Fall 2008

fall 2008alumni attitudesalumni plaza project iowa ag secretary

Bill HolmDistinguishedArtist

A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

PHOTO: © STAR TRIBUNE / MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, 2008

Regional Event the new

is now open!

FOCUS MAGAZINE FALL 2008 1

A magazine for alumni & friends of Southwest Minnesota State University

Fall 2008

volume 28 number 1

President Dr. David C. DanaharExecutive Director of FoundationBill Mulso ʼ93Director of Alumni Relations andFocus EditorTyler Bowen ʼ95/MSʼ08DesignerMarcy D. Olson, ʼ93/MBAʼ05

Senior Writer and PhotographerJim TateContributorsStacy Frost ʼ93Sara Granheim ʼ02/MBAʼ04 Crystal KrugerKelly Loft ʼ97Andy Schlichting ʼ06Front Cover Photograph© STAR TRIBUNE/

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, 2008

All hometowns are in Minnesota unless otherwise noted. Focus (USPS 565-770) is published twice each year for alumni and friends of SouthwestMinnesota State University by the Alumni Office. Opinions expressed in Focus do not necessarily reflect official University policy. Sendcorrespondence, name changes and address corrections to: Focus, Alumni Office,Southwest Minnesota State University, 1501 State Street, Marshall, MN 56258 or call (507)537-6266.Focus is not copyrighted. Unless otherwise noted, articles may be reprinted withoutpermission if credit is given to Southwest Minnesota State University.Southwest Minnesota State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educatorand employer. Southwest Minnesota State University is a member of the Minnesota StateColleges and Universities system.This document can be made available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities.Please make your request by calling 507-537-6266, 1-800-260-0970, or through theMinnesota Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529.

CenterC o n t e n t s2 southwest news

5 get to know us

6 feature: bill holm

8 alumni connections

10 alumni spotlight: northey

11 alumni plaza project

13 athletics

15 class notes

southwest news

2 FALL 2008 FOCUS MAGAZINE

Over a thousand campuses helped focus the nationon solutions to global warming. SMSU participatedin Focus The Nation, an unprecedented teach-in onglobal warming solutions for America occurring atmore than 1,000 universities and colleges and in all50 states on Jan. 31, 2008.

As the largest teach-in in U.S. history, Focus TheNation aimed to prepare millions of students tobecome leaders in the largest civilizational challengeany generation has faced. Panel presentations byfaculty and students discussed: "Global ClimateChange: Science, Perceptions and Actions." Panelistsincluded: Dr. Thomas Dilley, Environmental Science;

Dr. Linda Jones,Environmental Science;Dr. Will Thomas,Accounting; Dr.Christine Olson,Psychology; Dr. SteveKramer, Philosophy;Katie Freeman, student; and AndrewSpencer, student.

SMSU Participates in Largest Teach-in on Global Warming

SMSU was named the Outstanding ServiceOrganization by Special Olympics Minnesota at itsrecent 2008 awards banquet in Bloomington.

The University was honored for its October 2007Motorized Activities Training Program (MATP), aday of activities for those with more severedevelopmental motor skills disabilities.

It is the only event of its kind in the state, saidMarilyn Strate, associate professor of Wellness &Human Performance and one of the organizers of the

event. “What a great honor this is for the University,”she said. “Our students had a great opportunity towork with Special Olympic athletes. It’s a very specialday for the athletes, and for our students who help,”she said.

The MATP event drew participants from age eightthrough seniors, said Strate. She said there used to befour MATP events throughout the state each year,but that SMSU now hosts the only MATP eventannually.

SMSU Receives Special Olympics Award from State Level

Ryan Chimzar, a sophomore Vocal MusicEducation and Chemistry major from Woodbury wasselected as a finalist in the national John LennonMusic Scholarship Competition, sponsored by theMusic Educators National Conference (MENC) andBMI Records.

Ryan composed and recorded a new song for

submission to this year's competition. The JohnLennon Music Scholarship aims to support the musiceducation of America's youth by providing them anoutlet to share their talents and by bringing togetherexperts in music and the music industry. Ryan's songwas reviewed by experts in both fields and made itthrough two rounds to the finals.

Ryan Chimzar Finalist In Lennon Scholarship Competition

SMSU received $9 million from the 2008Legislature to fund science and HRA lab renovations,as well as funding to plan future projects and supportongoing improvement projects on campus.

The $9 million will be used to renovate themajority of science labs in the Science andTechnology building, and the biology and chemistrylabs in the Science and Math building, said CyndiHolm, Facilities Director at SMSU.

The HRA/Culinology area in the IL Building willalso be renovated. That will include renovatingkitchens and the labs that adjoin the kitchens.

Construction will begin in 2009. Constructiondocuments must be finished, and then the projectwill be put out for bid.

Design money totaling $200,000 was also receivedfor planning of improvements to the physics lab,

agronomy lab, plant science learning center(greenhouse) and the astronomy lab (Planetarium).Construction money of approximately $5 million willbe requested in 2010 for those projects, said Holm.

Several Higher Education Asset Preservation andRenewal (HEAPR) projects on campus were alsofunded by the 2008 Legislature. They include:

• Phase II of the central chiller plant, $798,000,for a second chiller and cooling tower, withconstruction to start in the fall;

• Improvements to the astronomy labinfrastructure, $274,000, with construction to beginin summer 2009; and

• Infrastructure improvements to the plant sciencelearning center, $528,000, with construction to beginnext year.

SMSU Science Labs Receive Renovation Funds

southwest news

For those who want to experience fine diningright on campus, green, a New AmericanBistro, is open for business.

The student-run restaurant, part of the SMSUHospitality Management Program, offers premiumentrees at an affordable price. With a focus onusing locally grown ingredients, students createdishes using fresh spices, produce, meats and dairyproducts.

“The goal of the restaurant is to prepare the food‘a la minute’ which is French for ‘cooking to theminute,’” says Michael Cheng, Professor andDirector of the Culinology® Program.

In the past, many hospitality programsnationwide taught quantity-style cooking, saysCheng, which is cooking for large groups of people.

“A lot of students these days are no longerinterested in working in institutional settings,hospitals or school cafeterias,” says Cheng. “Theywant to work in restaurants where….they cook toorder, so at the green Bistro we practice ‘a laminute’ cooking and prepare everything fresh.”

The menu at the green Bistro covers the basicfood groups from vegetarian and seafood totraditional steak and potatoes but presents it all“with a twist,” says Cheng.

“We don’t present the steak and potatoes like asteakhouse would,” he says. We use a flatiron steak,which is [more tender], topped with gastrique foamas a sort of gravy. Then we do garlic mashedpotatoes with French green beans. The flavor is alittle different, and the presentation is going to bedifferent,” says Cheng.

The restaurant does not directly target a specificdemographic, but it does aim to attract customersinterested in experiencing something diverse.

“We designed a menu with the thought thatit is going to be the new American cuisine,” saysCheng. “We’re trying to [attract] people whoare willing to try something new.”

Each week students take on different jobs inthe restaurant. “We want everybody to be ableto rotate between the three key positions,”explains Cheng, “but if someone excels in oneposition, they will be placed there five out of 10times.”

The green Bistro is open every Monday from6:30-7:30 p.m. during the semester. Attendancehas been strong and feedback positive fromstudents, parents, faculty and staff. EventuallyCheng hopes to open the restaurant two nightsa week.

“Eating at the Bistro was an out-of-Marshallexperience,” says Marianne Zarzana, AssistantProfessor of English. “My husband Jim and Iloved the food, and we’ll be going back again.”

The current Culinology® Program is new atSMSU. The original Hotel and RestaurantManagement Program had closed in the 90’s andevolved into a joint program through the Universityof Minnesota-Crookston until 2005. However, theprogram lacked staff and resources. The SMSUadministration worked to start the Culinology®

Program with a focus on the science of cooking.“I was brought on board in 2005,” says Cheng.

“When we launched the Culinology® Program inFall 2006, we also started the HospitalityManagement Program at the same time.” The twoprograms are staffed by three full-time facultymembers, Cheng, and Professors Kurt Struwe andWilliam Bennett.

Gogreen with a twist

For more information about greenBistro, visit: www.greenbistro.netor contact Professor MichaelCheng at 507-537-6436 [email protected].


Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty made a surprisevisit to Boys State, hosted by SMSU June 15-21.

Pawlenty was in Marshall to make a judicialappointment and took time to visit the 400 BoysState participants who gathered on campus forthe 60th annual event. He spoke with them aboutthe importance of public service in today’ssociety.

SMSU will host Boys State through 2011. “I can’t tell you how happy we are with the

University,” said Boys State Director MikeBredeck. “Everything is first class, from thefacilities to the housing arrangements to the foodthat’s prepared.”

Boys State participation topped 400 for thefirst time in several years, thanks to an aggressive

recruiting effort.Boys State is a weeklong, hands-on exercise in

democracy and citizenship. Boys becomemembers of one of 14 cities and have theopportunity to participate in local, county andstate politics. Each is assigned a party, andcontributes to party discussion and the formationof the various platforms. The election of a BoysState governor highlights the week.

Participants will be high school seniors this fall,and any who attend SMSU will receive a $500scholarship.

Boys listened to an array of speakers, includingPawlenty, former Gov. Al Quie, Lt. Gov. CarolMolnau and Associate Supreme Court JusticePaul Anderson.

Pawlenty pays a visit to SMSU during Boys State

special to FOCUS by Joseph Bakken, public relations major


southwest news

The SMSU Men’s Glee Club and members of several of theUniversity’s instrumental music groups had an opportunity toparticipate in a pre-Olympic musical festival in China over thesummer.

A dozen members of the Men’s Glee Club traveled to Xi’an, Beijingand Shanghai from June 3 through June 14. Another twelveindviduals from four instrumental groups traveled to Beijing andShanghai, meeting up with the Glee Club members June 8 throughJune 14.

The Men’s Glee Club is a new ensemble comprised of malestudents, faculty, staff and community members who enjoy singing. Itis under the direction of Russell Svenningsen.

Members from the SMSU concert band, marching band, symphonicband and jazz ensemble also participated. They were under thedirection of John Ginocchio.

Both groups participated in several concerts while in Chinaincluding the large pre-Olympic festival that drew musicians fromaround the world as well as performances with the Chinese NationalPolice Choir.

“For me, the highlight was a concert in the Oriental Arts Center inShanghai,” said Ginocchio, who was making his first trip overseas withSMSU musicians. “It’s a professional stage, really.”

Svenningsen said the SMSU groups had the chance not only toperform in historic venues, but also to learn a lot about China’shistory and the rituals and nuances associated with Chinese culture. “Ihad no idea what a thrilling experience we were in for,” saidSvenningsen.

It was a trip to remember, and both Ginocchio and Svenningsenrated it among the richest musical experiences of their lives.

The entire SMSUcommunity mournedthe loss of threedevoted employees whopassed away duringspring semester 2008.

SMSU LibrarianSandra Fuhr, 60;wheelchair basketballcoach Dale Erickson,49; and staff member Pat Miller, 57, all passed awayfollowing courageous fights with cancer. Theirlosses touched the campus community deeply.

Sandra Fuhr graduated from SMSU in 1990.After receiving a master’s in library science, sheworked at Gustavus Adolphus for seven years beforereturning to her alma mater. At SMSU she was thedistance-learning librarian before being namedSMSU Librarian, overseeing the entire library.

She had a great rapport with faculty, staff andstudents and approached her position withenthusiasm, intelligence and leadership. She wascommitted to serving students’ academic needs.

Sandra passed away on Jan. 29, 2008.Dale Erickson was known in wheelchair

basketball circlesthroughout the country.He coached the RollingMustangs for nine yearsand supported his playersboth on the court, andoff. He was a tirelessadvocate for all studentswith disabilities.

Dale was a 2007inductee into the National Wheelchair SoftballAssociation Hall of Fame, and helped establish theMarshall Area Youth Baseball Assn. (MAYBA). Hewas active in Marshall baseball at all levels. Hepassed away on Feb. 26, 2008.

Pat Miller worked at the Southwest for 32 yearsin a number of offices, including UniversityRelations, Transcripts, Registration, Business, WordProcessing Center and, at the time of her passing,the Housing Office.

Her devotion to the University and its studentsand her pleasant, helpful manner made her acampus favorite over the years. She passed away onFeb. 29, 2008.

SMSU Musicians Visit China in June

Erickson, Fuhr, Miller: In Memoriam

Above: SMSU Glee Club membersin Tiananmen Square, Beijing,China. Below: SMSU instrumentalensemble members perform at theGreat Wall outside Beijing, China.

Sandra Fuhr Dale Erickson Pat Miller

Kevin Andrews

George Seldat

Deb Labat

One of the benefits of working at a university fora number of years is seeing a second generation ofstudents come through the doors.

That’s the case with Deb Labat, the Scienceoffice and administrative specialist at SMSU.

Labat has worked at the University for 31 years,and feels that being around students “helps keepyou young.”

“I’ve met a lot of people, made good friends overthe years. It’s fun to have the students come backfor events on campus, and I’m seeing a lot of ourformer work study students have children whoattend SMSU now,” she said. “They stop by andsee us and introduce their kids.”

Labat is a Hector native and is married tohusband Russ. They have three children: KariLabat-Bailey, Kelsey and Kimberly.

She attended Willmar Vocational and Technical

Institute (now Ridgewater) where she received anaccounting degree. She worked for the Marshallaccounting firm of Gold, Carlson and Minehart fora year before coming to SMSU, where she began inthe Science and Math area. She has also worked inthe Office of Admission and the Registrar’s Officebefore returning to the science program seven yearsago.

Labat is an ambassador for the University, anddoes not hesitate to list the benefits of attendingSMSU. “It’s a smaller campus, you get to knowmost of the other students. The faculty cares aboutyou. It’s a place a person would want to come.”

Working around science faculty and studentswith science majors has rubbed off on her. “I havelearned more about the environment, and thedifferent career choices a person can have with aScience degree. It’s really wide open,” she said.

Kevin Andrews staying busy on the court and in class

Deb Labat staying young after 31 years at SMSU

Luckily for Kevin Andrews, he knew somethingabout time management when he came toSouthwest Minnesota State University.

“In high school, I was involved with everything,”said the Marion, Iowa, native, who will be a juniorin the fall.

The 6-foot, 4-inch Andrews was recruited byassistant coach Brad Bigler to play basketball atSMSU, and was named to the 2008 ESPN TheMagazine Academic All-District V College Divisionthird team, the only Northern Sun IntercollegiateConference player named to the first, second orthird team and just one of four Division II athletesso honored.

He is an accounting and finance double major,“but I’m thinking of adding Management to that,”he said.

The son of Dave and Jan Andrews, he has littlefree time, even during the summer months. He isworking as an intern at Schwan’s University thissummer, and is playing with several Mustangteammates in a Sioux Falls college summer league.

“The summer league helps keep you sharp, and Iwork out with weights, try and keep strong.”

He believes in getting involved, and is a memberof the Accounting Club, Fellowship of ChristianAthletes, and the Students in Free Enterprise(SIFE) group at SMSU. He is a member of theHonors Program.

“Being involved is a good way to meet people,”he said.

Andrews said his coaches know that “as astudent-athlete, being a student comes first,” hesaid. “They stress that.”

Associate Professor of Business AdministrationGeorge Seldat has spent 23 years at SMSU and hisclassroom expertise has affected students, literally,all over the world.

Back in 1996, Seldat traveled to Europe with TedRadzilowski and Gerry Toland to explore thepossibility of developing working relationships withEuropean universities. One of the colleges theyvisited was the University of Economics inBratislava, Slovakia. A relationship was born.

Seldat recently spent six months teaching at theUniversity of Economics. His classroom includedstudents from Italy, Germany, Austria, Turkey,Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Thanks totechnology, he was teaching the same course onlineto SMSU students.

“The students were engaged, and they worked inculturally diverse groups,” he said. “We worked outbusiness problems on an international level. [We]prepared cultural videos for each country andshared that information with each other.”

Seldat is also working with the U.S. embassy inSlovakia, the American Chamber of Commerce inBratislava, and several Minnesota-based companiesto develop an institute that will offer corporatetraining, the SMSU MBA program and studyabroad opportunities for U.S. students.

Seldat is an Illinois native who met his wife Peggyin Germany while she was traveling throughoutEurope on vacation. They have four children: Erin,Jonathan, Lara (Bump), and Brigid (Lunder).

He received his business finance and economicsdegrees, and later, his MBA, from Illinois StateUniversity. He made a career change from financialadministration after nine years which brought himto SMSU in 1985. He has also been the women’stennis coach for the past 14 years.

“The students here are unique, a very specialgroup of young people,” he said. “I also like theflexibility of the University in terms of the way youcan do your job and the professional opportunitiesit can create.”

George Seldat teaching business on a global level

get to know us



always true to his roots,

in Minneota and in Iceland,

he’s the 2008 McKnight

Distinguished Artist

poet, essayist, teacher

BILLHOLM

In today’s connected world, Bill Holm is something of adinosaur.

“I’ve never turned on a computer,” said the recently retiredEnglish professor, poet, essayist, musician and Renaissanceman.

He was sitting at the round, wooden kitchen table at hishome in Minneota, Minnesota, 12 miles northwest ofMarshall. It is the place where he grew up once he moved totown from the family farm. It is lived in, filled with morebooks than you could read in a decade. There’s apiano/music room, as well, and a front porch swing. Next tothe swing is a “Boxelder St.” street, a gift from a friend whopicked it up at a garage sale in Arizona, a reminder of hisbook, Boxelder Bug Variations.

Holm is a throwback. When he writes, he doesn’t click on“Microsoft Word.” He clicks the end of a ballpoint pen. Hewrites on yellow legal pads, in a quiet place, bereft of noiseor other distractions.

“The way literature was originally created,” he said.Holm retired at the end of the fall 2007 semester, ending a

career that spanned 24 years at SMSU. During that time hebuilt a reputation, and a following, most authors only dreamof.

Holm received his undergraduate degree from GustavusAdolphus and his master’s from the University of Kansas.He found his way to SMSU after receiving a FulbrightScholarship. “I needed work,” said Holm in his customaryblunt fashion.

Holm has been described as an Icelandic Santa Claus, andhis jovial face and easygoing manner support that perception.He is not impressed with himself at all, though hisaccomplishments give him reason to be. A past Bush ArtsFellow, National Endowment for the Arts Fellow andFulbright lecturer, he is a two-time Minnesota Book Awardwinner. He has read from his work all over the world, big

audiences and small, and goes out of his way toaccommodate reading requests. He does not stray too farfrom his roots.

His most recent honor came from the McKnightFoundation, which tabbed him its 2008 Distinguished Artistof the Year. The award celebrates Minnesota artists who haveleft a deep imprint on the state’s cultural scene.

Artists in all disciplines (ceramics, dance, film, literature,music, theater and visual arts) are eligible for the McKnightaward. It goes to an artist who has worked in Minnesota overa span of decades. There’s also a $50,000 stipend that goesalong with the award.

“I’m touched and honored,” he said of the distinction.“It’s a great honor.”

Just as quickly, Holm puts a bit of levity into thediscussion. “It’s awarded as much for stubbornness,” he said.“I stayed here.”

Holm splits his time between southwest Minnesota andIceland, the country of his ancestral roots where he lives forpart of the year in a cabin called Brimnes in the village ofHofsos, overlooking a fjord.

It is in Iceland that he writes in the summer months, whenthe daylight lasts long and sleep, at times, is hard to come by.It is in his simple fishing cabin where he penned his mostrecent book, The Windows of Brimnes: An American in Iceland.

Holm also hosts the Iceland Writer’s Workshop eachsummer, as well.

The prairie of Southwest Minnesota has always held aspecial spot in his heart. Though he’s been all over the world,it is where he returns, where he is energized.

Holm was born in 1943 to Bill and Jana Holm. To theoldtimers in Minneota, he’s still known as “Little Bill.”

He grew up on the family farm, and attended CountrySchool 90, complete with “cob stove, two outhouses andeight grades in one room,” he said.

Photo courtesy of the Marshall Independent, Cindy Votruba

BILL HOLM

As a boy, Holm gravitated towardreading, writing and music. When hewas 13, the family got a piano, an eventthat would change his life. “It drove myfather crazy,” he said. Today, hedelights in performing on the pianowith SMSU music professor DanRieppel.

He is the author of 10 books ofpoetry and essays, and his work reflectshis personality: witty, concise, honest.He has a knack of putting complex real-world issues through a cheesecloth, sothey are understandable to Everyman.

Holm taught at Hampton Institute inVirginia, the oldest African Americancollege in the country, then at CenturianCollege in White Bear Lake, now knownas Lakewood. As a Fulbright scholar, helectured on American Literature at theUniversity of Iceland for a year beforecoming home to Minneota. Englishprofessor Phil Dacey took a sabbaticalleave and Holm had his foot in thedoor. He stayed through his retirement.

Howard Mohr, former SMSUEnglish faculty member from 1970 to1982 and author of the classic How toTalk Minnesotan: A Visitor’s Guide, firstmet Holm at a pizza place in Lawrence,Kan., where Holm was playing thepiano for a few extra bucks whilepursuing his master’s. “I liked himright away. When we returned (toMinnesota), every once in a while I’dhear something about him. Then heshowed up in Marshall, along withSteve Dunn and Phil Dacey. I got acall from him saying that we wereneighbors.”

Mohr and Holm were part of a traveling poetry troupe inthose days. “I joined them for a couple of years. We’d readpoems, Bill would play the piano. He always opened with‘Mapleleaf Rag.’

“Bill is opinionated, and he’s a performer,” said Mohr. “Ifyou get him in a crowd—and a crowd is basically you, himand maybe two other people—then he holds court. I figurethen my main duty regarding Bill is to let him have it, stick itto him with small satire,” he said. “He’s a good hearted guy,some don’t know that. And he’s well-read. And he doesprepare (for class).”

SMSU English professor Dave Pichaske has worked withHolm on many projects and said Holm connected theUniversity to the important writers of the region. “He knewor knows them all,” he said. “Robert and Carol Bly, FredManfred, Paul Gruchow, and Garrison Keillor.

“He showcases our region to the state, nation and world.

More importantly, for 24 years hehas shown SMSU students andcolleagues that they can in factconvert their own small place intomajor-league literature. And mostimportantly, for me at least, hefights the good fight againstbureaucracy and stupidity at alllevels and in all places.”

Phil Dacey, a well-known poetand former colleague in English,appreciates Holm on manydifferent levels. Now living in NewYork City following his retirement,he recalls with fondness his good

friend.“I look forward to the next time I

can exchange bear hugs with him.A brainy bear. That’s Bill. Did Iforget to say that as a writer he’s agenius? To translate a compellinghuman voice on to the page the wayhe can is a rare achievement.

“I also love his unrelentingintolerance of politicians who are adiscredit to the Republic.”

Dacey said Holm is “no ivorytower professor. He made theclassroom an arena for intellectualadventure and discovery.”

He started his career beforestudents began to rely on internetsearch engines, back when the librarywas the place to study. Even librariestoday, though they hold a specialplace in his heart, have changed.“There’s no books in them anymore,”he said. “My advice to students todaywould be: don’t go to Google or

Wikipedia. Get off your ass and go to the library.”He enjoyed writing “terrible poetry” as a child, and says he

is “smart enough to know that most people don’t read poetry.They are frightened of it. They think poets don’t say whatthey mean,” something Holm has never been accused ofdoing.

“Prose and essays, people will read them,” he said. Hesteers clear of writing fiction. “I’m Lutheran, and can’t lie.”

Quadruple bypass surgery three years ago has slowed hisbody somewhat. “Illness is not one of my favorite subjects,”said Holm, who prefers to keep his feelings about that tohimself.

Holm and his wife of three years, Marcy Brekken, live ahappy life in Minneota, where Holm remains something of alocal celebrity. It’s not everyone who has a communitycelebration named after one of their books, after all.Minneota annually celebrates Boxelder Bug Days, a nod inappreciation at its famous son, Bill Holm.


Bill at his home in Hofsos, Iceland.(Photos: above, Milkweed Editions; below, the author.)


Wear Your Brown & 10K Gold Pride

Kimberly Enck doesn’t really see the difference between highschool students from rural southwest Minnesota and those fromthe inner city of Chicago.

“Kids are kids, no matter where they are from,” said Enck, aNew Ulm native and 2002 SMSU graduate now teaching in theChicago school system. She had a double major in Spanish andsecondary English.

Enck was one of 24 Chicago teachers honored last Octoberwith DRIVE Awards (Delivering Results through Innovative andVisionary Education).

“I was surprised by it,” said Enck, who taught Spanish for fiveyears at the south side Harlan Community Academy. Next year,she will be teaching at Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center,a north side high school. At Von Steuben, she will teach Spanishand be the Avid Program coordinator, a program that targetsstudents with a GPA of 2.0 to 3.0 in an effort to help betterprepare them for college.

There are over 20,000 teachers in the Chicago school system,the third largest in the country, putting Enck in the top onepercent of her peers.

“I was well prepared with the training I got at Southwest,” shesaid. “I am proud to say I came from a great, great Educationprogram. I know a lot of students didn’t get the opportunities Ihad that first year to teach a lesson.”

She completed student-teaching in the Redwood Valley andMarshall school districts.

Talk to her for long, and the word ‘pride’ will be used whentalking about her approach to teaching. “I started a Spanish A&Bclub, to give students recognition for good grades. I wanted tomake them want to achieve. So much in their neighborhoods ispulling them away from wanting to do well in school.

“I did everything possible to make the students proud abouttheir high school,” she said.

Kimberly Enck ’02: Chicago Teacher DRIVE Award

alumni connections

The great traditions of Southwest now exist in more than our memories...presenting

THE OFFICIAL SOUTHWEST RING. The Official Ring is a symbol of accomplishment for Southwest

graduates and a new part of the Mustang tradition.The Official Ring is reserved exclusively for graduates and students who have achieved Junior status.

www.SouthwestAlumni.com/ring

Minnesota Twins Game

Minnesota Wild

Rochester Honkers

Wicked show

Alumni Event Photo

Review

For upcoming

SMSU Alumni Events

visit www.SouthwestAlumni.com/events

alumni connections

Alumni survey reveals high satisfaction and a few recommendatinosSMSU graduates are glad they attended Southwest Minnesota State University,

according to results of a survey of SMSU alumni.The survey, the most comprehensive ever taken of the attitudes of Southwest alumni,

also found that alumni want the ongoing value of their diplomas to be protected andenhanced by current SMSU activities.

The survey also found that alumni are anxious to help fellow SMSU students andalumni make job connections, and that those who live outside Minnesota tend to feel lessconnected to their alma mater.

Performance Enhancement Group (PEG), an alumni polling firm, conducted the surveyfor the Alumni Association in the spring of 2007. The survey included responses from1,194 alumni who returned an e-mail questionnaire.

In general, SMSU and the SMSU Alumni Association received ratings on a par with,or slightly higher than, similar universities and associations around the nation, said TylerBowen, Director of Alumni Relations. Bowen cautioned that overall, survey respondentsmight be a slightly more supportive, positive group. “The fact that SMSU has valid e-mailaddresses for responding alumni means they tend to be more connected to SouthwestMinnesota State from the outset,” he said.

The Alumni Attitude Study revealed six major recommendations::• Communicate better to alumni about how the SMSU diploma is increasing in equity.• Increase job and career-related activities.• Create a stronger branding presence on campus for the Alumni Association.• Provide opportunities for alumni to provide feedback and engage in activities.• Find additional ways to engage out-of-state alumni.• Communicate differently with younger alumni (30-and-under).“The SMSU Alumni Association Board of Directors will use these recommendations

to shape its strategic plan to engage alumni in the life of Southwest Minnesota StateUniversity,” stated Bowen. “Communicating with alumni effectively with both print andelectronic communications, along with emerging social networking such as Facebook andLinkedIn, will be a critical component in strengthening our connection with our alumni.”

Pride, Support & Challenges

The SMSU Alumni Association does not sell or distribute alumnibooks, unless otherwise noted. Please visit the providedWebsites for ordering information. To have your bookconsidered for our next issue, please send a complimentarycopy and description of its contents to: SMSU AlumniAssociation, Attn: Alumni Books, 1501 State Street, Marshall,MN 56258.

Author!Author!

Own a piece ofSOUTHWEST

HISTORY!

A $25 tax deductible donation to theSMSU Foundation buys a 3”x5” piece ofthe famous dome! Great for your home or

office. A piece of the dome makes anexcellent gift for any Southwest fan!

Relucant Smuggler is thethird suspense novel in theTo Catch a Thief series by JillElizabeth Nelson ‘79 ofMadison, MN. The book ispublished by MultnomahBooks, a division of RandomHouse. More informationabout Jill and her otherbooks is available online atwww.jillelizabethnelson.com.

Bible Moms: Life Lessonsfrom Mothers in the Bibleis the first book by AmberAlbee Swenson ‘96 ofRochester. The book ispublished by TrustedBooks, a division of VMIPublishers. To order acopy or see a samplechapter visitwww.Biblemoms.com.

A new book, River ofHope: My Journey with Kathyin Search of Healing fromLou Gehrig's Disease byDavid Tank has beenpublished by Planert CreekPress, June 2008.

The true story chroniclesthe frustrations and joys ofKathy (Ludewig) Tank (BA1972) as she fought to beatLou Gehrig's disease (ALS)as told by her husband, David Tank.

River of Hope is available online atwww.planertcreekpress.com.

Bill Turgeon, who servedas SMSU Director ofUniversity Relations from1981-1997, has authored abook Hiram HillHomestead: Back to theLand at 50 (Mill CityPress). The book recountshow he and his wife,Kathy, left their jobs topursue their commondream of a life close to the

land in northern Minnesota.To order the book or see an excerpt visit the

author’s Web site: www.hiramhillhomestead.com.

www.SouthwestAlumni.com/dome


Bill Northey laughs about the fact that his name is on every gaspump in the state of Iowa. Given the price of gas today, he’snot sure that’s such a good idea.

But Iowa’s first-term Secretary of Agriculture knows it just goeswith the job. Northey was elected the state’s 13th Secretary ofAgriculture in November 2006, and took office in January 2007.

Northey took advantage of one of Southwest Minnesota StateUniversity’s off-campus program opportunities, and earned amaster’s in Management degree in 2004. He took classes in hishometown of Spirit Lake, Iowa, a northwest Iowa community.

“It took me two and a half years of Saturdays, but I did it,” saidNorthey.

His new position puts him in the spotlight in a state known foragriculture.

“I guess I had it in the back of my mind for years,” he said abouthis decision to run for office. “I got involved in farm organizations(he was president of the National Corn Growers Association in1995-96) and in corn farm policy, and was active in ethanolpromotion and policy. I thought that if the stars aligned, I could doit. I love agriculture, and ag policy matters.”

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardshipcovers a wide range of responsibilities and employs 400. TheDivision of Soil Conservation employs half of those 400 employees.The other half work in regulatory positions, overseeing meatprocessing, commercial feed and fertilizer, pesticide application, anddairy production and processing.

It also oversees the Weights and Measures Bureau—thus hisname on each gas pump—and the state climatologist, entomologistand veterinarian. The department helps promote the more than 170farmers markets, as well.

“I think there is a perception that the office is policy driven,” hesaid. “While we do talk about big issues, we also have a lot ofregulatory functions, so the most important part of the job is tomake sure the regulatory functions continue to go.”

Iowa has seen a tremendous growth in agricultural productionover the past 10 years. It is the top corn, soybean, hog and eggproducing state in the nation. It is also the number one ethanol-producing state, though Iowa does not mandate that ethanol be soldat the pump. “Overall, it is the No. 2 ag state in the country. Untillast year, we had always been number three behind California and

Texas. Last year wasthe first year webecame the numbertwo ag state(surpassing Texas).”

Iowa is a farmstate, and thoughthe traditionalfamily farmremains, it haschanged. “It looksdifferent than itonce did,” he said.“It’s bigger. Mostare still driven byfamilies, and youngpeople arereturning to thefarm after sometough times yearsago when many left. There are a lot of different pieces toagriculture, and they include the production side, and theprocessing side. Farmers today continue to adapt to changes.”

Those changes include incorporating new technology inoperations, something Northey has done at his 800-acre farm nearSpirit Lake. “There are more computers, more GPS equipment.”

Advances in research have also helped today’s farmers, he feels.“Biotechnology has helped improve yields and defensiveness (ofcrops),” he said.

While grain farmers are pleased with the high commodity prices,livestock producers are being hurt by them. Both groups arewatching the weak U.S. dollar and increasing fuel prices eat awaymore of the farmers’ bottom line with each increase in the price ofa barrel of oil. Nearly all farm activities require fuel and many farmproducts are produced from oil. “It’s not just the fuel in the tractorsand trucks, but the impact on fertilizer prices, all sorts of ag-relatedthings, including transporting the crops, the fuel costs in buildingequipment, things like that. It’s changed so much, and we’re allwaiting to see the whole impact.”

Northey has added urban conservationists to his department,something he felt was needed as development continues to seep intothe countryside. He got the idea from being on the soil districtboard in Dickinson County. “We were working on rural issues toprotect Lake Okoboji and Spirit Lake. People came to us and wethen came to understand urban impact and development in ruralareas,” he said.

Northey and his wife, Cindy, are the parents of three growndaughters, and one of the reasons he went back to college for hismaster’s was to set an example for them. “The master’s programwas just six miles away in Spirit Lake, so it was wonderful to be ableto get the degree,” he said. “My three girls were in high school andheaded off to college and I wanted to let them know that anundergraduate degree is important, but to also think about amaster’s program, if they were interested. I decided to put mymoney where my mouth is.”

Bill NortheyM.S. in Management, 2004


Alumni Spotlight SMSU alumni shine brightly in their chosen fields.

“The master’s program was just six milesaway in Spirit Lake, so it was wonderfulto be able to get the degree.”

—Bill Northey on the SMSU master’s in management program.

alumni connections


SMSUAlumni Plaza

To support the Alumni Plaza visit www.SouthwestAlumni.com/plaza

When Deeann Griebel heard aboutthe Alumni Plaza project fromAlumni Director Tyler Bowen, she

didn’t have to think long before throwing hersupport—and money—behind the idea.

“I remember when I attended SMSU, thatarea was used by students to get from the(residence halls) to the academic areas,” shesaid. “There was nothing there, it looked likethe back of a barn.”

That’s why Griebel has pledged $200,000 in matching fundstoward the Alumni Plaza project, which was formally launchedin May.

The area is located to the west of the Student Center, south ofthe R/A Facility and north of the residence halls.

The project will transform an area heavily used by the campuscommunity into a welcoming, multi-functional recreation andgathering space that will add an entirely new dimension tocampus and attractively connect the residence halls with the R/AFacility and Student Center.

“We hope that it will become the social and recreational hubof the University,” said Bowen.

The Alumni Association is coordinating the project. Griebelwill match the first $200,000 raised of the $600,000 project.Construction will begin in May 2009, and will be finished by thefall semester 2009.

The Alumni Plaza includes many aspects, including anamphitheater for outdoor concerts, theater productions andreadings; multi-functional recreation and gathering spaces; asculpture by SMSU alumnus John Sterner; an outdoor terrace

extendingfrom the Conference Center;and beautiful landscaping that creates a visuallyattractive space.

Griebel received a Business Education and PE degree from St.Cloud State and taught in Nebraska and Minnesota for severalyears before deciding to change careers. She received anaccounting degree from SMSU in 1980.

After graduating from Southwest, the Pipestone native headedwest. Today she is a financial advisor for Wachovia SecuritiesLLC in Mesa, Ariz.

Deeann has been a supporter of the University sincegraduation, and thinks too many graduates, of any college, don’tremember their alma mater once they leave. “I like to hear aboutsuccess stories, to know that alumni have gone on to goodthings,” she said.

She is one such success story, and encourages alumni to getinvolved. “It is a project that will benefit the University and theregion,” she said. “There have been so many improvements tothe campus over the past six years, this project will enhance theentire campus.”

alumni connections

Regional Event Center Takes Shape

The Regional Event Center has beengoing up steadily over the past twoyears and is now open for the fall

athletic season. It is a welcome addition tothe campus, and southwest Minnesota.

The $16 million, 2,500-capacity structureis located north of the Recreation/AthleticFacility on campus. The grand opening isscheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6.

The Minnesota Legislature appropriated$11 million of the $16 million forconstruction. The remaining $5 will beraised privately.

The Regional Event Center is the newhome to the Mustang football and soccerteams, and serve as a venue for campus andregional events. Such events includeconferences, speakers, symposiums, concerts,graduations, marching band competitions andrecreational events, to name a few—eventsthat require a space that can accommodatelarger crowds.

The permanent seating capacity is 2,500,though that can be increased considerablywith portable seating options. Seating runsfrom goal line to goal line.

There are eight suites that can be used forviewing events and hosting meetings. Theyare available for SMSU and public use.

The press box will also serve as aclassroom. State-of-the-art video editing

equipment will be available to Radio/TVstudents.

“It’s a very unique and versatile space inthe region,” said Bill Mulso, Associate VicePresident for Advancement and ExecutiveDirector of the SMSU Foundation. “Weanticipate a lot of usage, both hostingUniversity events and events from within theregion.”

The Minnesota State High School Leaguehas contacted the University to rent thefacility for upcoming high school sectionplayoff games. The Regional Event Centerwill also be home to Marshall Tiger highschool games.

The new 2009 Residence Hall is located onthe west edge of campus near Mustang Trail,between the existing complex that includesAntipodes, Lhasa, Methedras and NaouthaHalls and the “C” Parking Lot.

It provides closure at the west end of theexisting village of residence halls. Outdoorplazas and a mini-ampitheater create formaland informal outdoor sitting, gathering, eventand reflecting spaces. Native grasses, plantingsand trees will provide a flow of landscapefrom the site to the neighboring vegetation.The Residence Hall will have glassy towersthat will allow interior light to spill outdoors,highlighting features of the building whileadding a glow of security and ambience to thesite at night.

The exterior will be comprised of similarbrick that is used throughout campus. Stonebands will highlight the change in materialcolor and building features.

The new residence hall is scheduled foroccupancy in Fall 2009.

Above: With the existing Residence Hall skyline inthe background, work on the new 252-bedresidence hall complex on campus began in July.The three-story structure will feature two-roomsuites and is located on the southwest part ofcampus, next to the “C” parking lot. Right photos:Architect’s renderings of exterior and interior views.


Name of Facility: Regional Event Center

Cost: $16 million

Seating Capacity: 2,500 permanent seats; portableseating allows for additional capacity; bermseating available on east side.

Uses: SMSU football, soccer; Marshall HighSchool football; regional high school footballand soccer; meetings, conventions, concerts,symposiums, band competitions, andrecreational activities.

Suites: Eight. Used for event viewing, classroomand meeting space; can be subdivided and areavailable for campus and community use. Call507-537- 7271.

Surface: Field turf.

Scoreboard: Daktronics state-of-the-artscoreboard with a 13-by-22-foot Pro Star videodisplay.

Parking: Majority of parking in the R/A Facility lot;parking also available to the west of theRegional Event Center. New Green lot at thecorner of Birch St. and Mustang Trail.

Contact: Director of University Event Services, 1-800-642-0684.

GlanceAt a

New Residence Hall Construction Begins

Mustang Athletics


SMSU Athletics To Induct Seven into Hall of HonorSMSU Athletics announced its latest class members to be inducted

into the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor. The induction ceremony willtake place on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, beginning at 1 p.m. in theSMSU Conference Center.

Joining the SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor in January includeCarolina Gomez (tennis), Paige Karno (volleyball), Chris Pack(baseball), Bruce Saugstad (football), Link Steffen (wrestling/baseball),and Sheldon and Marge Haaland (community members).

The ceremony is open to the public and tickets are available bycalling 507-537-7271.2009 SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor Class:

Carolina Gomez (tennis): Four-year letter winner (1986-89) ...honorable mention NAIA All-America in doubles (1988) ... secondteam NAIA All-America in doubles and singles in 1989 ... careersingles record of 99-22 (.818 winning pct. ranks first all-time) ...finished career with combined record of 195-48 in singles and doubles... four-time All-NSC honoree including #1 singles and #1 doubles in1989 ... four-time NAIA All-District honoree ... member of fourconference championship teams.

Paige Karno (volleyball): Four-year letter winner (1992-95) ... rankssecond all-time in SMSU history in kills with 1,661 ... member of 1993squad that qualifed for NAIA national tournament ... first team All-NSIC in 1994 and 1995 ... named NSIC female athlete of the year in

1995 ... two-time SMSU female athlete of the year ... ranks in top fivein school history in kills and attack attempts, while ranking first with2,619 digs.

Chris Pack (baseball): Four-year letter winner (1995-98) ... four-timefirst team All-NSIC honoree ... 1995 NSIC Pitcher of the Year ...member of 1996 NSIC championship team ... named SMSU teampitcher of the year three times ... led NSIC in ERA in 1995 (1.23) ...ranks first in school history in innings pitched, wins, strikeouts andcomplete games.

Bruce Saugstad (football): Four-year letter winner (1985-88) ...first team Academic All-America in 1988 ... two-time NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete ... honorable mention All-NSIC in both 1987& 1988 ... member of 1987 NAIA playoff team ... 1988 NSIC GlenGalligan Award winner ... 1989 NSIC Male Athlete of the Year ... teamcaptain in 1988 ... finished career with 132 solo tackles setting a-thenschool record ... played in all 43 games in his career.

Link Steffen (wrestling/baseball): Four-year letter winner (1994-98)... 1998 NCAA II national champion at 190 lbs. ... two-time NCAAAll-America ... three-time NCAA national qualifier ... four-time All-NSIC honoree ... 1998 Midwest Region Wrestler of the Year ...finished with 39-1 record in 1997-98 ... finished with 114 careervictories ranking second all-time ... played two seasons (1995-96) ofbaseball.

The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference announced in Maythat Southwest Minnesota State University senior football playerTyler Fischer was named the 2008 Dr. William Britton Scholar-

Athlete Award winner for the second consecutive year. The BrittonScholar-Athlete Award for Academic Excellence, in its 24th year,recognizes the NSIC’s top male student-athlete. A native ofGettysburg, S.D., Fischer becomes the first student-athlete to repeat asthe NSIC Britton Award.

In 2007, Fischer became just the second SMSU male student-athleteto earn the award. Former football player Bruce Saugstad earned theaward in 1989.

The member institutions of the NSIC nominate one male and onefemale student-athlete for the Britton Award. The nominees must meetthe following criteria: a grade point average of 3.2 or better (on a 4.0scale); evidence of academic excellence beyond the minimum gradepoint average (scholarship prizes and other academic recognition),evidence of participation in the life of the institution, and evidence ofparticipation in at least two-thirds of the varsity events of theindividual’s primary sport.

Fischer was recognized at the 2008 NSIC Hall of Fame Banquet inSt. Cloud in July and will receive a $1,000 post-graduate scholarship.

Fischer, an agribusiness major with an emphasis in management,finance and marketing, was a three-year starter and four-timeletterwinner for the Mustang football team. Fischer has completed hispre-chiropractic curriculum and plans to work for NFO in Washington,D.C., after graduation from SMSU.

Academically, Fischer holds a 3.76 GPA while being named to theDean’s List every semester. He was also a three-time NSIC All-Academic team member, awarded the SMSU Presidential AcademicScholarship, the Paul Pearson Memorial Scholarship, the CenexScholarship and was named SMSU Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in

2007 and 2008. Fischer has been the President of the SMSU StudentAthlete Advisory Committee since 2004. He is also involved with theIntercollegiate Athletic Advisor Board, College Republicans, theUniversity Sportsman Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, aswell as being an officer of the Ag Club. He was also a part of theAmerican Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team in2007.

On the football field, Fischer competed in 43 of 44 games over hiscareer and was awarded the Glen Galligan Award, as the conference’stop football senior student-athlete. He was an honorable mention All-NSIC selection in 2005 and 2007 and SMSU Special Teams Player ofthe Year in 2004.

In his spare time, Fischer is a participant in Mustang Readers(reading in elementary schools); YMCA Youth Day; was captain of theRelay for Life team raising $3,700 for American Cancer Society;helpedorganize a food drive which obtained over 1,500 pounds of food andover $1,000 for the Marshall Food Shelf; and was involved in manyother volunteer jobs on campus and in the community.

Tyler Fischer named 2008 William Britton Scholar-Athlete

MUSTANG CAREER TOTALS:• 213 stops• 20 tackles for loss• 7.5 sacks• 3.76 Grade Point Average

Mustang Athletics


UPDATE • UPDATE • UPDATE • UPDATE • UPDATE • UPDATE • UPDATE

Senior Matt Fletcher (North Branch)wrapped up his career at SMSU by earningsecond team All-NSIC honors for the thirdstraight season, while finishing as only the thirdplayer in NSIC history to make over 300 three-pointers in his career. Senior Travis Krenske(Faribault) was named third-team All-NSIC.Both Fletcher and Krenske finished theircareers with over 1,000 points and helpedSMSU to a third-place finish in the conferencethis past season.

Junior Sara Leidall (Rochester) was namedhonorable mention All-NSIC after averaging10.7 points and 4.9 rebounds per game for thewomen’s basketball team. A young team, theMustangs graduated just one senior, LauraVanOverbeke (Marshall), who finished hercareer with 86 points and 82 rebounds.

The SMSU wheelchair basketball team wasled by senior Nathan Peitz (Hartington,Neb.), who was named first team All-Americaand junior Evan Thorn (Elk River), who wassecond team All-America. The RollingMustangs finished fifth at the nationaltournament.

Junior Tyler Johnson (Harrisburg, S.D.)qualified for the NCAA tournament, becomingthe first Mustang wrestler to qualify in twoyears. Johnson became first-year head coachJesse Nelson’s first national qualifier after

Johnson placed third at the North Regionaltournament at 184 pounds.

The Mustang tennis team finished second inthe NSIC, its highest placing since 1993.Senior Diana Naatz (Marshall) was namedNSIC Senior of the Year, while freshmenCailey Grupe (Trimont) and TrishaBaldwin (Montevideo) earned first team All-NSIC honors at fifth and sixth singles,respectively. Baldwin also earned honorablemention All-NSIC with No. 3 doubles partner,sophomore Amy Daniels (Marshall), whileGrupe and sophomore DanielleHildebrandt (St. James) earned honorablemention at No. 2 doubles. Hildebrandt andNaatz also earned honorable mention All-NSICat Nos. 3 and 4 singles.

Four Mustang baseball players were honoredby the NSIC, led by senior pitcher BrandonWilhelmi (Clements) being named first teamAll-NSIC. Senior shortstop Lex Reinke(Shoreview), junior second baseman GregLaughlin (Eden Prairie) and sophomorepitcher Jared Pick (Luverne) were all namedhonorable mention All-NSIC. Laughlin wasnamed first team Daktronics All-Region andfirst team Academic All-District. Wilhelmi was

named to the second team ABCA all-regionteam. The SMSU baseball team finished infourth place in the NSIC.

The SMSU softball team enjoyed one of itsbest seasons ever, led by senior catcher ErinDickhausen (Watertown) and junior pitcherAmanda Johnson (Fremont, Neb.). The duoearned numerous postseason honors, includingall-region. Dickhausen was named NSIC Playerof the Year, while Johnson earned NSIC Pitcherof the Year and Daktronics North CentralRegion Pitcher of the Year. Senior shortstopAmanda Opatz (Annandale), juniorsAmanda Burkhart (Omaha, Neb.) andJessica Paczosa (Inver Grove Heights) andsophomore Andrea Fennern (Wabasso) wereall named first team All-NSIC. JuniorAmanda Tucci (Oakdale) was namedhonorable mention All-NSIC and head coachShawn Semler was named NSIC Coach of theYear. Semler’s squad won its third consecutiveregular season NSIC title and qualified for theNCAA Tournament for the third straightseason. The Mustangs were ranked seventh inthe nation in the April 9 NFCA poll, its highestranking in school history.

In Memoriam

Andy Wiersma, a formerSMSU men's basketballplayer, was killed on July 27in a two-car accident east ofBalaton, Minnesota.

Originally fromChanhassen, Wiersma, 26, played five seasons forthe Mustang men's basketball team from 2001-06.Following a redshirt season in 2001-02, he playedin 112 career games, making 36 starts. He scored418 points while grabbing 237 rebounds in hisfour-year career. He shot 42.6 percent from thefield (135-of-317) including 37.7 percent fromthree-point range (69-of-183).

Following his playing career in 2006, the men'sbasketball program honored him by renaming its"Mustang Award" the "Andy Wiersma MustangAward," given each year to a player whoexemplifies the qualities of being a men'sbasketball student-athlete.

Andy Wiersma Kacy Heiss Kienholz ’00 knew she had a good core groupof seniors last year. She didn’t know just how good.

The Pierre High School coach was named South Dakotavolleyball coach of the year after last season’s 23-1 teamclaimed the Eastern South Dakota (ESD) championshipand took second in the Class AA state tournament. Theylost a five-game heartbreaker to Rapid City Stevens.

Kienholz took over the job two years ago after expandingthe Junior Olympic program in Pierre following a movethere five years ago with her husband Peter.

A stay-at-home mother of three young children, Kienholz jumped at thechance to coach the high school team when the opportunity presented itself,and in her second year, took the team to its first-ever ESD title and second-placestate finish.

She graduated from SMSU in 2000 with an Elementary Education degreeand played four years of volleyball for the Mustangs. She was recruited by DebDenbeck out of Page, Neb., and helped coach Junior Olympic volleyball withcurrent SMSU volleyball coach Terry Culhane.

Her husband Peter is a 1998 graduate of SMSU. He is a sales representativefor Pitney Bowes.

They have three children: Miah, 5; Lincoln, 4; and Lola, 1.

South Dakota Volleyball Coach of the Year

class notes


1971YVONNE (HOFFMAN)SIEVE received the 2008Celebrate Literacy Awardfrom the Minnesota ReadingAssn. She teaches first-gradersin the Worthington SchoolDistrict.1972TIMOTHY BURNS is “trulyenjoying seeing our collegegrow” and has been on theSMSU Foundation Board ofDirectors for three terms. Heis married to wife, Julie, andthey have three grownchildren: Rob, 20; Tony,SMSU grad now working forKELO-TV in Sioux Falls,S.D.; and Molly. Timothyworks in sales for Principal inSioux Falls, S.D.MURIEL (ODDEN) ANDJOHN (1971) COULTERlive in Tracy, where she hastaught elementary school for34 years. John is a retiredsocial studies teacher andmarkets artwork for his friend,Josh Spies of Watertown,S.D. They have four grownchildren.PAMELA (STEHLEY-SWANSON) PAPPAS hasbeen a kindergarten teacher atSt. Francis Elementary inRochester, for 18 years. She ismarried to husband, Walter,and has three grown childrenand three grandchildren.1973JAMES BOTHMER wasrecently promoted to AssistantVice President for HealthScience and director of theHealth SciencesLibrary/Learning ResourcesCenter at CreightonUniversity in Omaha, Neb.He was elected to the board ofdirectors of the Association ofAcademic Health ScienceLibraries.NANCY (BERTELSEN)MARCO works atWorthington RegionalHospital in Worthington, andteaches medical coding part-time at Minnesota WestCommunity and TechnicalCollege.1974BOB NOSBUSCH has beena teacher for the past 20-plusyears and currently teaches

special education in thePipestone, school district. Hetook the Pipestone job to becloser to his parents. “Wishingthe best to friends and alumni… Those years were some ofthe best ever.”PAMELA (BINNEBOSE)WOLTERS teaches K-6 musicand beginning band atSwanville Schools inSwanville. She also has a beefherd, “with the possible intentof going organic.”1974RICHARD AND JEANNE(DEPAW) TOEWS are proudgrandparents for the firsttime. Richard recently retiredfrom a 33-year career ofteaching special education.They live in Spring Valley.1977JANNA (CADWELL) ANDCRAIG COBB live inHuron, S.D. Janna teaches forthe Huron School Districtand Craig is senior vicepresident and chief financialofficer at American BankTrust.1981RICHARD “DICK”CRUMB completed amaster’s intelecommunications at St.Mary’s University inMinneapolis in June 2008.1985BRIAN FLANAGAN had adisplay for his “K9 SolarLodge” at the June MinnesotaInventors Congress inRedwood Falls.1987LEE CLARK lives in DakotaDunes, S.D., and recentlyaccepted a new teachingposition at Elk Point-JeffersonSchool in Elk Point, S.D. Hewill be head boys and girlsgolf coach and assist with thegirls basketball program whileteaching K-8 physicaleducation. He had been atMaple Valley-Anthon-Oto(Anthon, Iowa) prior tomoving to Dakota Dunes.1989JEAN (AALDERKS)SORENSON is a full-timemother living with herhusband and three children inPlymouth.1990

PAUL HARTZEL works forHennepin County(Minneapolis) and is just oneof 16 people in the worldcertified in Forensic VideoAnalysis from the LawEnforcement EmergencyVideo Association (LEVA).“It wasn’t an easy task; itinvolves years of training,seminars, testing and peerreview… The degrees Iobtained from Southwest andthe University of Nebraskacontributed toward thenumber of credit hoursrequired for this certification.”1991PATRICIA (GRIESE)ALCORN and her husband,Tony (’90), got a lot busier inOctober 2007 with the birthof twins, Chase and Eli.1992SANDRA (OKERMAN)MAEYAERT loves herteaching job, and sends thisnote to students who thinkthey may be too old to go tocollege: “I was 47 years oldwhen I became a student forthe first time. I struggled butloved every minute. Igraduated with four BSdegrees. I have enjoyedteaching and will be 65 nextyear. My only regret is that Iwish I could have had moreyears to teach. I got awonderful education atSMSU, at that time SSU.”TERESA (HABERMAN)LANGTON teaches thirdgrade and was named 2008Teacher of the Year for theDelano School District. Shelives in Buffalo.1993STEPHANIE (UDELL)DAHL and her husband,Dale, welcomed a son, Blake,in May 2008.JANE (KROGMAN)HARMON is principal ofMoffat County High Schoolin Craig, Colo. She marriedMatthew Harmon in July2007.LANCE HUSTON works forCHS, Inc., based in InverGrove Heights, as a certifiedenergy specialist. His wifeStephanie (Toma) is a formerSMSU student and works asthe travel coordinator and

It was a love of Mickey Mouse that led 1978SMSU graduate Val Romberg to participate inthe Goofy’s Race-and-a-half Challenge at Walt

Disney World in Orlando, Fla., last January.The event consisted of a half-marathon the first

day, and a full marathon the next.Romberg managed a Disney store in Indianapolis

for a dozen years and is a bona fide Mickey Mouseaficionado. She has one room crammed full of herfavorite Walt Disney character.

She received support during the two-days ofracing from fellow alumni David Sanderson, class of1978, Plymouth; Jane (Klinkner) Soukup, class of1980, New Ulm; and Jason Mortvedt, class of1978, Twin Cities. “They inspired me,” she said. “Idon’t think I could have finished without them.”

Romberg decided to run because of the medalsawarded for those who finish each race. “You got aDonald Duck medallion for the half marathon, aMickey Mouse medallion for the full marathon, anda Goofy medallion for both. You have to be a littlebit goofy to run both of them.”

Romberg has returned for every SMSUhomecoming since graduating, and it was throughthose gatherings that she became close toSanderson, Soukup and Mortvedt. “There’s a wholegroup of us who come back each year,” she said. “Idon’t have any children, so my SMSU friends arelike my family.”

She admits her two days of running may seem abit crazy, “but I really wanted those medallions toadd to my collection,” she said with a chuckle.

VAL ROMBERG ’78 RUNS GOOFY RACE

class notes

special assistant to the president atCarleton College in Northfield. Theyhave one son.JULIE (RUPP) NORDAUNE livesin her hometown of Granite Fallswith her husband and two children.She was a stay-at-home mother andrecently took a position as a studentaid at Bert Raney Elementary School.SCOTT VANDERMILLEN is thenew athletic director at HarrisburgS.D. High School after serving inMitchell, S.D. for 10 years as athleticdirector. He was also head girls’basketball coach for three years inMitchell. 1994JASON ADAMS entered into apartnership with a local Sioux Falls,S.D., attorney. The law office is calledTschetter & Adams Law Office, P.C.The practice is focused on criminaldefense and family law. He is thefather of a new daughter, Emma, bornin March 2008.CATHY (BERNARDY) JONESmarried her husband, Jason, inNovember, 2007. She edits, writesand takes photos on a freelance basisout her home. A large contingent ofSMSU alumni was in attendance atthe wedding, helping make her specialday even more special. 1995PATRICK AND MARCIE(PINSKE) HAGGERTY live inCoon Rapids where Patrick works forWaymore Transportation and Marcieis a human resources manager forTarget Corp. They had their thirddaughter last September.AMY (HONKEN) MOAN lives inOmaha, Neb., with her husband,Tim. They have two sons: Logan, 6,and Jack, 4.1996KIMBERLY “KIM” (HANSON)WERMERS is employed by DakotaState University in Madison, S.D.,where she is a communicationsnetwork specialist. She is theadministrator of the university’s IDcard, works with meal plans, the on-and off-campus Trojan debit system,and is responsible for the hardwareand software that operates thetransaction system.1997JEN (BAYER) HENDRICKSONand her husband, Rob, are the proudparents of a daughter, Zoe., born inDecember 2007.MARYALICE (STUDER)LANGEVIN is a speech languagepathologist in the Farmington School

District and lives in Lakeville with herhusband, Mark, and son.1998ELIZABETH (MULSO)SHERMAN and her husband, Bob,are the proud parents of JacobRobert, born in September 2007.MIKE AND MELISSA (SMITH)NESDAHL live in Eagan where Mikeis a senior manager in finance andmarketing for Toro and Melissa worksfor Park Nicollet as a physician’sassistant in orthopedic surgery. Theyhad a baby girl, Brooke Anne, lastJuly. Melissa was inducted into the St.Bernard’s High School Athletic Hallof Fame last September.1999KYLE HAGEMAN is manager forGeneral Nutrition Center in the HarMar Mall and continues to be a die-hard Mustang fan. “I make it toMarshall every chance I get to see theteams play. Can’t wait to see the firstgame in the {Regional EventCenter.}”AARON AND MICHELLE(CHRISTENSEN) SINCLAIR livein Little Falls and welcomed a babygirl, Sophia, last July. Aaron is thehead football coach and an Englishteacher at Little Falls.2000KRISTI (ARENDS) WIESE willbegin her fourth year of teachingkindergarten in the Marshall schoolsystem this year. Kristi and herhusband welcomed a daughter, LilyElaine, in August 2007.2001NICKOLE (HAFFEY) BOWIE is ateacher and received the state RisingStar Teacher Award from theOklahoma Board of Education in2007. She lives in McAlester, Okla.JANICE KESTELOOT married EricBrunsvold in September 2007. Sheworks for Agency 318, a departmentof The Schwan Food Co.2002NICKOLE (HAFFEY) BOWIE isreturning to the state fromOklahoma. She will be teaching bandin southern Minnesota, and is happyto be back in Minnesota.CHRISTINA BRUSVEN washonored in March with the InspiringEfficiency Leadership Award by theMidwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.She is a lawyer with Fredrikson &Byron, a 225-member Minneapolislaw firm, focusing on renewableenergy and wind development issues.She also works at the MinnesotaHouse of Representatives as a

research assistant.TRACY (NORDMEYER)OEY and husband Alex(2003) welcomed StevenDavid on Jan. 10, 2008.KIMBERLY PEHRSONis an assistant NoblesCounty attorney and livesin Worthington.2003BRIAN WILLIAMSrecently started his dutiesas the Valley High Schoolprincipal in Elgin, Iowa.LINDSAY(SPRINGMAN)COOLEY marriedhusband Jared in 2005.They have two children.2004CRYSTAL (FANGMEIER)BLANKERS married husband Allenin March She is employed at WesternMental Health in Marshall. Allenworks for Minnwest Bank inMarshall.RANDY STEIL is a district executivefor Boy Scouts of America and livesin Willmar.2005KRISTIN (ANDERSON) MCNEILmarred Perry McNeil on Sept. 15,2007.2006STEPHEN PENNERTZ marriedJulie Hofmann in June 2007.RACHEL PETERSON is a pre-school teacher and lives in Edina.2007HEATHER GRUBA finished herfirst year as a math teacher at EastHigh School in downtown Denver,Colo. “It was a great time, but vastlydifferent than southern Minnesota,”she writes.KELLY MACE had a daughter,Amelia Grace. “You might have seenher at graduation ’07, but now she’srunning like a future track star,though mommy hopes for a basketballstar,” she writes.MEGHAN NELSON is the assistantwomen’s basketball coach at theUniversity of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls,S.D. She is the top assistant andrecruiting coordinator. She is active inthe Fellowship of Christian Athletes.2008JEN LINK accepted a full-timeposition as general manager ofoperations for Quality Forklift Salesand Service.

IN MEMORIAMELLEN (JOHNSON) ADEN, 1971,passed away on Nov. 5, 2007.KEITH BUBOLTZ, 1976, passedaway.KELSEY EBERLE, 2009, passedaway in June 2008.LORI (DIRCKX) FEHRMAN,1982, passed away on Oct. 1, 2007PAUL FEST, 1987, passed away onAug. 24, 2007.KURT GIGSTAD, 1979, passedaway on Oct. 17, 2007.PATRICIA (PATTERSON) HAY,1991, passed away on Sept. 25, 2007.DIANE (BRUNS) HOLUM, 1989,passed away.LAURA (ST. CLAIR)HOVDESVEN, 1996, passed awayon Dec. 9, 2007.JORY LEE ISAKSON, 1971, passedaway.TERRY JENNEN, 1976, passed awayon Dec. 9, 2007.DALE KILLE, 1973, passed away.JACKIE KOLSTAD, 2005, passedaway on Sept. 15, 2007.GLEVA (BINGER)KRONLOKKEN, 1971, passed awayJEROME LADWIG, 1972, passedaway on May 23, 2007.FRANCES MCCORMICK, 1987,passed away.BRETT THOMPSON, 2009, passedaway July 16, 2008.PA DAO VANG, 2008, passed awayon March 3, 2008.ROSELEE (HOWLETT)WEATHERLY, 1981, passed away inDec. 2007.ANDY WIERSMA, 2006, passedaway in July 2008.


Some SMSU alumni in attendance at Cathy(Bernardy, '94) and Jason Jones' wedding included,front row, from left: Vicky Burdick, Janet (Saxton, '92)and Jim Glaser, Julie (Porter, '95, bridesmaid) Erchoff-Costet, Jason & Cathy Jones, Diane Ptak ('92, maidof honor), Crystal (Pederson) and Dave Meek, andLisa Jacobsen. Back row: Brian Linville ('95,videographer), Jenny (Porter, bridesmaid) Willey,Jackie Porter, Keith ('94) and Jody (Rolf, '95, crossbearer) Cushman, and Steve and Aimee (Kruger, '94)Fisher.

Contact the SMSU Foundation at 1-800-260-0970 or E-mail [email protected] for details.

“The construction of the college has meant a lot to theregion. It offers so many things — the arts, sports, speakers,Senior College, the (Hospitality Management) restaurant.My husband and I raised our children in Marshall, we feel asthough this is our town.”

Violet “Vi” Johnson and her late husband, Frank, werecollege supporters from the beginning. Frank was on theMarshall School Board for a dozen years and a founder ofOlson & Johnson in Marshall.

They had talked about the importance of a collegeeducation often, and last September, Vi established theFrank and Vi Johnson Scholarship through the SMSUFoundation. “It was something we wanted to do, helpstudents earn a degree. It was important to us.”

Making a difference for future generations of Mustangs

Creating an Endowed Scholarship at SMSUYou can establish a named, endowed scholarship at Southwest MinnesotaState by making a gift of $10,000 or more. A scholarship can be in yourname or in honor of someone dear to your heart. An endowed scholarshipcan be funded over one, five or 10 years, depending on your wishes. Youmay designate your endowment to academic scholarships, a specificcollegiate unit, or students in need of financial assistance. In some cases,donors prefer including a scholarship gift in their will. For more informationcontact Bill Mulso, SMSU Foundation Executive Director, at 1-800-260-0970.

Consider These Advantages:• Tax deduction for charitable contribution• Membership in the Heritage Society• Helping SMSU students earn their degree in today’s challenging economic

environment• Leaving a lasting legacy at Southwest

L eaving a L egacy

Vi Johnson

Published by SMSU Alumni Office1501 State Street • Marshall, MN 56258

The Southwest Minnesota State University Student Activities Committee and 105.1 FM KARL Countrypresent

Lyric Street Recording Artist

(We Weren’t Crazy, Nothin’ to Lose, Stay With Me, I Want to Live )

American Idol Season 2 Final Four

Thursday, October 23, 2008SMSU R/A Facility, Marshall, Minnesota

7pm Doors Open · 8pm ShowtimeGeneral Seating

Advance General Admission Tickets Available:$20 with SMSU Student ID (limit two per ID)

$25 General Public · $30 Day of Show (everyone)(No Refunds or Exchanges)

For information and tickets visit:

www.SMSUTickets.comAccepting Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover

Questions, contact the Student Center at 507-537-6394.SPONSORED BY SAC. FUNDED BY SAFAC.

ADA Act/Section 504: Individuals with a disability who need a reasonableaccommodation to participate should call the University Relations office at SMSU

at 1-800-642-0684 or through the Minnesota Relay service at 1-800-627-3529.Please call at least 5-7 days in advance of the performance.

Fall 2008

Documents

Transcript of Fall 2008