HOMECOMING ,
PG. 7
SUCCESS THROUGH ADVERSIT Y,
PG. 16
L FA L2 019
A
PG. 18 TR ADITION
//
PASSION
//
COMMUNIT Y
//
SUCCESS
CAMPUS NEWS 3
From The President's Desk
6
Waldorf at a Glance
7 Homecoming 8
Faculty & Staff Recognition
9
Graduation Recap
10-12 Athletics Recap 13
Student Profile:
Humble-Why Waldorf
18-21 Allaway: A Note From
the Composer
27-29 Campus Ministry Notes
Mission Trip
30-32 Honors Day Recap
FOUNDATION NEWS 4
Foundation Notes
33
From The Foundation Chair
34-35 Donor Honor Roll
ALUMNI NEWS
STAY IN TOUCH
14
As faithful stewards of our resources and in an effort to go green, please let the Alumni Office know if you prefer not to receive a printed copy of the Waldorf Magazine. A digital copy is available online at waldorf.edu/waldorf-magazine.
Alumni Profile:
Friday 16
Alumni Profile:
Finding Success
Through Adversity
22
Class News
23
In Memoriam
26
Alumni Profile:
Guth
2
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
The Waldorf Magazine, published each spring and fall, is largely funded by donations to the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation. We thank you for your continued support and welcome your input for future articles. Please contact the Alumni Office at 641.585.8148 or alumni@waldorf.edu with your ideas. Want to stay connected to other Waldorf alumni? If you do not currently receive the Waldorf monthly e-newsletter and would like to sign up, please email the Alumni Office at alumni@ waldorf.edu.
VOLUME 115, ISSUE 1 WEB waldorf.edu waldorffoundation.org waldorf.edu/ waldorf-magazine
//
FALL 2019 MANAGING EDITOR Hannah Earll ADMISSIONS OFFICE admissions@waldorf.edu 641.585.8112 800.292.1903
EDITORS Janet Berhow Nancy Olson Audrey Sparks
DESIGNER Tara Kingland CONTRIBUTORS Hannah Earll Antoine Cummins Julienne Friday Mike Stetson
waldorf.edu
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK
Greetings, friends! It’s hard to believe that 116 years ago, Waldorf opened the doors to welcome its very first students. While we hold closely the history and traditions those early Warriors set for us, there’s no denying that both Waldorf and the world around us have had a fair share of changes in the years since. From dance sit-ins to actually hosting dances on campus; from our beginnings as a junior college to our current-day status as a university that is finding success in its master’s programs, we continue to constantly evolve. Through it all, however, there is one commonality that can be found no matter where you find yourself in this Warrior nation: the people. While diverse in background, age, race, ethnicity and culture, our faculty, staff and students represent the high standards and qualities that flow through the Waldorf experience. In the pages of this magazine, I hope you are reminded just how resilient, driven and selfless the members of our Warrior family are. You’ll read about our very own Professor of Psychology and Sociology Julienne Friday ’68 who came back to campus after her own graduation to change the lives of future alumni (p. 14). You’ll also learn more about former Waldorf Choir Director Ben Allaway (p. 18) whose focus on inclusion and diversity within his compositions is influencing the world on a global scale. Additionally, I hope you’ll be moved by
waldorf.edu
the resilience and positivity of Travonne Edwards ’11 (p. 16), whose life trajectory could have taken a much different path, but through the help of a support system he found at Waldorf, he is now changing the lives of children and the future of sports broadcasting. Each of these Warriors has a very different background and connection to Waldorf, but the strength and integrity of their values remains the same. From our alumni and their families to our dedicated scholarship donors and friends (p. 30), we are proud to have such servant-hearted Warriors on the frontlines to change the world. Waldorf is an exceptional institution with a beautiful campus and superior academics. However, it is because of the remarkable individuals, like those you will read about in these pages and who make up all parts of the Warrior community, that we can truly be extraordinary. I want to thank you for being such an exceptional part of this family. We are Warriors! Sincerely,
Dr. Robert A. Alsop Waldorf University President
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
3
FOUNDATION NOTES
HELLO, WARRIOR FAMILY! In this magazine, you will find an article regarding Waldorf's commencement. Commencement is such a joyous, yet bittersweet event as it is hard to say goodbye to students who have become such familiar faces on campus, and if the truth be known, dear friends to many of us. These students have worked hard to achieve their degrees and are now looking forward to a new chapter in their lives, prepared to make a difference in the ever-changing world. This year the term, “commencement” held a special meaning for me. My oldest grandson, Jacob–or “Jake” as we fondly call him– finished his high school career and graduated in May. He is now pursuing the next level of education at the University of Iowa. I was one proud grandma as he stood at the podium and gave the closing address at the commencement ceremony. It was truly a bittersweet moment for me as he closed a chapter of his life, and I realized his days of spending time at our house will become less frequent. He will be sorely missed, but we take joy in knowing he has a bright future ahead of him, and he is right where he needs to be. As you know, I enjoy sharing news about my family members. I just realized that Jake is the last family member to write about. You've now met my entire family through my writings this past decade. The timing is perfect as this will be the last article I write for Waldorf University and the Waldorf Foundation. When you read this article, I will be tidying up my desk and preparing for my transition from a working mom to a stay-at-home mom. It's really hard to believe that I have reached retirement age. In my mind, I am way too young for that! Maybe part of that is due to currently raising a 16-year-old son. It feels strange to tell people I'm retiring to be a stay-at-home mom! I have met so many wonderful people throughout the years I've
worked at Waldorf. During my travels and visits with alumni and friends of Waldorf, friendships were established and great memories were created. I will treasure both those friendships and memories. Thank you to Nancy's gr andson, Ja ke. every one of you who welcomed me into your home or took time out of your busy schedule to visit with me. When you've worked at an institution for over 32 years, it becomes home to you, and your colleagues become like family. My colleagues have made coming to work a joy for me, and for that I am very grateful. I am going to miss so many people at this special place. Knowing that my days of trucking up the steps of Salveson Hall and cruising through the lobby to my office are nearing an end brings tears to my eyes. This is one more bittersweet event in my life. However, I also know as I close one chapter of my life, a new chapter begins, and I intend to enjoy every single moment! And I know Waldorf will be left in very capable hands, so no worries there. Best wishes Waldorf University and the Waldorf Foundation. May God continue to bless you. Thanks for the memories!
Nancy Olson, CFRE Director of Institutional Relations Waldorf University/Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation
Hannah Earll
Janet Berhow
Nancy Olson, CFRE
Director of Alumni Relations
Database and Gift Processing Manager
Director of Institutional Relations
Waldorf University Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation
Waldorf University Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation
Waldorf University Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation
The Waldorf Magazine—a combined effort of the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation and Waldorf University—is published for alumni and friends of Waldorf University. Please help us keep our records up-to-date by notifying the Foundation if you have moved, changed your name or updated your email address. Contact Janet Berhow at berhowj@waldorf.edu or 641.585.8140. Waldorf University, 106 South 6th Street, Forest City, IA 50436 // 641.585.2450 // 800.292.1903
4
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
waldorf.edu
Rooted in Tradition. Connected to the Future.
Waldorf University’s newest online degree programs are designed to meet the demands of a rapidly changing U.S. job market. These new degree programs support thriving industries including health care management, cybersecurity and public relations.
MASTER’S IN HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT, New Concentrations: Human Resources // Leadership // Marketing // Project Management
BACHELOR’S IN CYBERSECURITY BACHELOR’S IN PUBLIC RELATIONS Have questions? The Waldorf support staff is here to help you every step of the way. Contact us to learn more about our full degree offering, tuition costs, academic planning and more.
waldorf.edu // 877.267.2157 waldorf.edu
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who have completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at Waldorf.edu/Disclosure.
5
WALDORF AT A GLANCE
GETING CONNECTED WITH ALUMNI IN YOUR AREA! The Waldorf University Alumni Association Board of Directors would like to formally welcome the first official alumni chapters to the Warrior family: Waldorf University Alumni Association–Forest City Chapter Waldorf University Alumni Association–New Mexico Chapter We know these two chapters will be dynamic, engaging and inclusive groups for Waldorf alumni and friends to connect with one another and make new Waldorf memories. If you reside in one of these areas, please reach out to alumni@waldorf.edu to get connected! Chapters of the Waldorf University Alumni Association provide a fun and welcoming environment to help bring together alumni, parents and friends of Waldorf throughout various parts of the nation. These groups can be formed based off of geographic/regional location or by special interest (choir, football, major/minor, etc.), and are an awesome way to engage, network and reminisce with fellow Warriors all year round! Want to see a chapter near you? Email alumni@waldorf.edu for information to get started!
Pillars Spotlight
DEAJA O'NEAL // Name: Deaja O’Neal // Major: Elementary Education // Pillars program: Rotaract // What would you like to do after graduation?: After graduation, I would like to travel and eventually work with children who are not as fortunate to go to school as Americans are. I also hope to own my own daycare one day! // What brought you to Waldorf?:I came to be with my brother (Eric O’Neal) who is a football player here. // Why did you join your Pillars program?: While meeting my brother’s head coach, he let me know about the pillars program and that I should look into it. It was the best thing that I have done because pillars got me back into school and (even better) on a scholarship doing what I was destined to do! // What is something you’ve learned so far/has made an impact on you in your Pillars program? To always help others. It truly makes a difference, and by helping you will always make someone else’s day better.
6
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
waldorf.edu
WALDORF AT A GLANCE
R N O ATIO I R R N WA
SATURDAY CONT. 5K RUN/WALK STARTING AT FIELDHOUSE
8:30a
GENERAL REGISTRATION ATRIUM LOBBY
8:30a-2p
COFFEE ATRIUM LOBBY
8:30-10:30a
BOOKSTORE OPEN VOSS HALL
9a-4p
ART & CRAFT FAIR SALVESON LOBBY
9-11:30a
TAILGATING/CARNIVAL OUTSIDE BOLSTORFF FIELD
There’s no place like Homecoming Join us the weekend of October 18-20 for Waldorf Homecoming 2019! Click your heels together three times, and join us back on campus for our annual homecoming celebrations! This year’s theme is “Warrior Nation: There’s No Place Like Homecoming!” and we are excited to celebrate all of our alumni who are making the trip back “home” to campus. There will be some fun, new additions to this year’s homecoming celebrations. The 5K walk/run hosted by the Waldorf Track and Cross Country teams is back and even better after a successful appearance in 2018, and don’t forget to fill up at the pancake breakfast immediately following! Afterward, join us mid-morning for a campus-wide scavenger hunt and make sure to grab a photo in the photo booth of your group. If scavenger hunts aren’t your thing, take a seat and watch a presentation of Waldorf’s past put on by our very own members of the Waldorf History Club. If you aren’t staying for the luncheon on campus, head down to the WingDing tent outside Bolstorff Field for wings
and appetizers. Set up a tailgate and bring the kids along for a Rotaract-hosted carnival, bouncy houses and even face painting! In addition to a fun-filled calendar, Waldorf will also have the privilege to recognize many of our alumni at two separate ceremonies. Friday night’s Hall of Fame inductees include: Beth (Skogen) Van Roekel ’99, Perry Laures ’84, Brady (Stumpff) Goerdt ’01 and Patrick Jackson ’89. Saturday night’s ceremony will recognize two Alumni Distinguished Service Award recipients: Thomas Jolivette ’74 and Leslie Aasheim ’57, in addition to one Recent Alumni Award for Service recipient William Stokes ’08. We are privileged and excited to honor such deserving men and women for these awards. Find more details on homecoming and register for events at waldorf.edu/homecoming. See you in October!
PANCAKE BREAKFAST Hosted by Waldorf Track & Field BOLSTORFF CONCESSIONS
9:30a
WALDORF HISTORY PRESENTATION by Waldorf History Club SMALL PIT
10a
CAMPUS SCAVENGER HUNT/PHOTOBOOTH UPPER CAMPUS
THURSDAY, OCT. 17, 2019 CORONATION/ CANDIDATE REVIEW ATRIUM
8p
ATRIUM 12p
OUTSIDE ATRIUM ENTRANCE 8a-5p
9a-4:30p
12:15p
CLASS REUNION PHOTOS ATRIUM
BOOKSTORE OPEN
1:15-1:45p
FOOTBALL GAME BOLSTORFF FIELD
GENERAL REGISTRATION ATRIUM LOBBY
4-5:30p
4:45-5:30p
BOMAN FINE ARTS CENTER
5:30p
ALUMNI BOARD DINNER ATRIUM CONF. ROOM
7:30p
BONFIRE FIELDHOUSE PARKING LOT
8p
SATURDAY, OCT. 19, 2019 5K RUN/WALK REGISTRATION 7:30-8:15a
SELF-GUIDED TOURS 8a-2p
LUISE V. HANSON LIBRARY & ARCHIVES OPEN
5-6p
DINNER IN THE CAF $8 all-you-can-eat buffet WALDORF CAFETERIA
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION BANQUET
2p
ALUMNI CHOIR SING-A-LONG ODVIN HAGEN RECITAL HALL
HALL OF FAME REG.
SECOND FLOOR
11:30a
COMM BBQ
LUISE V. HANSON LIBRARY & ARCHIVES OPEN
VOSS HALL
11a
ALL-CLASS ALUMNI LUNCH 7a-9p
SECOND FLOOR
ALUMNI APPETIZER TENT OUTSIDE BOLSTORFF FIELD
SALVESON BALLROOM
WARRIOR CROSSING OPEN ATRIUM
FIELDHOUSE
CAMPUS TOURS
50TH CLASS LUNCH
FRIDAY, OCT. 18, 2019
BOMAN FAC LOBBY
10:30a
Meet in front of Waldorf Bookstore WALDORF CAMPUS 10:30a & 1p
BOMAN FINE ARTS CENTER
Events and times are preliminary and may be subject to change. For more information, please call the alumni office at 641.585.8148 or email alumni@waldorf.edu
9:30a
5-7p
ALUMNI DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD DINNER SALVESON BALLROOM
6:30 p
THEATRE SHOWCASE SMITH THEATRE
7:30p
SUNDAY, OCT. 20, 2019 WORSHIP SERVICE IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
9:15a
BRUNCH Sponsored by the Waldorf Music Dept. BOMAN FINE ARTS CENTER 11a
HOMECOMING MUSIC CONCERT 8a-5p
BOMAN FINE ARTS CENTER
1p
VISIT US ONLINE TO VIEW THE FULL HOMECOMING SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES & REGISTER FOR EVENTS: WALDORF.EDU/HOMECOMING
waldorf.edu
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
7
CAMPUS NEWS
FACULTY & STAFF
FACULTY & STAFF HONORS The annual faculty and staff recognition event was held on May 10, 2019. The event took on a theme of a springtime garden, and the Atrium was fully transformed into a beautiful setting of flowers and all-things spring. Employees were recognized for their years of service, and awards were presented to several well-deserving recipients. The following faculty and staff were honored during the night’s events: 35 YEARS OF SERVICE BETTY ANDERSON 25 YEARS OF SERVICE KRISTI OSHEIM KARLA SCHAEFER
HOLMEN AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE MARK NEWCOM HOLMEN AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE MICHAEL GATLIN VIKING AWARD FOR ONLINE FACULTY EXCELLENCE DR. KEVIN SWEERS VIKING AWARD FOR ONLINE SUPPORT STAFF CASSONDRA HARDY BOARD OF TRUSTEE FACULTY OF THE YEAR TIMOTHY BASCOM
20 YEARS OF SERVICE MASON HARMS 15 YEARS OF SERVICE DEANN DERSCHEID-HANNA 10 YEARS OF SERVICE J. CORY BROWN CASSONDRA HARDY HEATHER YEOMAN 5 YEARS OF SERVICE LAUREN ARMSTRONG STEVEN BARDWELL NICKOLAS BENESH KRISTEN BERG ANDREA BLANCHARD DERRICK BURTON RODNEY DANIELS CYNTHIA DVORAK SHARESE HALL KEVIN MASON KRISTIN PICKETT J. WES RIDDLE
8
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
waldorf.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
FACULTY & STAFF
A.A. & B.A. GRADUATES
B.S., B.A.S. & M.A. GRADUATES
COMMENCEMENT 2019
The passing of yet another academic year means the graduation of a fresh class of Warriors out to change the world. The class of 2019’s commencement ceremonies were held on May 11, 2019, and this year saw a change in setting as celebrations were held, for the very first time, at the Boman Fine Arts Center. The morning began with a baccalaureate service and was followed by two separate commencement ceremonies. An 11 a.m. ceremony was held for those who were receiving their A.A. and B.A. degrees and a 3 p.m. ceremony recognized graduates receiving B.S., B.A.S. and M.A. degrees.
Between both the online and residential campuses, a record number of graduates received their degrees this spring with 900 new alumni being able to proudly claim Waldorf as their alma mater. Of those 900 graduates, nearly 200 walked on commencement day and approximately eighty of those individuals were online graduates. Assistant Professor and Chair of Religion and Philosophy Rev. Steve Smith opened up the day’s events with a prayer, and Waldorf University President Robert Alsop gave welcoming remarks, congratulated the graduates and awarded the annual President’s Award to graduate Kassidy Bunger ’19. Professor David Damm also gave remarks on behalf of the faculty. Dr. David Weber, chair of Waldorf’s Board of Trustees, long term CEO and chairman of the board of the Wenatchee Valley Medi-
Kassidy Bunger ’19 receiving the President's Award.
waldorf.edu
cal Center in Wenatchee, Wash., founding president of the CEO Leadership Council and chair of the practice advisory committee of the American Medical Association, was the keynote speaker for the afternoon. He encouraged the graduates to foster healthy, authentic relationships, to be kind, and to uphold their values as they go into the world. Following Dr. Weber’s encouraging address, the Waldorf choir performed The Road Home by Stephen Paulus and Beautiful Savior arranged by F. Melius Christensen for the full audience. Mr. Joel Everist conducted the choir. University Registrar Mr. Darrell Barbour succeeded the choir with the conferring of degrees to the new graduates. To wrap up the day’s exciting events Waldorf Alumni Association Board President Andy Buffington ’90 gave a particularly inspiring speech, reminding students as they leave campus to be the good in this world, reconnect with Waldorf as often as they can and to be bold, to always remember gratitude and to find their place and make a difference in the world. “Now is your time,” he declared to the crowd. “Step out of those doors, and show this world the power and the conviction of the Warrior Nation.” Full commencement ceremonies may be watched at livestream.com/ waldorfuniversitystream/events.
Andy Buffington ’90 addressing the graduates.
Dr. Weber giving his encouraging address.
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
9
CAMPUS NEWS TRACK & FIELD
Warrior Track & Field teams re-write record books After setting the bar high by earning the school’s first AllAmerican honor in cross country, the track and field studentathletes continued to enjoy unprecedented success during the indoor and outdoor season. Warrior athletes broke 33 school records this past school year, won six individual NSAA Championships, and qualified for the NAIA Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in nine different events. Leading the way for the Warrior women was Kaila Jackson who re-wrote the record book in the sprints and qualified for indoor nationals in the women’s 60-meter dash, and outdoors in the 100 and 200. Jackson also grabbed one of those NSAA titles, winning the crown in the outdoor long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 4.25 inches.
ATHLETICS RECAP
non, Quincy Minor Jr. and Craig) win a title in 42.62 seconds, and earned his second trip of the year to nationals, in the long jump. Craig also earned a trip to indoor nationals, competing in the high jump. Adding to the Warriors NSAA titles were high jumpers Charlene Garcia, who swept the NSAA women’s indoor and outdoor titles in the event clearing heights of 4-11.75 and 4-10.5 respectively, and Cameron Newsome, who won the men’s indoor high jump title clearing 6-8.25. Newsome’s mark also earned him a trip to the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships, while Justin Jacobi and Kevin Wu each earned a trip to the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships for the Warriors. Jacobi competed in the men’s 110-meter hurdles and Wu in the men’s javelin. Along with the records, NSAA titles and national berths, nine Waldorf student-athletes were honored as NAIA ScholarAthletes: Justin Jacobi, Marissa Kuik, Bailey Matthaidess, Patricia Molina, Andrew Murley, Taylor Navratil, Morgan Straight, Jesse Vega and Marissa Widener.
Senior Akina Yamada finished fifth in the nation in the 136-pound weight class, and Diana Leyva was seventh in the 109-pound weight class, as each earned NAIA All-American honors for their performance on the mats. Those All-American performances led a team of five Waldorf wrestlers to a 14th-place finish in the national in their first NAIA National Tournament. That, after the Warriors finished 30th in the national at the WCWA National Championships a month earlier.
The Warrior women’s wrestlers also picked up a pair of national academic honors as Yamada and Alaura Couch each earned the WCWA Scholar-Athlete Award.
BASEBALL
enjoyed their best season as a 4-year program, going 30-22 and finishing second in the NSAA race. Along with recording 30 wins and playing for the league crown in the final weekend, Waldorf gave head coach Joe Tautges his 100th career victory – a 5-3 playoff win over Valley City State on May 4. The Warriors also celebrated a no-hitter, thrown by sophomore pitcher Mac Pearson, on March 31. Pearson struck out seven in a 13-0, 7-inning no-hit win over Dakota State. The stellar season on the diamond earned 10 Waldorf players All-NSAA honors as Brett Stenlund and Cal Fazzio were 1st-Team selections, Pearson, Nicholas Ray, Joey Ponder, Alejandro Gonzalez, Matt Palmer and Garrett Gillen earned 2nd-Team honors, and Andrew Benns and Matthew Garcia were honor mention All-NSAA picks. And, Waldorf 4-year starter, Gillen, was named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete.
BOWLING
WOMEN'S WRESTLING
On the men’s side, Isaiah Craig led the way as he was named the NSAA Field Athlete of the Meet at the conference’s outdoor meet. Craig won the men’s long jump with a leap of 23-0.5, helped the Warrior men’s 4x100 relay (Carlos Barrera, Elijah Can-
10
Waldorf Women’s Wrestling program makes history on the mats The NAIA welcomed women’s wrestling to its list of sports and held the first National Championship tournament in March in North Dakota where the Warriors made history on the mats.
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
Waldorf baseball battles for NSAA title during best-ever NAIA season The Waldorf baseball team hosted a memorable final weekend to the season in April, battling NSAA rival Bellevue for the league crown in a fourgame series. The Warriors came up just short in the title quest, but still
Warrior Bowling teams roll way to Sectionals For the first time ever, the Waldorf men’s and women’s bowling teams each rolled their way to the Intercollegiate Team Championships Sectionals, with the Warrior men finishing 14th and the women 19th.
waldorf.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
ATHLETICS RECAP
A pair of Warriors finished in the top 100 individual at Sectionals, with Ryan Swiderski placing 63rd and Roger Harford finished 90th in the men’s standings, while LeeAnn Helgevold was the top women’s bowler for Waldorf, finishing 123rd individually. While both Warrior teams earned a spot at Sectionals, six Waldorf bowlers also were honored as student-athletes, as Kyle Swiderski and Ryan Swiderski, Roger Harford, Corey Smith, Helgevold and Olivia Kubis each were named National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Academic All-Americans.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Ameh Ogbemudia celebrated senior night with 21 points in Waldorf’s 73-66 win over Viterbo on February 16, giving her exactly 1,000 for her career. All three earned All-NSAA honors for their season-long efforts for the Warriors, with Graffunder being named to the 1st Team, Ogbemudia to the 2nd Team, and Fricke being named an honorable mention selection. Fricke and Graffunder went on to be named NAIA ScholarAthletes, as well, along with teammates Morgan Straight and Kayley Cravens.
A trio of Warrior players earned 2nd Team All-NSAA honors for the play during the season, Peyton Arenson, Ursula DelCampo and Blaney Markman, while Waldorf catcher Bree Hamblin was named the NSAA Gold Glove winner at her position.
ICE HOCKEY
Warrior ice hockey finishes season at nationals led by Forward of the Year, Sean Mallonee
Women’s Basketball makes charge in NSAA race, finishes fourth and earns home playoff game The Warrior women’s basketball team exceeded the expectations of their rivals, but not their own, going 14-12 on the season, finishing fourth in the NSAA standings and earning the program’s first home playoff game since 2008. A memorable season that saw more than just victories as three Waldorf seniors eclipsed the 1,000-point mark in their career on the hardwood. The first was Taylor Fricke who passed the 1,000-point barrier in an 84-70 home win on January 26. Michaela Graffunder passed the 1,000-point mark next in a 6865 victory over Dickinson State on February 2, then fitting senior
waldorf.edu Athletics Articles by MIKE STETSON
Back-to-back walk-off wins over Viterbo in the home finale, and a seven-wins in eight game streak highlighted a strong season on the diamond for the Warrior softball team, which went 15-32 and finished fifth in the NSAA. A 1-0 win in eight innings, followed by a 3-2 victory gave Waldorf a pair of thrilling wins over the V-Hawks in an April 24 doubleheader, ending the how season on a high note. The Warriors also went on a dominating run, winning 7-of-8 over Dakota State and Presentation at the end of March and start of April, combining to outscore the Trojans and Saints 91-37 during the twoweek stretch.
The Waldorf men’s and women’s golf teams played two strong rounds in Nebraska in April at the 36-hole NSAA Championships, finishing third and fourth in the league race, respectively.
Honored for their work on the diamond and in the classroom as NAIA Scholar-Athletes were Arenson, Lauren Hein, Payge Jurgens and Taylor Navratil.
SOFTBALL
Waldorf Softball puts together strong season on the diamond
Waldorf golfers finish 3rd and 4th at NSAA Championships
Waldorf sophomore forward Sean Mallonee was named the NAIA Forward of the Year and earned All-American honors, as the Warriors finished their season at the NAIA National Tournament once again. Waldorf finished the year 5-20-2, just missing the semifinals at nationals playing their final season at the NAIA level. The Warriors will play at the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I level next season as a charter member of the new Midwest College Hockey (MCH) league.
GOLF
Leading the way for the men was Mitch Anderson, while Nicole Misner and Seeret Brar powered the Warrior women, as all three earned 1st-Team All-NSAA honors by finishing in the top 10. Joe Nordquist and Manuel Zorrilla added 2nd-Team AllNSAA honors with their play for the Warrior men, as both tied for 11th at the championships for Waldorf.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Warrior Men’s Basketball battles way through tough season on the hardwood Battling injuries and a strong NSAA league schedule, the Warrior men’s basketball team fought hard and found itself in almost every game, despite finishing 6-22 on the season. Falling in the first round of the NSAA playoffs, the Warriors did enjoy some big highlights on the
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
11
CAMPUS NEWS
ATHLETICS RECAP
WARRIOR ATHLETICS
WALDORF WARRIOR ALL-AMERICANS
teams up to finish 4th in inaugural NSAA Commissioner’s Cup
Sean Mallonee
Hockey
Akina Yamada
Women’s Wrestling
Diana Leyva
Women’s Wrestling
WALDORF WARRIOR ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS Garrett Gillen
Baseball
Kayley Cravens
Women’s Basketball
Taylor Fricke
Women’s Basketball
Michaela Graffunder
Women’s Basketball
Morgan Straight
Women’s Basketball Women’s Track & Field
Sydney Beasley
Cheerleading
Madison Stenersen
Cheerleading
Peyton Arenson
Softball
Lauren Hein
Softball
Payge Jurgens
Softball
Taylor Navratil
Softball Women’s Track & Field
Justin Jacobi
Men’s Track & Field
Andrew Murley
Men’s Track & Field
Jesse Vega
Men’s Track & Field
Marissa Kuik
Women’s Track & Field
Bailey Matthaidess
Women’s Track & Field
Patricia Molina
Women’s Track & Field
Marissa Widener
Women’s Track & Field
Roger Harford
Men’s Bowling (NCBCA)
Corey Smith
Men’s Bowling (NCBCA)
Kyle Swiderski
Men’s Bowling (NCBCA)
Ryan Swiderski
Men’s Bowling (NCBCA)
LeeAnn Helgevold
Women’s Bowling (NCBCA)
Olivia Kubis
Women’s Bowling (NCBCA)
Alaura Couch
Women’s Wrestling (WCWA)
Akina Yamada
Women’s Wrestling (WCWA)
The Waldorf athletic teams turned in a memorable season on the fields, courts, rinks and mats, so much so that in the first-ever North Star Athletic Association Commissioner’s Cup competition, the Warriors finished fourth in the eight-team league. The Commissioner’s Cup is designed to honor the top overall athletic department in the NSAA based on each team’s individual finish in the standings in their NSAA sport. The top finish in the Cup standings highlighted a phenomenal year for the Warriors who collected 49 Academic All-American honors from the NAIA, the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association and the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association, who saw five Waldorf student-athletes earn performance All-American honors, and for a Warrior program that sent the ice hockey team to NAIA Nationals, along with individual competitors in cross country, indoor track & field, women’s wrestling and outdoor track & field.
RECAPS continued
year as Demitrius Martin was named to the All-NSAA Honorable Mention Team, and the Warriors gave head coach Nigel Jenkins career victory No. 100 on November 9, beating host Governors State, 71-64.
CHEERLEADING
Cheerleading team finishes season 14th at NAIA Northwest Qualifier The Waldorf cheerleading team did more than support the Warrior programs on the courts and fields, as once again they had the chance to compete themselves and finished 14th at the NAIA Northwest Qualifier. Along with a strong showing in competition, a pair of Waldorf cheerleaders earned academic honors as Sydney Beasley and Madison Stenersen each were named NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
12
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
MEN'S WRESTLING
Warrior wrestlers 7th at HAC meet, name Dickinson as new head coach The Waldorf men’s wrestling program finished seventh at the Heart of America Conference tournament led by Stephen Galbreath, Mario Barrios and Robert Ornelas. Galbreath finished sixth in the 125-pound weight class, Barrios was sixth at 133 pounds, and Ornelas was sixth at 141 pounds. Following the season, Waldorf introduced Ryan Dickinson as the program’s new head coach. Dickinson is a graduate of Briar Cliff who brings experience coaching as an assistant with the Chargers and at NCAA Division I program, VMI, with him to the Warrior wrestling team.
waldorf.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Student Profile
DIANA HUMBLE ’20—WHY WALDORF?
PHOTO BY TIFFANY OLSON
D
uring my junior year of high school, I definitely didn’t think I would end up going to college in the middle of an Iowa cornfield.
In high school, I had a really supportive group of writing friends, and I was determined to retain that breed of literary fellowship in college. In my mind the natural next step was to major in creative writing—no matter where that left my career prospects financially. I was going to be a writer. Thankfully, my parents were incredibly supportive of the endeavor and toured seven or eight schools with me throughout my junior year. In my 16-year-old mental spreadsheet, Waldorf was my third choice. My top school was Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minn. They offered a professional writing and communication degree that I felt would be a great companion to a creative writing major. I liked the close-knit feel Waldorf had, but I had a poor experience touring the college. A faculty representative of the creative writing department told me there was a very low likelihood I would ever publish a book or make a living as an author—which is true, but very disheartening for a starry-eyed kid to hear. There also wasn’t a professional writing degree to use as a fallback to the creative writing. Meeting with Dr. Suzanne Falck-Yi and seeing her genuine enthusiasm for the honors college is what kept Waldorf in my top three. I applied to Waldorf in the fall of 2015. When doing so, I stumbled upon the Chantel Cooley Leadership scholarship for women. I didn’t consider myself a leader, but I decided to take a chance and apply. A month later, I received an email from the college congratulating me on being awarded one of the full tuition scholarships. I was ecstatic! I planned on going to grad school, so the opportunity to save money at Waldorf was very enticing.
My college decision was made. I enrolled as a triple major (creative writing, communications and English) in the honors college. On a secondary visit to the college Dr. Falck-Yi recommended that I add communications as a second major. I met with Professor Carlos Ruiz in the communications department for an hour and he sold me on adding it as a second major—he does not remember the conversation. Between the two majors’ overlap I was less than 15 credits from an English major, so I added it for fun. As soon as I arrived on campus in the fall of 2016 I knew I made the right decision. The small campus provided a multitude of opportunities for leadership and growth. Beyond the Cooley Scholarship group (now Warrior Women in Leadership/WWiL), I found a home in the communications department and the supportive professors at its helm. The communications practicum courses provide substantial realworld training with industry standard technology, and allow students to sharpen their leadership skills. My sophomore year I applied to be assistant marketing director of KZOW 91.9 (Waldorf’s student run radio station/practicum), and I was selected for the position after an interview process. As a sophomore, I was inspired by the team of directors I was working with and the projects I was doing. Being able to help local businesses connect with students was very rewarding. This led me to become heavily invested in the station and rise through the ranks to station manager of KZOW. The skills I’ve learned over the past three years at Waldorf have... HUMBLE continued pg. 25
waldorf.edu
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
13
ALUMNI NEWS
Alumni Profile
JULIENNE FRIDAY ’68
The following article is a homily that Waldorf Professor of Psychology and Sociology Julienne Friday ’68 wrote and presented at Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson and an abbreviated form for a recent spiritual retreat at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner. Friday is notorious around Waldorf ’s campus for her infectious laugh, easy-tostartle reactions and her inspiring, tenacious drive to change the world for the better. 14
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
waldorf.edu
ALUMNI NEWS
T
he gospel for today is often referred to as the “mini-apocalypse” because it portends the destruction of the temple and all the calamities which would befall the followers of Jesus. I find the words of the Gospel to be somewhat prescient in that if you didn’t know these words were spoken centuries ago, you would think they were straight out of the headlines of today’s newspapers. We are experiencing massive earthquakes, raging wildfires which have literally destroyed thousands of homes and countless lives, active shooters who kill literally hundreds with assault rifles and weapons of destruction, a wave of starving and frantic immigrants who are surging toward our border and a country which seems to become more polarized and politicized by the day. Are we in the midst of the apocalypse of which Jesus spoke centuries ago? They say fools rush in where the angels fear to tread, and I would preface this by saying that I am decidedly no angel, but I do have some thoughts I would like to cast into words and share with you. Jesus spoke to the people in a series of parables, and I am of the persuasion that if parables are good enough for Jesus, they are good enough for me. In reflecting on the Gospel for today in which chaos seems to reign supreme, I am reminded of an incident from my childhood when my younger nephew Barry and I were romping around the living room with joyous abandon. We were caught up in the spirit of our youthful exuberance and were unmindful of our surroundings. In one moment of reckless disregard for each other and our surroundings one of us shoved the other into a table and the ornate lamp which graced the top was shattered in an instant. Needless to say, the impact of the crash sent us scurrying from the room while the broken shards lay strewn about the floor.
not only the lesson for today, but also some of the chaos with which we are confronted on a daily basis. When human beings enter into sin, their relationship with God was as fragmented as the broken lamp. After the advent of sin and the fall from grace, no matter how well-intentioned humans are, they simply could not restore and repair their relationship with God. There was one aspect of this broken relationship which still remained, however, and that was the unchangeable, immutable love of God for His children. Despite the brokenness of sin; despite the shattered relationship; God still loved us, and that is the one thing that gives us hope amidst the pervading gloom. After the recent election, I found myself contemplating the significance of the results and was sitting in my office. One of my colleagues stopped by and inquired as to what I was doing. I told him I was reading a passage from David Bolstorff’s book entitled, “Reflections from the Sideline.” Some of you perhaps know Reverend Bolstorff who served as chaplain, football coach and professor for 40 years at Waldorf. He was very insightful. I think his words are instructive and germane today as well. In a chapter entitled, “How do I prepare?” he writes, “How do I prepare for God coming into my life? Into my world? How do I get ready? How do I prepare for a God coming into a life–a world? That is so confusing to me sometimes. One moment a feeling of love; the next, of anger and hate.
“The one you feed.” So how do we go about “feeding the good wolf” and mending the shattered relationships we have with God and one another? I am of the persuasion that we must look within ourselves. We have to decide which wolf we want to feed and resolve to do what we can to restore our shattered relationships with one another. The polarization and fragmentation have got to stop. Recently, I had a class reunion at Waldorf. I literally saw classmates I hadn’t seen since graduation. One of my classmates had been enrolled in the same French class I had been in so many years ago. We were given to reminiscing, and I told her about an experience I had when I was a freshman. I learned much from a woman named Edeltrud Miller. Mrs. Miller taught both French
Despite the brokenness of sin; despite the shattered relationship; God still loved us, and that is the one thing that gives us hope amidst the pervading gloom.
The adults present in the house assembled almost immediately to survey the damage and inquire who was responsible. There remained not so much as one fragment of glass of either the globe or chimney which could be reconstructed into a lamp. My youngest niece who was about four-years-old at the time came to our defense and implored with all the innocence of youth, “Don’t be upset Grandma, the cord is still good!”
As I contemplated the significance of his words, I was reminded of a Cherokee parable about two wolves told by an elder to his grandson. The old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life and explained, “A fight is going on inside me.” He said to the boy, “It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One is evil–he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt and ego. The other is good–he is joy, peace, love hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. The same fight is going on inside of you and inside of every other person, too.”
In the midst of ensuing chaos and brokenness, my niece had adopted a hopeful perspective. I think this narrative speaks to
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The old chief simply replied,
and German–and a rather curious combination of both. She often came into class saying, “Wie gehts, Mes Eleves,” which was a half-German, half-French greeting. Mrs. Miller was eccentric to the max. Her hair was close cropped and somewhat askew, and she always wore a thin sweater and patched oxfords. This attire never varied whether it was 70 degrees above zero or 20 degrees below zero. I can’t ever remember her wearing a coat. She was decidedly “old school.” One day, a student attempted to explain her absence from a class, saying, “I was sick and almost passed out.” Frau Miller responded with no small degree of annoyance saying, “I don’t vant you to miss class if you almost pass out. Before you miss my class, you must pass all the vay out!” We soon learned that a signed death certificate was the only acceptable explanation for our absence from class. Since I had two years of French in high school, Mrs. Miller asked me to tutor a young man named Wilburforce from Nigeria. He was the first black international student ever enrolled at Waldorf. He was a truly fine human being, and I got to know Wilburforce very well. Wilbur and I spent... FRIDAY continued pg. 24
waldorf.edu
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
15
ALUMNI NEWS
TRAVONNE EDWARDS ’11 Finding success through Adversity
T
he only thing Travonne Edwards ‘11 had his mind set on when he graduated from Compton High School in Compton, Calif. was getting as far away as possible. At the time of Edwards’ high school graduation, the poverty-stricken city of Compton was ranked as having the eighth highest crime rate in the country, and the Blood vs. Crips gang violence had taken over the area. Adversity was something Edwards was no stranger to in his then-17 years of life. His father had been murdered and his mother, who suffered with drug addictions, was incarcerated when he was four-years-old. However, his great-grandmother, Willois Boswell, didn’t hesitate to step in at the time to raise the young boy through his formative years and help him achieve a high school diploma. The importance of book smarts was largely emphasized growing up with his great-grandmother, but even more importantly, Boswell helped Edwards learn the beauty of grace at an early age as well.
16
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
Through the brokenness and addiction his mother struggled with during Edwards’ childhood, he was given the opportunity to better understand the power of forgiveness and second chances. As he made his way through his pre-teen and teenage years, the relationship between his mother and him was strengthened as she painstakingly made efforts to mend their connection through her attendance at various events and visits. The older Edwards became, the stronger their relationship grew.
reflected on receiving the news. “At that time, I didn’t have a mature mindset. You always think those people are going to live forever. You kind of take them for granted.” But even amidst the life-changing news, the future Warrior persisted, graduating with his Associates of Arts Degree and looking ahead to a future of basketball. Insert: the rural, rolling fields and Midwest nice setting of Waldorf University.
After high school graduation, Edwards spent his first two years of undergraduate at De Anza College, a California community college, playing two seasons of basketball–a sport he had always excelled at. However, along with the challenges of graduating from high school and moving away from home, his first semester at De Anza brought along with it a diagnosis of dementia for his beloved great-grandma.
“I didn’t even know where Iowa was on the map,” Edwards joked of his choice to enroll at Waldorf to continue his education. Former head coach for Waldorf’s men’s basketball team Chad Brown had made the journey out to California to watch Edwards play, quickly offering the De Anza student a scholarship to compete for the Warriors. And while Edwards jumped at the chance to be located further from home, the distance didn’t seem to further him from life’s struggles.
“We had numerous conversations about the things that she could remember,” Edwards
Not knowing a single individual in a town of 4,000 can take a toll on anyone. However,
waldorf.edu
ALUMNI NEWS add in a long Midwest winter and being required to sit out his first season of basketball due to transfer regulations, Edwards’ first year in Forest City brought along some challenges for the six-foot-one junior guard.
Edwards and the squad at Buffalo Wild Wings, 2009
Due to his private personality, very few had the opportunity to get to know Edwards well during this time. However, he managed to bond closely with a core group of his teammates who encouraged and challenged each other, and who took weekly “fancy dinner” trips together to the local Cancun Mexican restaurant. Between team bonding get-togethers, evenings filled with video games and these regular group outings, the young men formed what Edwards considers to this day to be, “a brotherhood.” “The people, and the oneness of the community really stood out to me about Waldorf from the beginning,” Edwards reminisced. “I felt safe. The people who went to [Waldorf] helped me get through.” Even through adversity, his character could not go unnoticed by the rest of campus. At the end of his junior year, Edwards was recognized as the recipient of The Sam Koehnk Courage Award scholarship. This scholarship had been established a decade prior by the family and friends of Sam Koehnk ’99. Sam was a former Warrior basketball player who died of cancer during his time at Waldorf. The annual award goes to a returning men’s basketball player who demonstrates courage, leadership and commitment to excellence on and off the court–all of which described Edwards during his Waldorf years. The young basketball player was so moved by this honor that he approached the Koehnk family for permission to wear Sam’s jersey number the following season. Proudly donning the number 23 on the court for his senior year, Edwards paid tribute to Sam’s honor in his final Waldorf days. Unfortunately, however, when he thought his senior year was taking a turn for the better, Edwards picked up the phone only to receive a dreaded call that no one can ever truly be prepared for: his beloved greatgrandmother, the woman who had taken
him in and raised him, had passed away. It was just a week before Waldorf’s end-ofsemester final exams, and his whole life was suddenly turned upside down.
And while the end of his basketball career came within the following year, some of his most influential life endeavors were only just beginning.
Flying home to California to prep for the funeral brought a mix of emotions, and being surrounded by family made it difficult to want to return to Forest City for his final semester.
In an effort to build upon his Waldorf education degree, Edwards returned to school to pursue his teacher’s certificate. At the time, he made the decision to stay in the teaching field because he didn’t want to start his education over from scratch. In hindsight, however, there’s no doubt that being a teacher came naturally and gracefully to the Waldorf graduate.
“I thought about dropping out at the time,” reflected the Waldorf alumnus. “I only continued for her; she always wanted me to get a college degree.” When spring semester returned to Waldorf, so did the to-be graduate. With a heavier heart and a lingering fractured foot from the semester prior, Edwards persevered on–but not without support. During his years at Waldorf, Edwards attended First Baptist Church of Forest City, and over time, he developed a friendship with Senior Pastor Eric Weaver ’94. Whether it was life conversations over milkshakes at Hardee’s or a quick chat after the Sunday morning service, he recalls that Weaver always made himself available. Edwards credits that relationship with being instrumental in helping to restore his personal faith in Christ during these trying times. “Weaver was also a huge supporter of my basketball career at the time, and I am very thankful for the time I spent with him,” Edwards evoked. Graduation day on April 30, 2011, brought Edwards to the end of a semester of painfully playing basketball on a broken foot, grieving the loss of his grandmother and figuring out what his next step into “real life” was going to bring. It marked the end of a semester that he didn’t want to ever relive. Upon receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in Foundations of Education, Edwards didn’t waste any time getting back to California. Three duffel bags and a plethora of memories were all he took home from his time at Waldorf. However, his quick return to L.A. didn’t last long. The recent graduate apparently hadn’t had enough of the frigid winters, and in August 2011, he packed up his things and made the journey even further north to pursue his basketball career in Canada. After working out for the National Basketball League Combine of Canada, Edwards found his place on a Toronto team playing professional basketball. It was an opportunity that few receive, and his love of basketball only grew during his time in Canada.
“
The people, and the oneness of the community really stood out to me about Waldorf from the beginning.
“
Edwards’ Monday through Friday work life finds him teaching first through third graders full-time at Mission Montessori Academy in Scottsdale, Ariz. Mission’s goal is to pursue academic excellence, global and social responsibility and love and empathy for all in a safe, nurturing and peaceful environment, and after being recognized as the Charter School of the Year in 2016, it’s obvious that they live up to this mission. “The staff is great, the owner is great, but the children are even better,” the proud teacher remarked. “I love the reward of watching a student learn, of teaching them how to read...I like to bring a lot of fun into the classroom.” But his work doesn’t stop when the school bell rings. A couple of years ago, a friend of Edward’s who hosts the NBA podcast “The Jump” invited him to participate on one of the episodes. Edwards’ talent was undeniable, and he was brought back to star as a regular on the show, ultimately officially joining the team. However, a five-minute conversation with Edwards is all that’s needed to get an understanding of the unquestionable entrepreneurial brain he was gifted with. He wasn’t in this podcasting role long before he and six other colleagues banded together to further their reach and co-found a podcastnetwork titled “Count the Dings.” But even amidst all of the success he con-... EDWARDS continued pg. 24
waldorf.edu
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
17
CAMPUS NEWS
A
A
s a senior at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., one of Ben Allaway’s postgraduation ideas was to smuggle Bibles into Cold War-era Russia.
“Our parents always told us we, ‘could do anything we wanted to do,’ the future composer recalled of his childhood. And that’s exactly what he did.
At the risk of spoiling his story from the start, the trafficking of Bibles never occurred. While Allaway chuckles about his zealous younger self now, there is no doubt that he was meant for a humble greatness from the beginning.
When he was five-years-old, Allaway began taking piano lessons. When he was in elementary school, he was writing down his own songs in notebooks. In 6th grade, he began playing the guitar. By the time the musical prodigy was a senior in high school, he wrote and conducted a piece of music for his high school choir, titled, “They Shall See God.”
Allaway’s father, William Allaway, was the Assistant Dean of Men at Stanford University and in charge of the freshmen men at the time of Allaway’s birth. For the first three years of his life, the entire Allaway family lived in Stanford’s freshman male dorms, completely immersing the young boy into the world of academia from the very beginning. In 1961, the Allaways packed their belongings and headed down the California coast to Santa Barbara, Calif., where Ben Allaway would finish his schooling. Both of his parents worked in international education, and his dad is credited with creating the junior year abroad program for the University of California collegiate system. This provided opportunities for the Allaway children to be engaged in a cosmopolitan community at an early age. In addition to many foreign visitors, Allaway recalls music being a huge part of their family life during his formative years. The Allaways spent many evenings at concerts and plays, and there was always music playing at home.
18
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
This foundation of music was just the start for the young composer. After high school, Allaway’s pursuit of music led him from his home of California to the University of Illinois for two years. Upon hearing the St. Olaf Choir in concert, and on the encouragement of René Clausen, now director of the Concordia Choir, he decided to transfer to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., to join the famous choir and become the tenor section leader. His love of the intricacies of music only grew during his time in the Midwest, where he taught in Missouri for four years, three in Hannibal, Mo., where he directed the choir in Mark Twain’s family’s church. Allaway’s constant hunger for a deeper knowledge took him to the East Coast where he earned his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J..
Attending such revered music schools provided world-class level performance opportunities for the aspiring professional. These experiences included singing with numerous major orchestras on the East coast and from Europe, multiple performances with worldrenowned conductors as Leonard Bernstein and Riccardo Muti, conducting studies with award-winning conductor Joseph Flummerfelt and concerts with some of the most famous individuals in the industry. But it wasn’t just the formal, choral music that attracted the composer. Due to his diverse musical background, Allaway developed an early love of artists such as Carol King and James Taylor. While continuing to study classical music, he also played keyboard in a rock band, and spent several years playing his guitar in coffee houses, developing his skill and appreciation of folk music–traits that didn’t always go over well with his more traditional teachers. “I very vividly remember a former teacher of mine who called me out in choir saying, ‘Sing like a trumpet, not a strumming guitarist,’” Allaway recalled, mimicking his assertive, high-pitched voice. “It only made me more devoted to what I believed was a valid art form. My own embracing of American folk music gave me a greater appreciation of folk music from other countries.” In 1987, Allaway made his way to Forest City as the newly hired Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities for then-Waldorf College. In this role, he conducted the Waldorf Choir on five tours,
waldorf.edu
CAMPUS NEWS prepared them for performances with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Garrison Keillor’s live broadcast on National Public Radio (NPR) and for the National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association. He also spent time directing the vocal jazz ensemble and the all-women’s choir. It was during Allaway’s time at Waldorf that the college had begun to reach out more intentionally to international prospective students. Former Waldorf President William Hamm had created the Lutheran Leaders program, which brought students to the United States from Africa, South America and Asia. Through a combination of his diverse upbringing, international global choral tours and the experiences that he had with these international students at Waldorf, Allaway developed a very strong interest in ethnic music. While at Waldorf, he formed a performing ensemble of the international students called
Sahaytah, the Sanskrit word for “helpfulness”, which shared dances, songs and stories from their many countries. Based on words from their languages suggested by the group that meant peace, sharing, unity, etc., Allaway wrote a song called SAHAYTA that became their theme song, which has become a top youth choir piece internationally. As the Anti-Apartheid Movement was gaining strength, Allaway began implementing multicultural pieces within the Waldorf choral repertoire. In the midst of this, Allaway’s relationships with African students were deepening. During this time, he had the realization that he could never truly know these young men and women unless he got to know their country and where they came from. This awareness was a catalyst that pushed Allaway toward the next step in his musical career: he was going to Africa. The artist in Allaway relies on what he calls “experiential research” that doesn’t require
a lab or copious amounts of book study. Instead, he fully immerses himself in a culture, soaking in the place, the experiences and the memories and ideas that he wants to bring to the musical work. His trip to Africa was exactly that, a complete sensory immersion. Within the month-long timeframe that Allaway spent in Kenya and Tanzania, he made it a priority to visit the home and family of Tanzanian Waldorf student, John-Mark Msemembo ‘93. “These experiences and meeting JohnMark’s family were very meaningful to me, and deepened my relationship not only with John-Mark, but all the international students,” Allaway reminisced. “I could really see where people were coming from while also having my own sort of journey of discovery.” From this journey, came the catharsis of writing one of his most notable works: BANDARI: Inside These Walls, a composition about peace and understanding that continues to transcend culture and languages. One of the movements of BANDARI, the song Freedom Come, became extremely popular with choirs throughout the world. But Allaway’s goal was never to just write popular music. While composing is his love, his true aspiration is to use this passion to change the world.
(MAGAZINE COVER IMAGE) Ben's daughter Isabel dancing in the premiere of HEAVEN & EARTH. (LEFT PAGE) Street scene from HEAVEN & EARTH. (TOP LEFT) Ben with his former St. Olaf Choir director Kenneth Jennings and his wife Carolyn at the Centennial Celebration of the St. Olaf Choir, where the choir sang Ben's piece The Worlds Above. (ABOVE) Famed folksinger Odetta at the Thresholds Arts Festival with Ben Allaway.(BELOW) Ben with drummer Jake Schlichter at Carnegie Hall premiere of God Done Move Me. (BOTTOM LEFT) Ben with Waldorf and Sahayta alum Sadeep Shrestha in Birmingham, Alabama in 2018.
Upon returning from Africa, the former Waldorf Choir conductor wrote full-time for a year, then settled in Des Moines, writing half-time and serving as choirmaster and Composer-in-Residence at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, where his love of conducting church choirs developed further. Five years later he moved to First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where the composerin-residence component was larger and he could be involved with the congregation’s urban ministry and multicultural outreach. It was here that Allaway created an arts festival centered on the United Nation’s “Culture of Peace” initiative which encouraged people to pledge to six personal behaviors to promote the culture of peace: respect all life, reject violence, share with others, listen to understand, preserve the planet, and rediscover solidarity. Promoted by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and... ALLAWAY continued pg. 20
waldorf.edu
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
19
CAMPUS NEWS ALLOWAY continued
...Cultural Organization, (UNESCO), Ben’s father, who was on the American delegation at the founding of UNESCO, shared the pledge with him. “I looked at those [initiatives] and said to my dad, ‘That’s a concert of my music,’” Allaway recalled. “I had multiple songs that fit each of those categories.” For nearly ten years, the Thresholds Arts Festival continued on in the Drake University neighborhood in Des Moines. Well-known artists such as Woodstock’s Richie Havens, Odetta, Native American folk singer Buffy Saint Marie, Leonard Bernstein’s daughter Jamie Bernstein, and Jean-Michel Cousteau joined in the cause to raise awareness and encourage people to be part of the solution to global challenges. “Something that’s neat about Ben and his approach to music is that he focuses on the breadth,” Melanie Harms Espeland, chair of the Waldorf Music Department and dear friend of Allaway’s, stated of the renowned musician and the variety of his projects. “Just when you think he has reached far, he has another arm.” After conservatory level training and professional performing experiences, Allaway knew that his passions engaged best with the international movements. However, his continued involvement within this realm of ethnic music opened up the discussion of the issues involved with a white person composing music in the styles of people of other cultures. “I made it my business to get to know as many African-American, Hispanic and Asian conductors as I could. This has allowed me to have a group of people to run things by,” Allaway explained of his efforts to be culturally sensitive. “As we get more and more into the question of race in America and in the world, I continue to wonder where I sit in that conversation, and what is my place or my role? This group of generous artists have reassured me that music belongs to everyone, and as long as you make a sincere effort to learn the style and traditions and avoid certain pitfalls–such as not snapping your fingers on a religious African-America 20
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
song, as snapping is secular–they said I was free to follow my creative instincts.” This endures as an ongoing conversation and point of reflection in both the choral world on a global scale and personally, for the former Waldorf conductor. Through the formation of relationships with those from different cultures and ethnicities, however, both he and his music continue to evolve. This versatility and humility has led to connections and friendships throughout the world, including the opportunity to work with peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Mairead Corrigan Maguire and social activist and singer-songwriter Tommy Sands. In 1998, when violence and conflict between the Protestants and the Catholics plagued Northern Ireland, a group of negotiators met to try and solve the tensions. When this same group recessed for lunch, Sands and a group of Catholic and Protestant children and musicians gave them a passionate, impromptu performance. It was the negotiators’ emotional response to the children’s performance that led to them finally signing what is now known as the Good Friday Agreement. “I didn’t know him when I first met him, but it soon became apparent that he was basically the Pete Seeger of Northern Ireland,” Allaway explained of Sands. For the next two years, Allaway worked with Sands and his band–which included Sands’ daughter and son–to complete the entire Celtic Mass, which Allaway had begun in 2000. It was cathartic for the composer, after nearly twenty years focusing on other cultural styles, to focus on folk music from his own ethnic roots in the Celtic nations, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England, and combine it with his classical choral style. Eleven years, nine movements, 200 voices, fifteen players, sixteen dancers, and the Des Moines debut later, Allaway led the premiere in Belfast, Northern Ireland. “The most important reason for this work was to celebrate the peace that had finally come to Northern Ireland–which is the heart of the Celtic world,” Allaway explained. The final
movement was appropriately titled, Dona Nobis Pacem or Give us peace. Ben’s elderly parents, his early mentors in his work on peace, were able to attend the premiere. Pursuing, spreading and celebrating this message of peace remains a constant mission of Allaway’s. These efforts have led him to his current-day project that is centered on an activist a little closer to home. In 1999, Allaway began writing the beginnings of an oratorio on Martin Luther, but he never quite finished. In his research on the connections between Martin Luther and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Allaway began to discover a personal fascination with Dr. King’s father, Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr.– also referred to as “Daddy King”–and the path he had paved ahead of his notable son prior to the national Civil Rights Movement. “Rev. King Sr. was the first African-American to lead a public march in downtown Atlanta for voting rights in 1935,” Allaway excitedly explained. “That took some guts. He certainly was ‘the man’ in Atlanta in the ’30’s and ’40’s in terms of someone who could stand up and speak truth to power. He then became influential on the political scene through the ‘60’s and ’70’s, helping Kennedy and Carter get elected. ‘The first MLK’ you might say.” This fascination with the patriarch of the King family has led to the beginnings of his current major project: SENIOR, the Broadway musical. This musical of Daddy King’s life story, including the influence Martin Luther had on him and his son, will be told in collaboration with Broadway performer and writer, Roosevelt Andre Credit, who also has music credits on the film TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE. “Ben is big in his vision and big in his thought,” Harms Espeland evoked. “He does not see barriers. He has an idea, and he’ll execute it. He doesn’t see it as not having enough people or a group not having enough experience; he sees ability and opportunity, and it always works.” Whether it’s working on writing an entire Broadway musical, writing jingles for
waldorf.edu
ALUMNI NEWS
Kawasaki and GMC Trucks, freelancing with major music publishers, or writing pieces that are featured on programs with The Dalai Lama, Garrison Keillor, Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou, and many more, it’s obvious that Allaway’s calendar stays full with projects on a variety of levels. Yet, he continues to find time to sow seeds of music and faith right here in Forest City.
service to Waldorf and the Forest City community remains invaluable.
Each Sunday and Wednesday, you can find Allaway at the front of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, directing the music for the weekly services. In addition to making the trek back and forth to Forest City from his home in Des Moines, he carves out room in his schedule to remain connected to Waldorf. Whether it’s leading the alumni choir during homecoming weekend, partnering with the music department as a keynote speaker or investing time and resources into students to allow them opportunities outside of campus, Allaway’s
he really does treasure the experience. For who we educate [at Waldorf] in terms of performers, educators and church musicians, that’s the kind of model or mentor you hope for them to have moving forward.”
BEN's daughter Amelia in "Agnus Dei: The Lambs of Belfast", HEAVEN & EARTH. Photo by Steve Pope.
“I think he has opened [students’] eyes to possibilities beyond their conception,” Harms Espeland reflected. “He is extremely approachable in that he breaks down the stigma of popularity, and I find him to be humble in the art that he creates and how
you and your wellbeing as a person, as a child of God, as an individual with gifts and talents and a desire to learn and grow, Waldorf is one of the most caring communities I’ve been a part of. The students and faculty that are drawn here are really wonderful people. I feel like that is still true since the change in ownership as well. It’s still a wonderful place to engage with learning and
waldorf.edu
personal growth and pursuit of excellence.”
That gratitude definitely isn’t one-sided by Waldorf and the music department, either.
No matter where the next steps in his own pursuit of excellence take him, Ben Allaway’s mission of bringing peace to the world through music and helping individuals better understand each other is sure to lead the way.
“I have a great appreciation for what a small, Christian liberal arts college can be for young people,” Allaway described of Waldorf. “To be at a place that cares about
And no matter where we find ourselves in the midst of this Warrior family, there’s no doubt that’s a melody we should all be singing along to.
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
21
ALUMNI NEWS CLASS UPDATES: 1970'S Gregory Alpers ’72 resides in Bartow, Fla. He married his wife Tabitha in 2014, and they had their first child Grace in 2016. Gregory is now a stay-at-home dad. His email address is g.alpers@verizon.net Joel Meyer ’74 resides in Fort Collins, Colo. His email address is meyerjo72@gmail.com Dean Downer ’76 spends his fall season (August – November) working at the largest upland game preserve in North America, called Firesteel Creek Lodge located in Isabel, SD. Their clients come from all over North America and abroad. His duties are to be a driver and upland guide. They hunt pheasant, huns and sharptails. He says that the best part of his job is to see his labrador retrievers at work every day! Dean resides in Massena, and his email address is: ddowner@netins.net Donna (Peterson) Rasmussen ’77 received the 2018 Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Employee award on Dec. 10, 2018. Kristi (Mino) Meyers ’78 says, “I retired in the spring of 2013 after teaching 33 years in the lower elementary grades in Ortumwa Public Schools. Bob is also a retired educator and served 12 years as a city councilman. We have three children and five grandchildren living in Arkansas and Illinois. Our hobbies include biking, walking, and traveling. I still continue to sing in our church choir and teach Sunday school and VBS. I am presently working on a quilt for our oldest grandchild’s high school graduation gift.” Her email address is: klmeyers@ mediacombb.net. Kevin Frey ’79 says, "My wife, Val, had two strokes in the summer of 2018. The day after the second stroke, doctors at Mayo Clinic discovered she had inoperable cancer which was already at stage four. She made the decision to come home from the hospital and died on Aug. 17, 2018. We had just celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary two days prior. Many of my Waldorf friends were such a comfort during this time, and my family and I thank them for their cards, emails, memorial gifts and prayers. God bless you all." Kevin resides in New Hampton, and his email address is kfrey91@ rconnect.com
CLASS UPDATES: 1980'S Mark Mattes ’80 recently had a book, Martin Luther's Theology of Beauty: A Reap-
22
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
CLASS UPDATE
praisal, published by Baker Academic Press. Another book, Law and Gospel in Action: Foundations, Ethics, Church, will be coming out in Feb. 2019. He also currently serves as a committee member of the International Luther Congress, the foremost research arm in Luther Studies. He is entering his 24th year of service at Grand View University in Des Moines.
friends there!"
Kenneth Boeckenstedt ’84 resides in Edgewood. His email address is kboeckenstedt@spahmandrose.com
Andrew Huss ’10 was married to Angie Hasek on May 4, 2019.
Sonya (Techau) Hewes ’84 resides in Plano, Tex. Her email address is sonyahewes@gmail.com Ellen Eliason ’86 resides in Shakopee, Minn. Her email address is eeliason66@ gmail.com Crystal Johnson ’87 resides in Rochester, Minn. Her email address Johnson.crystal2joz@gmail.com Comfort Akwaji-Anderson ’89 holds his Ph.D. in education with a specialization in mathematics education and leadership.
CLASS UPDATES: 1990'S Sonya (Reimers) Staudt ’90 resides in Maxwell with her husband Phil. She says, “I went back to teaching full-time in 2017 and currently teach 6-12 English Language Arts at Collins-Maxwell MS/HS. Phil works for LubeTech in Des Moines. Our oldest daughter, Jacquelyn, lives in Maxwell and works at Birchwood Wellness, and is working on a degree in Nutrition and Wellness. She also graced us with our not-spoiled-at-all grandson, Sawyer, who is 18 months. Our son, Brock, also lives in Maxwell and is currently working for McAninch and our youngest, Mary, is an 8th grader at Collins-Maxwell and involved in nearly everything.” Sonya’s email is luv2cycle88@gmail.com.
CLASS UPDATES: 2000'S Daisy Wallace ’08 will be serving as the co-chair for UMD’s Commission of Equity, Race and Ethnicity from 2018-2020.
CLASS UPDATES: 2010'S
William Watson ’12 resides in Lacoochee, Fla. His email address is bjw471@gmail.com Brittany (Banks) Wineinger ’14 married Brandon Wineinger on Oct. 6, 2018, in Council Bluffs. Tara Kingland ’15 started her own business, King Design and Photography Amanda Crinks ’16 moved to Maryland two years ago to start her career in government contracting. In 2018, she completed her ITIL and PMP certifications. In Jan. 2019, she started as a scientific project manager for an “amazing company” called Ripple Effect. She is currently supporting projects with CDMRP and NIH. In her free time, she likes to workout at OrangeTheory, go on walks with her dog, read and explore her town of Frederick, MD. Anna Griffin ’16 resides in Augusta, Georgia. Her email address is anngriffin777@ gmail.com Steve Silva ’16 resides in Plympton, Mass. His email address is stevesilva.nremtp@ gmail.com Gareth Mc Ilroy ’17 resides in Cape Town, South Africa. His email address gmc.consultants@live.co.za James Poage ’19 resides in Maricopa, Ariz. His email address is azmagic1@msn.com
Darrin Adams ’93 has been living and working as a police officer in Emmetsburg since 1996. He was married in 2000, and the couple has two children. Casey (Sodler) Larsen ’94 married Joel Larsen on 10/10/10 and has one step-daughter, Courtney (16) and two sons, Brendan (14) and Cayden (6). For almost 20 years, she has worked for Ulster County BOCES, supporting and training school district administrators, teachers and support staff on computer software within her four county region, which totals 48 school districts. She says, "I always enjoyed my time at Waldorf and made life-long
SUBMIT your NEWS! Class updates are compiled from information submitted by Waldorf alumni or via news releases sent to the alumni office. To submit class updates or address changes, please email alumni@waldorf. edu or mail them to the Waldorf University Alumni Office, 106 South 6th St., Forestwaldorf.edu City, Iowa 50436.
IN MEMORIAM For a more detailed list of In Memoriam, please visit waldorf.edu/memoriam
IN MEMORIAM: 1930'S Sena (Kjar) Keleher ’38 passed away on March 13, 2019. Ruth (Rorem) Engelstad ’39 passed away on June 6, 2017.
IN MEMORIAM: 1940'S Lawrence “Larry” Branstad ‘40 of Lake Mills passed away March 24, 2019. Esther (Simonson) Larson ’40 died on May 30, 2015, in Clearbrook, Minn. Avis (Heggen) Marts ’40 died on June 27, 2007, in Afton, Iowa. Martha (Sprugel) Thompson ’40 passed away on Aug. 30, 2009. Miriam (Nelson) Bennett ’41 died peacefully on March 11, 2011. Levina (Thompson) Jensen ’41 “went home to be with her beloved husband Peter” on Dec. 30, 2012. Genese “Lulu” (Robinson) Milversted '41 passed away on Dec. 8, 2017. Margaret (Johnson) Vanek ’41 passed away on Oct. 22, 2005. Jean (Gabel) LeWarne ’43 died March 28, 2019, at her home. Doris (Grefthen) Murphy ’43 died Nov. 7, 2006. Charlotte (Bowman) Baumann ’44 passed away April 6, 2011.
Patricia (Torgeson) Dahlen ’46 passed away Sept. 1, 2009. Marion Helland ’46 passed away on Nov. 17, 2018. Virginia (Duus) Norland ’46 passed away on May 11, 2019. Herbert Peterson '46 died on Dec. 2, 2018. Alice (Cordes) Younker ’46 died Sept. 23, 2000.
IN MEMORIAM: 1960'S Sharon (Markle) Bloch ‘61 passed away on May 24, 2019, after a courageous fight following complications from surgery. Robert Hovey ’62 passed away on Feb. 1, 2019.
Norma (Hanselman) Johnson ’47 passed away on Sept. 22, 2018.
Marilyn (Solomonson) Osero ’63 passed away on Dec. 10, 2018.
Lyle Larson ’47 passed away on June 13, 2017.
Lauren Simonson ‘63 died on April 9, 2019.
Jean (Roswell) Vogel ’47 passed away on Dec. 9, 2017.
Steven Shaeffer ’64 passed away March 3, 2019.
Rodney Jensen ’48 passed away on Jan. 11, 2019.
Richard “Rick” Bro ’66 died on May 2, 2019,
Betty (Soll) Schwarzkopf ‘48 died on March 5, 2019.
Larry Englund ’66 of St. Paul, Minn., passed away on Feb. 3, 2019.
Opal (Erickson) Hocker ’49 passed away peacefully on Aug. 6, 2012.
Dale Casebolt ’69 passed away on March 26, 2019, at his home.
Sally (Fick) Johnson ’49 died on Nov. 22, 2016.
IN MEMORIAM: 1970'S
Norman Olson ’49 passed away on Jan. 2, 2019.
IN MEMORIAM: 1950'S
Helen (Dunn) Goranson ’44 passed away Jan. 30, 2019, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.
Rev. Mons Teig ’55 died at home on May 11, 2019.
Joy (Ditsworth) Beck ’46 passed away peacefully on Feb. 17, 2019.
Celeste Knutsen’58 passed away on Feb. 9, 2019.
Kathryn (Hove) Pixley ’62 passed away from complications with pneumonia on Jan. 9, 2019.
Suzanne (Nelson) Browne ’51 died on May 20, 2019, while visiting family.
Kathleen (Male) Britson ’45 died on June 27, 2016.
May 18, 2019.
Audrey (Myran) Boardman ’47 died on July 12, 2007.
George Brighton ’44 passed away April 28, 2009.
Doris (Hall) Juhl ’44, formerly of Forest City, died Jan. 20, 2019.
ALUMNI NEWS
Michael Bremseth ’71 passed away in his home on April 1, 2019
IN MEMORIAM: 1980'S Jon Danielson ’88 passed away on Feb. 22. 2019. MaryAnn (Rogeness) Andersen ’89 passed away April 24, 2019.
Marilyn (Anonson) Koenen ’56 passed away April 27, 2019. Kenneth Eliason ’57 passed away on Feb. 8, 2019. Korinne (Okland) Madsen ’57 died on March 22, 2019. Bonnie (Aamodt) Schmalle ’57 died on
waldorf.edu
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
23
ALUMNI NEWS EDWARDS continued
...tinues to find, Edwards remains humble and grateful for the examples set before him.
FRIDAY continued
...long hours reviewing French language tapes and studying for exams.
Edwards and his mother before a Mother's Day brunch
One day, Wilbur was having an exceedingly difficult time pronouncing a particular phrase. The harder he tried, the more exasperated he became, and Frau’s constant prodding did little to help the situation. The tension in class was palpable. Finally, I turned around and saw tears welling up in Wilbur’s eyes, and I could stand it no longer. I exclaimed, “Mrs. Miller, he’s trying as hard as he can. Leave him alone!”
“My mother’s perseverance is a huge part of why I am in the position I am today,” he expressed. “She has continued to show discipline despite the odds against her with drug abuse and prison. She has overcome it all and continues to make me proud…I thank God for forgiveness and second chances.” Between his jam-packed days of teaching and countless nights and weekends of traveling, interviewing, recording and editing, it’s enough to make anyone tired. But being a part of so many passions makes Edwards’ heart just as full as his days. “It all gets a piece of me,” Edwards remarked. “I really love teaching. It’s the most rewarding and genuine in response, and you get immediate feedback. But podcasting doesn’t even seem like work. I get to bring joy to people in that way as well.” With a budding career no matter which direction you’re looking from, there’s no doubt that the sky is the limit for the Warrior graduate. Whether the 33-yearold ends up as an NBA executive or in a classroom for the next 20 years, the Warrior family will continue to maintain a special spot in his heart. “Waldorf helped me grow as a man,” Edwards reflected. “I had to figure out a lot of stuff in general…being alone, learning how to cook–it helped build my character. I can’t credit that to any other university or school or institution that I have been involved with.”
24
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
If ever looks could kill, I would have been pushing up daisies years ago! The Frau was absolutely furious with me. We then had to take our daily quiz, and she stood over me the whole time. When I was finished, she snatched the paper out of my hand and scanned it for errors. Much to her chagrin, there were none. The next day when we came into class, Mrs. Miller announced that, “I sink some people vere cheating on the exam yesterday. Vill the following people go to the board: Sister Friday?” I was the only student required to take the previous day’s quiz and write it on the board in front of the whole class. Again, I was fortunate not to have made any mistakes. A couple of days later, she accused me of cheating at a night class I had not even attended because I was working on a biology project. She had apparently forgotten that she had signed a permission slip excusing me from night class. I decided that things were going downhill for me very quickly. I decided it was a no-win situation, so I went to the Dean’s office to withdraw from the class. The Dean didn’t want me to drop eight hours of credit. In those days, if you withdrew from a language course at any time, you forfeited any previous credits you had earned. As I recall, the Dean and I had an extended and animated discussion concerning the events in French class, but he remained firm in his resolution that I should remain in the class. I felt really stuck in a bad situation. One night, I happened to be passing the annex at about 9 p.m. and saw Frau Miller’s light on. I decided to have a one-on-one conversation with her. With no small degree of apprehension and trepidation, I knocked on her door. When she invited me to come in and saw who it was, I got the same piercing gaze I had received on several previous occasions. She intoned, “Vell, vat is it?”
I said, “Mrs. Miller, you charged me with the responsibility of tutoring Wilbur, and I am trying to do the best that I can. The other day he was trying so hard to please you, and you frustrated and scared him, and I could not in good conscience remain silent.” She glared at me and said, “You were trying to tell me how to run my class!” I said, “No, I would never tell you how to run your class. I just didn’t want you to scare Wilbur. He is a very sensitive and gentle spirit and a genuinely good human being.” She queried again, “You were not trying to tell me how to teach?” I said, “Never–I just wanted to protect Wilbur.” As I recall, she looked at me for the longest time and then said, “Sister Friday, you are a strange bird, but if I ever had a daughter, I vould vant her to be just like you!” I was absolutely astonished, and then Frau did something totally outside of the realm of my expectations and her behavioral repertoire: she hugged me. It was one of the truly rare occasions in my life when I was totally without words. Suffice it to say that I have reflected upon this experience many times in my life. I learned one of the most valuable lessons life has to offer from Frau Miller. I learned about understanding, forgiveness and reconciliation. In seminary, I studied Greek and learned about the concept of “metanoia” which means a change of heart, a change of mind or simply repentance. I studied about it in Greek class, but I actually learned it in Mrs. Miller’s French class. In a time of extreme partisanship and rhetoric; in a time of chaos and brokenness; in a time of hatred and bigotry; in a time when apocalypse of epic proportions seems imminent, we must make a conscious decision to listen to one another, respect one another and reconcile with one another. Only when we do this, will be able to reconcile with the Father who created us and the Son who has redeemed us. Peace be with you.
waldorf.edu
ALUMNI NEWS
WALDORF GOES TO DES MOINES
On Wednesday, July 17, Waldorf President Bob Alsop, his wife Dr. Natalie Alsop, Director of Alumni Relations Hannah Earll and Residential Marketing Manager Audrey Sparks took a road trip to Des Moines to spend an evening at an Iowa Cubs baseball game. Nearly 100 Waldorf alumni and friends of all ages joined together to reminisce with one another, enjoy a picnic meal and to hear from President Alsop regarding all of the exciting things happening on campus. While the weather threatened to be questionable, the clouds cleared and the heat subdued for an absolutely gorgeous night at the ball diamond. It was a treat to spend such a fun evening together, and we are so grateful for all of our awesome alumni!
HUMBLE continued
...shaped me into a better student, leader and employee. Proceeding my sophomore year I was hired as an undergraduate intern by the Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development in Rochester, Minn., and after a successful summer with them I was asked back for the summer of 2019. What Waldorf lacks in name recognition is made up in the quality of its education. The Mayo Clinic interns in positions similar to mine come from Harvard, UC Berkley, Ohio State, the University of Minnesota, Virginia Commonwealth University, Michigan State and Rush University, to name a few. I can confidently say that the hands-on knowledge I’ve gained from Waldorf University prepared me well for a fruitful professional career working in technology. While I was apprehensive at first, I’m proud to say I go to Waldorf University. The support I’ve found in WWiL, KZOW, the Lobbyist, Rotaract, Student Senate, the Honors college and the professors has made Waldorf into a second home. The opportunities at Waldorf are endless, and I’m so excited to begin my senior year this fall! waldorf.edu
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
25
ALUMNI NEWS After two years of maintaining and updating content on Waldorf’s website, Guth decided to spread his entrepreneurial wings and launch his own business into a full-time endeavor. In an effort to better utilize his undergraduate degree, Guth’s business services included website design for various organizations in addition to fulfilling video production needs.
Alumni Profile
ERIC GUTH ’03
“I
’m like the guy who never moved away,” joked Eric Guth ’03 as he reminisced on his days since becoming a Waldorf graduate. Growing up in Klemme, Guth was no stranger to the Forest City community and Waldorf. His decision to attend so close to home had little to do with location, though, and everything to do with Waldorf’s wellestablished communications program. “It is a very technology-oriented curriculum,” Guth explained. “Compared to a larger school that I had looked at, Waldorf’s equipment was much better and more current, and it looked like I would actually be able to use it.” His time on campus as part of the communications department included memories of Mark Newcom’s famous ponytail and (formerly maroon) El Camino, Joy Newcom’s editing class (“It was fun unless you hated grammar and things like that.”), and of course, he could never forget the notable David Damm. The communications major was active in the campus newspaper, “The Lobbyist,” and was a self-proclaimed “band nerd” as he carried the title of a percussionist for the Waldorf Concert Band. “[Waldorf] helped me become a more well-rounded person,” Guth reflected. “The liberal arts education made me learn about things that I probably wouldn’t have learned about otherwise. In hindsight, I’m so glad that was exposed to those different things.” Upon flipping his tassel, Guth spent a few months honing his creative skills by working for and learning from a local photographer, but he couldn’t stay away from Waldorf for long. In 2004, Guth rejoined the Warrior family as the webmaster in the marketing department. 26
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
While Guth’s skills were up-to-par, the demand for these services in north Iowa didn’t seem to be, and after four years of being self-employed, he found his way back to campus–this time, as a member of the Information Technologies (IT) department. Not only did Waldorf give Guth opportunities to expand all aspects of his professional skills, the Warrior family also introduced him to the future Mrs. Guth. Ashley (Boyken) Guth ’06 was raised in Titonka, but the to-be couple lived just far enough away from each other growing up that their paths didn’t cross until the help of Waldorf. The Warrior duo was married in 2007. With three busy boys, the youngest one just two months old, the Guth household is one that could never be described as dull, but Eric and Ashley wouldn’t have it any other way. In 2013, Eric Guth made his most recent move across the street from his office in Salveson Hall into his current role at the Winnebago County Courthouse as the IT Director for Winnebago County. It has been through this position that Guth has additionally found his passion for the world of cybersecurity. In a day and age where nearly everything is accessible online, the complex industry of cybercrime is expected to reach a worth of $6 trillion by the year 2021. That number is up $3 trillion from 2015. Guth has become so captivated with the intricacy of preventing these types of cyberattacks that he was even asked to give a presentation on the topic of cybersecurity at a Des Moines IT conference in June. Though it’s easy to see that his intelligence in the world of technology is above average, Guth’s creative intellect is also just as impressive. While he originally went to school to become a web developer or graphic designer, Guth ended up with a much more technical job that provides him outside opportunities to be creative–a lifestyle that has bode him well. “I want everyone to know that just because you majored in something and you don’t have a career in that field, you didn’t screw
up,” Guth encouraged. “I do use what I learned in school to do my job better. I can enjoy being creative as a hobby. It was difficult to be creative every single day. Having a technical job with creative outlets is much more fun for me.” Having each of these skillsets as strengths has allowed him to branch out in ways that many other technology-oriented individuals typically might not. Outside of his full-time job with Winnebago County, Guth works with the Forest City school district as a sound technician for the majority of their fine arts events. He is also an active member of the Forest City chapter of Rotary International and occasionally plays drums at First Baptist Church of Forest City, where he and his family have found their church home. While his passions lie within the technology realm, a five minute conversation with the Waldorf alumnus is all it takes to recognize that Guth’s faith and his family are the two things that he truly prioritizes most in this life. From the way he lives unashamed of the Gospel and his continued aspirations to serve and love those around him, to the immediacy in which his semi-reserved demeanor completely lights up when talking about Ashley and their growing family, it’s obvious Guth’s joy and purpose are found in something far deeper than this world. And though he jokes about planting his roots so close to where he was raised, the home and quality of life that the Guth’s have found in the Forest City community is one that they take very seriously. “[Forest City] is a close knit community where you get to know people, and the people who you see at work are the ones you might run into at the grocery store or at church or other events around the community. Alongside that, having a commute of five minutes as opposed to one that’s 45 minutes long where you see your life flash before your eyes on a weekly basis–that’s worth money!” Guth joked. “I haven’t lived in much of a big city to say, but I would definitely put it up against a big city.” With his humility, intelligence and servanthearted approach to life, there is no doubt that our small North Iowa community is a far better place since Eric Guth and his family chose to plant their roots here. Waldorf is blessed to have such a passionate and service-oriented alumnus so close to campus, and we couldn’t be prouder to call him a member of the Warrior family!
waldorf.edu
CAMPUS MINISTRY
Dear Friends, I usually write to update you about campus ministry in general to share with you the great things that God continues to do on our campus but in this letter I would like to recognize our recent graduate Saheed Olaosebikan who has been one of the reasons I usually have things worth writing about in the first place. Each year, I recruit several students who demonstrate great character and a passion for faith formation to serve our campus as student peer ministers. Together, the group of students meet, plan and implement various activities throughout the year and in 2015 Saheed was hired as our Volunteer Task Force Peer Minister. At this position, Saheed organized volunteer opportunities each week that ranged from serving meals at the local community kitchen to assisting the local day care with various tasks and organizing trips to various places of worship around north Iowa. On campus, Saheed has done everything from organizing a pumpkin painting contest, to secret Santa to giving away free hugs on Valentine’s Day. For his work, Saheed has received the Student Excelling in Activities and Leadership Award for Service three years in a row and was recently recognized as the rookie Resident Assistant of the year. As you may recall, 2015 is the same year I started serving Waldorf as the campus ministry director, and Saheed was part of the group of students to join my first off campus retreat. During that weekend, I was able to learn so much about myself and the students with me. More importantly, though, I got a glimpse into the plans that God had in store for us; plans that assured that, even with our diversity and despite our inexperience, modeling love and service would be an unstoppable and transformative opportunity for our campus. Here we are four years later, and as we begin another semester, I would like to remind you of how powerful campus ministry has been for the Waldorf experience. I asked Saheed if he could reflect on his time at Waldorf and this is what he had to say: Campus ministry was a big part of my college experience. Being a black, Muslim boy from Nigeria it was hard to find a bearing, but campus ministry embraced me and accepted me for who I am without trying to change me. It was my guide through college. It helped me to grow intellectually and spiritually and provided me a safe and brave space to express who I am. Most importantly, it gave me a group of people that I now call family.
waldorf.edu
Being part of campus ministry also gave me the opportunity to travel throughout the United States on service learning trips and retreats, which challenged me to think outside the box, learn more about the beauty and challenges Americans still face and what I could do as an individual to create change, if even on a small scale. Campus ministry was very instrumental in helping me shape a career in human services. As a former volunteer task force coordinator I realized my love for working with people–especially with children. I have big goals after college, but we have to start small, so my short-term goal is to work with young adults in the criminal justice system as either a youth counselor, behavioral health intervention service (BHIS) case worker or a social worker, then further my education by earning a master’s degree in the therapy field. More so, I would love to continue my volunteer work and even make that part of my career. I’m currently talking to AmeriCorps to pursue potential opportunities. Antoine Cummins has been a devoted, strong, intelligent and forgiving mentor, who made it part of his purpose to push me past my intellectual and spiritual boundaries, which has helped make me the man I am proud to be today. I don’t know what my college life would look like without campus ministry, but I am confident to say that it would not have been this blessed. Saheed Olaosebikan ‘19 It was a truly a blessing to be a part of his journey and his presence on campus will definitely be missed. Furthermore, it is always great to see other students benefiting from the Waldorf experience just like I benefited from as a student and now as a staff member. I’m never forgetful though that stories like mine, stories like Saheed’s and stories like the many other peer ministers I hope to share with you in future are only made possible by the support and investment from visionary leadership. So again, on behalf of all who have had our lives shaped by what God is able to do on our campus, I would like to thank Raymond Beebe, Chair of the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation, Pastor Rod Hopp from Immanuel Lutheran Church, and Pastor Pat Hall, President of the Association of Congregations for their guidance and contributions to our Campus Ministry. I would also like to thank our Administration, the Foundation and the Association of Congregations for the endless work that goes into supporting Waldorf Campus Ministry. Peace,
Antoine R. Cummins Campus Ministry Coordinator FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
27
CAMPUS MINISTRY
SAN DIEGO SERVICE LEARNING TRIP Recap L
ast Spring Break, our group traveled to San Diego, California in partnership with the Lutheran Campus Ministry at San Diego State University and several local organizations to explore themes of poverty and immigration. Our group of 15 students and 5 chaperones set out to spend a week exploring the recent immigration concerns and the increased media attention around immigration reform that has seemed to reveal a general misunderstanding in our nation regarding the matter. While on our trip we were able to engage with the unfortunately harsh realities of immigration that so many people deal with on a daily basis but rarely have the privilege or platform to share. We met with and worked alongside several non-profit organizations and community leaders to learn about the immigration process and understand how we might be able to use our own power and privilege to make a difference. These organizations and leaders included Survivors of Torture, Border Angels and the artist of Chicano Park who work tirelessly towards justice and equality with the hope of 28
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
being able to promote better experiences for those seeking better opportunities through immigrating to the United States. Since returning from our trip, we have been committed to sharing our experiences and new understanding with the Forest City and Waldorf community. Our trip participants have all worked hard by drawing on our experiences to present, advocate, and debunk generally accepted myths regarding our nations border with Mexico and the currently ineffective state of our immigration laws. We will continue to share our experiences and hopefully be able to raise awareness about immigration because it is a very important reality that this country continues to struggle with. If your group, church or organization would be interested in having our student participants share about our trip we would love to connect with you so feel free to contact Antoine Cummins at antoine. cummins@waldorf.edu for more information.
waldorf.edu
CAMPUS MINISTRY
Presentation about service trip during chapel.
Presentation about service trip at Immanuel.
REFLECTIONS FROM TRIP PARTICIPANTS Prayer for justice: Thank you for blessing Waldorf’s Campus Ministry with the opportunity to travel and do your work. We thank you for the people that you’ve placed in our path to help teach us new information about a topic that is close to our hearts. Thank you for creating brave spaces on and off campus for us to share what we’ve learned. We pray the information is received with open hearts.
Group preparing for volunteer work at the Tijuana River Estuarine.
Lauren Dohlman ’22
We reflect on the difficult journey that asylum seekers and refugees near and far have to experience in order to create a better life for their families. We pray for those who have to travel through hot deserts with no water or protection. We pray for families who feel there is no way out of their circumstances. We pray for families who have been torn apart in the midst of injustice. We pray for those who have died during the migration process. May their souls rest in peace. We pray for victims of abuse and torture. Give them courage, patience, endurance and strength to get out of their situation safely. We pray for our leaders world-wide who have the ability to impact our political, religious and social climate. We pray that leaders use their privilege to facilitate a just world where people can live amongst each other in community with peace and love. God, make more room in our hearts for humanitarian issues of the world. Help us to reexamine our hearts each day. Teach us to how to share land and resources with our neighbors near and far. Give us the courage to ask you the right questions so that we may receive your answers to problems of injustice. Help us to speak less and listen more to our neighbors near and far. Help us to speak less and listen more to you. In your name we pray, Amen. –Sharese Hall
The students of Waldorf University, had a wonderful opportunity to go to San Diego, California this spring to learn and experience about the current immigration issues in the United States. Before going on this trip, a lot of planning, organizing, fundraising and help from community was needed. I am writing this to thank everyone who has supported and helped us make this trip successful. We would like to thank Pastor Rod and the entire Immanuel family for supporting us. With Pastor Rod on the trip with us, we learned so much from him and his viewpoint and his presence on the trip was undeniably meaningful and precious. I would also like to thank everyone at Waldorf who supported us in our fundraising and bought Krispy Krème donuts from us. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who was a part of this trip whose presence made this trip an unforgettable experience of lifetime. Anuja KC ’21
Group preparing for hike with Border Angels.
San Diego opened my eyes more to how strong and brave the immigrants are, who come to America in the worst conditions. It broke my heart to see the conditions immigrants have to endure while coming to the United States. On the trip we learned more about the reasons why immigrants try to make the trip to America where they can be safe which also comes with the possibility of dying or being deported. We were told of stories where in some South American countries, citizens are forced by gangs and cartels to pay ‘taxes’ or face rape, exploitation, torture and abuse. This service learning trip was all about the humanitarian outlook on the issues and about listening then advocating for the those who don’t have a voice. It’s about fighting for the human race not a divided race.
Them? Us. My identity is formed by my difference from you, sacred in that it doesn’t let you be my friend. Skillful at working, toil at someone’s torture to accumulate more deaths and suffer fuller pockets. Easier to hide now, thin magnetic rectangles keep the wages safe: Protection gained through those who don’t have any. It’s not enough for all, so hail natural selection, or better, privileged protection. Die those who hunger. It’s easier to lose you than teach you how to fish. More fish for us. Madina Tuhbatullina ’21
waldorf.edu
(ABOVE) Group at Chicano Park learning about the history of the land through art. (BELOW LEFT) Group hiking to the border. (BELOW RIGHT) Group at the border wall. Coming from a different part of the world, I’ve only heard about all the immigration issues that has been happening on the news. However, it never impacted me as much as this trip has. To learn about the consequences of the wall and what people are going through because of it was extremely disheartening. It was definitely a whole new experience to be able to be at the wall and witness it. Suyaishar Sebastian ’21
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
29
CAMPUS NEWS
HONOR'S DAY 2019 Waldorf’s annual Honor’s Day event took place this spring on April 10, 2019. Due to a snow and ice storm that hit southern Minnesota and northern Iowa during the mid-morning hours, many of our alumni and donors were not able to attend. However, the celebration went on in spite of Mother Nature, and another round of incredibly deserving students were awarded scholarships thanks to our generous supporters. During the celebrations, students were given the opportunity to meet with their donors to learn a little about why their respective scholarship was established. Most importantly, however, students were able to express their gratitude for helping to make their Waldorf dreams a reality. The morning’s events included a special chapel service, led by Dr. Steve Smith and beautiful performances by the Waldorf choir. Dr. Vincent Beach, Dean of Academic Affairs welcomed the crowd, and President Bob Alsop gave some brief, opening remarks. Student body president Kyle Swiderski expressed gratitude on behalf of the students and reminisced on his days at Waldorf that wouldn’t have been possible without scholarships and recognized Marissa Widener as this year’s Student Senate Scholarship Recipient. The morning wrapped up with the recognition of this year’s professor of the year award to Instructor of English Ryan Clark.
30
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
Jason Ramaker, Marissa Widener, Kyle Swiderski
Brady Thompson, Bob Johnson ’54
Student Senate Scholarship
O.J. Johnson Scholarship
waldorf.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Becky Stumme ’09, Sheila Willms, Molli Joens, Dr. Becky (Steffensen) Hill ’73
Ardelle (Brosdahl) Osnes ’48, Hayleigh Solano and Alice Jones
Outstanding Future Educator Fund
Class of 1948 Scholarship
Shirley (Sande) Ploegstra ’58 and Raymond Alfeiske
Joan Beebe, Luke Johnson and Ray Beebe
Adrian and Shirley Ploegstra Scholarship
Raymond M. and Joan P. Beebe Scholarship
David Damm ’73, Tiffany (Blome) Olson ’98, Theodore Schoneman, Carlos Ruiz ’14, Heather Yeoman
Savanna Cordle, Kyle Swiderski, Olivia Kubis, Jacobi Popp, Taylor Navratil, Marissa Widener, Madison Stenersen, Diana Humble, Gretchen Burnette, Dr. Suzanne Falck-Yi, Elizabeth Tramm
Communications Department Scholarship
Ardelle (Brosdahl) Osnes ’48, Clara Roderick, Alice Jones The Osnes Family Scholarship
Keith Pedersen ’68, Dakota Brass and Miriam (Wold) Pedersen ’68 Pastor Palmer and Ruth Wold Scholarship
Dr. Suzanne Falck-Yi and Myra Meyer English Department Scholarship
Alpha Chi Scholarship
Joan Hansen, Chloe Anderson, Ken Hansen
Susan Saltou, Megan Henn, Andrea and Robert Wrage
Ken and Joan Hansen Scholarship
Ethel Marie Hanson Saltou and Celia Ramsay Scholarship
waldorf.edu
Jerry Tonneson ’72, JoAnne Helland ’67, Sven Tiedemann, Emily Stolpp, Rebekah Jensvold, Marcel Cindner, Morgan Straight Otto and Margaret Tonneson Scholarship
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
31
CAMPUS NEWS
Nancy (Bergland) Olson ’75 and Emily Stolpp Bergland Family Memorial Scholarship
The Stella L. Peterson Memorial Scholarship
Karen Gustafson, Zachary Feldt, Ruth Gernetzke
Zachary Feldt and Anne McKinney
The Bartleson Family Endowed Scholarship
Howard and Verna Thoresen Scholarship
Nancy (Bergland) Olson ’75 and Molli Joens
Wayne Johns, Peyton Arenson, Karen (Flugum) Johns ’68
Philip Holtan ’70, Kathleen Baldwin, Merrie Sue Holtan The Stanford and Ruth Holtan Endowed Scholarship Fund
Jennifer Nelson, Emily Vanderploeg, Dr. Jonathan Nelson ’63 The Everett and Clara Nelson Endowed Scholarship
Nancy Farndale, Ruth (Racek) Lee ’45, Lauren Dohlman
The Walter and Evelyn Bergland Memorial Scholarship
Karen and Wayne Johns Mathematics Scholarship
Karl Wooldridge ’96 , Megan Haugen and Mary Beth (Kamish) Wooldridge ’65
Noah Fredricks and Gina (Sundry) Laaveg ’75
William (Bill) Hamm and Brett Stenlund
Joel P Laaveg Choir Scholarship
Bill Hamm Scholarship
Seth Wooldridge Endowed Memorial Scholarship
32
Beverly (Peterson) Page ’57, Carol (Peterson) Edwards ’55, Bailey Anderson, Virgil Peterson ’59
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
Ruth and Jacob Lee Scholarship
waldorf.edu
A LETTER FROM THE FOUNDATION CHAIR
Thirty-two-year-old Ying Tzarm left Burma at the age of 14, to seek asylum in Thailand, a place where she didn't speak the language, did not have legal status and was unable to receive a formal education. It was a choice her family had to make for her safety and economic opportunity due to the economic collapse and political instability resulting from civil war and the military dictatorship in Burma. She has participated in political activism and advocacy for human rights and has worked to advance the status of women from Myanmar. During her time in Thailand she worked tirelessly to improve and educate herself, including independently earning her GED. For 10 years prior to coming to Waldorf, in addition to full-time employment, she has worked with the Shan Women's Action Network (SWAN), Women's League of Burma (WLB), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and The Border Consortium, to support food, security and livelihoods for refugees from Myanmar. All this time she dreamed of a college education which could take her to the "next level." Seeing great promise in Ying Tzarm, Waldorf University offered her a full tuition scholarship, but she still needed $8,666 for room and board. Because of the difficult circumstances in Thailand, she was not able to accumulate any funds to help fund her college education.
Dear Friends, Fall on the Waldorf campus is always an exciting time as the university begins a new academic year and welcomes new and returning students. Little do these new students know that if they stay the course they will, like generations of Waldorf students before them, have that life changing "Waldorf experience" which will impact their lives in so many positive ways. Many of you know exactly what I am talking about. In the spring issue I told you about Waldorf's international student population and focused particularly on two students: Patri Molina, a senior from the Canary Islands, and Kaleb Betwos, a freshman from Ethiopia. (As an aside, I will tell you that Joan and I have become "volunteer parents" for Kaleb while he is here. He lived with us over Christmas break and through the summer. What a great young man! He excelled academically his freshman year and is still planning to be a brain surgeon). In this letter I want to tell you about another international student, Ying Tzarm, from Myanmar, formerly Burma. Her life story is one of courage, perseverance and determination, but what I have to tell you is also a testimony to the partnership among the people of Forest City--in this instance, through the Rotary Club, Waldorf University and the Waldorf Foundation. Their compassion helped a deserving young lady from across the world, who had nowhere else to turn, achieve her dream of a college education and advancing her on-going efforts to secure better human rights—particularly women's rights--in her native country. waldorf.edu
Ying Tzarm's situation tugged on the heartstrings of Megan Gabriel, International Coordinator at Waldorf University. Knowing that I chaired the Board of the Waldorf Foundation and was also a member of the Forest City Rotary Club, Megan contacted me to see if I had any thoughts on how we might make this young lady's dream come true. To make a long story short, with help from the Rotary Club and the Waldorf Foundation, enough money was raised to pay her room and board! Ying Tzarm is now part of the Waldorf family. She says that the Waldorf community has made her feel very welcome and that the first year of her education "has been another great experience and a learning journey." While here, she has continued to advocate for women's rights in Myanmar with her work, including helping women's organizations with the production of communications materials. I am reminded of the quote: "Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success." Dreams do come true at Waldorf University, and we ask that you continue to support the Waldorf Foundation so we can help make more dreams come true. Sincerely,
Raymond M. Beebe Chair, Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation Retired Vice President, General Counsel Secretary Winnebago Industries, Inc. 1974–2012
FALL 2019 // WALDORF MAGAZINE
33
FOUNDATION NEWS
The Waldorf Society was established in 1988 and honors donors providing annual and long-term support to the university and to the Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation. The Waldorf Society encompasses several groups. Members of the Cumulative Giving and Founder’s Circle are listed in this publication. MembersDONOR of the Heritage Club and HONOR ROLL Endowment Society are listed on the Foundation’s website at waldorffoundation.org/waldorf-society.
WITH OUR DEEPEST SINCERITY, WE THANK YOU! The Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation is grateful for the gifts received during the past year. We had another successful year, and it's with the help of donors like you that we were able to reach our financial goals. The Honor Roll of Donors is comprised of anyone who gave an annual gift of $100 or more through May 31, 2019. The Waldorf Foundation affirms the mission of Waldorf University and is committed to providing financial resources to enrich learning and spiritual opportunities for current and future generations of Waldorf students. Your partnership and generosity of resources are key factors in helping educate students on the importance of their faith and service to others. Thank you!
The following annual donors are recognized in six distinct club levels for their gifts made during the last fiscal year, June 1, 2018-May 31, 2019
REGENT’S CLUB $5,000+ Margaret L. Cosner Estate Elton & Orpha Erdahl James H. Fogarty Estate John K. & Luise V. Hanson Foundation Hermanson Family Charitable Foundation Richard Lincoln Walter & Virginia Moore David & Peggy Pederson Lester & Darlene Swenson Tomson Family Foundation Trust Dorothy Wonsmos Estate
PRESIDENT’S CLUB $2,500+ Duane & Cheryl Coppeler Dr. Ann Hill & Rev. Douglas Duin Roger & Nancy Espe Travis & Madaly Finstad Janet & Peter Hermanson Cecilia & Harry Horner William & Mary Johnson Dr. Oscar & Lorene Lenning Theodore & Sherryl Strand
DEAN’S CLUB $1,000+ June Alsop Ella & Paul Beard Raymond & Joan Beebe Leonid Budyonny
Jodene Evans
Kari Enstad
Marion & Richard Erickson
Dean & Marlys Andersen
First Lutheran Church; West Okoboji, Iowa
Michael & Melanie Frisk
Adeline Anderson
Rev. Richard & Mavis Erickson
Betty Gertner
Gilmore-Stensrud Post No. 552
Bruce Anderson
Ronald & Janice Erickson
Arnold Fredriksen
Paul & Linda Hagen
Craig & Louise Halverson
Dean & Daphne Anderson
Michael & Nancy Farndale
Grace Lutheran Church; Hanlontown, Iowa
Dr. William Hamm
Robert Hauge
Marvin & Elaine Anderson
Gordon Felland
Vivien Hansen
James & Rozamond Hemberger
Tamara Anderson
First Lutheran Church Women; Clarion, Iowa
Dr. Irving & Lois Hall Hammond Family Foundation, Inc. Dr. Kenneth & Linda Holmen
Walter & Bernel Hanson Justin & Kimberly Haugen Janet & Selmer Hernes Immanuel Lutheran Church; Story City, Iowa
Dennis Henrichs Drs. Larry & Rebecca Hill Kenneth & Marjean Hoeg Grace Holmen
Anonymous Dennis & Lois Appelhons Gerald & Jane Askeland Steven & Anne Bakke
Infaith Community Foundation
Erik Humlie
Bank of America Foundation
Richard Johnson
JeanAnn Banker
Rev. Thomas & Julie Jolivette
Martha May & Dr. Robert Kim
Helen & Gerald Barth
Arlene Jorde
David & Sue Kingland
Travis & Shirley Jorde
Alyce & Wayne Kivell
David & Dianne Lenning
Marcia & Erik Kjesbu
Paul & Lori Ness
Eugene & Carleen Koltvet
Rev. Paul & Delores Mork
Constance & Harvey Nyhus
Robert & Grace Kuphal
James Olson
Scott & Shawn Pierce
Steven & Nancy Olson
Richard Leibbrand
Shirley Ploegstra
Jeffrey & Tanya Pierce
Leota Lenning
Rain & Hail Ace American
Kathy Pitcher
Mildred Rosdail
Drs. Michael & Gwen Luepke
Cynthia Poole
Lawrence & Jane Johannesen Karen & Wayne Johns Robert Johnson Lynn & Rosalie Juhl Dr. Randy & Renee Juhl Delores Larson Dr. Phillip & Jane Lee Monsanto Fund
Land O'Lakes Foundation
Beverly J. Schabecker
Rev. Raymond Mehl
Esther Rasmussen
Aaron & Jamie Seifert
Kevin & Julie Monson
Jan Rosdail-Aegerter & Roger Aegerter
Marvin E. Simonsen
Gary S. Nelson
Carrie & Kelly Snieder
Mark & Joy Newcom
Waldorf University Jeffrey & Rebecca Werner
Barbara Osthus & Michael Drager
Western Iowa Synod ELCA
John Peterson
Zion Lutheran Church; Rake, Iowa
Brian & Patricia Rittgers
BUILDER’S CLUB $250+
Jane E. Sevold
Rev. Carlton Shaw Carmen Shaw Nancy Sime Michael & Molly Stensland Karen & Roger Swenson Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Trinity Lutheran Church; Mason City, Iowa Union Pacific GivePlus Program Wells Fargo Foundation
WARRIOR’S CLUB $500+
Gary & Diane Clark
Anonymous
Mark & Debra Classen
Dr. Linda & Michael Aubey
Richard & DeAnn Corcoran
Fay & David Bohn
Patricia & Lawrence Ryan David & Margaret Smith Nancy & Charles Sweetman
Dr. Eric Bartleson Jim & Jean Beach Peter Beckermann Margaret L. Beenken Edward & Judy Benson Steven & Nancy Benson Jill & Casey Blevins Margaret & Darwin Blume Edith Boettcher
Brad Giese Heidi & Jared Gillespie Ruth & Clarence Ginder Irving & Suzanne Globstad Susan Hadley Kent & Cynthia Smoldt-Hall Robert & Joyce Hamsund
Dana & James Hartel Rev. Orlando & Herdis Hash
Bricelyn Lutheran Church; Bricelyn, Minn. Gene & Evie Brodland
Tim & Rebecca Heidenwirth
Duane & Alice Bromeland
Leanna Hendrickson
Jerry Brooks
Merle Hendrikson
Velida Bruns
Kathryn & Patrick Herre
Cynthia Carter
Mary Herrlinger
Brian & Emily Chisholm
Ms. Betty A. Heyerdahl
Stevin Dahl
Rev. James & Heidi Hilleson
Daniel & Rosiland Dalsin
Solvay & Loren Twedt
Ruth Bartels
Thomas & Katherine Urevig
Jane Dixon
Jerald Barth
Sheila & Robert Willms
Dulas Excavating Inc.
Bethany Lutheran Church; Windom, Minn.
Opal Yahnke
Marcia & David Duncan
Mary Beulke
CENTURY CLUB $100+
Elain Edge
Donald & Faye Aamodt
Gloria Egertson
Shane Dulac
Carol Edwards Marjory Efteland & Mark Slotvig
Janet Dahl Steve Duea
Daniel & Connie Eisch
Deborah Davis & Jeffrey Gruber
Central Freeborn Lutheran Church; Albert Lea, Minn.
Helen Aase Bruce & Janice Abkes
Leone Dunkelberg
Todd & Lori Enfield
Robert & Elizabeth Abkes
Marilyn Day
Elaine R. Dove
Elim Lutheran Church; Randall, Iowa
Michelle & Mark English
American Office Systems Minnesota
WALDORF MAGAZINE // FALL 2019
Loretta Garcia
Verneil Brandstad
Caroll & Janell Carson
34
Joan & Charles Gangestad
Thomas & Robyn Hansen
Andrew & Keila Buffington
Arlin & Cathie Danielson
Craig Frost
Donald & Cathy Braathun
Solveig & George Carlson
David & Sandra Damm
John & Stephanie Fretham
Allan & Joy Boyken
Karen & John Dimmick
Jean & Jon Brennan
Rev. David & Darlene Fretham
SGM Larry & Kathleen Handeland
Daniel & Sheil Davis
Rev. H. Lowell Bolstad
David C. Fredrickson
Neil & Leah Boyd
Henry & Marlene Syverson
Drs. Robert & Natalie Alsop
Juanita & Timothy Foslien
Caroll O. Egemo
Robert & Muriel Hoeg Gerald & Orpha Holm Dr. Boyd Holtan Helan Holtan Maryon Holtan Esther Holte Arlys M. Hopkins Ruth & Darrell Howieson Dewayne & Donna Johnson John & Beth Ann Johnson Karel Johnson Alice Jones Douglas & Paula Juhl Fred Kendrick Dan & Mary Klingbeil
waldorf.edu
Carol M. Kropf
Avis & Robert Savre
Gary & Diane Laabs
Mary Schaefer
Rev. Cynthia & Myron Lee II
Christopher Schutte
Gladys & Howard Lee
Roberta Eleanor Shaw
Rita Lemme
Elaine Sigurdson
Janet & Dennis Letterly Sandra Levad
Robert & DeLoris Singelstad
Chris Lidle
Charles & Susie Skogerboe
Rachel Liebenow
Samuel Gayflor Smith
Dr. Charles & Mary Lura
Steven Smith
Linda & Willard Maas
Sonia C. Solomonson
Mankato Ford, Inc.
Jennifer & William Spencer
Loren Marlette
St. John Lutheran Church; Pomeroy, Iowa
Michael Mathison Patrick & Sheila McGuire John & Marcia McKean Richard & Diane McKean Donald & Kristine Meyer Nickolas & Blanche Meyer Tamara & Jeffrey Naig
Joyce & Dale Sears
St. Olaf Ev. Lutheran Church Women; Bode, Iowa Arlan Stavnheim David Steinhauer Bruce Steinhauer
Mary Nerem
W. Bradley & Carolyn Stensland
Noel & Donna Newgord
Kendall & Mary Stucky
Carol Noren
Phyllis Sucher
The Rev. Merlin & Marietta Norris
Dr. Carl & Barbara Sunde
Timothy & Sherry Oliver
Joanne Toutges
Alice C. Olson Arlie & Joan Olson Bradley & Graciela Olson Dorothy D. Olson Dr. Richard & Annette Oppedahl Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church; Leland, Iowa Jerry Ouverson SFC Ernest & Karen Park, Jr. Corlyn & Janice Paulsen Henry & Pamela Pedersen Jean & Dr. John Pemberton James & Diane Perry Marilyn & Rev. Philip Peters Stanley & Darleen Petersen Irving J. Peterson Ray Peterson Neil & Candace Pierce Dwight & Karen Pierson
Sandra Sydnes Georgette Valle Janice & H. Allen Vik Dale Wacholz Tendon Wakeley Dean Walters Amy Wemark Catherine Wensinger Jean & Harold Yahnke Kristae Zandbergen
The following gifts were donated in memory of those listed in bold by the donors listed below from June 1, 2018-May 31, 2019
IN MEMORY: Maynis Aamodt Drs. Larry & Rebecca Hill John Arends Merle Hendrikson Ardell Banker JeanAnn Banker Steven & Nancy Olson Hanford Bartleson Dr. Carroll & Karen Gustafson Gerald Boman Steven & Anne Bakke Michael & Nancy Farndale Dewayne & Donna Johnson Robert Johnson Alice Lewison Mary Nerem Steven & Nancy Olson Stanley & Darleen Petersen
Michael Rstom Rev. Richard & Ann Sansgaard Marlene & Gene Satre
Maryalys Klapmeier Vivien Hansen Grace Lampman Drs. Larry & Rebecca Hill James Lovick Steven & Anne Bakke Ana May Lugar Merle Hendrikson
Chris Despenas Merle Hendrikson Kenneth Eliason Robert & DeLoris Singelstad Barbara Engels Ronald Klipping Elizabeth & Leverne Skov LaVonne Flatness Merle Hendrikson Bill Flugum Helen Kay Schuck Helen Goranson Michael & Nancy Farndale
If you have already provided a future gift for the foundation and haven’t informed the foundation of your planned gift, please email olsonn@waldorf.edu. We would like to personally thank you and include you in our Heritage Club listing.
Mel McCarthy Dr. Carroll & Karen Gustafson Monty Miller Michael & Nancy Farndale Arnold Murra Drs. Larry & Rebecca Hill Phyllis Oetken Merle Hendrikson
Marian Peterson-Brown Jean & Harold Yahnke Ruby Rauk Steven & Nancy Olson Julius Severson Anonymous Melvin Sucher Phyllis Sucher Vernon Ullestad Steven & Nancy Olson Norma Wakeley Craig Frost Betty Heyerdahl Maryon Holton Ruth Westerberg Verneil Branstad Gaylord Wooge Drs. Larry & Rebecca Hill
Elmer Grigsby Merle Hendrikson Raymond Hagen Michael & Nancy Farndale Kenneth & Joan Hansen
Betty Heyerdahl Tenon (Don) Wakeley
Diane Rovang
Arlis Kinseth Juanita Opheim
Emil Damm Steven & Anne Bakke Michael & Nancy Farndale Leonard & Marjorie Markusen Steven & Nancy Olson
Glennyce & Paul Reimers
Frederick Roufs
Donna Kammin Bonnie & James Miller
Elizabeth Olson James Olson
Burr Heightland Merle Hendrikson
Vincent & Armon Ross
Waldorf invites you to join the Heritage Club, a group of donors who have established planned giving to Waldorf through gift annuities, insurance policies, wills, trusts or other vehicles. The Waldorf Endowment Society recognizes those who have established an endowed scholarship and/or contributed significant gifts to Waldorf.
Leone Christianson Merle Hendrikson
Catherine & Joseph Popelka
Jon & Kelli Rosdail
Doris Juhl Cynthia Carter
Ruth Olson Michael & Nancy Farndale
Linda & Keith Piller
Arlene Rogan
GIVE BACK THROUGH THE HERITAGE CLUB
Marcella Braun Drs. Larry & Rebecca Hill
Leone Hanson Janora & Russell Hodges
Beverly Richter
John Johnson Constance & Harvey Nyhus
Catherine Hjelmas Michael & Nancy Farndale Doris Holmen Sharon & William Boettner Carol Edwards Virgil & Sharon Peterson Robert & Grace Tauring Robert Homann Michael & Nancy Farndale
HOW TO DONATE We invite you to consider a gift to the foundation this fiscal year. To make a gift by credit card, please call 641.585.8140 or give online at waldorffoundation.org. To make a gift by mail, please make checks payable to Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation, and mail to: 106 South 6th St., Forest City, IA 50436. As a reminder, we fund three priorities: student scholarships, campus ministry and alumni relations. When making a gift to the foundation, please designate on your check or online form if you would like to apply it to a certain priority. To update contact information, provide newsworthy updates or if you are interested in funding a scholarship, please contact Nancy Olson at 641.585.8147 or email olsonn@waldorf.edu. NOTE: The Waldorf Lutheran College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible.
ON SSI PA
C OC T S T O S T S GE GE IA L E IAL IAL OCWaldorf Lutheran College G S F O U N D A T I O N L OC C T S T SO G E G E T I A L T E GE IA L A L C O I L S C I A SO SO C E T E T L T ET L G L G C I A E G L G CIA A SO I C T L O SO E T IA SWaldorfUniversity E C G G IA O ET ET L L C G G C I A C I A SO AL CIALWaldorfUniversity O SO G E T E T L S T ET I A L A L G C I A SO GEWaldorf_U G O I L A L OC S C A I T I S SO G E G E T I A L OC Swaldorf.edu T OC GE//T800.292.1903 E I A L I A L OC G T G E C I A L C I A L SO C SO C E T S E T L SO T SO G E T G E T I A L G A L G C I A G E C I A L C I A L SO C SO C I E T SO SO T SO GET GET IAL G AWALDORF L UNIVERSITY I L E L C C A G CI I A SO SO C AUGUST 28, 2019 FINE ARTS SCHEDULES SO T SO G E T G E T GE C IA L C IA L Waldorf Music Schedule O S26,O2019 SSEPTEMBER T 2019-20 Season E G 106 S. 6th St. Forest City, IA 50436
//
M CO
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
MU
Parents: If this is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office, 641.585.8148 or email us at alumni@waldorf.edu
NIT
Y
//
ESS CC SU
A TR //
ION DIT
2 019 -2 0 WA L D O R F E V E N T S
AUGUST
Fall Semester Begins SEPTEMBER
Association of Congregations Annual Meeting OCTOBER
OCTOBER 18-20, 2019 Homecoming DECEMBER
DECEMBER 7, 2019 Christmas With Waldorf JANUARY
JANUARY 15, 2020 Spring Semester Begins
Aug. 19-26, Music Camp
Aug. 24, Waldorf Vocal & Piano All-State Clinic Aug. 27, Opening Convocation Aug. 29, Faculty Recital Sept. 19, Master Class & WCAS Concert with Tonic Sol-fa Sept. 27-28, Fine Arts Weekend Oct. 17, NATS Recital Oct. 20, Homecoming Combined Ensembles Concert Nov. 7, General Recital Dec. 6, Music Visit Day
MARCH
MARCH 7-15, 2020 Spring Break APRIL
APRIL 17-18, 2020 Theatre Workshop Weekend MAY
MAY 9, 2020 Commencement
Dec. 7-8, Christmas with Waldorf Jan. 16, Master Class & Concert with the Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience Feb. 6, General Recital Mar. 2-5, Master Class & WCAS Concert with Todd Green (World Music) Mar. 18, Music Career Day & Concert May 1, Dinner & Jazz May 2, Spring Spectacular– Instrumental Ensembles @ 3:00 p.m. & Vocal Ensembles @ 7:00 p.m.