Retirement Program by Alumni Office Minnesota State Mankato

2014 Retirement Program

April 28, 2014 11:30 a.m. Luncheon 12:00 p.m. Program

Dear Retirees: On behalf of the Minnesota State University, Mankato community, I want to say thank you and share my appreciation for your years of distinguished service to this University. Through your efforts we have created a student-focused learning environment and set the foundation for our students to be successful. We appreciate your work in making our University a place where Big Ideas meet real-world thinking. I hope that you will remember fondly your many Minnesota State Mankato friends and remain in contact with your University. It has been a pleasure to work with people who care so much. I wish you well as you begin new directions. Sincerely, Richard Davenport President

2014 Retiring Faculty and StaffG William (Bill) A. Anderson—Professor in Social Work, 1977. Now that he’s retiring, Bill plans to develop some hobbies. Maybe music, lake life, reading and travel. Among his best memories are “watching/helping students become beginning professionals, then working with them years later in community agencies and at professional meetings.” Jill Binstock – Jill began her employment in1967 and worked in the Department of Human Performance as the Administrative Assistant. We wish her well in her retirement.

Christine Bjerke – Chris began her employment in 1994 and worked as the office manager in the Department of Construction Management. Chris and her husband plan to sell their home so they can build on their lot up north. She is also spending more time with her 8+ (one on the way) grandchildren. Her favorite experience was attending the “Leadership Institute” class. She learned so much and met so many people who work at MSU – it was a great experience. Steve Bohnenblust—Professor in Health Science, 1980. Family, fishing and volunteering are three things Steve expects to spend time doing in his retirement. While working at Minnesota State Mankato, he enjoyed writing a “stats book” and teaching statistics. In addition, he considers serving as President of the Faculty Association and Director of the Center for Excellence in Scholarship & Research (CESR) as some enjoyable experiences.

Vance Browne – Vance began his employment in 1992 and was a Professor in the Mechanical and Civil Engineering Department. We wish him well in his retirement.

Marilyn Dorland – Marilyn began her employment in 1979 and worked in the Building Services Department as a General Maintenance Worker.

William Dyer – William began his employment in 1981 and was a Professor in the Department of English. We wish him well in his retirement.

Judy Evans – Judy worked as the Associate Director in the MN Center for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence since 2006. We wish her well in her retirement.

Tony Filipovitch—URSI (Urban and Regional Studies Institute), 1978. Tony plans to “take time to be still and listen to the Universe” in retirement, but will miss his favorite experience: “watching the lightbulb go off as a student discovers something they hadn’t appreciated before.”

Mary Jane Fitcher—Information & Technology Services, Senior Director of Customer Services, Campus Computer Store and Asset Inventory, 1980. Her retirement plans are simple: “Pretty much, do what I want!” What she wants includes riding her horses and helping oldest son Jake renovate his house. She remembers small gestures, such as being told by her boss at the time, Earl Gildemeister, “Thank you for all your hard work and getting us caught up.” It was a small office with fun people, but they talked things out and got along wonderfully. Darwin Hanson – Darwin began his employment in 1993 and was a General Maintenance Worker Lead in the Building Services Department. We wish him well in his retirement.

Catherine Haroldson – Cathy began her employment in 1977 and was a Web Application Developer in the Information Technology Department. We wish her well in her retirement.

Mark Hensel—Machinery Repair Worker in the Physical Plant, 1980. In retirement, Mark plans to fish, hunt and work on their house. “I have the best customers and I have met a great deal of new people. It’s been a blast.”

Cynthia Hobbs—Office Manager/Administrative Assistant in Intercollegiate Athletics, 1984. Receiving the Maverick Lifetime Service Award plaque from co-workers at her Feb. 5, 2014, retirement party was among her favorite, most special experiences. In retirement, she plans more time with family and friends, doing hobbies such as reading, quilting and playing cards, and completing landscaping and home improvement projects with her husband. Bob Hoffman—Vice President in the Division of Strategic Business, Education and Regional Partnerships, 2007. Bob’s first task in retirement is determining what he wants to do in retirement. Who knows, maybe this time it will stick! “It has been an absolute pleasure to be around and work with our outstanding students—Leaders of Tomorrow!” Georgia Jackson—General Maintenance Worker in Building Services, 1975. After retiring in December, Georgia spent the holidays with her family, volunteers at her church and plans on traveling and attending Athletic events at Minnesota State Mankato. Top experiences were winning the Customer Service Award in 1997-98, the Finance & Administration Outstanding Service Award in 2005 and the retirement reception thrown for her by Building Services. Joyce Johnson—Residential Life Administrative Assistant, 1970. Joyce’s time at Minnesota State Mankato has had its ups and downs. Specifically, 2 residence halls up and 1 down. Although she has no specific plans, she will relax and spend time outdoors in retirement.

Joy Joyner – Joy was a Professor in the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Department and began her employment in 1977. We wish her well in her retirement.

Janine Juberian – Janine began her employment in 1981 and was a Building Services Foreman in the Building Services Department. We wish her well in her retirement.

Steve Kaus – Steve was a Stationary Engineer in the Physical Plant Department and began his employment in 1986. We wish him well in his retirement.

Lee Ann Larson—Preservationist at the Memorial Library, 1977. Lee Ann worked in the Business Office in Old Main on the Lower Campus, where she fondly remembers working with people who smoked and had ashtrays on their desks, bees and bats, and winters that included wearing long underwear to stay warm. Warmth has already been part of her retirement—she spent 2 months in Florida after retiring January 10. She looks forward to new adventures with husband Rod, family and friends. Amadeo (Rick) Meitin – Rick began his employment in 2008 and was a Professor in the Department of Music. We wish him well in his retirement.

Therese Mullins—Human Resources Benefits Specialist, 1989. Therese writes, “After a couple of decades of helping others go through the retirement process, I’m ready to try it for myself.” She plans to stay in Mankato, spend more time with family, work on the house and yard, get to know her neighbors better and get a part-time job. The best part of work has been her “wonderful, intelligent, kind, funny, dedicated HR colleagues.” Ronald Nickerson – Ron was a Professor in the Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services Department and began his employment in 1999. We wish him well in his retirement.

William Oliver—GMW Lead for Building Services in the CSU, 1985. Don’t look for William when he retires, because he plans to be traveling, fishing and hunting.

Pat Peppard – Pat began her employment in 1975 and worked in the University Stores Department as the Administrative Assistant. We wish her well in her retirement.

David Reinen – David began his employment in 1985 and was the Assistant Registrar in the Registrar’s Office. We wish him well in his retirement.

Leah Rogne—Professor in Sociology & Corrections, 2002. Leah plans to “return to my log home in the woods two hours north of Duluth; gardening and singing and writing.” Among her most treasured memories from Minnesota State Mankato was being a part of the revitalization of the Aging Studies Program and working with Sociology students and agency staff on projects that matter to people. Stewart Ross—Department of Music and Founding Director of CETL, 1977. Stewart’s retirement sounds as busy as his work years: writing a book on course design; teaching online courses for faculty internationally; workshops and consulting nationally and internationally; and playing trombone in the community band and others. Among his favorite experiences were “Every band concert I conducted!” Also, founding the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, being selected Teacher of the Year in 1984 by MSSA, receiving the President’s Research Scholar Award and presenting concerts as John Phillip Sousa. Marty Rost—Planning and Construction, 1984. In an unusually brief response, Marty simply lists travel and projects around the house as his retirement plans. Let’s hope he gets the funding.

Gary Rushing—Sports Management Professor in Human Performance, 1988. In addition to working around the house and fishing, Gary will put his years of teaching experience to work as a teaching assistant in his wife’s kindergarten class. His favorite time at Minnesota State Mankato was when he was wrestling coach and, in 1993, was selected Coach of the Year in the North Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Alan Rykhus – Alan began his employment in 1997 and was an Information Technology Specialist 4 in the Library Automation Department (PALS). We wish him well in his retirement.

Becky Schwartzkopf—Library Services as Serials Librarian, 1984. “I will always cherish the opportunity that I have had to work with such a wonderful group of people,” Becky writes. There will be some reading in her retirement, but she also plans to spend more time with family, travel and enjoy the flexibility to do what she wants when the mood hits her. Brenda Skramstad – Brenda began her employment in 1975 and was a Medical Technologist in Student Health Services. We wish her well in her retirement.

Marcia Stevens—Professor in Nursing, 1989. Although she is retiring, Marcia reports that she plans to continue her current research on family coping with adolescents diagnosed with trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) and learn to play golf. She hopes the golf will take place in year-round warm climates.

Nancy Geistfeld Thomas—Assistant Professor in Dental Hygiene, 1976. Nancy has been active since she retired, moving to the Twin Cities to be closer to her three grown sons and new granddaughter, and going on a mission trip to Belize with 17 senior Dental Hygiene students and 2 faculty members. She plans to travel and spend summers at their lake home on Green Lake in Spicer before going back to Belize in March. It’s among her favorite experiences already! Dwight Wallin—Delivery Van Driver, Receiving and Delivery Services, 1972. After spending years driving around delivering parcels and mowing lawns on Lower Campus, Dwight plans to drive in retirement. Look for him behind the wheel if you take the Land to Air van to the airport or Rochester. He says, “It is the students that I will miss working with the most. Each of them taught me something about how to work with people. I hope that each of them is now successful in their careers.” Beth Weisbecker – Beth began her employment in 1982 and was the Office/Business Manager in the Department of Theatre and Dance. We wish her well in her retirement.

Larry Witherell – Larry was a Professor in the History Department and began his employment in 2001. We wish him well in his retirement.

A member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity University. This document is available in alternative format to individuals with disabilities by calling the Office of Human Resources at 507-389-2015 (V), 800-627-3529 or 711 (MRS/TTY). HUMR42BK_0414