Torch, Volume 45, Number 3, Fall 2013

A Magazine for Alumni & Friends of the University of Minnesota Crookston

Volume 45, Number 3 FALL 2013

Alumnus Dave Ekman ’81 makes a digital difference, Page 6

TABLE OF CONTENTS From the Chancellor.................... 4 Alumni Awards Celebration.......5 Dave Ekman..................................... 6 Delano Robinson............................ 8 Judy (Rivard) Schuster...............10 Paul Amundson.............................. 12 Devin Olson....................................14 Scott Hoffman................................ 16 Homecoming 2013........................18 Alexmai Addo................................20 Campus Headlines...................... 22 Torch & Shield Award................. 24 Alumni News.................................. 26 In Memory......................................30

Photo gallery link at www.umcrookston.edu/photogallery/homecoming/2013

From the Chancellor Teamwork enhances learning.

Students, faculty, and staff working together make a powerful team. In many ways my work as chancellor is focused on strengthening that team.

We want to conduct the University’s business in a way that brings success particularly to our students.

I have learned much about teamwork from my wife Mary who is truly my partner in life’s adventures.

We met in our first-year general chemistry class. She was my first lab partner, and that lab marked our first opportunity to work together as a team.

Over the years, my admiration for Mary deepened as I observed her practical approach and the way she sought answers to her questions. She loved science for different reasons than I did, and her skill in asking questions and seeking answers lends credence to her career today as a highly respected research librarian.

A year ahead of me at the University of California Davis, Mary would pursue her master’s degree in library information services at Berkeley while I completed my undergraduate degree and continued on to graduate school.

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As a graduate student, I experienced significant success in my research, but my heart kept bringing me back to working with undergraduates. Great faculty influenced my own life, and I aspired to be a great faculty member.

After completing my doctorate, Mary and I decided to move to Idaho where I taught at a community college and she worked in the public library.

Later, we would return to Davis to live, work, and raise our three children. She and I enjoyed the rural environment there as well as working on the campus where we completed our undergraduate degrees. Like the community college where we met, it is a special place for us.

Together, Mary and I are a team.

She has co-authored a book, written a number of book chapters and journal articles, and spoken all over the world, but all the while, her priorities have never wavered—something else I have grown to deeply appreciate about her. For Mary, family always comes first and our children are her top priority.

Today, Mary continues her work as the health sciences librarian at Davis while also providing care

for her aging mother. She regularly telecommutes from Crookston allowing her to attend major campus events with me. I am back at a small college, where I always thought I should be, and Mary and I are much the same as we have always been— still working as a team.

I believe teamwork has created a rich and satisfying life, and we take the partnership we have created with us into our respective workplaces.

Supporting one another gives life depth and meaning and a deeper commitment to the things that matter to us.

We are all better when we work together. As alumni of this campus, I want you to know, we are better because of you. We are a team, and together—Aggies, Trojans, and Golden Eagles, we will accomplish great things for our students and for this campus. I look forward to working with you.

Best regards, Fred E. Wood Chancellor University of Minnesota Crookston

Outstanding Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, back row, left to right: Chancellor Wood; Craig Talberg ex. ‘91; Tyler Grove ‘94; Stephanie Helgeson, athletic director; and Corby Kemmer, director of Development & Alumni Relations. Front row: Gene Dufault ’68; Sue Jacobson ’87 and ‘96; Michele (Johnson) Allen ex. ‘88; and Timothy Rhonemus ’84.

Alumni Awards Celebration The University of Minnesota Crookston honored six remarkable individuals during homecoming. Recognition for four Outstanding Alumni and three Athletic Hall of Fame inductees was held on Friday evening, October 4, 2013, in Bede Ballroom in the Sargeant Student Center. Hosting the evening were Corby Kemmer, director of Development & Alumni Relations and Stephanie Helgeson, director of athletics and Chancellor Fred Wood brought greetings from the campus.

The Outstanding Alumni award was presented to Tyler Grove ’94, Timothy Rhonemus ’84, Susan Jacobson ’87 & ’96 and Gene Dufault ’68 and inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame were Michele (Johnson) Allen ex.’88 and Craig Talberg ex. ’91. Each of the honorees was presented with a plaque and were a part of the homecoming parade the next day. They were also recognized during half time of the football game on Saturday afternoon.

Athletic Director Steph Helgeson and Chancellor Fred Wood congratulates Craig Talberg during half time of the football game. Also in the photo are Outstanding Alumni Sue Jacobson and Tyler Grove.

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Digitally Daring “When I think back on my time at UMC, I recognize the impression those years had on me,” Dave Ekman.

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One of the icons in technological history is the computer punch card, once used to input data on campus computers. In 1977, Apple introduced a highly successful 8-bit personal computer, and while Dave Ekman ’81 was a student, that computer—the Apple II—arrived on campus. Technology would become a milestone in University of Minnesota Crookston history as it also would in Ekman’s career.

Growing up in Argyle, Minn., Ekman came to Crookston to earn a degree in ag business and play basketball for Coach Jim Sutherland. He led the team as an outstanding defensive player and led the campus as president of the student body. In 1981, he was named Man of the Year, the top academic and service award.

While attending North Dakota State University, he began working at ComputerLand of Fargo, a retail computer store, and he bought the franchise in 1982.

“I was always interested in computers,” Ekman recalls. “I knew when I graduated from UMC that I wanted to work in one of three areas: banking, computers, or solar energy. When a ComputerLand store opened in Fargo, I checked them out right away.”

When the original owners decided to leave Fargo and Ekman took the business over, it grew steadily offering both computers and service. Eventually, he let the franchise go, renamed the business Corporate Technologies, and continued to run a full service computer company.

In the mid-1990s, Ekman also started an Internet Service Provider (ISP) company with partners that had a regional focus at a time when voice and data were starting to integrate.

Corporate Technologies continued to grow and became a market standout for its training, service, and network services. A branch office opened in Sioux Falls, S.D., and the company grew to more than 100 employees. He decided to merge with a company in Minneapolis in 1999, and two years later, went public on the NASDAQ. Providing services to multi-dwelling units, i.e. apartment buildings and the like, to offer television, Internet, and telephone was expanding rapidly.

Dave Ekman and his wife, Paula, are the parents of three children and have been married for 21 years.

In the mid-2000s, a decision was made to sell Corporate Technologies and concentrate on providing voice, data, and video services to multidwelling unit and single-family customers, hence the name Multiband Corporation.

A partnership with DirectTV and continued growth, primarily in the eastern half of the United States, the company currently employs some 3500 people responding to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “We respond with the trained

technicians necessary for installation and service as well as working with digital signage and satellite companies,” Ekman explains.

As chief information officer of Multiband, Ekman remains at the Fargo office in charge of technology.

He is part of a team located mostly in Minneapolis, Minn., but who respond to the ever-growing demand for technology and related services.

Ever the entrepreneur, Ekman continues involvement in a handful of hotels, self-storage units, a travel

agency, and real estate. Handling digital information remains his primary focus, and along with it, he gives great consideration to his role as a leader.

“When I think back on my time at UMC, I recognize the impression those years had on me,” Ekman reflects. “In turn, I know I am leaving an impression on the people I work with and supervise. We are not always aware of the influence we leave, but it matters.”

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How Robinson “Rolls” “My entire college career has had a great influence on my life, but my experience as a student-athlete was the most powerful for me,” Delano Robinson.

Rolls-Royce designs, manufactures, and services engines for defense and civil aerospace and develop solutions for the energy markets including equipment, monitoring, and servicing solutions.

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His enthusiasm is evident by the impassioned way he talks about his work and about the company he represents. Alumnus Delano Robinson ’09 began working for RollsRoyce two years ago as a change manager, a role with a regional focus. Today, he is a global information technology sector service manager and guides the relationships between two business units and IT. His latest position with Rolls-Royce engages his leadership abilities, and he finds himself managing at a higher level. It’s a place Robinson has always belonged.

He came to the University of Minnesota Crookston to play basketball and to work on a degree in information technology management. His experience as a Golden Eagle was significant for Robinson, and it wasn’t about winning games but about working together.

“My entire college career has had a great influence on my life, but my experience as a student-athlete was the most powerful for me,” Robinson states. “While we didn’t have the best record, athletics taught me a great deal about how to handle adversity and knowing what it takes to push through it. All around me were people who supported me, and when things didn’t go well, we functioned as a team and helped one another.

Those lessons are still with me today.”

University life helped him determine what worked best for him and to sort out his own priorities—important discoveries for someone as driven as Robinson.

After he graduated, he went to work for Eli Lilly, the global pharmaceutical company, working in information technology. He says it was an “entry level position working on smaller processes, but it was a foot in the door for me and for my career.”

Robinson works with the Defense and Energy business units. “Not everyone understands exactly what RollsRoyce is and what we do,” he explains. “Our mission is to create power solutions. We design, manufacture, and service engines for defense and civil aerospace. We also develop solutions for the energy markets including equipment, monitoring, and servicing solutions. Safety is paramount for us because, each and every day, we have the opportunity to impact people’s lives.”

He takes his role with the company seriously, and this fall, he traveled to England to the company’s headquarters and will also be heading to visit offices of the businesses he supports in Brazil. Robinson is a self-described introvert.

While that idea seems hard to believe for those who know him now, he says he had to learn to “become a bit of an extrovert.” He developed those skills as a student at the U of M Crookston.

“I have always enjoyed people, but in order to ask for help or to provide help, you need to build relationships and that requires talking,” Robinson smiles. “I currently mentor newer employees and I always challenge them to build relationships where they not only receive value, but contribute value as well. It takes engagement to build solid relationships, but they are more than worth the time and effort.”

Indianapolis, Ind., has been Robinson’s home since he left Crookston, and he loves what the city offers. However, he is ready to go wherever his job leads. That openness is what drives Robinson forward and keeps him excited about the future. He embraces the pressures of his job knowing he has a work team ready to support him, much like he did as a student-athlete. He understands the value of working together and is ready to build the kind of relationships that will make him successful on the job and in life.

Delano Robinson ’09 played basketball for the Golden Eagles.

Today, he works for Rolls-Royce as a global information technology sector service manager.

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Homecoming royalty 1963 included (front row) Schuster and Kay (Petersen) Pennington. Center, Queen Claudia (Hanson) Cleveland (back row) Judy Ann Karr and Nancy (McKeever) Bull.

“The shorter school year at the NWSA made sense for me, and I also needed the structure the school provided,� Judy (Rivard) Schuster.

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Celebrating that Golden Year In summer 2014, the Class of 1964 will look back on the 50 years since they graduated together. They will remember classmates, friends, and moments they shared at the Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA). For Judy (Rivard) Schuster ’64 those moments truly are golden and her only regret is that she did not attend the Northwest School for all four years of high school even though her mother tried to persuade her.

“I attended school in Oslo, Minn., through my sophomore year,” Schuster explains. “I enjoyed being a cheerleader for the Oslo Bobcats, but I was often out in the field helping my dad on the farm causing me to fall behind in my school work. The shorter school year at the NWSA made sense for me, and I also needed the structure the school provided.”

This capable young woman could clean and sew and drive a truck, tractor, or DC9 Caterpillar pulling any implement necessary. “My younger sister is the cook,” Schuster smiles. “I was the one helping out in the field.”

At the Northwest School the homemaking classes were of particular interest to Schuster. She became an excellent seamstress even constructing a dress and jacket for graduation. She was also on the staff of the Aggie Rouser, a cheerleader for Aggie basketball, and selected to attend Leadership Camp held at Itasca State Park between her junior and senior year of high school.

Following graduation, she attended Bernelle’s School of Hair Design, Grand Forks, N.D., and that fall married her high school sweetheart, Ken Schuster ’61. Her first job as a hairdresser was at the Golden Carpet Hair and Wig Salon in Grand Forks as a wig and hairpiece stylist, while Ken was a warehouseman during the building of the Drayton [N.D.] sugar beet plant and then for the Minuteman Missile project.

In December 1966, the couple packed up and set out to make their home in California.

Ken joined the Iron Worker’s Union, Local 433. He welded structural steel on the Anaheim Convention Center and, what was then the tallest building in Los Angeles, the Crocker Citizens National Bank building.

A year later, they returned to Argyle, Minn., for a wedding and to consider partnering with her father to buy a former grain elevator and convert it into a certified seed cleaning plant. In August 1967, Rivard’s Quality Seeds, Inc. began operation in Argyle.

Schuster worked as a hairstylist and owned and operated a salon out of her home until 1978.

She cared for the couple’s two children and also worked in various capacities in the seed business.

Always interested in learning, Schuster took a two-year course in discipleship and counseling training and a course in long-term health care. In 1991 she became a student at Trinity Bible College (TBC), Ellendale, N.D., and graduated with honors in spring 1997 at the age of 51. She has been on mission trips to San Francisco, Sierra Leone, West Africa, Jamaica, and others.

She continues to host women in her home on Wednesday afternoons, for a time of fellowship and prayer, when she is in Grand Forks. In the winter months, the Schusters enjoy their home in Mesa, Ariz. They also enjoy the NWSA alumni social held in Mesa every February. And now, Schuster is looking forward to seeing her NWSA classmates at their 50th Class Reunion on Saturday, June 28, 2014.

Judy (Rivard) Schuster ’64 shared the NWSA experience with her mother, a member of the Class of 1945.

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Keeping Us “InForum-ed” “We are preparing for the way people will use the Web in the future,” Paul Amundson.

It is hard to imagine a job that doesn’t exist as your future career, but for Paul Amundson ’85, it would have been impossible to visualize his role and the way that technology has transformed access to information.

It would also have been difficult to predict the way newspapers would expand their services to include digital media and share the news as it happens.

Amundson thrives on the edge of the news media and the Web, and he has since he started at the Fargo Forum in 1996. He is currently the vice president of digital for the Forum Communications Company where he Paul Amundson from the 1985 manages sales and websites run by the company, along yearbook with a staff of around 100.

His interest in computers started years earlier as a student on the Crookston campus, and his major in business he says “laid the foundation for his work today.”

Growing up in Red Lake Falls, Minn., Amundson had a job at a local hardware store and enjoyed working on the high school newspaper and at the small student-run television station available on cable. It was in high school that Amundson had his first taste of both journalism and broadcasting along with a foreshadowing of the future.

While attending Crookston, Amundson enjoyed acting in plays under the direction of Associate Professor George French. Something perhaps less enjoyable was his workstudy job cleaning the rat cages in the science department. “I was late signing up for work study so I am guessing it was one of very few jobs left,” he smiles. “But, it is something I can tell my four sons about, and my oldest entered his first year of college this fall so that helps put it into perspective.”

After graduating from the U of M Crookston, Amundson headed to Minnesota State University Moorhead to complete a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He had an internship at WDAY TV in Fargo, and he took a position at sister station WDAZ TV in Grand Forks as a reporter following his graduation. It was there he met his wife, Najla.

Nominate a Classmate or Friend!

Do you know an outstanding alumnus or alumna who is deserving of an award for exemplary commitment, achievement, or service? Consider nominating them for Outstanding Alumni, Top Aggie, or for induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Nominations can be made by visiting www.umcrookston.edu/alumni, choose either UMC Alumni Association or Northwest School of Agriculture Alumni Association, and select the appropriate award for your nominee. For nominations for Athletic Hall of Fame go to www. goldeneaglesports.com and choose Athletic Hall of Fame to make your nomination.

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Nominations can also be made by sending the name to Rose Ulseth in the Office of Development & Alumni Relations at rulseth@umn.edu or call 218-281-8439.

Paul Amundson graduated from the University of Minnesota Crookston Technical College in 1985 with a degree in business that prepared him for his future as vice president of digital at Forum Communications.

When he came to Forum he was responsible for helping establish their Web presence, and over time, that role expanded to incorporate all the aspects of digital communications Amundson manages today.

He has been a part of a lot of change

and continues to look forward to more.

“We are preparing for the way people will use the Web in the future,” he says. “It is about offering people the platforms they need.”

Amundson enjoys managing change and likes the opportunities it provides.

He has certainly witnessed and engaged in many of the changes that have taken place at Forum over the last 17 years and has proven his ability to adapt to an environment that exists in a state of flux.

Read the Torch Online You can read the Torch, the alumni magazine for the Northwest School of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota Crookston online by visiting: http://issuu.com/umcrookston or on the U of M Crookston Web site at www.umcrookston.edu/alumni/torch If you would prefer to receive your Torch online only, contact Elizabeth Tollefson at 218-281-8432 (ltollefs@umn.edu) 13

Sticking to Technology “It was a great experience playing at Crookston and I appreciated the opportunity to continue my football career past high school,” Devin Olson.

When Bruce Brorson first introduced Google to his students in the late 90s, he told them it was going to change things. It seemed impossible to imagine, but one of his students at the time, Devin Olson ’00 has watched Brorson’s words come true.

“When I came to the University of Minnesota Crookston, I didn’t have an e-mail address and the Internet was not really a big deal,” he remembers.

“But, by the time I was a junior, I was taking classes in e-commerce and web development. Things were changing fast and I was intrigued by the intersection of business and the creativity afforded by the Web. “That intersection is where I discovered what I wanted to do, but didn’t know where to do it, not many companies were embracing websites at the time,” he says.

Devin and his wife, Zoe, are parents to two daughters. Their second little girl was born this fall.

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Devin Olson from the 19992000 yearbook

When Olson came to Crookston from the small town of Mora, Minn., he had never heard of the campus.

Recruitment by coaches Scott Oliver and Shannon Currier convinced him to play Golden Eagle Football. “I was a red shirt as a freshman and by the spring of 2000 I was ready to graduate, but I decided to stay and play one last season of football,” he adds.

He took classes in the fall, worked 20 hours a week, and finished his final season of collegiate football.

“It was a great experience playing at Crookston and I appreciated the opportunity to continue my football career past high school,” Olson acknowledges. “I remember the long drive from home to campus that first time wondering what I would find, but talking with other players and a campus tour gave me a good taste of campus life.”

Like many student athletes, Olson seemed to enjoy the hectic schedule and became a skilled time manager.

He was a work study for John Rodseth in the campus post office and later also worked at the local Hardware Hank and Coca-Cola.

When his younger brother took a campus tour at another University of Minnesota campus, Olson went along.

“I was a sophomore and seriously considering transferring,” he recalls.

“After the tour, I realized I was in a good spot academically and in my football career, I had also embraced the UMC lifestyle.”

After graduating with a business management degree and moving to Minneapolis, Minn., Olson says he realized how much he loved the small town college experience provided

The 1997 Golden Eagle football team. Olson is number 25 pictured in the third row from the front, third player from the left.

in Crookston. An internship with Coca-Cola in summer 2000 led to an eventual job offer, but at the time, Olson was on his way to Steamboat Springs, Colo., to work for a ski race company and he declined the offer.

“It felt like my last chance to enjoy skiing every day without job pressures or other responsibilities, so I turned it down,” he explains.

In April of the following year, he moved back to Minnesota. The time was right to begin a career in earnest. After hunting for a position, he ended up working construction until November when he accepted a job offer as an account manager with Midwest Coca-Cola in Eagan, Minn. Over the next few years he would work several jobs before finding a career with Digital River.

“It was at that time that I started to look seriously at what I really wanted to do, and realized I wanted to be working in the digital space,” he continues. “I found my passion working in interactive marketing

while being a marketing manager at Digital River, a company focused on e-commerce outsourcing.”

In 2011, he took a job as an interactive project manager at the Nerdery, a software development company located in Minneapolis.

Today, he is the channel lead marketing analyst on the Global eTransformation Team at 3M, a position he accepted in January 2013. His work involves developing and implementing 3M’s where to buy strategy (connecting 3M.com customers to distributors selling 3-M products), and the fit is a good one.

He credits the laptops at UMC for helping prepare him for his role in the marketplace. “Carrying and using the laptop provided a great foundation,” he says. “I graduated with a high degree of comfort with technology and technology has given me an outlet creatively and a big advantage professionally.”

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Designing to Heal “I won’t ever be done learning. There is something new to learn every year, and I am always interested in trying something different,” Scott Hoffman.

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Walking the halls of a hospital can be lonely and frightening for patients and their families and friends. That’s the reason Alumnus Scott Hoffman ’08 works hard to make the hospital grounds at the Portland [Oregon] VA Medical Center a place of restoration and respite for those who need it.

Hoffman is the gardener for the medical center after transferring from his role as the gardener for the Williamette National Cemetery in Portland. Moving from the 250acre cemetery to the much smaller grounds of the medical center gives Hoffman the opportunity to redesign much of the landscape for the thousands who see it every year.

“The 28 acre landscape at the VA Medical Center is 30-years old, and I am here to Scott Hoffman ’08 and his wife, Kari ’09, are the reshape it and add color,” Hoffman said. “I parents of a daughter. Kari earned her degree in business management and she works as a have only been in this position since June, budget technician for USDA Wildlife Services. but I have already been planning landscape projects that will incorporate color and add to the beauty of these grounds.”

He didn’t discover his interest in horticulture until late in high school. After serving in the Air Force, where he met his wife Kari, he knew he wanted to pursue a degree in the field. “I had not heard of the University of Minnesota Crookston until I started looking for a horticulture program,” Hoffman explains. “When I read the description and knew I would earn a U of M degree, I decided it was the best fit. Plus, the program hit all the important topics in horticulture, which is exactly what I wanted.”

When it came time for Hoffman’s internship, he was chosen by Disney World for the Epcot Plant Science internship where he was responsible for one of the four greenhouses. “I worked in the greenhouse where the focus was plants from the temperate region,” he recalls. “We had to keep them pristine because they are part of an exhibit for the guests. All the plants are part of an edible landscape. “ When the Hoffmans relocated to Vancover, Wash., they moved from hardiness zone 3 to zone 8 and with that move came learning about new varieties of plants and flowers hardy to that zone. “I won’t ever be done learning,” he says. “There is something new

to learn every year, and I am always interested in trying something different.

I enjoy everything from planting to pruning and especially like the artistry that goes into making a landscape work.”

After he graduated from the U of M Crookston, Hoffman went to work for Mount Saint Benedict managing the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) garden. When Kari accepted a position with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), they moved and he spent the first four months looking for a job before being hired by a family-run garden center.

He enjoyed working in the nursery and with the customers in sales as well as assisting with plant health care.

When Hoffman accepted the position at Williamette, he took on the responsibilities for landscape maintenance, plant and tree care, and the designing and installation of landscapes.

He particularly liked designing the cemetery’s front gate. “I used a flag as the center of my design and the inspiration for it came from the garden at the entrance to campus,” Hoffman says. Working for the VA Medical Center will give Hoffman even more opportunity for designing landscapes that will be a part of the healing process for many.

“When I left the military, I wanted to continue my federal service and the one job I really wanted was to work for the government as a gardener,” Hoffman says. “I am living my dream right now.”

As a student, Scott Hoffman was chosen by Disney World for the Epcot Plant Science internship.

Class of 1968-69: Seated, left to right: Pete Ramstad, Peggy (Lee) Hilton, Gene Dufault, and Sherry (Hoeft) O’Gorman.

Middle row: Roger Amundson, Debbie (Bolstad) Epling, Dennis Hjelle, and Don Fielder. Back row: Don Jensen, Chris Odden, Steve Simones, Dick LeCocq, Leroy Reitmeier, Ron Reitmeier.

The Great Communication Comeback Front row, left to right: Becky (Langlois) Kofoed ‘09, Donna Hartel ‘07, Deb Halstad ‘09, and Kate Bentley ‘10. Second row, left to right: Terry Tollefson ‘06, Lynnette Mullins (faculty), Megan (Hulst) Pederson ‘09, Maretta McMullen ‘09, Amanda Wagner ‘12, Irma De Le Guardia ‘11, Austin Czichotzki ‘12, Mark Huglen (faculty). Third row, left to right: Elizabeth Tollefson ‘02, Nikki (Krueger) Massmann ‘03, Megan (Tollefson) Bell ‘02, Kenny Mendez ‘11, Jordan McCormick ‘08, and Jessina (Seibel) Bengtson ‘10. Back row, left to right: Kevin Thompson (faculty), Mike Manston ‘84, Paul Viche ‘84, Craig Bitter ‘84, Rick Flacksbarth ‘78, Kelly Boldan ‘77, Linn Hodgson ‘84, and Chris Brown (faculty).

Dreams of Change

Alexmai Addo, CSA President, shares her story “As a student leader I knew I would have an opportunity to make a difference at UMC and strived to do so,” Alexmai Addo.

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“One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something.” This is a great quote by Henry David Thoreau and one I try to live by. Being born in a war torn country there are multiple things I wished to accomplish to impact the world for the better. I know that I can’t do or change everything, but I want to make a difference either small or large and leave a positive impact in all that I do.

I was born in Monrovia, Liberia, in 1992. By 1996, the country was going through its second civil war. Terrified for our lives, my family had to separate to escape the war.

My mother, oldest brother, and youngest brother were fortunate to escape to America, while my father, older brother, and I escaped to a refugee camp in Ghana. As a young child, I had to endure life in a refugee camp in an old dilapidated house on old rocky dirt roads with hunger grasping at me and strips of clothing to wear. All I had look forward to were my dreams; dreams of change and making a difference someday.

At the age of seven, I learned to never give up on my aspirations and my future.

Though the conditions I lived in were horrible, it didn’t stop me or discourage me from

my goals. I triumphed over the circumstances and remained positive. With my mother’s dedication, passion, hard work, and long nights working to get her family to a better place, my father, older brother, and I were able to come to America. In America, my dreams of making a difference became my motivation. Despite the many adversities I faced, I stayed strong, stood by my morals, remained positive, and never gave up on my dreams.

When I began my journey at the University of Minnesota Crookston, I knew I wanted to make a difference and have a positive impact on the campus. My freshman year, my friends and I reestablished the Black Student Association (BSA) on campus. The club had been inactive. Despite the obstacles, we reestablished the club and worked hard to promote diversity. By my sophomore year, I became more involved on campus.

I joined the Crookston Student Association (CSA), the student government on campus, the student orientation staff (SOS), and S.P.A.C.E., the student programming board. I took leadership roles in all of those organizations and become a student leader, which changed my life dramatically. As a student leader I knew I would have an opportunity to make a difference at UMC and strived to do so. I joined committees to give my perspective on issues concerning students. I became the senator of student

concerns on CSA to address concerns students had and bring them to the attention of administration. And a few years later I became the first female African American student body president.

Starting my senior year as the CSA president brings me so much excitement. The students have a voice on this campus and I want it to be heard by all. Working with my peers to advocate on behalf of the student body is an opportunity I look forward to. The University of Minnesota Crookston plays such an intricate role in my life and has shaped me into the woman I am today. I am truly grateful for my education at UMC. I came in as a young girl with many dreams of change and making a difference; however, I will be leaving a woman with experience in making change and making her dreams a reality. Thank you, UMC. It may be a small campus but the opportunity students gain at the University of Minnesota Crookston is tremendous.

From small classes to the best faculty and staff, the University of Minnesota Crookston has so much to offer its students. The dedication of the faculty, staff, and administration is truly remarkable. I speak for many students when I say if it wasn’t for the great faculty, staff, and administration here, I would not be where I am today.

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CAMPUS HEADLINES Enrollment

“Based on official data, enrollment at the University of Minnesota Crookston for fall semester 2013 has, again, surpassed previous record levels.”

Based on official data, enrollment at the University of Minnesota Crookston for fall semester 2013 has, again, surpassed previous record levels. Official, confirmed data reports place enrollment at 1,813 degree-seeking undergraduates--the highest enrollment in the history of the campus. That number exceeds fall 2012’s all-time record of 1,802 and continues a seven-year growth trend.

The official enrollment number includes all full- and part-time degree-seeking undergraduate students--those attending courses on campus as well as those pursuing their degrees entirely online. Over the past several years, a major contributing factor to UMC’s enrollment growth has been the increase in “online only” students, a designation which means all of their courses are taken online. The U of M Crookston currently offers eleven of its twenty-eight degree programs entirely online as well as on-campus. This year more than 800 students are considered online only students, up from about 700 last fall.

U.S. News ranks Campus at the Top

The Crookston campus moved to number one in this year’s U.S. News Best Colleges rankings in the category Midwest Top Public Regional Colleges. The rankings for 2014 mark the 16th consecutive year the Crookston campus has appeared in the top four and signals a return to the top spot moving up from number two in 2013.

Campus Social Media Directory Enjoy social media with us! Use the hashtag #UMNC to search for news about the campus or to share what makes you #UMNproud!

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Pinterest pinterest.com/umcrookston Twitter twitter.com/umncrookston YouTube youtube.com/uofmcrookston Storify storify.com/UMNCrookston

Artificial Turf Fundraising Project Underway for Ed Widseth Field

Replacing the grass surface on Ed Widseth Field with artificial turf would benefit student-athletes at the University of Minnesota Crookston. Under the direction of Bill Tyrrell, director of athletic fundraising, the project to install artificial turf is in its initial stages.

Tyrrell, who spent 18 years as an athletic trainer, and since 2005, has led athletic fundraising, says the project would be a big advantage for the football team as well as a number of other teams.

Women’s soccer and softball, along with men’s baseball also would benefit from access to the artificial practice surface. Not only is the surface easier to maintain, it reduces injury and can handle up to six times more traffic than grass fields.

Almost all football fields in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), the conference in which the U of M Crookston competes, have upgraded to artificial turf. The estimated cost of the installation project is approximately $1 million including the initial investment necessary to build the base for the turf.

Stephanie Helgeson, director of athletics, recognizes the importance of the project.

“Installation of artificial turf is a priority for several of our athletic programs,” Helgeson says. “From recruiting and retention to generating revenue, we feel the great need for this improvement to our field. “ Tyrrell echoes Helgeson’s sentiment. “We need a surface we can maintain at the level necessary for collegiate play,” Tyrrell explains. “Facilities play an important role in the college decision made by prospective student-athletes and the upgrade will improve the quality of the student-athlete experience. We are focused on offering the best student-athlete experience as well as the best academic experience on our campus.”

If you are interested in more information on the artificial turf installation project, contact Tyrrell at 218-281-8436 (btyrrell@umn.edu) or contact Corby Kemmer, director of development and alumni relations at 218-281-8434 (ckemmer@umn. edu).

Recent football games on Ed Widseth Field show the conditions on the field during play.

The game against the University of Mary last year shows the difference when the game is on an artificial surface.

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Torch & Shield Award Recipients for 2013 Honored The Torch & Shield award honors those who have aided in the development of the University of Minnesota Crookston.

Honoring those who have aided in the development of the University of Minnesota Crookston, the Northwest Research and Outreach Center (NWROC), and Extension is the purpose of the Torch & Shield award. This celebration of leadership is the highest honor presented by the Crookston campus and a special recognition event was held on Wednesday, November 6, 2013, on the campus.

The Torch & Shield award recipients for 2013 are Charles “Chuck” Habstritt, and Lynn Willhite. The Award honors contributions of significance to higher education, the Crookston campus, and the region; recognizes champions of the U of M Crookston, NWROC, and Extension for their impact on the region through teaching, research, and outreach; and distinguishes both high profile individuals and those who have been “quiet” contributors to the success of the Crookston campus.

The 40-year career of retired University of Minnesota Crookston Associate Professor Charles “Chuck” Habstritt is highlighted with achievement and a legacy of dedication to students.

He graduated in 1967 with a bachelor of science in agronomy/soil science from the University of Minnesota. Transferring to North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., Habstritt obtained his master of science in 1969 majoring in agronomy with an emphasis in soils, biochemistry, and plant physiology.

Habstitt began his teaching career in 1969 at the U of M Crookston where he specialized in agronomy and soils. He was named outstanding educator by students three times and in 1999, he was selected to receive the Distinguished Teaching Award by his colleagues. In 2007-08, Habstritt was honored with the University of Minnesota’s John Tate Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising. In the U of M system, the Tate Awards recognize and reward high-quality academic advising.

From 1970 to 2009, Habstritt served as a coach to the highly successful Collegiate Crops Judging Team on the Crookston campus. He was also responsible for compiling the rules and regulations book that has been used for national contests in both Chicago and Kansas City. He has coached his teams to top-three finishes more than 25 times.

Habstritt has developed and taught 13 courses, advised some 40-50 students a year, trained teaching assistants, published, and solicited funding for scholarships to keep and attract top students for his program. He found time during his career to manage his grain, oil seed, and grass seed farm and was recognized with the Honorary State Farmer Degree. During his career, Habstritt also served as assistant coach for hockey,

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and in 1986, he received the University of Minnesota Regents Award for Excellence in Coaching.

Together with collegiate hockey, Habstritt also found time to coach 32 hockey teams including squirts, peewees, and bantams. Today, Habstritt and his wife, Christine, reside in Casa Grande, Ariz., in the winter and Rocky Point on the Lake of the Woods in the summer. Although retired from teaching, he still farms with his brother near Roseau, Minn.

Lynn Willhite has been a studio artist in Crookston, Minn. for the past 25 years. Primarily a textile artist, she works with dye and fabric to create watercolors on fabrics. She sells and shows her work at regional and national art shows. She has generously donated several of her wearable art pieces to support scholarships at the University of Minnesota Crookston.

Willhite’s creativity and innate talent have benefitted students across the Crookston campus where she has devoted countless hours to decorating the residence halls, including Centennial, Evergreen, and her most recent--Heritage Hall.

These halls attest to her great style and her dedication to making the residence halls beautiful places for students to live and study.

She is a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead with a degree in elementary education. Over the years, she taught at the Early Childhood Education Center at the University of Minnesota Crookston and served as an adjunct instructor, teaching drawing and design. Sharing her talent has benefitted not only the campus but the Crookston community where she taught community education classes in watercolor for beginning students.

Willhite moved to Crookston in 1978, with her husband Gary, who is the director of Residential Life and Security.

Together, they robustly worked on the very popular Community Stable Service, a live nativity showcased at the U of M Crookston in the arena in the University Teaching and Outreach Center.

She has been an ongoing volunteer in the Crookston community through her church, as well as the schools, working on fundraisers and several committees. She has been a past president of the UMC Faculty Association and has proudly been the leader of 4-H and was responsible for starting the first Cloverbuds program, a pre-school program for siblings of 4-H members.

REMEMBER THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, CROOKSTON A will or living trust is a statement about what matters most in your life. It ensures that your intentions are clearly understood and will be followed by those administering your estate.

If you value your experience at the University of Minnesota Crookston or the Northwest School of Agriculture, you can leave a legacy through a gift to the campus in your will. Your generosity will help further the mission of the University of Minnesota Crookston to provide education, research and outreach. The following language can be used by you and your attorney in your will: “I give, devise and bequeath to the University of Minnesota Foundation (percentage, sum or description of property) for the benefit of the University of Minnesota Crookston.”

If you would like more information, contact Corby Kemmer, director of development & alumni relations toll free at 1-800-862-6466, ext. 8434 or 218-281-8434 (ckemmer@umn.edu).

For more information about giving or to give a gift online, visit www.umcrookston.edu/alumni/giving.html Excerpted from The Importance of a Will published by the University of Minnesota Foundation.

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ALUMNI NEWS We Want to Hear From You! To submit an item for the Alumni News Section, send information to: UMC Alumni Relations 115 Kiehle Building 2900 University Avenue Crookston, MN 56716 e-mail: rulseth@umn.edu or complete the form on line at: www.umcrookston.edu/alumni/ keepintouch.html.

Please include your name, address, phone number, e-mail, year of graduation/ attendance and information or news you wish to share (new job, career, family, or achievements, etc.)

Pictured are some of the faculty and staff who were on campus in 1994 and who celebrated with the Class of 1994 on their 20th anniversary during Homecoming 2013 (www.umcrookston.edu/ homecoming).

Back row (l to r): Andrew Svec, Don Cavalier, Don Medal, Linda Wilkens, Patti Tiedemann, Kent Freberg, Dan Svedarsky, Jeff Sinks, Mike Hanson ’96, Tom Feiro ’75 and ’96, and Phil Baird.

Front row: Deb Chandler, Krista (Boen) Proulx ’75, Sue Jacobson ’87 and ’96, Lynne Mullins, Laurie Wilson, Sharon Stewart, Marsha Odom, Marilyn Grave, Twyla Treanor, Owen Williams, and Bill Tyrrell

Alumni from ag education were in attendance at the 2013 North Dakota Association of Agriculture Educators held in Bismarck, N.D., on August 7, 2013. Left to right in the photo are Allison Noll ’13, teaching in Grafton, N.D.; Kasey Okke ’13, teaching in Drake Anamoose, N.D.; Kaitlyn Tollefsrud ’13, teaching in Glen Ullin, N.D.; Brend Arndt ’06, teaching in Park River, N.D.; James Jansen ’09, teaching in LaMoure, N.D.; Danielle Hannon ’09, teaching in St. John, N.D.; and Desi Severance ’10, teaching in Wyndmere, N.D.

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This alumni news reflects submissions received by September 20, 2013. News received after that date will be in the next issue of the Torch. The deadline for alumni news for the next issue is January 1, 2014.

1930s Grace (Johnson) Hodik ‘38, Mott, N.D., is a member of Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) class who celebrated their 75th anniversary during June’s NWSA reunion.

She enjoys reading and visits from family members.

Grace moved to Mott from the FargoMoorhead area to be near family. She has two daughters, three granddaughters, and one grandson-in-law.

1940s Violet (Battles) Thompson ’43 spends summers in Marshall, Minn., and winters in Cumming, Ga. A member of the NWSA class who celebrated 70 years, Violet shared she still enjoys traveling.

Elenora (Johnson) Tollerud ‘43, Apple Valley, Minn., and her husband, Manley, recently celebrated 68 years of marriage.

Now retired, Manley worked at the University of Minnesota and Elenora at Reese Enterprises in Rosemount, Minn., for over thirty years. They enjoyed traveling but are now content to leave the traveling to their children and grandchildren.

Vernie (Nordquist) Alvstad ’49 Adv., Fergus Falls, Minn., volunteers at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls.

Most of her family of five children, five granddaughters, and four great grandchildren, live nearby.

Vernie still loves to travel.

Rev. Duane Nelson ’49 Adv., Moorhead, Minn., sends greetings to classmates from the NWSA senior class of 1948 and advanced class of 1949.

Paul Biermaier ’04, Crookston, Minn., was selected as Crookston’s new police chief, taking effect October 1, 2013. Paul served as a police officer for the past 23 years.

John Lambert ’06, Newcastle, Wyo., is a detention deputy with the Weston County Sheriff’s Office. He formerly worked as an information technology specialist for the State of Wyoming.

1990s Sean Safranski ’92, Fargo, N.D., was recently named assistant principal at Davies High School.

He previously was principal of both Shanley High School and Sullivan Middle School in the John Paul II Catholic Schools Network in Fargo.

2000s

The Office of Development & Alumni Relations hosted a gathering for alumni, current students, faculty, and staff on August 7, 2013, at Newman Outdoor Field. The FargoMoorhead Redhawks beat the Saint Paul Saints 2-0 that evening and Alumnus Kyle Thormodson ’01, Moorhead, Minn., threw out the opening pitch.

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E-mail forwarding: If you are interested in reconnecting with a former classmate or acquaintance, the alumni office can help! Although we cannot release e-mail addresses due to privacy issues, we will be happy to forward a message to the person if he or she can be located in our database.

Brian ’08 and Melanie (Regan) Beckman ’08 recently welcomed their second son, Holton Maynard, to the family, purchased a home in Cannon Falls, and moved back to Minnesota. Brian is a research associate for Syngenta Seeds in Stanton, Minn. Melanie earned her master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from New Mexico State University and is working for Zinpro Corporation in Eden Prairie, Minn. Melanie received the Young Scholar’s Recognition Award at the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science Meeting In Bozeman, Mont., on June 19, 2013 (http://blog.asas.org/ GraduateBulletin/?p=2430).

Ted and Torie (Kolo) Arnoldy ‘09, Hibbing, Minn., welcomed their daughter, Jaidyn, on July 27, 2013.

Adam ’09 and Kim (Nelson) Genereux ’10, Sartell, Minn., are proud to announce the newest addition to their family. Daughter Daina Kim was born March 4, 2013.

Jenna (Dolence) ex. ’09 and Steve Tschirgi ex. ’09 were married September 7, 2013, at Rum River Barn & Vineyard in Hillman, Minn. Pictured are U of M Crookston alumni who were a part of the celebration.

Back row (l to r): Jake Karras ’10, Martin Husicka ’10, Kurt Graham, Broderick Schmidt ’13, John Lombardi ex. ’12, Brent Swanson ’10, Brett Saari ’10, Steve Tschirgi ex. ‘09, Fred Kooser ’10, Jared Miettunen ’11, Matt Marchel ex. ’09, Jack Hanna ex. ’09.

Front row: Jessica Biddle ex. ’10, Jamie Zelinskiy ’11, Jackie (Wallace) Husicka ’11, Jill Zelinsky ’11, Kelsey Van Ackeren ’10, Jenna (Dolence) Tschirgi ex. ’09, Gina Jaroszewski ’11, Melissa (Zanotelli) Swanson ex. ’10, Diana Taddy ’11.

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2010s Desiree Severance ’10, Wyndmere, N.D., is in her fourth year of teaching agricultural education at the Southeast Regional Career & Technology Center in Wyndmere.

Desi and her husband, Connor, are the parents of three children. At its annual conference in Bismarck, N.D., in August, the North Dakota Association of Career and Technical Educators (NDACTE) presented conference awards in five divisions. From the five nominated division teachers, Desi was selected as the 2013 NDACTE Outstanding New Career and Technical Teacher of the Year.

Kayla Krueger ’12 was recently hired by the U of M Crookston as assistant women’s equestrian coach.

Originally from Walker, Minn., Kayla was a member of the Golden Eagle equestrian team and an accomplished rider for the western team from 20092012. She has worked with horses in different capacities, most recently as a trainer in Montana.

Julie (Trotter) Portillo ’12, Eagan, Minn., was recently hired as marketing specialist in the office of Distance and Continuing Education at North Dakota State University, Fargo, N.D.

Anna Ogaard ’11 originally from Maple Grove, Minn., is the new food service director for the Crookston School District.

Torch

UMCAA Board Chris Awender ‘11 Volume 45, Number 3, Fall 2013 Donna Hartel ‘07 Torch is a publication of the Rory Held ‘11 University of Minnesota Crookston. Nancie Hoerner ‘95 Amy Loomer-Longtin ‘99 Director of Development & Juanita Lopez ‘08 Alumni Relations Carl Melbye ‘77 Corby Kemmer Jordan Melbye ‘12 218-281-8434 Linda (Knutson) Morgan ’85 & ‘09 ckemmer@umn.edu Greg Nathan ‘98 Karl Syverson ‘11 Support Staff Bill Thielke ‘94 Rose Ulseth ’87 218-281-8439 NWSA Alumni Association Board rulseth@umn.edu Jim Chandler ‘67 Don Diedrich ‘56 Sue Dwyer ’74 Allan Dragseth ‘57 218-281-8401 Jeannette (Love) Filipi ‘57 sdwyer@umn.edu David Haugo ‘52 Bob Kliner ‘68 Melvin Larson ‘55 Berneil Nelson ’42, ex officio Clarice (Olson) Stolaas ‘56 Beulah (Stolaas) Vad ‘58 Jean (Stromstad) Vigness Parker ‘55

Christian Rohloff ’12 and Kelli Morris ’13 were married August 24, 2013 in Hillman, Minn. They’re at home in Meire Grove, Minn.

Jake Sanders ’12, Crookston, Minn., will facilitate a pilot project in three local school districts as part of Achieve More, which focuses on helping high school graduates prepare for career and postsecondary success. He will coordinate and manage Junior Achievement and College and Career Preparation 101 in three local Minnesota school districts including Fisher, Fertile-Beltrami, and Win-E-Mac. He and his wife, Jensen (Crots) ‘13, reside in Crookston.

Contact information: Torch Elizabeth Tollefson ’02, editor University of Minnesota Crookston 2900 University Avenue Crookston, Minnesota 56716 Phone: 218-281-8432 Fax: 218-281-8440 E-mail: ltollefs@umn.edu

The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation.

On the front cover: Dave Ekman ’81, CIO at Multiband Corporation in Fargo, N.D., is an ag business graduate from the U of M Crookston Technical College. Photo

by John Borge Studios.

The University of Minnesota Crookston is a public, baccalaureate, coeducational institution and a coordinate campus of the University of Minnesota. The Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) was a residential high school serving students from 1906-68 and the predecessor of the Crookston campus. The Torch is named for the historical passing of the educational torch between the NWSA and the U of M, Crookston in 1968.

Layout and design by Amy Chandler Design of Grand Forks, N.D., and printed at Forum Communications Printing in Fargo, N.D.

On the back cover, Illumination feature: A cake, designed by Senior Ruth Navarro, a communication major from Crookston, Minn., celebrates the 20-year anniversary of the laptop initiative and baccalaureate degrees at the U of M Crookston

Printed on recycled and recyclable paper with at least 10 percent postconsumer material using agribased inks.

Note: In the Torch, logos from campus history appear in stories corresponding to the era in which they were in official use according to the years indicated below.

Golden Eagle logo (1994 to present), Trojan logo (1966-1995), Aggie “A” logo (1906-1968)

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In Memory Silent thoughts of times together Hold memories which will last forever.

Alumni Johanna (Nabben) Green ‘23 Grafton, N.D. (formerly of St. Thomas, N.D.) October 5, 2013 Olga (Johnson) Konickson ’29 Thief River Falls, Minn.

February 4, 2009 Jean (Nisbet) Roberts ’33 East Grand Forks, Minn.

June 23, 2013 Elaine (Johnston) Maruska ex. ’38 St. Paul, Minn. (formerly of Angus and East Grand Forks, Minn.)

July 11, 2013 Robert Halliday ’41 Beloit, Wis. June 25, 2013 George Myrold ’41 Adv. Crookston, Minn.

June 25, 2013 Clarence Sargent ’42 Adv. Osakis, Minn.

August 18, 2013 Emmanuel Dahlsad ex. ’44 Moorhead, Minn.

June 3, 2013 John Halverson ’47 Nisswa, Minn.

February 27, 2013

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Charles Vind ’49 Adv. Fertile, Minn.

July 16, 2013 DuWayne Wahlstrom ’50 Tucson, Ariz.

July 2, 2013 Duane Wentzel ex. ’55 Leesburg, Fla. (formerly of Fisher and Crookston, Minn.)

June 13, 2013 Robert Schol ’62 Valencia, Calif.

February 15, 2013 Michael Oberg ex. ’66 Dilworth, Minn.

June 25, 2013

Faculty/Staff David “Toby” Solberg Crookston, Minn.

September 9, 2013 The campus telephone technician in Facilities & Operations at the U of M Crookston from 1974 to 2003 John Wiersma Crookston, Minn.

August 2, 2013 Served as a research agronomist with the Northwest Research and Outreach Center for 33 years

Office of Development & Alumni Relations 2900 University Avenue Crookston, MN 56716-5001 Change Service Requested Find us on Facebook™ facebook.com/umcrookston Follow us on Twitter™ twitter.com/umncrookston Watch us on YouTube™ youtube.com/uofmcrookston

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 14..........................................Fargo Alumni Social at Fargo Billiards and Gastropub December 13 .............................................................................................................Last Day of Classes January 13, 2014 .............................................................................................. Spring Semester Begins Feb. 21, 2014 .............................................. Arizona Alumni Social at ViewPoint Resort in Mesa May 10, 2014 ................................................................................................................... Commencement June 28, 2014 ....................................................................................................NWSA Alumni Reunion

(Busy weekend in Crookston; make your room reservations early.)

Celebrating 20 years since we awarded our first baccalaureate degrees along with our historymaking decision to become the first university to equip students and faculty with laptop computers, the Crookston campus continues to illuminate education by infusing technology into curriculum.

See highlights at www.umcrookston.edu.