. Head Coach Brett Petersen’s club finished the year 16–7–4 overall, reaching the 15win mark for the sixth straight season. Gustavus had a strong showing in the MIAC’s postseason awards, with three players taking home all-conference honors. Gusties featured on the 20-player allconference team included senior forward Corey Leivermann (North Mankato, Minn.), sophomore goaltender John McLean (Eagan, Minn.), and senior forward Adam Smyth (Burnsville, Minn.). Smyth earned allconference marks for the second straight year, while Leivermann and McLean were both first-time recipients. Leivermann shared the MIAC scoring title after scoring 19 points, with a league-leading 12 goals and 7 assists in conference play. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Thanks to a late surge from late January to mid-February, during which the Gustavus women’s basketball team won seven of eight games, the Gusties were able to finish sixth in the conference standings with a record of 11–11 and earn a trip to the MIAC playoffs for an MIAC-best 14th consecutive season. Gustavus finished the year with a record of 14–12 overall after falling on the road to No. 3-seeded St. Thomas 66–51 in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Senior guard Julia Dysthe (White Bear Lake, Minn.) and sophomore post Karina Schroeder (Lake Crystal, Minn.) were both
honored as members of the all-conference team following the season. Dsythe, a firsttime all-conference performer, scored a career-high 382 points (13.7 ppg) and shot 42.1 percent from the field. Schroeder, a member of the MIAC All-Rookie Team last season, established herself as one of the top post players in the league after averaging 14.2 points per game, shooting 53.3 percent from the field, and bringing down an average of 8.9 rebounds per game. She led the team in all three categories and finished with the secondbest field goal shooting percentage in the league at 51.6 percent against league opponents. MEN’S BASKETBALL After narrowly missing the postseason a year ago, the Gustavus men’s basketball team bounced back this season with a fourth-place finish in the conference standings, going 13–7 in league play. Thanks to a free throw by senior Jordan Dick (Wabasha, Minn.) with just two seconds remaining in the game, the Gusties were able to defeat No. 4-seeded Saint John’s 65–64 on the road in the MIAC playoff quarterfinals. Gustavus’s tournament run came to an end in the semifinal round when the Gusties fell to No. 2-seeded St. Olaf 66–53 in Northfield. The Gusties finished the season with a 17–10 overall record. Coach Mark Hanson’s squad was represented in the MIAC’s postseason awards by wing Jordan Dick and sophomore post Brody Ziegler (Mankato, Minn.), who both made their first appearance on the MIAC all-conference team. Dick scored a career-best 314 points (11.6 ppg), shot 52.5 percent from the field (12th/MIAC) and 45.4 percent from threepoint range (2nd/MIAC). Ziegler scored 289 points (10.7 ppg), ranked fifth in the MIAC with 148 rebounds (5.5 rpg), and shot 57.3 percent from the floor (5th/MIAC) in his first season as a full-time starter.
SPORTS NOTES
MEN’S NORDIC SKIING The Gustavus men’s Nordic skiing team posted a sixth-place finish with 52 points at the Central Collegiate Ski Association Championships held Feb. 8–9 in Ishpeming, Mich. Leading the Gustie men in the classic technique race was sophomore Marcus Speca (Minnetonka, Minn.), who placed 22nd overall with a time of 22:28.9. Pacing the team in the meet-capping freestyle race was junior Scott Williams (Maple Grove, Minn.), who finished 21st with a time of 43.29.0. The Gusties were able to jump ahead of St. Olaf for a fifth-place finish with 59 points at the season-ending NCAA Central Region Championships held Feb. 15–16 in Houghton, Mich. Scott Williams turned in the team’s top classic performance by finishing 16th after crossing the finish line in 32:24.7. Junior Tyler Gustafson (Grand Rapids, Minn.) showed steady improvement throughout the year and led the way in the freestyle with a 13th-place showing in 43:27.2. WOMEN’S NORDIC SKIING The Gustavus women’s Nordic skiing team scored 50 points to finish seventh at the Central Collegiate Ski Association Championships held in Ishpeming, Mich., on Feb. 8–9. Senior Marian Lund (Duluth, Minn.) led the way in both Saturday’s classic and Sunday’s freestyle races over the weekend. Lund finished 11th overall with a time of 12:39.7 in the classic and 14th with a time of 38:13.6 in the freestyle. The Gusties moved ahead one place in the standings against the same competition a week later at the NCAA Central Region Championships, held Feb. 15–16 in Houghton, Mich. Gustavus posted 53 points to take sixth, finishing ahead of UW-Green Bay (46 pts.) and St. Cloud State University (16 pts.). Sophomore Marit Sonnesyn (Plymouth, Minn.) was the squad’s top skier all weekend, taking 21st in the classic with a time of 19:01.6 and 19th in the freestyle with a time of 35.26.8.
GYMNASTICS The Gustavus gymnastics team turned in its best team performance of the season at the 2014 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Gymnastics Championship/ National Collegiate Gymnastics Association West Regional held March 2 at the Williams Center located on the campus of UWWhitewater. The Gusties scored a 177.800 to finish eighth at the eight-team meet. Top individual performers at the meet included Jamie Ries (Sr., Monticello, Minn.) and Lauren Kershner (Fy., Marine, Ill.). Ries and Kershner both competed in the allaround, with Jamie taking eighth thanks to a season-best score of 36.800 and Lauren finishing ninth with a season-best 36.700. Both all-arounders were selected to represent Gustavus at the NCGA Championships held at Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., on March 21–22. Kershner finished 12th with a score of 36.550, while Ries took 13th with a score of 36.150. Jamie Ries’s bar routine score of 9.625 at the meet broke Gustavus’s 2004 school record of 9.600 held by Amanda Parker ’05. MEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD The Gustavus men’s indoor track and field team scored 63.5 points to finish in sixth place at the MIAC Indoor Track and Field Championships held March 6–8 at the McNeely Spectrum in Collegeville, Minn. Senior Cameron Clause (Mankato, Minn.) highlighted the post-meet accolades with a pair of honors. Clause was named the MIAC’s Outstanding Cameron Clause ’14 Field Athlete
for his performances in the heptathlon and pole vault. He placed second in the pole vault with a height of 15' 1.5", and was honored with the MIAC’s Performance-ofthe-Meet award after taking gold in the heptathlon, in which he scored an MIAC and school record 5,088 points. Gustavus also benefited from allconference performances by Ryan Obele (Sr., Le Sueur, Minn.), who finished second in the weight throw (58' 3.75"), Jordan Lovestrand (Fy., Bloomington, Minn.), who took third in the 60-meter hurdles (8.63), and Blair Riegel (Sr., Lakeville, Minn.), who placed third in the triple jump (44' 1.25"). Cameron Clause went on to represent the Gusties at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships held March 14–15 in Lincoln, Neb. Seeded sixth entering the meet, Clause earned All-America honors in the heptathlon for the second straight year after scoring a 5,065 to finish fourth. WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD The Gustavus women’s indoor track and field team scored 39 points to finish in seventh place at the 2014 MIAC championships held March 6–8 at the McNeely Spectrum in Collegeville, Minn. Senior Nevada Wendlandt (Maplewood, Minn.) turned in the team’s top performance of the meet, earning allconference honors with a second-place finish in the pole vault at a height of 10' 6.75". Caitlin Fermoyle (Jr., Mendota Heights, Minn.) led the Gusties on the track with a fifth-place finish in the 5,000-meter run (18:22.07) and a seventh place performance in the 3,000-meter run (10:38.50). After finishing fourth in the shot put (41' 10") at the MIAC Championships, sophomore Sarah Swanson (Fairbanks, Alaska) was selected to compete in the NCAA championships, where she came in 16th overall in the event, recording a throw of 42' 8", which was her second-best toss of the season.
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SPORTS NOTES
MEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING The Gustavus men’s swimming and diving team scored 498.5 points to finish fourth at the 2014 MIAC Swimming and Diving Championships held Feb. 13–15 at the Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. Junior Zac Solis (Centennial, Colo.) led the Gusties at the meet with a total of three individual all-conference performances. Solis became MIAC champion in the 500 freestyle after touching the wall in 4:35.35 and added runner-up finishes in the 200 free (1:42.56) and 1,650 free (16:17.69). Dante Colucci (So., Summit, N.J.) provided Gustavus points in the backstroke Zac Solis ’15 races, earning gold in the 200 with a time of 1:50.40 and finishing runner-up in the 100 with a time of 49.62. Diver Bennet Woltjer (So., Kandiyohi, Minn.) added a pair of all-conference performances with third-place finishes on both the one-
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meter (405.75) and three-meter (365.10) boards. Rounding out Gustavus’s allconference performances was the secondplace 200-medley relay team of Colucci, Jacob Stern (So., Rosemount, Minn.), Ross Larson (Jr., Brookings, S.D.), and Sam OlsonAnstett (Sr., Shoreview, Minn.), and the thirdplace 400-medley relay team of Colucci, Stern, Larson, and Solis. WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING The Gustavus women’s swimming and diving team (pictured above) completed the “Drive for Five” by winning its fifth straight MIAC championship after scoring a school-record 886.5 points. The Gustavus women’s swimming and diving program has won seven of the last eight and nine of the last 13 MIAC championships. Head Coach Jon Carlson’s teams’ total of nine MIAC titles ranks second behind St. Olaf’s 15. Over the course of the three-day meet, Gustavus tallied 20 individual allconference swims (10 of which were gold medals) and took first in four of the five relay events. To go along with the team title, senior Alissa Tinklenberg (Willmar, Minn.) was named the MIAC Women’s Swimmer-of-the-Year, and Jon Carlson was honored by his peers as the MIAC Women’s Swimming Coach-of-the-Year. Six women’s swimmers—including seniors Laura Drake (Mendota Heights,
Minn.) and Alissa Tinklenberg, juniors Danielle Klunk (Appleton, Wis.), Katie Olson (North Oaks, Minn.), and Jennifer Strom Alissa Tinklenberg ’14 (Rochester, Minn.), and sophomore Tarin Anding (Sartell, Minn.)—earned the right to represent Gustavus at the 2014 NCAA championships held March 19–22 at the IUPUI Natatorium in Indianapolis. Gustavus scored a total of 154 points to finish in seventh place out of 49 competing teams and 243 total athletes. The six Gustie women swimmers turned in what was the highest NCAA team finish and highest point total in the history of Gustavus women’s swimming and diving. Over the course of the four-day meet, Gustavus took home All-America honors in five events (3 relay, 2 individual) and All-America Honorable Mention marks in four (1 relay, 3 individual). n
Ethan Armstrong ’09 has been sports information director at Gustavus since fall 2011.
GUSTAVUS ALUMNI
GUSTAVUS ALUMNI
ALUMNI CONTENTS 33 Alumna named Attorney of the year 34 Reunion Weekend 2014 40 Alumnus in Bush Fellows 41 Summer Smörgåsbords
43 Gustie Breakfast 43 Weddings 44 Alumna is airline VP 44 Births 45 In Memoriam
s Friends, family, and golf in Scandinavia Dan Engstrom ’72, Rich Agren ’74, and George Roberts ’72, teammates on the Gustavus national runner-up hockey team in 1972, found a little time for golf in Stellefteå, Sweden, while Agren was hosting three visiting alumni couples. Read more on p. 31.
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Editor’s note: With no class officers to write the 1955 news notes, some of these submissions have gotten old; we apologize for that but still want to share with you what we have received. Arlys Lobitz Kempf, Fitchburg, WI, writes, “My husband, Lee, and I are still active volunteer docents, leading tours at Monona Terrace, which is a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed convention center in Madison, WI. George Torrey and his wife, Shirley, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April 2011 with their families (13) on a trip to Rome followed by a Mediterranean cruise in June/July. Marilyn Anderson Stephan, Berkley, MI, has been elected to three terms as mayor of the City of Berkley, MI. During that time, Berkley was recognized by Business Week as the “Most Affordable Suburb” in the USA—from among 863 suburbs. A tribute of her years of service was read into the congressional record by Congressman Gary Peters. Eileen Ekberg Scott, Richfield, is in her 38th year of being the home economist for Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Buck Emberg and Joan, Tasmania, are very active in the environmental movement in Australia. They have been active in a number of groups opposing a pulp mill in the middle of a valley of 120,000 people. They also have a weekly radio program about their biking adventures around the world and write numerous articles for papers and magazines. Dean Abrahamson, St. Paul, sold his Minneapolis home of many years and has bought a small condo in St. Paul. He wrote in 2010, “I still do a little work; teach a course at the University of Iceland, and give a couple of lectures in Sweden each year, but essentially do no teaching in Minnesota. I scribble a bit from time to time—often diatribe letters to editors." The American Correctional Association published A Model of Correctional Leadership: The Career of Norman A. Carlson, by Clemens Bartollas. This biography is thoughtfully crafted to appeal both to those who know Norm and those who wish to see how leadership can help you overcome obstacles. It should be useful for individuals beginning their correctional careers and those who are advancing in their career.
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GUSTAVUS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION To engage current and future alumni in lifelong relationships with Gustavus and each other to actively advance their commitment to the College.
OFFICERS
Christopher Rasmussen ’88, President Sara Tollefson Currell ’95, Vice President Kelly Waldron ’84, Treasurer Jeff Heggedahl ’87, Past President & Ex-Officio Member, Board of Trustees BOARD MEMBERS TERM EXPIRES FALL 2014 Jean-Paul Bigirindavyi ’00, St. Louis Park, MN Kara Buckner ’97, St. Louis Park, MN Adam Eckhardt ’08, Minneapolis, MN Chris Rasmussen ’88, Berwyn Heights, MD Sharon Peterson Robinson ’64, Kasota, MN Kristin Johns Young ’86, The Woodlands, TX TERM EXPIRES FALL 2015 Sandra Luedtke Buendorf ’62, St. Peter, MN Sara Tollefson Currell ’95, St. Paul, MN Ed Drenttel ’81, Inver Grove Heights, MN Keith Jackson ’88, Minneapolis, MN Jane Norman Leitzman ’69, St. Joseph, MN Brian Norelius ’96, Lindstrom, MN Paul Schiminsky ’93, Las Vegas, NV Scott Swanson ’85, Edina, MN Matt Wasson ’12, Minneapolis, MN TERM EXPIRES FALL 2016 Catherine Asta ’75, Edina, MN Michael Dueber ’89, St. Paul, MN Theresa Gienapp ’97, St. Paul, MN Derek Hansen ’94, Minnetonka, MN Stephanie Kendall ’76, Minneapolis, MN Virginia Kirkegaard Leppart ’76, Eden Prairie, MN Gordon Mansergh ’84, Decatur, GA Matthew Olson ’10, Minneapolis, MN Marisa Schloer ’09, Minneapolis, MN EMERITI James “Moose” Malmquist ’53, Scandia, MN Kay Rethwill Moline ’56, St. Peter, MN
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 St. Peter, MN 56082-1498 phone n 800-487-8437 e-mail n alumni@gustavus.edu or [year]classofficers@gustavus.edu website n gustavus.edu/alumni/submit
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Come on class, we don’t want to be the only ones without any news to print. We know you’re all busy, so please share some of those happenings with your classmates. n Marlys Mattson Nelson, class communication chair
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Many of our class are planning to participate in our 55th reunion in May—look for pictures in the Quarterly. Cliff and Diana Sroder Johnson, Rio Rancho, NM, have moved to an independent living apartment and report that they love it—three meals a day, a maid once a week, plenty of activities, and bus transportation. Their son and his family live in Kenai, AK, and their daughter is in Orlando, FL. Sheila Ice Olson, White Bear Lake, retired from the Anoka-Hennepin School District in 2000. Sheila and Ray spend the summer at their cabin on Clear Lake. Their daughters, Beth and Alysia, live nearby and are a big help as Sheila has Parkinson’s. Nancy Oman Ward has moved back to Minneapolis from California just in time to enjoy (?) the Minnesota winter. As class agent and communications chair since 2002, Carol Johnson Heyl, wants to thank everyone for their news throughout the years. You’ve made the volunteer job fun, but she now finds it is time to pass the torch on to others. n Carol Johnson Heyl, class communication chair
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Keith (Joe) Carlson joined the
Geology Department 60 Gustavus faculty in 1966. Since retiring he lives in St. Peter and returns to the campus frequently for various events. He compiles an annual newsletter for geology alumni. Bob Krough reports that there was no winner at the August 2013 Invitational Golf Tournament played at Sugarbrooke Resort in Grand Rapids, MN. The defending champion was Bob Olson ’58. In the group were Krough, Jerry Thrall, Jim Donicht, Byron Helgeson, Arlen Burmeister, Doug Pritchard ’59, and Chuck Smith ’59. Some in the group were Phi Alphs, and in the group are guys who played football and basketball at Gustavus. Steve Lundgren says that he and Britt were at Gustavus in February for a performance of Hair and attended a luncheon for grads of the ’60s and ’70s who were involved in theater. Steve played the hilarious role of Sir Toby Belch in the performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in 1960. In March Steve and Britt traveled to Florida and stayed with Steve Carlson and Carol Johns. Carlson has recovered from cancer surgery last year. Nancy Dege Gerhard is a retired counselor and teacher and is currently serving as a deacon at Tustin Presbyterian Church in Tustin, CA. She had a hip replacement in February. Paul Tidemann received word from Lisa McCoy ’89 that her father and our classmate Clayton W. McCoy Jr. died in October 2013 due to a car accident. Peter Nyhus has shared really great information about his
GUSTAVUS ALUMNI involvement in encouraging students from Cancun, Mexico, to enroll at Gustavus. In May of 2011, with Nyhus’s help, the Gustavus football team did a service project in Cancun, Mexico. From this experience, students living there wanted to know more about Gustavus. That fall Violeta Hernandez ’07 from the admission office began to visit some of the high schools and spread the Gustavus story. In the fall of 2012 we had three women and one young man from Cancun enroll, and in the fall of 2013 one woman and seven men enrolled. Watch for more in a future issue of the Quarterly about this project. n P aul Tidemann, class president
I am writing this in late February,
you will be reading this in 64 knowing the summer Quarterly. I wish I were a mind reader and could tell about the fabulous time we all had at our 50th reunion. I do know that the College has dedicated staff to help plan the reunion, so kudos to those wonderful people for doing a great job.
s Gustie sighting While Janyce Helgeson Olson’62 and her husband, Rich Olson, were spending the holidays with their son and his family in Austin, TX, they had two unexpected and delightful Gustavus small-world experiences. At a reception following worship at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Southwest Austin, they met three Gusties who live in Austin. Pictured from left are Janyce Olson ’62, Duane Flink ’49, Millie Anderson Flink ’49, and Mary Holmquist Macaulay ’67. Later, when checking into an Extended Stay Hotel in Austin, they were greeted by Sawyer Olson, a 2013 Gustavus graduate who is employed at the hotel. Sawyer is a high school graduate of the Austin Waldorf School, where the Olsons’ son is the athletic director. “We had previously met him but certainly were surprised to find him where we stayed.” s
Tom Idstrom, Coon Rapids, was one of five Minnesota high school coaches inducted into the Minnesota Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame on March 29. This was the 50th annual banquet of the group. Tom was honored for his work at Anoka High School and later at Irondale High School in the Mounds View district. The Rev. Ronald ’59 and Lorene Johnson Johnson are in the process of moving from Fairfield Glade, TN, where they had lived in retirement for some years. Ron has entered an assisted living facility in Valparaiso, IN, where one of their sons lives. Lorene is selling their home in Tennessee and will join him. Carolyn and Doug Weber, Blue Earth, report that life is busy with 20 grandchildren and 3 greatgrandchildren. Arnold Swenson, husband of Gloria Eckberg Swenson, Plymouth, passed away on Jan. 6. Among the family’s two sons and two daughters is Carolyn Rebehn ’96. Peter and Julie Nelson Neyhart, Juneau, AK, continue to travel around the country to visit son Scott’s and daughter Brook’s families, who live in the lower 48 states. Sons Mark and Brett and their families live in Juneau. Julie joined a friend, Marti, on a two-week adventure in northern Greece that included meeting Kitsa, who was an exchange student who lived with Julie’s family in Ellsworth, WI, in 1957. Julie’s mother, who was 97 and was living in Juneau, passed away on Jan. 29. n V irgene Grack Sehlin, class communication chair
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Gusties seek friends and family in Scandinavia
The three couples—Tom ’71 and Debbie Talmo, George ’72 and Gail (Anderson ’75) Roberts, and Dan ’72 and Kathy (Talmo ’73) Engstrom—journeyed together to Iceland, Norway, and Sweden last August. While there, they visited the Talmo family homestead in rural Trondheim, met with cousins and other relatives, and toured the area for several days. In Sweden they visited old friend and hockey teammate Richie Agren ’74, at his home in Skellefteå. (Dan, Rich, and George were members of the 1972 national runner-up hockey squad.) All three couples had either grandparents or great grandparents who emigrated from Norway or Sweden to the United States in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Pictured from left are Debbie and Tom Talmo ’71, Gail (Anderson ’75) and George Roberts ’72, and Kathy (Talmo ’73) and Dan Engstrom ’72.
In Service
After reading in the Winter 2013–14 Alumni Notes that classmate Peter Ford ’84 had retired as a lieutenant colonel after being commissioned while in the ROTC at Gustavus and serving 32 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, Steve Parry ’84 realized that he had been commissioned two years prior to Ford while attending Gustavus. Told by ROTC personnel that he was “the first ROTC candidate at Gustavus since WWII,” he was also the only Gustie in the first class of ROTC at Mankato State. Parry was awarded Distinguished Graduate status and was commissioned into the U.S. Army.
SUMMER 2014
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‘Class of ’68 turns 68’ Ten classmates celebrated a “Class of ’68 turns 68 Birthday Weekend” in San Antonio in February. Here we are—front, from left: Kris Lundberg Moorhead, Cheryl Hamer Hauswirth, Diana Dornack Hoffman; second row: Valerie Jungck Sanders, Dawn Nelson, Paula Navarro, Angie Kuper Christmann; back: JanaLee Sponberg, Judy Opheim Schwakopf, Susan Swanson Foster. Valerie brought the birthday cake and many, many margaritas were consumed in honor of this landmark event.
Musical memories
Gusties Bill Skoog ’75 and Rich Aulie ’75 met in Memphis in March 2013 to catch up with each other after more than 30 years. Skoog is chairman of the music department and director of choral activities at Rhodes College in Memphis; Aulie, a retired music educator, began his 15th season as music director of the Great River Strings Orchestra in Central Minnesota.
A book on books
Solveig Robinson ’83 recently published a book, The Book in Society: An Introduction to Print Culture (Broadview Press ISBN 9781554810741). More information is available at the publisher’s website, www. broadviewpress.com. Robinson is an associate professor of English at Pacific Lutheran University, Tocoma, WA.
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I was at the memorial service for Karen “Kay” Johnson Holdhusen in December at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. Kay had been a part of a group there called “The Needlers.” These women worked on huge embroidery scenes of the seasons. A woman in England designed them and they were worked on in two-footwide sections. Later they were attached to each other, and they now hang on the wall in the fellowship hall. I believe Kay worked on the “Spring” hanging. They are huge, so if you ever are at Plymouth Congregational try to see them. Only one at a time is displayed. Kay found a support group in the Needlers. Ina Street Sickels did some calling for Gustavus and reported that Kari Sommers Johnson at the time of the call was at their place in San Carlos, Mexico, and then traveling on to San Diego to see a daughter. Kari and her husband live in North Oaks not far from Paul ’63 and Ruth (Anderson ’63) Tillquist. Ina also reported that Bill Roadfeldt was planning on coming to the reunion in May and that she had tried to call Darlene Auger Stensby. Joanna Carlson Swanson has been doing research and is writing a book about her father, Edgar Carlson ’30. Maybe it will be finished by the time you are reading this Quarterly. Marcia Weyrauch Sympson lives in Louisville, KY. Marcia’s mother lives with her and just celebrated her 99th birthday. They spend the winters in Florida. Two and half years ago, my son Gus and I stopped to visit them on our way to North Carolina. Louisville is a great place to live. Marcia could not come to the reunion, but wants to send greetings to all. Now that the reunion has passed, we might want to keep in contact more with each other. Every year we are invited back to campus in the spring and are a part of the “Fifty Year Club.” I also want to thank Carolyn Johnson Holje, Dassel, for putting together our “Class Connections” newsletters. Carolyn has done wonderful work on the issues. If you are near Dassel, MN, stop by to see the most interesting historical society and yeast and ergot museum that she put together. Here too is a thank you for all who worked on and planned our 50th reunion. Terrific Job! n Linda (“Leonard”) Leonardson Hallman, class communication chair Editor’s note: With no class officers to write the 1966 news, some of these submissions have gotten old; we apologize for that but still want to share with you what we have received. Joe and Diane (Ostrom ’68) Morgensen, Los Gatos, CA, have a granddaughter, Teagan Morgensen, born August 20, 2012.
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GUSTAVUS ALUMNI Jim Heckenlaible, New Prague, retired from H & W Equipment Company and spends his winters in Marco Island, FL, and his summers in New Prague. Bruce Mohs, St. Cloud, has served the St. Cloud District 742 Board of Education for 10 years. Dave Johnson, Surprise, AZ, was one of four Gustie wrestlers from the MIAC championship wrestling team of 1965 who reunited in 2011. Mary Ann Heidtke, Belen, NM, has retired. Jon Paul Carlson wrote before our last reunion, “I am unable to attend, but know you will have a wonderful time. I am now in my 35th year at Park Nicollet Cancer Center in St. Louis Park doing hematology and oncology. I have cut down to working full time (no weekends or night calls!) and continue to enjoy clinical medicine. Ann (Berg ’68) and I have three children close by in Minneapolis and see our four grandkids frequently. I sing in the Apollo Male Chorus and invite any Gustie singers to contact me if they wish to continue making fine choral music. My best to you all.” Donley and Kathryn Glaeser Johnson, Forest Lake, MN, write, “We have two children, Christopher ’93 and Erin ’97, both Gusties, who are partners in their own law firm in Forest Lake. We have five grandchildren whom we spend a lot of time with in our retirement. We both play golf and spend winter time between Florida and Arizona.” Dick Sundberg manages the Brokerage Service Center at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Minneapolis. Richard Perschau wrote (back in May 2011), “Sorry to miss our 45th, but I was in active flight training that week, and my wife, Carol Denton, is taking her daughter to see and fly where we flew in Africa two years ago for a mother/daughter event. I will see you guys at our 50th—promise. Got too much to do between now and then!” Kay Hendrickson Dubbelde, Pipestone, is happy to have seven grandchildren. If you have class news, please e-mail to 1967classofficers@gustavus.edu. n M arcia Sylte Belisle, class communication chair
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Jean Magnusson Nye, Chicago, is a docent at the Oriental Institute Museum at the University of Chicago, is active in church, and travels to Ann Arbor and Seattle to visit five adorable grandchildren as often as possible. Ruth “Kelly” Hammargren is exhibits chair of the Northern California Women’s Caucus for Art. She worked for a year to bring Choice Art Exhibition of Women’s Reproductive Rights together—a landmark juried national exhibition. It opened December 12, 2013, at the Arc Studies & Gallery in San Francisco.
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KAY NORD HUNT
Named a 2013 Attorney of the Year E
ach year, Minnesota Lawyer, an independent newspaper dedicated to providing court opinions, verdicts, settlements, appellate decisions, and legal news to enhance the practice of law, recognizes the best achievements in the Minnesota legal profession with the Attorneys of the Year awards. And, Kay Nord Hunt ’77, chair of Lommen Abdo’s appellate practice and a Gustavus graduate, was recognized as a 2013 Attorney of the Year. The Attorneys of the Year are chosen based on their leadership, involvement in major cases or other newsworthy events, excellence in corporate or transactional services, and public service. Nominations are submitted by judges, bar groups, clients, and fellow attorneys. The 2013 honorees were recognized at an awards program held on Feb. 20. Ms. Hunt is an appellate advocate with successes during the past year in such diverse areas as construction litigation, the valuation of corporation assets for spousal maintenance, and loss of a chance in medical malpractice. As Lommen Abdo is a broad-based litigation firm, Ms. Hunt has handled appeals in virtually every area of civil law. Because of her appellate expertise, she also regularly associates with other law firms to assist them with their appeals. Her appellate experience comes from having handled more than 600 appeals to the Minnesota and Wisconsin appellate courts, the Seventh and Eighth Circuit Courts of Appeal, other specialty courts, and courts around the nation where she appears pro hac vice. Ms. Hunt represents clients in disputes involving trusts, liens, insurance, employment, contracts, professional liability, family law, medical malpractice, and many other areas. She works closely with trial lawyers and handles temporary injunctions, certification matters,
and other complex hearings; she prepares or responds to motions to exclude expert testimony, motions for summary judgment, and other dispositive motions, motions seeking sanctions, and post-trial motions; she monitors trials to preserve issues on appeal; she prepares trial briefs; she handles mandamus or interlocutory appeals; and she presents oral arguments at all court levels. Hunt is a member of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (an invitation-only organization and was named the “Minneapolis Best Lawyers Appellate Practice Lawyer of the Year” for 2012. She is listed among the Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyers and Top 50 Minnesota Women Super Lawyers and is included in the Super Lawyers list in the area of appellate advocacy. Her appellate practice has ranked as Tier 1 (top ranking) in the Minneapolis region for the past several years, including this year, and she also is ranked nationally by U.S. News-Best Lawyers. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, handles pro bono appeals, and presents appellate seminars for legal aid attorneys. Hunt was appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to serve on the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Appellate Procedure. Gustavus Adolphus College presented Kay Nord Hunt with its Distinguished Alumni Citation in 2013. This award has been given annually since 1955 and other recipients include Supreme Court Justices C.R. Magney 1903 and G. Barry Anderson ’76, Governor Harold LeVander ’32; sculptor Paul Granlund ’52, and many others in business, education, medicine, religion, government, and other disciplines. Ms. Hunt is only the 11th person in the area of law to receive the award in its 58-year history.
SUMMER 2014
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Dawn Nelson, Washington, DC, is an evaluator for the FLEX program (Future Leaders Exchange Program) funded by the State Department’s American Councils on International Education. Students from Eurasia apply with teacher evaluations, five short essays, and letters to host families, which are evaluated by trained volunteers. Of the 10,000 applicants annually about 1,500 are chosen to spend a year studying in the U.S. Angie Kuper Christmann, Santa Cruz, CA, produced Shakespeare Deconstructed, an irreverent revue. She shared it with us via her laptop and it was hysterical. Lots of work put in to a one-night show! Judy Opheim Schwakopf, Burnsville, and yours truly have a new volunteer venture. We are the editors of our Central High 50th Reunion Booklet. Remember when we thought people who had 50th high school reunions were really, really old??? Well, opinions do change as time passes! I am still waiting to hear from many of you so writing these notes is a pleasure and not a struggle. n P aula Navarro, class communication chair Ted and Jane (Davis) Zimmerman will return to the U.S. from Hong Kong—full retirement—in 2015. May begins Jan Horak and his wife’s 40th summer at Cobblestone Cabins on Lake Superior. What a milestone—congratulations on sharing your part of the lake so well for 40 years. Candy Jones Holland lives in Sacramento and noted that she and her husband “finally became grandparents—twin girls in June of 2012. We are looking forward to retiring soon and bought a little pop-up travel trailer to practice on the weekends. We may come visit you!” Julie Johnson is settling into the retired life, having retired early in the summer of 2013, and the word “thankful” was included in her description of “looking back at my working lifetime—mostly at Gustavus from admissions to developing the academic advising and support system—no year was ever the same. I will be forever amazed by all the people I worked with—the high quality, the depth of heart, wonderful company as we focused on the student experience.” I had a chance to be present to share the retirement banquet with Julie—an exciting time. It was assuredly hard for the Gustavus community to have her leave, but retirement is such a joy in the new opportunities it provides. Julie noted of that special evening: “To have had the chance to thank staff and faculty and to celebrate my retirement together —it just doesn’t get much better.” She concluded by sharing that she’s “enjoying the transition until I find what next to commit to.” Diane Sather Gramstad reported that she and her husband retired to their lake home in Alexandria in 2010, adopting a large, gentle dog for their nine grandchildren to play with. She worked briefly for the U.S. Department of Education doing ECLS testing and is currently enjoying substitute teaching in neighboring districts while “having
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REUNION WEEKEND 2014 FRIDAY, MAY 30 11 a.m. Class of 1964 Brunch with First Lady Kris Ohle President’s House Noon Organ Recital with John Wall ’69 Christ Chapel 1–7 p.m. Registration Information Desk, Jackson Campus Center 1:30 p.m. Campus Tour Meet at Office of Admission Jackson Campus Center 2 p.m. Class of 1954 Memorial Service Christ Chapel 2:30 p.m. Seminar Banquet Room C. Charles Jackson Campus Center “The Gustavus Return on Education” presented by Tim Kennedy ’82 3 p.m. Class of 1969 Theatre & Poetry Showcase Rundstrom Hall Lounge 4 p.m. Class of 1964 Memorial Service Christ Chapel 4 p.m. Class of 1959 Social Faculty/Staff Lounge, Campus Center 4:30 p.m. Class of 1954 Social and Dinner Three Crowns Room, Campus Center 4:45 p.m. Class of 1959 Photo Campus Center 5 p.m. Class of 1959 Memorial Service Banquet Room, Campus Center 5 p.m. Class of 1964 Photo Christ Chapel 5:30 p.m. Class of 1959 Dinner Banquet Room, Campus Center 5:30 p.m. Class of 1964 Social and Dinner Alumni Hall, Johnson Student Union 6 p.m. Class of 1969 Social and Dinner The Woods at Shoreland Country Club
John Wall organ recital highlights reunion weekend As a musician John Wall ’69 briefly served Lutherans and Episcopalians. His musical skill and liturgical imagination went to Methodists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Roman Catholics for 50 years in the hope of deepening people’s spirituality. He even maintained pipe organs for a decade. “I have lived as sojourner without awards and accolades. Now in my Jubilee year, I rest in a wonderful Lutheran congregation with strong organ music, stronger yet congregational singing, full-senses liturgy, and preaching by Gusties, surrounded by friends old and new. My life is one of Gratitude.” John’s recital is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 30, in Christ Chapel and is free and open to all About the recital “A Bach ‘fugue,’ Finlandia, some things sweet, and others brash—it’s hard to go wrong with that. . . . I hope you hear again Paul Allwardt through his inherited legacy of teachers: Norman Coke-Jephcott, Clarence Dickinson, Alexandre Guilmant, and Johann Sebastian Bach and my own story through Francis Jackson, Jean Sibelius, Leo Sowerby, and Paul Manz.”
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THE GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY
GUSTAVUS ALUMNI
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
50 Year Club—including anniversary classes of 1934, 1939, 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959; the Centennial Class of 1964; and the Class of 1969
SATURDAY, MAY 31
CLASS GATHERING PLACES:
7–11 a.m. Breakfast a la Carte Evelyn Young Dining Room, Jackson Campus Center
Class of 1954 – Board Room, C. Charles Jackson Campus Center
8 a.m.–5 p.m. Registration Information Desk, Jackson Campus Center
Class of 1959 – Faculty/Staff Lounge, C. Charles Jackson Campus Center
9 a.m. Seminars Beck Academic Hall 1. “ Gusting through the Past: the History of Gustavus Adolphus College” Presented by Assistant Professor Glenn Kranking ’98
Class of 1964 – Linner Lounge, O.J. Johnson Student Union
2. S culptures at Gustavus: A Walking Seminar” Presented by Steve Hogberg, ’69
Class of 1969 – Courtyard Café, C. Charles Jackson Campus Center
3. “ Faith, Spirituality, Life and Learning at Gustavus Adolphus College” Presented by College Chaplains Siri Erickson & Brian Konkol 10 a.m. Refreshments & Conversation Torrey Atrium in Beck Academic Hall
Pioneering Professor comes to life
1 0:30 a.m. Seminars Beck Academic Hall 1. “ Gusting through the Past: the History of Gustavus Adolphus College” Presented by Assistant Professor Glenn Kranking ’98
As part of the program of reunion activities scheduled for the Class of ’69, Elsa Cornell ’61 will offer a one-woman dramatization of An Interview with Inez Rundstrom, written by Sharon Peterson Robinson ’64 and drawn from Rundstrom’s own notes, letters, and recollections. The first woman to graduate from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. (in 1885), Rundstrom was a member of the Gustavus faculty for nearly 50 years, teaching mathematics and French from 1894 to 1942.
2. S culptures at Gustavus: A Walking Seminar” Presented by Steve Hogberg ’69 3. “ Faith, Spirituality, Life and Learning at Gustavus Adolphus College” Presented by College Chaplains Siri Erickson & Brian Konkol Noon Class of 1964 Hosts the 50-Year Club Lunch Alumni Hall, Johnson Student Union
An Interview with Inez Rundstrom will be featured at the “Class of 1969 Theatre and Poetry Showcase” on Friday, May 30, at 3:00 p.m. in the Rundstrom Hall lounge.
Noon Class of 1969 Luncheon Three Crowns Room, Campus Center 2 p.m.
2 p.m.
Class of 1969 Memorial Service Christ Chapel Campus Tour Meet at Admission Office, Jackson Campus Center
2 p.m.
Arboretum Tour Meet at Melva Lind Interpretive Center
8 p.m.
Class of 1964 Afterglow Torrey Atrium, Beck Academic Hall
2:45 p.m.
Class of 1969 Photo Christ Chapel
8 p.m.
Gustavus Symphony Orchestra Concert Christ Chapel
3:30 p.m.
Vesper Service Christ Chapel
4:30 p.m. President’s Reception Evelyn Young Dining Room, Jackson Campus Center C. Charles Jackson Campus Center 5 p.m. Alumni Banquet Evelyn Young Dining Room, Presentation of Alumni Association Awards: Greater Gustavus Awards to Ray Lundquist ’51 and President Jack and Kris Ohle; Distinguished Alumni Citations to Nancy Johnson Dahl ’83, the Rev. James Lobdell ’71, and James Wade ’86; First Decade Awards to Emily King Meserve ’04 and Luke Benoit ’04
SUNDAY, JUNE 1 9 & 10:30 a.m. Baccalaureate Christ Chapel
10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Brunch Buffet Evelyn Young Dining Room, Jackson Campus Center
1:30–1:45 p.m. Class of 1964 welcomes Class of 2014 Outside of Christ Chapel as graduates depart for stadium 2 p.m. Commencement Hollingsworth Field
SUMMER 2014
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s
iGi’s Playhouse—Gusties spearhead a Down syndrome G achievement center
Three members from the Class of ’89 and their spouses have been instrumental in establishing GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down syndrome achievement center in the Twin Cities. Three years ago, seven Twin Cities moms of kids with Down syndrome formed a board of directors to open a GiGi’s Playhouse in St. Louis Park in February 2013. Gustie grad Basma Ibrahim DeVries ’89 and Gustie spouses Chris Ackerman (wife of Tim Ackerman ’89) and Karen Ryan (wife of Tim Lees ’89) discovered their Gustavus connection during one of their early meetings. All family members quickly got involved, fundraising, planning, and setting up the site at 4740 Park Glen Road in St. Louis Park. GiGi’s Playhouse-Twin Cities offers free educational, social, and therapeutic programs to individuals with Down syndrome from birth through adulthood as well as support and community for
their families. Basma’s son, Jacob, Tim Lees’s daughter, Violet, and Tim Ackerman’s son, Ben, all enjoy growing together at their weekly Young Athletes program (co-sponsored by Special Olympics); the Hop, Skip, and Jumpers program for 3–5 year-olds, and additional special events and open play times, all staffed by trained volunteers. The kids also participate in one-to-one literacy tutoring sessions. The extended GiGi’s family recently celebrated the one-year anniversary since their grand opening (with 500+ attendees!), recognizing the success of their 10 regular programs and growing volunteer pool. Their next big annual public events are Cody’s Dash 5K, Kids Dash, and Family Fun Day on June 7, 2014, at Burnes Park in Hopkins, MN. You can learn more about GiGi’s Playhouse at gigisplayhouse.org/twincities/. Pictured, front: Jon and Basma ’89 Ibrahim DeVries and their sons, Jacob and Lucas; back: Karen Ryan and Tim ’89 Lees and their daughter, Violet, and Chris and Tim ’89 Ackerman and their sons, Will and Ben.
s Hockey alums celebrate 30th anniversary of
MIAC championship
The 1984 hockey alumni gathered on campus on February 15 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their MIAC championship team. The evening began with a reception for the players and their guests where old memories and stories were told over and over again. Next up was watching the Gustie men’s team play a very entertaining game versus the Tommies in front of a packed house at Don Robert’s Rink. The evening concluded just like it did many times 30 years ago, down at
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the Flame Bar, where a great time was had by all. Pictured from left are, front row: John McCally ’86, Stacy Nelson ’87, Randy Lee ’84, Coach Don Roberts ’56, Dave Underdale ’84, John Ohlin ’85, and Karl Leaf ’86; second row: Dave Sobaski ’85, Scott Swanson ’85, Scott Holzerland ’85, John Williams ’85, Merlin Ravndalen ’86, and Chuck Day ’85; back row: Ted Botten ’87, Pat Swetala ’87, Dave Soltau ’84, Doug Keys ’85, Scott Mostrom ’83, Andrew Kasid ’86, and Thor Bolstad ’87.
GUSTAVUS ALUMNI time for tennis, golf, yoga, fishing, and reading mysteries.” Ellen Brown Caufman is “enjoying retirement and living life to its fullest with family and friends.” She shared a meaningful quote to think about: “I’ve learned that every day is a gift, and that if I don’t do what I dream, or what I’m here to do, then I’m actually dying while I’m living.” Judith Johnson Jagusch divides her time among the Birchwood Art Group (where she paints landscapes in acrylic), the Ladies of the Lake Guild in White Bear, the Woodbury Orchestra, and the House of Hope Presbyterian Church Chapel Strings (she plays the cello), a nursing home where she plays the piano one night a week, and helping one morning a week in her daughter Katie’s first-grade class. She and her husband, Jack, took a trip to Scandinavia last summer. “We went on the Rick Steves tour and visited Sweden, Denmark, (including an island in the Baltic Sea), and Norway. We had a wonderful time (and, anyone who wants to see our 400+ photos, give us a call).” Both Bruce Johnson’s son and daughter graduated from Gustavus, and he’s retired from his law office in Center City after 35 years, remaining a part-time state public defender. Kay Krusemark Schuller’s husband, John, retired from Foodmix on his birthday—December 31, 2013, and they planned a cruise to Barcelona for April. Barbara Lindblom Patrick shared that she “had been planning to retire in 2012, but just couldn’t quite go through with it. As a compromise I continue in a semi-retired position as a staff neurologist at Hennepin County Medical Center.” That concludes this batch of written news notes that I received—thank you all for sharing them. By the time this goes to press our much anticipated reunion will be VERY close. For now (March 5), think and hope SPRING! n J ane Norman Leitzman, class communication chair Mark Sallmen, Pietarsaari, Finland, writes, “Greetings again from Finland! I wish I could have attended my reunion in September, but it is just too far and too expensive to go for just a weekend so I send my greetings to my classmates who remember me. I would have loved to have sung in the alumni choir. I am a tourist guide here in Pietarsaari (Jakobstad pa svenska) and we did a historical tour of our city with the other guides for our city’s end of summer festivities called “Spotlight.” Our city was founded in 1652. We acted the roles of many historical figures and it was fun! It was our first time doing this and will probably not be our last.” Nancy Youngren Liddy had this to share: “I am in my 20th
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year of working as an adult nurse practitioner. I work for Hennepin County Health Care for the Homeless, which serves the homeless population in Minneapolis. We have eleven clinics scattered throughout the city, in homeless shelters and drop-in centers. The work is challenging and rewarding. I’m ever thankful for my wellrounded nursing education at Gustavus!” From Marta Carlson Gisselquist, “I retired in June 2012 and celebrated by traveling with my husband for six months in Asia. The gift of time, time for extended travel, for friends, family, and self is both wonderful and challenging as it forces rethinking old habits and priorities. A shout-out to Marcia Stephens for keeping me informed about the orchestras over the winter and to Steve and Ruthie (Johnson ’74) Edlund for their enthusiasm for all things Asian.” Dave Weber, Wausau, WI, was recognized earlier last year by the American Society of Safety Engineers for his safety website. Dave spent more than 40 years ensuring the safety of others. From managing environment health and safety departments for five international corporations to teaching at a college and working as an OSHA safety inspector, he is dedicated to safety issues. Congratulations, Dave. Nancy Egeberg Kukovich, Harrison City, PA, began a new position as CEO of Adelphoi in January. Her husband, Allen, is retired, and daughter Ali is attending Wittenberg University. Joel Riley retired from his private optometry practice mid-2013 and has relocated from Canton, OH, to Loveland, CO. Rita Ferguson Maehling, Jan Ledin Michaletz, Bob “Stick” Peterson, Russ Michaletz, and Rob Linner look forward to celebrating our 40th class reunion with many of you the weekend of October 3–4! n Rita Maehling, class communication chair
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Leanna Ekstadt, Minneapolis, is a senior pricing consultant at Optum. Diane Matson, St. Paul, is an associate professor in the department of accounting at University of St. Thomas. Teri Carter Anderson, Maple Grove, is director of project management at Prudential Insurance and is excited for her youngest (twin sons Cody and Duncan) to be graduating from Gustavus in Spring 2014. Tim Duncan, Northport, NY, is a pastor at First Presbyterian Church. Patricia Heal Forde received her master of music degree from Kent State University on May 11, 2013. Julie Johnson writes, “I’ve got two kids, Lucy (14) and Scott (15) and you can do the math: I gave birth for the first time at the tender age of 43. I am married to
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a wonderful Dutch guy and living in the Netherlands. I’ve got my own company (www.julie-johnson-consulting), and we’ve been in business now for 20 years here in Holland. Time flies!” We’ve not had anyone write up our
for a while; we apologize that 80 news some of this news is rather old.
Kent Stone is executive vice president of Strategic Support Services, Consumer and Small Business for US Bank in Sacramento, CA. Meighan Maloney, Portland, OR is the co-founder and executive producer for Dawson Media Group, where she oversees the production of numerous mission-based media projects. In addition to her media work, Meighan is a member of the board of directors for Painted Sky, a Native American performance group based in Portland. Kathryn Reid Walker, Washington, DC, received her MS in counseling (community and pastoral) from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee and is now a PhD candidate in public policy at George Washington University. Lynn Anderson Betcher, Red Wing, MN, had some major life changes. Her husband, John, retired; her daughter Anne ’11 graduated from Gustavus; and her daughter Kate ’13 has gotten married. Lisa McCally, Mountain View, CA, wrote this update over a year ago after the Education Department had a reunion: “What a wonderful idea to connect and celebrate the Education Department! I live in California and cannot attend, but a hello to my 1980 class would be great. I worked as a teacher for eight years out of Gustavus, then went to law school. Last year, I took an early government semi-retirement from my job as a children’s advocate attorney in the courtroom. I am back teaching elementary school as a substitute teacher for Oakland Unified School District, so back full circle from my first career. I was at Gustavus for the 30th reunion and stayed for the Nobel Conference. I had a tour of the changes to the building and education department, which looked great! Thank you Gustavus!” Kay Christianson Schell, Baudette, MN, is a mission leader at Lakewood Health Center in Baudette. The class of ’81 was represented well at the Gustavus Library Associates’ Royal Affair. Brian Fragodt, was master of ceremonies for the event. His wife, Kim (Beyer ’83), entertained with her musical group. In support of Brian and Kim, as well as GLA, the following class members also attended: Nancy Nelson Fleming, Linda Norman Reding, Lori Rutter Anderson, Jane Breckner Pederson, Mike Potter, Denise Connly Fleming, Kris Samelian Potter, Dan Poffenberger, Leslie
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Nielsen, Dave Jaeger, Jon Rudberg, Steve Heim, Lisa Johnson Flom, Jon Granlund, Ed Drenttel, and Jacque Schwartz Brunsberg. A very popular GLA auction item was donated by J. C. ’82 and Lori Rutter Anderson and Steve and Susie (Bjorling ’83) Heim. These two couples offered to host a wine-tasting event, available to the highest bidder at the auction. Our class was well represented at both events! Gusties training Gusties! On July 12, 2013, Kendra Ractliffe ’06 completed her PhD in clinical psychology at the University of South Dakota. Another Gustie, Dr. Michael Granaas, served on her dissertation committee.
Class Letters are wonderful places to catch up on the latest with Gustavus and fellow classmates! Travel adventures, career news, and family stories are great reads while sipping on that coffee. Information that keeps us in touch! Lately we’ve had only a few small items to share: Ruth Goodman Lotzer retired from teaching and received the Paul Silverstein Community Service Award. Keith Anderson has finished five years in Ketchikan, AK, and says, “Visitors welcome, call first.” Let’s engage: Submit your tidbits at https://gustavus.edu/alumni/submit/. Join us on Facebook at Gustavus Class of 1983. You’re never too far from the Gustie Spirit! Why not share your news today? n Cande Carlson Roberts, class communication chair
SAVE THE DATES FOR
2014 REUNIONS
Peter Breitmayer, Los Angeles, CA, sends his greetings to everyone, May 30–June 1, 2014 particularly his e-mail buddy, Commencement Weekend Alan. Peter received the 2013 Classes of 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, and the 50 Year Club Legacy Award from Rosemount High School. The October 3–5, 2014 ceremony was on Dec. 7, Homecoming Weekend during the intermission of their Reunions for 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, annual On Stage musical/ and 2009 dance review. “I was very Information will be included in class letters, postcards, and touched and grateful. on the alumni website. If you wish to serve on your class Apparently they are giving reunion committee, contact the Office of Alumni and Parent awards out for selling car Engagement at 800-487-8437 or alumni@gustavus.edu. insurance on television now. Somebody finally came to In conjunction with our next reunion, their senses.” Susanne Stanonik Degen, Eau the Class of ’81 will be publishing our own Claire, WI, graduated with a master of cookbook. There will be potluck sampling business administration degree. Jennifer events throughout the year leading up to Johnson Braun, Morristown, MN, took a the reunion. Please begin thinking about position at Eagle View Elementary as a your favorite recipes for inclusion in the media specialist. David Flaten, Rochester, book. The tastings will feature recipes from received full professorship at Tompkins the book, and would be a great way to reCortland Community College and in 2009 connect with classmates. was the Teacher of the Year for the entire n J ane Breckner Pederson, class system. communication co-chair n Steve Harstad, class president Want to meet for coffee sometime? How about now! Wherever you are. . . near or far . . . pour yourself a cuppa and let’s visit! Here are several ways for us to stay connected right from the comfort of home. Page through a Quarterly, reread Class Letters, or join our Class Facebook group. On Facebook, only ’83 can join our group, making it a private environment for conversation and picture postings. Look through the memorial photo album of those who have passed on, read the touching comments, add some yourself. Post a picture, add a comment, or start a conversation. About 100 of our classmates have already joined! The Quarterly and
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THE GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY
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John Kulick, Independence, MN, is proud of his son, Gavin Kulick (class of 2015), who plays on the men’s tennis team. Gregory Boschee, Shakopee, MN, is planning on taking online classes to become a pastor. Lori Zabel VanderHeiden, Hutchinson, MN, received her doctorate from St. Cloud State University. n Kaari Olson Frondal, class communication chair
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Jeffrey Evanson, Duluth, MN, is a dermatologist at St. Luke’s Hospital. He says he remains very busy. “About half of my time is spent doing skin cancer surgery.” He is in the process of
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looking at colleges with his son, who is a senior in high school. n S cott Anderson, class president We have not had anyone write class news for a while, so some of this news has gotten old, but we still wanted to share. Gretchen Kittelson Jerva, Cary, NC, is principal systems analyst for Fidelity Investment. In 2013 Jeffrey Erickson, Minneapolis, was hired as principal of Minnetonka High School; he served as assistant principal from 2008 to 2012 and was named Minnesota Assistant Principal of the Year in 2012. Congratulations, Jeff! Jane Simonsen, Davenport, IA, received a Fulbright scholarship and is headed for Germany in the spring of 2014. Congratulations, Jane! Heidi Nef Mischel, Milbank, SD, lives on a hobby farm with her husband and children. They raise calves, chickens, ducks, pigs, and show horses. She’s run seven half marathons since 2008 and loves to travel with her family. Bob Sokol, Buffalo, Grove, IL, is director of quality for Vapor Bus International. Jill Fischli Miller, East Helena, MT, is elementary principal for East Helena Public Schools. Karin Johnson Wald, White Bear Lake, is a loan officer for Bell Mortgage. Andrew Voorhees, North Oaks, works in marketing for 3M. Monique Malone, New Orleans, LA, is a special education teacher at Ascension Catholic High School. Janeen Laatsch Ruby, Jackson, MN, is a botanist/plan ecologist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Dan Domagala, Bloomington, MN, is director of marketing for DKY Integrated Marketing Communications. In 2011, Megan Briggs Speers, Hopkins, was chosen as one of 10 finalists for Minnesota Teacher of the Year (we didn’t hear the outcome), for her work at Wayzata West Middle School, where she teaches social studies. Ross Bloomquist, Stillwater, has been promoted to executive vice president at Financial One Credit Union. Matt Thompson, Fort Mitchell, KY, is director, Digital and eCommerce for The Kroger Company. John Preus, Chicago, IL, is owner/entrepreneur, Wood Design Studio. He is mentioned in the Jan. 20, 2014, New Yorker in the article “The Real-Estate Artist:Theaster Gates’s South Side project.” John has worked with Theaster for several years, including the Documenta 13 show in Kassel, Germany. Craig Anderson, Minneapolis, is senior mortage consultant for Wintrust Mortgage Corporation. Michael Finstad, Farmington, is the business development director for Small Business Resource Group. Shari Tyree Howell, Lakeville, is a master of divinity student at Luther Seminary.
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GUSTAVUS ALUMNI s
We have just one news note to share. Charlotte Nielsen
2013, by Two Lions. My work has appeared in Highlights, Highlights High Five, and Hello, Cricket, Spider, and Ladybug magazines. Website: booksbycharlotte.com. Congratulations, Charlotte, on your publishing success! Come on, class, send us your updates! n G retchen Anderson Zinsli, class president
Stuart Grande, Etna, NH, is doing post-doctoral research at Dartmouth University’s Department of Health. The Philadelphia law firm of Cozen O’Connor has opened a Minneapolis office, and Heather Boyd Marx, Blaine, MN, has joined the law firm as a partner working in the area of transactional and commercial litigation. Jacque Graham, Oslo, Norway, is principal negotiator for Statoil. Kristin Beard Harper earned her Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in November 2012. Erin Schadt and her partner, Karrin Daniels ’00, welcomed two girls, Shalena (7) and Angel (6), into their home as foster care assignments.
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As I sit here up on the hill writing our summer class
I have to wonder, “Will summer ever come?” 00 news, There are endless supplies of snow mounds that are at least 15 feet tall, but I have confidence in Mother Nature that when you read this you will actually be sitting in shorts, sipping an ice cold lemonade, and smiling at the wonderful things that have happened amongst our classmates. Elena Davis Pohl and husband Jeffrey William Pohl had a baby girl, Camille Alice, on Oct. 28, 2012. Marko Rafe Karnofski was born on June 24, 2013, to Adam and Erin (Holmes ‘99) Karnofski. Laurie and Josh Brix are announcing the birth of their baby boy, Austin Benjamin Brix, born on Dec. 23, 2013. Mom and baby are happy and healthy. Bernie and Anna Rossing Zimmerman write, “Our daughter, Malin Rose, was born August 15, 2013.” Ian Burch writes, “I was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church on January 5, 2014. I am beginning my tenure
Gusties ‘Gone Gulf’
Several former members of the Gustavus women’s basketball team celebrated their 40th birthdays with a trip to Destin, FL, in August 2013. This was their 19th annual Gustie Girls Weekend and it was the best one yet! Bottom row, from left: Sarah Cox Bowman ’95, Shanna Behrens Fink ’95, Shannon Rafferty Treichel ’95; top row: Katie Olstad Gilles ’95, Sarah Reed Schreiner ’95, Jennie Hainlin Lindstrom ’95, Susie Boeder Hoheisel ’95, Roxy Wagener Myhre ’95. s
The Tornado Class Andy Widen is residing in Plymouth with wife Teresa and future Gusties Matthew (9) and Natalie (7). He is employed by OSC Automotive Parts as a trainer and changeover coordinator. Karen Delgehausen Brown was married on October 12, 2013, to Chris Brown from Eden Prairie. He received his business management degree from UMD and completed his doctorate program in physical therapy at the U of M. Karen is currently working at Faegre Baker Daniels in Minneapolis as a talent acquisition specialist. Molly Milinkovich Wengler has taken a post in Vancouver, BC, with learning and development for Lululemon Athletica. Michael Strong is engaged to Clementina Tripodi and will be married on May 24, 2014 in Akron, OH. n S hannon Sinning, class communication chair
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Cedar Rapids, IA writes, “My debut picture 94 Gunnufson, book, Halloween Hustle, was published on September 3,
eneral counsel serving the G poorest communities in the world
Eric Johnson ’92 is the general counsel of CARE USA. For Eric, meetings on Syria and legal advice on antiterrorism laws are all parts of the job. Johnson also has to attend to human resources matters and the other basic legal needs of the Atlantabased nonprofit, which has about 8,000 employees in some 45 countries. But different responsibilities arise for a GC working at a charity that says its mission is “to serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world.”
ncore Award winner for E South Dakota ACDA chapter
David Holdhusen ’96, director of choral activities and associate professor at the University of South Dakota, was presented the Encore Award by the South Dakota Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. This award is given to a choral director working in South Dakota in recognition of excellence and achievement in the field of choral music. s
Kristina Nordstrom, Seattle, WA, is senior product manager for Amazon.com. Lee and Kim (Bowar) Kruger, live in Duluth. Lee is a special education teacher for the Duluth Public Schools and girls’ head tennis coach, and Kim is the program director at Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program. Emily Johnson Moe, Duluth, is a self-employed piano teacher and millinery instructor. Pamela Pietz, St. Cloud, a research wildlife biologist for the U.S. Geological Survey, was recently granted the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Meritorious Service Award and elected Fellow of the American Ornithologists’ Union. Congratulations, Pamela.
Memories of a pioneer in Gustie women’s athletics
Robert Meyer, the son of Gustavus alumna and Athletics Hall of Fame member Alice Holmberg Meyer ’27, joined President Jack Ohle, Athletics Director Tom Brown H’12, and Assistant Athletics Director Jared Phillips ’03 for lunch on campus in February to discuss his mother’s time at Gustavus. Alice was a 1983 inductee to the Athletics Hall of Fame as a leader in the Women’s Athletic Association, playing basketball (captain), volleyball, baseball, and tennis. Robert shared photos and memorabilia of Alice participating in a women’s football game in the 1920s. A photo taken at the luncheon shows, from left, AD Brown, Meyer, President Ohle, and Assistant AD Phillips.
SUMMER 2014
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THEATER OF PUBLIC POLICY CO-FOUNDER IS BUSH FELLOW T
by Matt Thomas ’00
Photo by Dan Dennehy, courtesy MIA
ane Danger ’07 is passionate about civil discourse and he’s passionate about humor. It’s why he founded the LineUs Improv Comedy Troupe at Gustavus during his student days, and it’s why he co-founded The Theater of Public Policy after earning his degree in communication studies. The success of the latter venture is one reason why Danger has been named a Bush Fellow for 2014. “I look at this as sort of a stamp of approval and an endorsement of the work that I’ve been doing through the Theater of Public Policy,” Danger said. “It’s exciting that the Bush Foundation looked at my work and thought that it was important and valuable enough that they wanted to support it and see it grow.” Danger and fellow Gustavus alumnus Brandon Boat ’08 started the Theater of Public Policy in 2011 with a goal of making public policy issues more accessible to the general population through humor. A typical show begins with Danger having a conversation with an expert on a certain
Bush Fellow Tane Danger ’07 public policy issue. The theater’s group of improvisers then takes the information from that conversation and repackages it through long-form improvisational theater to help the audience engage with big ideas in interesting, creative, and humorous ways. After a successful run of shows at the HUGE Theater in Minneapolis, the idea has gained in popularity and Danger has subsequently taken the show on the
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THE GUSTAVUS QUARTERLY
road. Last fall, Danger and his cohorts put together a special forum during the Minneapolis mayoral race that included six of the leading candidates at the time. “Tane is being recognized for his truly pioneering work in creating a new space for civil discourse,” Associate Professor of Communication Studies Phil Voight says. “During a time when partisan rancor is at perhaps the worst point since before the Civil War, he correctly saw humor as a way to bring audiences together and to involve people in public policy discussions who might otherwise resort to partisan talking points . . . I think Tane’s understanding of the type of approach that would appeal to members of his generation is spot-on, and I’m thrilled that the Bush Foundation is recognizing it.” Nearly 400 people applied for the 2014 Bush Fellowship as applicants were asked to describe their vision for strengthening or contributing to the common good of the region and to explain how they would use a Bush Fellowship to achieve that vision. After being named one of 60 semi-finalists and one of 36 finalists, Danger was one of 24 individuals named a Bush Fellow for 2014. “I’m planning on using my Bush Fellowship to pursue a master’s degree in public policy at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs,” Danger says. “At the same time I’ll be able to continue my work with the Theater of Public Policy, which is very fortunate because not a lot of people have the chance to go to graduate school and work on their own project like I will be able to do.” “A lot of my work at Gustavus in the Communication Studies Department was critical to what I’m doing now,” Danger maintains. “I studied quite a bit with Terry Morrow on issues such as political communication, political rhetoric, and first amendment issues. I also took a lot of classes with Phil Voight, and what he was able to teach me about parody and satire was really important to me.” Danger is also quick to point out that his experiences at Gustavus outside of the classroom were equally beneficial to him.
as the associate rector of St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church in downtown Chicago. I’ve been serving as a hospital chaplain for nine years, and I’m excited to try something new and begin my parish ministry.” And last but not least, a message from ‘The Tank,’ Mr. Joe Miatech! “. . . After years of temporary and contract work I have ‘landed’ with General Mills as an output specialist. What is that? Well, four days per week most weeks I route the U.S. Mail complaints or praises that come in to the particular call center team that handles that type of item and I review some of the response letters before they go out to the customers. Fridays, I am doing special projects for General Mills’ corporate archivist in Minneapolis. So it’s not the most highprofile job ever. But it has plenty of detail work to it and there is always something that needs to be done . . . This would be something that would be very easy to get up for in the morning (if it weren’t so gol’ darn cold :) this winter). n Nissa Stolp Fell, class communication chai Brian R. Kleinke received the Leadership Award at the recent Minnesota State Lego League championships. n Hal DeLaRosby, class president and communication chair
01
Gusties training Gusties! On July 12,
Kendra Ractliffe completed 06 2013, her PhD in clinical psychology at
the University of South Dakota. Another Gustie, Dr. Michael Granaas ’81, served on her dissertation committee. Amanda Kimmet Simons was ordained into the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church on August 3, 2013. She is currently serving as associate pastor at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in St. Paul. Her new congregation recently hired another Gustie grad, Brit Barkholz ’12, as their administrative assistant. Together Amanda and Brit bring their Gustie cheer and dedication to service to their new Gustavus home. Nolan Klouda, Anchorage, AK, is an associate director at the University of Alaska. Matt Forbes, San Francisco, CA, is a student at Stanford Law School. n Logan Martin, class annual fund chair Hey, class of 2007! Been a while since we’ve heard from you! Don’t hesitate to send your news! Who doesn’t love hearing from fellow classmates?! Kristi Fenster Seamon of Winter Garden, FL, is co-owner of careerigniter.com! Peter Grafstrom, St. Paul, is a committee administrator for education policy and
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GUSTAVUS ALUMNI early childhood at the state legislature. In November, Chris Fogderud, Brainerd, was spotlighted in Minnesota Public Radio’s Music Teacher feature! He didn’t submit that news, but it’s pretty cool. n B en Richter, class communication co-chair New Gigs: Christa Saeger is the new director of orchestra, chamber music, and applied strings at Morton College in Cicero, IL. She will act as interim professor of cello at Illinois Wesleyan University during spring term 2014. Louis Vander Streek is an executive officer to the Speaker of the House in the Iowa House of Representatives. Connor Ziegler, MD, second-year orthopaedic surgery resident at University of Connecticut Health Center, connected with David G. Lewallen ’74, MD, chair of adult reconstruction at Mayo Clinic-Rochester, and chair of the American Joint Replacement Registry at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, CT. Danielle Gergen has taken a job in Luleå, Sweden, as a chiropractor at Luleå Kiropraktorklinik. n K atelyn Nelson, class communication chair
08
We are preparing for our 5-year
this coming October! Make 09 reunion sure you are updating us with your contact information so you know when to head to Gustavus. Let us know at 2009classofficers@gustavus.edu. Here's what is happening with Gusties in our year: Craig Swanson, Bloomington, works as an account representative in crop nutrients for CHS, Inc. Catherine Osterhaus Solie, Prairie Village, KS, is a wellness director at Claridge Court. Heidi Larson, Minneapolis, began working at the American Swedish Institute as the annual giving manager in October 2013. She is active in her community and volunteers her time to local nonprofit organizations. This year marks her third season singing with VocalEssence. Sara Hein Swanson, Bloomington, is pursuing a master of science degree in nurse anesthesia at Minneapolis School of Anesthesia. n M aggie Hedlund, class communication chair Chris Augustinack works for Wells Fargo Mortgage. Kat Cichowski Rowe, Plymouth, is a fitness specialist at Health Source Solutions. Kelsey Cowdin, Manchester, NH, is working as an assistance coordinator for Call International Alli Cooney graduated from Dublin City University in November with a master’s in intercultural studies. Jenny Grundman is engaged to Aaron Hanson ‘06 and they are
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planning to get married in August 2014. Daniel Rowe, Plymouth, is a marketing analyst at Ameripride. Kerry Schanno, Bloomington, is a senior audit associate at Boulay PLLP. Jessica Moertel Corbett will be graduating from the University of Minnesota Medical School in May. n Cathryn Nelson Breutzmann, class communication co-chair Cydni Smith graduated from the University of Michigan with a master of health services administration degree. She’s excited to return to Minnesota as an administrative fellow at Mayo Clinic. Laura Russell is starting a mental health practicum position at Park Avenue Center in Minneapolis in May. Chelsea Bayer, St. Louis, MO, is making her way through her third year of medical school at Washington University. Janey Helland will be starting PA school at St. Catherine’s University this fall. Currently she is an assistant track coach in long, high, and triple jump at Concordia College. Justin Lund finished his master’s degree in teaching at MSU-Mankato in December and is now teaching physical education at Delano Middle School. He also just wrapped up his first head coaching position with the ninth-grade girls basketball team at Edina High School. Kirstin Peterson will be starting PT school at St. Kate’s this fall. Madeline Eid married Air Force pilot Shane Ruether and they moved to northern California together. They will finally have their wedding ceremony July 11, 2014, back in Minnesota! Brianna Heinrich is currently a product assistant in the Property & Casualty Division at Swett & Crawford Minneapolis. She is also the head volleyball coach at Vital Volleyball Club in Eden Prairie. Brianna completed her third halfmarathon in March and is also running in the Minneapolis Marathon in June. Zach Lundquist and Courtney Stasi will be getting married on May 23, 2014, in Austin. After working as a mapping analyst in St. Cloud, for two years, Whitney Westley accepted the position of enrollment adviser with World Endeavors in Minneapolis. She started her position in October and advises students on interning, volunteering, and studying abroad in Europe, South and Central America, and Oceania. Korrina Pope Haack and her husband are expecting their first child this coming June. Rebecca Krocak graduated from Northwestern University in June 2013 with an MA in English. She is now working as an associate at the Scott County Library System. Haley Carpenter graduated as a Pi Alpha Honor with her master’s in physician assistant studies from MCPHS
RAPIDS GRAND
FAR MOO GO/ RHE AD
DULUTH
BRAINE RD
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ST. CLOUD WILLMAR
GUSTAVUS MANKATO
ROC HES TER
MER US SUM SERIES V A T S U D G ÅSBOR SMÖRG
A SUMMER SMÖRGÅSBORD AT A SITE NEAR YOU! Mark your calendars to attend a fun potluck event at one of the following sites: July 15, Grand Rapids, MN July 17, Duluth, MN July 22, Brainerd, MN July 25, Fargo, ND/Moorhead, MN July 29, St. Cloud, MN July 31, Willmar, MN August 5, Mankato, MN August 7, Rochester, MN Further details will be sent to you in the coming months. Contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement with questions at alumni@gustavus.edu or 800-487-8437. Here’s to summer! We’re looking forward to seeing you in the warmer months!
SUMMER 2014
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s
Broadway debut
Brandon Dahlquist ’02 made his Broadway debut this winter in Bronx Bombers, Eric Simonson’s new play about the New York Yankees. Dahlquist understudied five roles including Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Thurman Munson, with performances beginning January 10 at Circle in the Square Theatre. Since graduating, Dahlquist has been active in the top-level Chicago area theatres, national commercials, and esteemed regional theatres such as the Asolo Repertory (Sarasota, FL), Peninsula Players (Door County, WI) and A.C.T (San Francisco). In February Dahlquist also made his national network television debut as Jeffrey Baker in NBC’s Chicago PD.
s Gustie Christmas gathering Gustavus friends from the Class of 2005 gathered for a Christmas celebration and sharing Gustavus memories at the home of Megan Miller. From left: Kelly McGillvray Kley, Anna Gutman Fisher, Amanda Olson Petersen, Katrina Kleinwachter Fortney, Megan Wille Miller, Lynnea Piotter Myers, and Laura Palzer Dahlstrom.
s
romoting the Target P Gustavus Network
Pictured manning the Target GAC Alumni Network booth at the Target headquarters-wide networking event on Feb. 5 are Erica Brown Ramer ’07 and Becca Weaver ’06. They are the cocaptains of the Target Gustavus Network. Target is the third largest employer of Gusties and by hosting this booth Erica and Becca were able to spread the word about the Target GAC Alumni Network— currently about 120 members strong and growing with each event! Go Gusties!
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University in Worcester, MA, in December 2013. She is now a PA-C and working at Heywood Family Medicine in Gardner, MA. Kirsten Engel received her MA in clinical psychology from the University of North Dakota in December. She will continue on in their PhD program. Anthony Adams is working for the USDA as a biological science aide in Brookings, SD. Emily Wendorff just finished her first threemonth fieldwork placement for her master in occupational therapy degree from the University of Minnesota. She is currently at Wilder Adult Day Health in St. Paul, working specifically with those who have memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, or related dementias. Her second placement, beginning at the end of March, is in Mankato at the Mayo Outpatient Clinic, a little closer to our Gustavus “home.” Annie Kleinschmidt is working full time at 3M with the Scotchlite Reflective Materials group as a quality engineer since summer 2013. In October she bought a house in St. Paul and got engaged to Matthew Martin ’12. They are having lots of fun painting and decorating and less fun shoveling the buckets of snow this year. They are looking forward to spring and planting a vegetable garden in the backyard! Matthew Leeb is in his second year living in Hong Kong and working as both a native English teacher and an NASM certified personal trainer. Linnea Schmidt has passed her comprehensive exam and progressed to PhD candidacy in reproductive sciences at the University of Colorado, Denver. Radonna Griesman and her husband, Andrew Griesman ’12, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Andora Lee, on Jan. 29, 2014. They’re enjoying the challenges and the joys of being new parents and catching some much needed sleep when they can! Patrick McDougle and Patricia O’Connor got engaged in Rome this past December. Patricia will be graduating from the University of Notre Dame in May with a master of architecture degree. Wes and Kristin Jones have moved to North Bend, OR, where Wes is a Coast Guard helicopter pilot and Kristin is an elementary teacher and fitness instructor. They love living on the Pacific coast, surrounded by beautiful mountains and rugged country. Paul Bakalich and Leigh Ann Mason got engaged Nov. 9, 2013, and will be getting married Oct. 11, 2014, in Golden Valley, MN. Rachel Guptill is teaching fourth grade at Scandia Elementary in the Forest Lake School District. Scandia Elementary is an IB candidate school, and she is enjoying all the work that goes into that! Besides coaching volleyball and softball, Nicole Tetrault has taught her first wine and painting event.
GUSTAVUS ALUMNI Marnie Luke is living in Columbus Ohio, subbing and working at the gym. She will be working as the pool director at Woodhill Country Club again this summer! Logan Haglund is getting married May 31 to Derek Ulstad and is now working as a recruiting specialist with GradStaff. n H aley Carpenter, class communication co-chair Four recent Gustie grads, Eric Larson, Catherine Keith ’12, Anna Giles, and Tia Thompson, are currently working as interns in the English Language Center of United International College in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China. Bess Folsom, St. Paul, is a paraprofessional at Fraser Academy. n S arah Strand and Tyler Mulcahey, class communication co-chairs
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WEDDINGS
Charly Skalbeck ’79 and Lori Skalbeck, 12/22/12, Plymouth, MN. Kristina Beaudet ’89 and Paul Sorteberg, 10/25/13, Anoka, MN. Lisa K. Clark ’94 and Brad Schulz, 9/7/13, Savage, MN. Karen Delgehausen ’98 and Chris Brown, 10/12/13, St. Louis Park, MN. Bonnie Dahlke ’00 and Kevin Goebbert, 3/8/14, Valparaiso, IN. Matt Iverson ’01 and Kristine Kohorst, 6/1/13, Eden Prairie, MN. Kristin Johnson ’02 and Jeffery Gunia, 9/27/13, St. Paul, MN. Elizabeth Anderson ’04 and Josh Moe, 4/13/13, Lakeville, MN. Ami Cervin ’04 and Jim Dalton, 2/15/14, Golden Valley, MN. Jonah B. Evenson ’04 and Erin Krempel, 11/9/13, Richfield, MN. Kelley Harris ’04 and Jeffrey Morse, 12/7/13, Boston, MA. Ravinda Samaraweera ’04 and Christine Keup, Fargo, ND. Andrea Wellman ’04 and Brent W. Kath ’04, Minnetonka, MN. Elizabeth Braun ’08 and Christopher Harstad, 2/15/14, North Mankato, MN. Whitney Guldberg ’08 and Alfredo Arce, 12/6/13, Minneapolis, MN. Sarah Tracy ’08 and Mike Letich, 9/28/13, Plymouth, MN. Lindsay Boldt ’09 and Charles Norgaard ’09, 1/11/14, Bloomington, MN. Allison Morem ’09 and Jonathan Rausch, 1/10/14, Seattle, WA. Danielle Tollefson ’09 and Eric C. Miller ’08, 2/2/13, Birmingham, AL. Katelyn Johnson ’10 and Bryan Hollaway, 11/16/13, Minneapolis, MN. Jessica Moertel ’10 and Drew Corbett ’10, 7/12/13, Minneapolis, MN.
TWIN CITIES AND ST. PETER GUSTIE BREAKFASTS Join other Gusties for a morning cup of coffee and breakfast while getting an update from Gustavus—a great way to meet and network with Gusties in the Twin Cities and St. Peter/Mankato areas. The St. Peter/Mankato Breakfast is held the second Wednesday of each month on campus; the Twin Cities Breakfast is held the third Wednesday of each month at the American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis.
TWIN CITIES GUSTIE BREAKFASTS
ST. PETER AREA GUSTIE BREAKFASTS
American Swedish Institute 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN
C. Charles Jackson Campus Center St. Peter Banquet Room Gustavus Adolphus College Campus
7:30 a.m. breakfast, 8 a.m. program $10 per person Call Alumni and Parent Engagement at 800-487-8437 or register online at gustavus.edu/alumni/ events/gustiebreakfast/
7:30 a.m. breakfast, 8 a.m. program $8 per person; $15 per couple Call Advancement at 507-933-7512
Third Wednesday of each month
Second Wednesday of each month
Reservations required and limited to 60 people.
SCHEDULED SPEAKERS
SCHEDULED SPEAKERS
May 21, 2014 Dan Mollner, associate professor and academic librarian, Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library
May 14, 2014 Dan Mollner, associate professor and academic librarian, Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library
June 18, 2014 Mike Dueber ’89, alumni mentoring program
June 11, 2014 Mike Dueber ’89, alumni mentoring program
July 16, 2014 TBA
July 9, 2014 TBA
August 20, 2014 Admission & Return on Education report
August 13, 2014 Admission & Return on Education report
September 17, 2014 Nobel Conference 50 Preview
September 10, 2014 Nobel Conference 50 Preview
Speakers’ schedules may change, so please see gustavus.edu/alumni for current information.
SUMMER 2014
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SUSANNE BODA Beating the Gender Odds in the Executive Suite Adapted from a profile written by Victor Greto for the WTS website
S
uzanne Boda ’82 had no idea what she wanted to do after she graduated from Gustavus. “I just could not bring myself to start on a specific career, but thought I needed to do something different,” says Boda, who is today a senior vice president at the recently-merged American Airlines-US Airways, the largest airline in the world. Boda had earned a BA in Asian studies with a concentration in Japanese. After a year as a ski bum, she returned to Minnesota in order to get to East Asia. It didn’t seem logical, but “I figured the best way to get back to Asia was to join Northwest Airlines,” she explains. Initially hired to be a passenger service representative and Japanese interpreter, she rose through the ranks of Northwest during the ’80s and ’90s. In 2007, she jumped to US Airways on her way to becoming one of the most successful women in the transportation industry. Following the American-US Air merger, Boda was named to oversee the mammoth new American Airlines Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C., hubs as well as its international airport operations and cargo division. “When I went to college I wasn’t focused on being one thing, so a liberal arts education gave me a broad perspective on life,” Boda says. “I went to Japan for a semester, and I also went to Madrid for a semester, and it afforded me an opportunity to get into the global environment.” Moving frequently for short periods as part of an industry that’s all about going from one place to another was nothing new to Boda. “When I was young, we moved around a lot,” she recalls.
Cathryn Nelson ’10 and Korey Breutzmann, 8/10/13, Omaha, NE. Tonya Origer ’10 and Chad Carlson, 6/15/13, Fairmont, MN.
BIRTHS
Lucas, to Bussie Ibrahim DeVries ’89 and Jonathan DeVries, 7/2/13. Theodore, to Michael D. Hopman ’94 and Bethany Mummert Hopman, 8/19/11. Martin, to Martin C. Koolen ’94 and Annie H. Koolen, 12/7/12. Elliott, to Jenifer J. O’Leary ’96 and Jacob M. Dorer ’96, 5/25/13. Ruby, to Martha J. Malinski ’97 and Scott M. Shoemaker, 10/4/13. Skyler, to Betsy Maloney ’97 and William T. Leaf, 2/19/14.
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Her father was a minister and often hosted exchange students in their home. Her parents supported her wish to be an exchange student and she applied through the Rotary Club to go to northern Europe. Instead, she was offered Japan. “I read everything I could about Japan, and we had a Japanese exchange student at the time and I picked her brain,” Boda says. She also learned the language. It was a life-changing experience for someone now responsible for all airports in Asia, Europe, Canada, and the Middle East. When Boda began working for the airlines in the early 1980s, women were rarely found in high positions. “In entry level there were a lot of women working with me, but the minute I started to move into higher roles in management, that’s where I got some sideways glances,” she says. After her first job at Northwest, Boda worked for the airline in Japan for eight years in the marketing, sales, and support of the airline’s global distribution system. When she returned to the U.S. in the mid-1990s, she worked at LAX in Los Angeles as a manager of operations, in Minneapolis for nearly two years as an international manager, and then at Memphis, where she ran Northwest’s hub operation; she became a vice president after about five years In 2007 Boda chose to leave Northwest to work for her former boss, Robert Isom, the chief operating officer at US Airways. “I enjoy Robert’s management style and respect how he operates, she explains. The challenge of the American Airlines-US Airways merger, which won’t see the two airlines fully integrated for another 18–24 months, will occupy much of Boda’s time. But so will her other activities, like supporting the work of Women’s Transportation Seminar International (WTS). “I think WTS does so many great things for young women who are getting into the transportation industry,” Boda says. “I have been impressed by the educational opportunities for women and with WTS scholarship opportunities.” Her ultimate career advice for young women is simple: “Keep your options open and diversify yourself. Keep moving out of your comfort zone; take new positions. It involves taking calculated risks, but you will see more doors opening as a result.”
Juliet, to Meghan Allen Eliason ’99 and Matthew Eliason, 11/26/13. Franklin, to Beth Hadland Karnitz ’99 and Craig R. Karnitz ’97, 9/17/13. Austin, to Josh Brix ’00 and Laurie Brix, 12/23/13. Ivy, to Lissa Cordie Carlson ’00 and Andrew P. Carlson ’00, 9/20/13. Linus, to Nicole Bemmels Carlson ’00 and Corey M. Carlson ’00, 8/16/13. Gabrielle, to Amanda Marotz Roemer ’00 and John Roemer, 1/16/14. Mark, to Carrie Banaszewski Tate ’00 and Frank Tate, 1/2/14. Twins, Samuel and Celia, to Julie Mattson Zamora ’00 and Edward Zamora, 12/30/13. Malin, to Anna Rossing Zimmermann ’00 and Bernhard Zimmermann, 8/15/13.
William, to Kirsten Williamschen Ahlberg ’02 and Jason A. Ahlberg ’01. Anne, to Molly Grisham Altorfer ’01 and Derek Altorfer, 12/14/13. Nora, to Angela Fay Kirchner ’02 and Jacob Kirchner, 11/16/12. Annika, to Dana Anderson Tran ’02 and Jason L. Tran ’02, 8/16/13. Adrienne, to Elizabeth Danks Johnson ’03 and Caleb Johnson, 9/7/13. Hazel, to Sarah Keiser Teich ’03 and Robert Teich, 2/6/14. Charlotte, to Mark R. Berger ’04 and Amanda Weitzel Berger, 12/5/11. Owen, to Karen Gennrich Lewis ’04 and John E. Lewis Jr., 5/8/12. Rory, to Alyssa LaVoie Morlock ’04 and Jeffrey Morlock, 11/15/13.
GUSTAVUS ALUMNI Eloise, to Rachel Kuykendall Kelley ’05 and Forrest Kelley, 4/17/13. Ruby, to Jill Carpenter Maczka ’05 and Andrej R. Maczka ’04, 9/6/13. Lyla, to Barbara J. Bexell-Erickson ’06 and Paul C. Erickson ’04, 7/25/12. Maximus, to Ally Wood Lundquist ’06 and Lance Lundquist, 10/3/13. Marianna, to Michelle Horrigan Roberts ’06 and Adam Roberts ’03, 11/13/13. Ethan, to Breanne Staples Stuckey ’07 and Mark Stuckey ’08, 12/28/13. Emmett, to Anne Ellingson Scheetz ’08 and Brett Scheetz, 10/31/13. Jonah, to Laura Walz Vander Streek ’10 and Bret L. Vander Streek ’10, 5/10/13.
IN MEMORIAM
Juanita “Bunny” Dahlberg Marotta ’40, Taylors Falls, MN, on February 12, 2014. A WWII veteran with the Women’s Army Corps, she earned an MS in botany and was a nationally accredited flower judge who wrote and illustrated books on horticulture. She is survived by two sons, a daughter, and four sisters including Anne Hatch ’43. Arthur “Doc” Glass ’43, on April 5, 2014, in St. Peter, MN. See more detailed obituary of Professor Emeritus Glass on p. 11 Marcia Bredesen Olson ’43, St. James, MN, on March 16, 2014. A wife, mother, and former English teacher, she is survived by four children including Twyla (Peasley ’79) and Keith ’83. Dolores Skaden Chilson ’46, Rush City, MN, on March 13, 2014. She was the former director of nursing at Memorial Hospital in Cambridge and is survived by three children. Charles H. DeCathelineau ’48, Spicer, MN, on February 23, 2014. A World War II veteran, he worked in the construction business with his father and owned and operated the Safari Restaurant and Phillips 66 gas station. He is survived by his life partner, Patsy Russell, four children, and three step-children. Kieth Skogman ’49, Seguin, TX, on February 12, 2014. A member of the Gustavus Athletics Hall of Fame, Kieth was a former physical education professor and coach at Dana College, Nebraska Wesleyan, and Texas Lutheran. He is survived by his wife, Carol, and three sons. Lloyd Bergman ’50, Minneapolis, MN, on January 28, 2014. After serving in the Army, he became an attorney and began a law practice in Minneapolis. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie (Seaberg ’51), and three children including Mark ’79.
Eugene Dumdei ’50, North Mankato, MN, on February 17, 2014. A World War II Navy veteran, he worked various sales jobs until becoming an independent drapery and blind installer. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline (Gilbert ’52), and six children including Paula ’77. Bill McRae ’50, Clear Lake, MN, on March 23, 2014. A veteran of World War II, he worked as the warden of the St. Cloud Correctional Facility. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and two sons. Trudy Langsjoen Wolfsehr ’50, Ellensburg, WA, on March 21, 2014. An elementary education teacher, she taught at various elementary schools and in college classrooms. She is survived by two daughters including Deborah (Rodine ’73) and two brothers including Arne ’42 and Ralph ’50. Kathleen Araskog Bertoch ’51, Otter Tail Lake, MN, on February 22, 2014. A former teacher and librarian, she is survived by one son. Delores Davey Beckman ’52, Lead, SD, on March 9, 2014. She was the former director of nursing and clinical supervisor at the Black Hills Medical Clinic and is survived by two children. A. Palmer Emerson ’53, Roseville, MN, on December 30, 2013. He worked as a credit manager for Midwest Airfreight Shipping and is survived by three children and a brother, Harold ’49. John M. Parsons ’53, Coon Rapids, MN, on March 19, 2014. He was a Korean War veteran and later earned a master’s in English. He taught and coached football at several locations. He is survived by his wife, Lillian, and five sons. Dianne Anglemyer Clinton ’54, Eagan, MN, on February 19, 2014. She worked for many years at the Mall of America in guest services. She is survived by a daughter and three step-children. Annette Ahlstrom Porter ’54, Jacksonville, FL, on February 4, 2014. She was a watercolor artist and active in the local St. Augustine Art Association. She is survived by her husband, Dwayne ’52, and three children. JoAnn Karnuth Barnum ’57, Issaquah, WA, on December 8, 2013. She was an elementary school teacher and is survived by her husband, John, and two children. Mark A. Bjorkman ’59, Issaquah, WA, on January 31, 2014. He is survived by a daughter. John L. Nelson ’59, Naples, FL, on October 17, 2013. He was a quality assurance analyst for United Healthcare and Express Scripts. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and three children.
Donna Olson Olson ’59, Lake Park, MN, on January 24, 2014. A former elementary school teacher, she is survived by her husband, Dorian, and two children. James Lehman ’61, Gainesville, FL, on January 17, 2014. A former TV news anchor and talk show host, he later was self-employed in advertising and property management. He is survived by his wife, Danielle, and four children. Richard W. Miller ’61, Parkers Prairie, MN, on November 14, 2013. An Army veteran, he worked as an electronic engineering trouble shooter for Honeywell, Inc. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and two children. DeAnna Johnson Bourdaghs ’65, Sandy, UT, on February 1, 2014. She had a career in the ski industry. She is survived by her husband, Lynn, a daughter, and her brother, Ken ’63. Gerald (Jerry) Bowers ’66, Minneapolis, on March 31, 2014. A retired investment adviser with Piper Jaffray and Dain Bosworth, he is survived by his wife, Ebbie (Dalton ’67), a daughter, Tracy Illies ’89, a son, and seven grandchildren. Ray J. Oleson ’66, Hilton Head Island, SC, on March 3, 2014. He had a distinctive career in government information technology services and is survived by his wife, Kathleen (Johnson ’66), and two daughters. Jeffrey L. Oskey ’77, Hager City, WI, on February 5, 2014. A retired CEO of Hiawatha National Bank in Hager City, WI, and First National Bank in Glenwood City, WI, he is survived by his wife, Diana, four step-children, his mother, and two siblings. Barry Lee Fritz ’79, Minneapolis, MN, on December 27, 2013. A credit manager for Radisson and Marriott Hotels, he is survived by his partner, John Anderson, and a brother. David Gamm ’86, Circle Pines, MN, on February 28, 2014. He worked for Express Scripts and is survived by his wife, LeAnn, son Jared, and two step-children, parents Bob ’54 and Marlys (Setterholm ’54) Gamm, sister Cindy (Nadeau ’82) , brother Rob ’84, and nieces and nephews including Alex Gamm ’16. Sandra “Hammy” Foster, staff, St. Peter, MN, on November 25, 2013. A longtime food service employee at Gustavus, she is survived by her husband, Harry, and a daughter.
SUMMER 2014
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s Chance meeting at UConn Health Center Experiencing a chance meeting at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, CT, were Connor Ziegler ’08, MD, who is a second-year orthopaedic surgery resident at University of Connecticut Health Center, and David G. Lewallen ’74, MD, who is the chair of Adult Reconstruction at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and chair of the American Joint Replacement Registry since 2000.
Reunited in design
s
Kitty Hart ’89 and Scott Kneeskern ’90 worked together for the first time when, as Gusties, they created print ads for the Gustavian Weekly. Little did they know they would work together professionally 25 years later. In February of this year, the Minnesota Orchestra reached agreement on a labor dispute that had divided the musicians and the organization for many months. With the dispute resolved, the music returned to Orchestra Hall along with a new and refreshed brand identity. Scott Kneeskern is the creative director at Minnesota Orchestra and was instrumental in leading the organization in a design agency search and ultimately on the path toward a new identity to coincide with significant renovation at Orchestra Hall. Kitty Hart is director of client experience at Capsule, a nationally recognized brand design firm in Minneapolis. Capsule was selected as the design agency partner, allowing Kitty and Scott to collaborate once again.
s Atlanta Gusties make intern welcome Gusties in Atlanta, GA, gathered on January 14 to visit with Kayla Hanson ’14, who was interning for Gordon Mansergh ’84 at the Centers for Disease Control. “It’s wonderful to witness the Gustie spirit across the generations as each decade was represented starting with the ’70s through the present.” Starting at the bottom left and going clockwise: Todd Schmidt ’79, Kristin Unzicker ’00, Kayla Hanson ’14, Gordon Mansergh ’84, John Harris ’92, Noah Setterholm ’11, Michelle Spady ’01, and Cory Starkweather ’02.
s Bjelland using his theatre and Scandinavian language skills Ethan Bjelland ’12 recently appeared in Theatre Pro Rata’s version of Elephant’s Graveyard by George Brant, under the direction of Amber Bjork. He performed with fellow Gustie John Zeiler ’06. (John and Ethan are on the far right in the photo, standing.) Ethan is also working part-time at Moods of Norway, the Norwegian fashion brand that has just started making its way to the U.S. The Twin Cities location in the Mall of America is only the third location in the U.S. He says, “I get to use Norwegian and Swedish languages on a daily basis while working at Moods.” He is also teaching Norwegian at Mindekirken in Minneapolis.
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ARTS AT GUSTAVUS The cast of Hair, the Department of Theatre and Dance’s spring production of the American tribal love-rock musical, gathered for a photo with several alumni from the ’60s and ’70s who had returned to campus for the show. Directed by Professor Amy Seham, the production featured alumni guest artist Brian Evans ’07. The artistic team included alumni Renee Guittar ’12, choreographer, and Michael Asmus ’13, music director, and current students Anna Michel ’14, sound designer, and Jessica Van Kempen ’14, costume designer. Other alumni pictured here with the cast (see if you can pick them out!) included Elsa Cornell ’61, Steve Hogberg ’69, Eileen Holz ’71, Bruce Johnson ’71, Craig Nelson ’70, Dennis Paschke ’73, Steve Hoffmann ’70, and Byron Schwab ’70.